montreal's best bars

Our city guide takes us on a quest to find Montreal’s best bars, which thanks to Thrillist we have selected for you.

Source: Thrillist.com

Thomas Yeo, one of the best bartenders in the city suggests his selection of Montreal’s best bars, from clubs, speakeasy or classic bars, of all types.

 

Montreal’s best bars according to Thomas Yeo

Atwater

Glamorous, dark and intimate without being stuffy or pretentious,” says head bartender Thomas Yeo, who has plenty of accolades in his own right. “You can come early and chat with the bartender over one of the nearly 700 bottles at our back bar, or come late and party with the DJ while sipping cocktails and shooting tequila. Or you can stay all night and do both.”

512 Atwater Ave, Montreal, Quebec H4C 2G5, Canada

Photo credit: Elizabeth Gartside

 

Milky Way

Atwater’s sister bar. Innovative cocktails are the draw at this trendy venue with colorful lighting and sleek furnishings.

The aesthetic has a very Miami Vice feel, and the huge atrium over the bar makes it feel tropical year-round. The cocktail menu reflects the vibe: big bright flavors and flashy glassware. (Two-foot-tall copper swan anyone?) They share the kitchen with Fugazzi Pizza downstairs, so it’s the perfect place to grab a wood-fired pizza and a cocktail or two as the sun sets over the city.”

1886 Centre St, Montreal, Quebec H3K 1H9, Canada

 

Bar de Courcelle

A mellow, unpretentious cocktail bar with a retro feel, appetizers and occasional live music. “They serve great bottles of Labatt 50, $4 shots of Wild Turkey and a great appetizer menu.”

St Henri Cocktail, with gin, grapefruit, CRAN, and soda.

4685 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H4C 1S7, Canada

 

El Pequeño

Craft cocktails and Cuban appetizers at this charming little spot with exposed brick walls.

The room evokes Hemingway’s Cuba, so have a daiquiri and let one of their expert bartenders talk you through the history of Cuban cocktails or some of their rums.”

401a R. Saint-Vincent, Montréal, QC H2Y 3A4, Canada

 

Cloakroom

Elegant speakeasy-style bar offering specialty cocktails in a cozy, dimly lit space.

There is no menu, so a bar team that has featured some of Montreal’s best-known bartenders over the years creates bespoke cocktails using a carefully selected back bar and house ingredients.”

2175 Rue de la Montagne #100, Montréal, QC H3G 1Z8, Canada

 

Le Mal Nécessaire

Stylish tiki-style bar serving exotic drinks, with DJ music, outdoor seating and a 1970s vibe.

Montreal’s original tiki bar, Le Mal Nécessaire, is a complete tiki experience in the heart of Chinatown. They serve great tiki classics and tropical creations served in pineapples and coconuts, but they also have an impressive boilerplate list.

They’re known for championing sustainability and finding creative ways to reduce food waste in their bar program, which is cool: head bartender and general manager Mickey Rizk even gave a TED talk about it.”

1106B St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2Z 1J5, Canada

 

Honey Martin

Small, old-fashioned Irish pub with framed artwork on the walls and live entertainment.

When it’s packed – like on weekends – the crowd is a real sample of the neighborhood and has a very special energy. Go have a shot of good Irish whiskey and a pint of Guinness and enjoy the live music.”

5916 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H4A 1X7, Canada

 

Do you know more of Montreal’s best bars? Tell us more about them here!

 

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