10 Best Bars and Clubs in Montreal

You’ll find Nacarat inside the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel in downtown Montreal. This upscale bar exudes elegance with its luxury decor in cream and orange-red hues, and you’ll love the contemporary feel of it. The speciality cocktails are a popular choice and the mixologists use their expertise to present stunning drinks in vibrant colours.

The highlight is the spacious terrace which opens during the warmer months. The views over Montreal are spectacular and you’ll love sipping a Kokkyo Highball whilst looking out over the city’s landmarks. No meals are served in the bar but you’ll be offered nibbles including olives, nuts and a small charcuterie board.

Stereo Bar caters to a younger crowd as it’s close to the University of Quebec in Montreal. It’s a popular nightclub with those passionate about house and techno music, and it’s known for its fantastic sound system and acoustics. If you love thumping music and different DJs every weekend, this is a great choice for an after-hours club.

Nightclubbers take their music and dancing seriously here. You can’t buy alcohol on the premises, which encourages a laidback ambience, and the dance floor is equipped with shock absorbers so you can comfortably stay on the floor all night. It’s a sought-after club so beat the long queues and buy your tickets in advance online.

Silo Brasserie is a lovely choice for a relaxing afternoon or evening with friends. You’ll love the convivial atmosphere, and the bar has been designed to encourage precious time with quality company and quality beer. On a sunny day, locals and visitors alike spend a few hours sitting outside on the terrace, and it can get busy on Sunday afternoons.

The beers at this microbrewery are rotated, but popular choices are the St-Laurent with its slightly sweet, honey flavour and the Des Carrières, which is a dark lager with hints of chocolate and caramel. If you love trying different craft beers, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for recommendations as they’re incredibly helpful and knowledgeable in this brasserie.

Le 4e Mur is a mysterious speakeasy bar which grabs your attention from the moment you arrive – provided you’ve pressed the right brick in the wall to gain access. Once inside, you’ll find a sleek interior with a friendly vibe. The delicious cocktails are a popular option – sample a mouth-wateringly sweet Snickers or a tangy Trinidad Sour – and you can also order light snacks such as a good, old-fashioned grilled cheese sandwich.

If you’ve always wanted to play detective, this is your chance. Order drinks, receive clues and solve the murder-mystery game, which will keep you hooked all evening. There are often special events too, including burlesque shows and live jazz nights, which usually start late in the evening.

Vinvinvin is a popular wine bar in the La Petite-Patrie district of Montreal. Its modern décor is a vibrant blast of colour – a teal ceiling, burgundy wall tiles and mosaic tile flooring – and the bar has a friendly and lively atmosphere. You can choose from an expansive list of organic wines, as well as some light bites including oysters and gnocchi. The menu is created specifically to enhance the flavour of the wines.

Be sure to check social media as you’ll see announcements for events, such as Old School Prosecco Night. Friday nights are always busy, and they don’t take reservations so plan on arriving early if you want to try this fantastic wine bar on weekends.

L’Axe du Mal translates as “the axis of evil” and is a fantastic bar-hopping experience in Montreal. It’s made up of 4 bars and clubs at the crossroads of Saint-Denis Street and Mont-Royal Avenue, and they’re clustered together so you won’t have far to walk between each one.

Try L’Escogriffe if you like smaller venues and loud rock music, or Pow Pow if you prefer house and techno music. Quai des Brumes has amazing live music and mostly francophone performers, and La Rockette is popular with nostalgic clubbers who love tunes from the ‘50s through to the ‘80s. Spend the evening in one of these lively establishments or attempt all of them in a single night, if you have the energy.

Bord’Elle Boutique Bar & Eatery is a fantastic mix of exquisite food, vibrant cocktails and spectacular shows. Combining a restaurant and a nightclub with a 1920s feel, it’s a great choice for a night out downtown, close to Victoria Square. The menu focuses on seafood – we recommend the grilled octopus – but there are vegetarian options too such as the decadent truffle and burrata ravioli.

As you’re indulging in fine dining and soaking up the luxurious decor and fantastic atmosphere, you’ll be treated to burlesque shows. Bedazzled dancers will twirl above and dangle from suspended hoops to astound you with their acrobatics. Bord’Elle is extremely popular, and reservations fill up quickly, so be sure to book early for this lively club.

Snowbird Tiki Bar is known for its exotic drinks and laid-back atmosphere. Sit back and relax with a delicious cocktail, taking in the typical tiki decor with the bar’s straw huts, flamingos and colourful statues. Locals come here to share a punch bowl – the Garden Party and Volcano Bowls are firm favourites – and snack on tasty light bites like pork or vegetable dumplings.

There’s a lovely rooftop terrace where you can sit outside chatting late into the evening with family and friends, as the servers don’t rush you in this relaxed bar. Be sure to check out social media for its special offers – including Mai Tai Mondays – and different events such as tattoo evenings and tarot card nights.

Les Foufounes Electrique is located close to the Saint Laurent underground station and MTELUS theatre in downtown Montreal. The illuminated skulls and caged entrance lead you to a low-lit bar with black and dark red decor, exposed-brick walls and a distinctive underground feel. This is a great option for a night out if you like cheap beer, live music and a loud and lively atmosphere.

The bar has a punk-rock vibe and there are live bands most weekends playing a mix of metal and rock. It caters mainly to a younger crowd and also regular monthly events, which include everything from flea markets to wrestling. You even challenge your friends to a game of pool or table football.

North Star Machines à Piastres is known for its fun and friendly atmosphere. People come to this retro-chic bar for drinks and laughter with plenty of old-school and modern arcade games lining the walls. You’ll love trying your hand at Pac-Man and the pinball machines whilst sampling the delicious beers and cocktails.

Locals and tourists alike flock here for the themed events, including monthly pinball tournaments, as well as disco and karaoke nights. It’s a busy bar with a cult following and you can even buy North Star merchandise or have your photo taken in a pinball photo booth. Grab a drink, try for a high score and leave with a souvenir T-shirt.