Montreal, I’ve got to hand it to you: I had no idea that the caliber of your watering holes (not to mention your food) was so high. Here we are, sitting in New York City after a fantastic whirlwind getaway to Québec’s metropolis last weekend, and all Mr. Five O’Clock and I can think about is how soon we can return to your charming city to revisit our favorite spots and scout out new ones.

While there’s no doubt that our current residence will always have a new, hot “bar of the moment” to try, there’s something really exciting about a city that hasn’t been overrun with dozens of speakeasies and can hold its own in the world of excellent microbrews. If you find yourself up in the Great White North with a hankering for some booze, here are the top spots to grab a drink in Montreal right now.

1. Le Lab

1351 Rue Rachel Est, Montreal, QC
Website

Yes, this craft cocktail spot has “labtenders,” and yes, their drinks include ingredients from tropical BBQ syrup to sriracha. But make no mistake: while the staff behind the bar are very talented, they’re surprisingly down to earth too. (Case in point: our skillful bartender, Anthony, preferred the term “bartender” over “mixologist,” because the latter term can sometimes put people off.)

The Union Pacific—containing cardamom and curry bitters, Old’Timer Tonic syrup, lime, Mandarin and Pisco Capel—transported me to South Asia, even though I have yet to go there; Le Berg, a drink named after Anthony which contains Aztec chocolate bitters, fernet, vermouth, sherry and Canadian Club whiskey, tasted like Canada in a glass. Honestly, Le Lab is one of the best places to drink in Montreal! In addition to their extensive knowledge of drinks, these guys also pointed us to…

2. Le 4e Mur

[Address and website hidden]

I’ll admit it: we were originally headed to La Distillerie, another cocktail spot, after our time at Le Lab. But we spontaneously revamped our plans once we heard Anthony’s glowing recommendation for Le 4e Mur (translated as “le quartrième mur,” or “the fourth wall”) with its hidden entrance and alluring libations.

This place has the feel of NYC’s famous speakeasies, PDT and Milk and Honey, in the era when the concept was still new and word hadn’t yet gotten out. (In fact, this spot has only been open for nine months as of April 2016.) You step through a glass door marked “Agence de Detectives” and come face to face with a red brick wall, where you must press on the correct brick to enter the quiet hideaway below. Once inside, the dark and stylish decor, attentive and personal service, and reasonably priced drinks will leave you wanting more.

Try the À L’Affiche (Bulleit bourbon, Lagavulin 16-year scotch, popcorn syrup, saline solution, lime juice and egg white) or the White Crow (gin, juniper-infused chocolate syrup, bergamot juice, sencha green tea, cardamom seeds, and egg white). To help maintain the mystery, we’ve promised to keep the address a secret and not post pictures for now, but when you do find it, be sure to ask for Jeremy—a charismatic and deft mixologist.

Update: Jeremy has since moved on to Atwater Cocktail Club, another amazing cocktail hotspot in Montreal as of 2018.

3. Dieu du Ciel!

29 Laurier Ouest, Montreal, QC
Website

This place was recommended to us by quite a few people before we left on our trip, and it’s easy to see why. Open since 1998, Dieu du Ciel’s beers have won many accolades, and it has a strong reputation of being one of the best craft breweries in the city. Perhaps the greatest praise of all, however, comes from Mr. Five O’Clock, who, upon taking a drawn out sip of Dentelle (an India Pale Lager), exclaimed, “I actually like this beer!” for the first time in his life. Folks, we may have a beer convert on our hands!

Other brews we enjoyed included Moralité (American IPA style), and Route #1, a West Coast Pale Ale. Really, you can’t go wrong with any of the options here. Hint: be sure to get the nachos to sop up that beer; they ooze decadence and deliciousness.

4. Maison St. Paul (formerly known as La Champagnerie)

343 Rue Saint Paul Est, Montreal, QC
Website

Six words: sabering open your bottle of champagne. You too, upon request, can learn how to saber open your own bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. (Mr. Five O’Clock did, and now he wants to do this as his next party trick, so watch out, friends!) The kind and patient staff are encouraging and friendly throughout the lesson, and are quite knowledgeable when it comes to all things bubbly. We went with cava on the night we visited, but options range from French champagne to Italian prosecco and beyond. They even have bubbly cocktails (of course), which includes Death in the Afternoon (absinthe, sugar, fresh lemon juice, and bubbles) and Jamey ‘n’ Honey (Jameson, homemade vanilla honey, angostura bitters, lemon twist and bubbles).

5. Bar Big in Japan

4175 Boulevard Saint Laurent, Montreal, QC
Menu

You didn’t think you’d get to the end of this list without mention of another secret bar, now, did you? Come for the hidden entrance; stay for the moody yet classy ambiance, with glass walls and candles lining the room. This difficult-to-find Japanese-themed speakeasy usually has a line out the door, so it’s best to arrive early. It’s a perfect date spot, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth. The drinks aren’t crazy inventive like at Le Lab or Le 4e Mur, but sometimes, you just want to stick to the classics. Bar Big in Japan makes a particularly good Gold Rush, one of our favorite cocktails.

Honorable Mention: We asked staff at each of these places to recommend some spots to visit in the future. If you’ve already hit the five places listed above, try out Le Mal Nécessaire, L’Assommoir, Benelux, or Bishop and Bagg. Santé!

Updated as of November 2019

Essential Info:
Where should you stay in Montreal? Check out options here.
Where did I personally stay in Montreal? This hotel in Montreal, which I really liked.
Want a guidebook for Montreal? I use Lonely Planet and Fodor’s.
What else have I written about Canada? Check out these posts!
Have questions for me? Hit me up on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Did you like this post? Pin it! ↓↓