There’s something particularly appealing about the idea of finding a bar hidden in the basement of a basement, or behind a false wall, or at the bottom of a secret alley. Especially when the evenings are longer, and you’re in the mood for a good cocktail to warm the soul.
Here’s our list of must-see hidden bars in Montreal, so don’t tell the others.
1. Atwater Cocktail Club
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This classic of Montreal’s speakeasies is located at the end of an often smelly alleyway. The bar, meanwhile, is elegant and refined, serving delicious dishes from the Foiegwa menu, which is located right next door. Go there for a successful evening in an intimate atmosphere.
Where: 512 Atwater Avenue, Montreal
When: daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m
2. Milky Way
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In the same family as Atwater Cocktail Club, this cocktail bar in Pointe-Saint-Charles offers delicious cocktails in a very Instagram tropical atmosphere. Bonus point for the glass ceiling, as it’s rare to see the sky in a speakeasy.
Where: 1886 du Centre Street, Montreal
When: daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m
3. Club Pelicano
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The Pelicano club pays tribute to Paris’s Molitor pool and Montreal’s abandoned public baths with its unique decor. A perfect place for a bite to eat, an aperitif, or to keep the party going until late with the music of the DJs who keep the walls vibrating.
Where: 1076 de Bleury Street #001, Montreal
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m
4. Cloakroom
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For a very intimate experience in a 25-seat bar, go to Cloakroom. It’s hidden behind a 19th-century facade, right next to a men’s store. Very classy, very dry, it’s the perfect place to try top-quality cocktails that are tailor-made to your tastes (there’s no menu, just waiters who know their stuff).
Where: 2175 de la Montagne Street, Montreal
When: Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 3 a.m
5. King Crab
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In the cave of the delicious Marko restaurant, this Griffintown speakeasy is really well hidden. It’s very secret society, and you feel very special when you’re there. The bar King Crab is sure to please all your friends, and those who come to visit will be impressed by your knowledge of the city’s best-kept secrets.
Where: 1726 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, QC, H3J 1M.
When: Thursday to Saturday, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m
6. The little secret
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This hidden Rosemont bar is one of Montreal’s most authentic speakeasies. In fact, to enter The little secret you need a code that changes every month. Visit the website to find out how to access the secret…
Where: 806 boul. Rosemont, Montreal
When: Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m
7. Clandestino
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For all your party adventures, head to the Old Port at Clandestino one of the best speakeasies in town. It’s also one of our favorites, and the perfect place for a small, intimate party, or a cocktail between lovers. This delicious little mezcal bar hidden behind a secret door in the basement of a bar that is itself camouflaged behind a hidden door won’t disappoint!
Where: 436, St-François Xavier, Montreal
When: Monday to Saturday, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m
8. The 4th wall
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This hidden bar like no other promises a mysterious, spellbinding experience. Discover The 4th wall by yourself… because you’ll need to ask for the address to find out where to go. Once there, take part in the investigation using the clues in the bar and the gazette, and try to solve the riddle with a cocktail in hand. A unique evening in prospect.
Where: ask for the address
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m
9. Soubois
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Enjoying delicious cocktails in an enchanted forest is perfect for those evenings when you want to escape into another world. Look no further than the Sousbois a unique establishment in the heart of downtown, offering a delicious menu in the evening, and a party space at night.
Where: 1106 Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1M7.
When: Thursday to Saturday, 8 pm to 3 am. Health measures may affect this schedule.
10. Club Velvet
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Well-known to Montreal partygoers, club Velvet is particularly special. Hidden at the end of a tunnel beneath the Auberge Saint-Gabriel, it’s reminiscent of the catacombs of Paris. Mysterious, subdued and absolutely hip, this is a club for dancing and partying until very late. A must-see on the Montreal nightlife scene!
Where: 426 St Gabriel Street, Montreal
When: Friday to Sunday, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m
11. The Coldroom
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A bar that is, by its name, located in the cold room, is in the basement of a tiny bar in the heart of Old Montreal, at the intersection of St-Vincent and St-Amable stone streets. Accepting no reservations, this speakeasy immerses us in the intrigue of spontaneous evenings. If you’re having trouble finding the place, #followtheduck!
Where: corner of St-Vincent and St-Amable, Montréal
When: daily, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m
12. Gokudo
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This hidden bar is a must in the city center. Gokudo is tucked away on Cathcart Street, behind a small fisherman’s hut called Ryoshi. Don’t let the modest storefront fool you, as Gokudo literally transports you to another world, with its handcrafted cocktails, sake and absolutely sublime decor.
Where: 630 Cathcart Street, Montreal
When: Wednesday to Saturday, varied schedules
13. Big in Japan
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This Japanese cocktail bar is a must on the Main. With its large curtains and subdued candlelight, it’s a hidden bar that’s definitely worth a visit. You can spot it on St-Laurent with its unmarked grey door, right next to the Patati Patata restaurant. Once inside, you’ll be transported to a world far removed from the neighborhood…
Where: 4175 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m