Montreal has officially spiked the annual North America's 50 Best Bars list with a little local flavour. The spirited showdown of top watering holes across the continent, from Canada to the Caribbean, saw Montreal bars take a double shot at the prestigious ranking and both land.
Montreal is bubbling over with eclectic speakeasies, tropical tiki bars, and establishments helmed by cocktail celebrities, each pouring their unique talents into the world of mixology. Here are some exceptional places in the city to quench your thirst for (and with) expertly mixed cocktails.
As the largest city and one of the only on the continent to resist prohibition in the early 20th century, it’s no surprise that Montreal (then nicknamed "Paris of the North" and "Sin City") maintains its reputation as a first-rate place to knock back some booze. From student-packed dives on Saint-Laurent to ritzy speakeasies to 5 à 7s at neighbourhood wine bars, Montrealers are getting hammered at some of the finest drinkeries on this side of the Atlantic.
Montreal is a city that takes its cocktails seriously. From classic speakeasies to trendy new bars, the drinks scene in Montreal is constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of mixology and creativity. This year, several local bars have been named finalists for the highly coveted Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. The awards recognize excellence in the global spirits industry and are considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the cocktail world. Here are the Montreal bars that are shaking things up in Canada.
Montreal ranks highly on plenty of top-tier lists, but perhaps none more culinarily influential than the 50 Best lists, which rate restaurants and bars across the world. Three of Montreal's best restaurants and one bar have made it to the site for the first time but not in the way you might expect.