Montreal is a wonder during the daylight hours. Everywhere you look, there’s something else exciting to catch your attention: gorgeous houses of worship to tour, museums and galleries overflowing with artistic enrichment, botanical gardens with soft green lawns and bright flowers, the biodome, a wealth of festivals and of course, the old city. You name it, Montreal has it, but what about when the sun goes down? What is there to keep the night owls entertained after office hours and even into the next morning?
Actually, this is when the city really comes to life. In fact, it is epically famous for its nightlife, and we are not just talking about Montreal’s late-night club scene. The city has it all in spades. Let’s take a quick look at what Montreal has on offer through the evening and into the night.
Montreal After Dark: Dining
Mare Porto Vecchio:
440 Rue Saint-Pierre
A haven for all seafood lovers, this elegant and detail-oriented eatery is more than just a place for a nice meal. Inside the premises, you’ll find a brooding, moody cocktail bar, the crudo station, and a sleek, clean, classically styled dining room where everything down to the tableware is custom-crafted.
Sato Izakaya:
4115B Saint Denis St
The energy at this intimate izakaya isn’t what you’d expect, but a little edgier and with an interesting Montreal twist. Low lighting, warm wood everywhere you look, and intentional, Japanese-focused design make this restaurant an inviting place to be. However, the food turns it into a must-visit for Asian food fans. Instead of making things fancier than they need to be, Sato Isakaya presents comfort food with an inventive new angle. Panko, pork broth, and tofu are plated with French flair, and there’s plenty for the vegan crowd.
3 Pierres 1 Feu:
7070 Henri-Julien Avenue
Canadian BBQ, anyone? Fairly new on the Montreal foodie scene, but already creating a stir, 3 Pierres 1 Feu celebrates a unique blend of classic Texas BBQ and Haitian fire-cooking—comforting and mouthwatering. The menu features all the classics from both worlds: jerk chicken, brisket, plantain fries, cassava root, and more, all cooked on an open fire in the smokehouse tradition. Chef Toussaint designed the restaurant full of nods and moments honoring his roots in Jacmel.
Bars
Snowbird Tiki Bar:
6388 Rue St-Hubert
Enjoy getting down tiki style? This riotously fun bar has all the cheesy classic nods to the ’60s tiki craze and some delicious, highly boozy cocktails to take the edge off even the longest day. Beware the high proof level in this bar. The drinks do come with tongue-in-cheek warning categorisations like “I work tomorrow, I’m calling in sick,” “I lost my phone”, and “I’m calling my ex,” so you know what you’re getting into.
Renard:
1272 Rue Sainte-Catherine E
This is your classic neighbourhood bar with a slightly better eye for aesthetics. Renard tempts passersby from the street with the usual subjects, like a delicious Aperol spritz and other classic cocktails. This bar is very much an LGBTQ-friendly space, so swing by for a date, a catch-up with your long-lost bestie, or just to do a little people-watching as the city moves by outside.
Le 4e Mur:
2021 R. Saint-Denis
This speakeasy-style bar was created as an extension of the local mixology school, so every cocktail served here is mixed to perfection. It’s also a theatrical location, with a secret brick hiding in plain sight that, when pushed, will lead you to a hidden room full of 1920s concept drinks and even a noir mystery to solve while you sip.
Casinos
Online Casinos
If you’re a “stay home” person rather than someone who enjoys going out, you can choose an online casino in Canada and spend a few hours away playing games of chance online. All sorts are available, from blackjack to slots and even live dealer poker games, if that’s your thing, and the jackpots are incredible.
Casino de Montreal:
1 Avenue du Casino
This casino on the Ile Notre-Dame is the largest in Quebec and one of the largest in the world in terms of equipment on the premises. After the sun sets, this casino lights up like a beacon, welcoming gamblers and non-gamblers alike. Gamble, enjoy arcade games, a wide variety of restaurants and bars, dance clubs, live music, and shows; this is a palace of entertainment.
Night clubs
Francesco’s Discoteca:
394 Rue Saint-Jacques
Enjoy the spirit of a jubilant Italian discotheque, which is all about a spacious dancefloor and excellent tunes. This location is designed with complete sensory immersion in mind, so prepare for a riot of colour wherever you look. For those who prefer to take it easy before it gets too late, an Aperitivo hour and booths are available. Bottle service begins later when the committed dancers edge out the early evening crowd, and things take off. Put on your dancing shoes and your best club fit, because this is where the fun begins.
La Voûte:
360 Rue Saint Jacques
This chic, spectacular club has made its home in what was once a bank vault in 1920s Montreal. In the early evening, La Voute is a supper club that features cabaret-style acts and delicious neo-Japanese/ continental dishes. As the night goes on, the pedal hits the metal, and the location drama is played up even more by fascinating lights and a high-energy crowd.
Flyjin:
417 Rue Saint-Pierre
Another club that balances between dinner and nightlife, Flyjin also takes a little inspiration from Japan’s incredible sense of design and aesthetics. In contrast to La Voute, this is a moody and intimate space that offers fresh sashimi (among other dishes) in the early evening and then an impressive lineup of DJs as the night goes on. Stunning murals grace the walls, and the intricate cocktails, not to mention the selection of sake and Japanese whisky, are always a crowd pleaser.
Own the Night
Nighttime is the right time in Montreal. Whether it’s a mocktail or a cocktail you’re looking for or some flashy, unusual entertainment, you’ll find it at these standout nightlife spots dotted all across the city.
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