Montreal’s Hidden Bars: Our suggestions to discover
Montreal is full of great bars! But they are not all as equally visible as others. Many bars have chosen to be discreet and to play hide and seek with their customers. Of course, many of them have fallen victim to their popularity as the word has spread among fans of hushed ambience and delicious cocktails.
Hidden bars are not new. In fact, they appeared, for the most part, during prohibition in the United States. For about 13 years, the transportation, sale and manufacture of alcohol was totally illegal. Of course, human nature could not do without, so some clever people managed to circumvent the system and sell alcohol anyway. This was not done legally of course, which is why these places were very discreet. They were called “speakeasies” or “bling pigs”, and most of them disappeared when prohibition ended. Nowadays, these terms are mostly used to designate backstreet bars, with a subdued atmosphere and, very often, offering excellent cocktails. Speaking of which, here is our list of the best cocktails in Montreal.
The hidden bar addresses on this list are intriguing for their mysterious character, as well as being appealing to both curious locals and tourists visiting the city. We love these spots for their cozy charm, which serve to help us get through our endless winters as well as celebrate late in the summer!
Special mention goes to Club Velvet, the speakeasy at Auberge Saint-Gabriel, which hosts a lineup of renowned DJs and invites you to dance to techno, house, electro, and pop.
Here is the list of our favourite hidden bars in Montreal (if you can find them…):
Gokudo
Gokudo is a great new Japanese cocktail bar downtown, run by the same owners as Escondite and Biiru. The entry is indicated by a simple Chinese lantern and a facade of thin strips of wood. Once inside, we enter the small restaurant section which is called Ryōshi. It is only when we pass the black curtain in the middle of the small restaurant that we enter the Japanese cocktail bar Gokudo. To drink, there are delectable Japanese cocktails as well as a nice selection of sake. To eat, the bar offers small Japanese snacks. A unique place to have a drink in downtown Montreal!
Montréal
Bowie
Bowie is the hidden bar beneath Dorsia, one of Old Montreal’s must-visit addresses. In a lush, slightly eccentric setting, the vibe is sophisticated and intimate. Come for meticulously crafted cocktails and an Asian-inspired menu focused on seafood, with a few options for meat lovers.
Montréal
Cloakroom Bar
Cloakroom bar is a chic and cozy speakeasy in the heart of downtown Montreal. Inside the stylish Maison Cloakroom clothing store is a wooden door that opens onto a corridor leading to one of Montreal’s most beautiful hidden bars. The “speakeasy” aspect of the bar gives it a mysterious and romantic feel that we really appreciate, in addition to the simple elegance of the space. We come here to try new cocktails and appreciate the know-how of the trained bartenders. The Cloakroom bar opens at 3pm from Monday to Saturday and is ideal for happy hour or an evening with a velvety atmosphere.
Montréal
Atwater Cocktail Club
The Atwater Cocktail Club (behind the restaurant Foiegwa), is another of the most beautiful hidden bars in Montreal. The original decor is designed by Gaulay Brothers: fuchsia pink banquettes, wooden floors, subdued lighting and a mirrored ceiling. All of these elements combine to make this bar a chic and unique place to have a drink out in the city. Speaking of drinks, the Atwater Cocktail Club offers a choice of a dozen exquisite cocktails by Christophe Beaudoin. Note that you can order items from the Foiegwa menu in the bar: tartares, burgers and other classics are available. The bar is now part of our list of the best places to eat in Montreal.
Montréal
Flyjin
Flyjin is more of a nightclub than a bar, and it’s a Montreal supperclub that we love. Open for a few years now, the mythical place of the A5 Management group offers you unforgettable evenings and festivities. At Flyjin, we eat a menu developed by the renowned chef Dong Hyun Kim and executed by the bar’s kitchen. Around 11pm, the space is completely transformed into a club, and this basement in Old Montreal becomes a new space where people party until the wee hours of the morning. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, Flyjin is a must-visit supperclub that has won over many hearts over the years.
Montréal
Soubois
The Soubois is located in a favourite spot on Maisonneuve Street, where the Peel Pub and the Copacabana kept the party going for 15 years in succession. When you arrive in front of the door to the Soubois, you have no idea that you are entering an enchanted forest that is known far beyond Montreal. You walk down the steps to the reception area of this “forest”, then you are transported into a breathtaking decor designed by Alexandre Brosseau of the Speakeasy agency. The evenings here are very festive and the music is for dancing.
Montreal
Club Pelicano
Tucked into the basement of Tiradito in the heart of the business district, Club Pelicano is a cocktail and natural wine bar that feels like summer year-round. Inspired by Paris’s Piscine Molitor, it channels the vibe of a European holiday for the night. With playful nods to public bathhouses, the space is lively and escapist—like sipping a drink poolside without leaving Montreal. And it’s hard to say no to the Mediterranean-leaning small plates on the menu.
Montréal
Milky Way Cocktail Bar
Located on the second floor of the excellent Fugazzi, Milky Way invites guests to keep the night going in a truly one-of-a-kind setting. A cosmic-inspired staircase leads to this space-themed bar, where every detail feels otherworldly. Designed by Gauley Brothers, Milky Way pairs extravagant elegance with surreal, colored lighting— and to top it all off, you’ll find some of Montreal’s best cocktails here.
Montréal
Sans Soleil Bar
In the basement of the Japanese-leaning snack bar Fleurs et Cadeaux, you’ll find Sans Soleil— a speakeasy where sake lovers and vinyl heads are right at home. The well-hidden entrance is located in the adjacent parking lot. Inside, expect a moody atmosphere, massive speakers, and a carefully curated cocktail list, all set up for a truly memorable night out.
Montréal
Le Bar Baby
Located in St-Henri, Baby Far West provides a unique experience for cocktail and music lovers. With its eclectic decor and intimate atmosphere.
Montréal
BAR - Big in Japan
From the outside, there are no clues to help you guess what’s behind the small red door on St-Laurent Boulevard. What it is, however, is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful bars in Montreal. Opened a few years ago, Big in Japan bar is still the talk of the town and continues to be an address that impresses with every visit. With a stunning decor by Cabinet Braun-Braën, Big in Japan transports you with its utterly unique atmosphere; with its long labyrinthine bar, its bottles hanging from the ceiling and its hundreds of small candles, the place is timeless, intimate and original. We love it. Big in Japan is open every day from 5pm.
Montréal
Nhậu bar
Nhau Bar, the hidden cocktail bar beneath Hà in Old Montreal, offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that feels like a trip in itself. With a sophisticated cocktail list and a tight selection of Hà classics, it’s the perfect spot for a fancy drink in an exotic setting.
Montréal
STILLIFE
Stillife, a hidden bar in Old Montreal, delivers a captivating experience with a cocktail list rooted in sustainability. With industrial-inspired decor, a selection of natural wines, and small bites to snack on, it’s an ideal spot for a night out with friends or a date.
Montreal
Copilote
Just next door to Hélicoptère, in what used to be a neighbourhood corner store, Copilote is quietly tucked away. This hidden bar, with its chic and alluring atmosphere, serves signature cocktails, a rotating selection of wines by the glass, and exquisite small plates meant for sharing.
Montréal
Bar Leonor
Opened in November 2025, Bar Leonor has quickly become a spot worth seeking out for exquisite cocktails in a one-of-a-kind setting. Hidden downstairs in the heart of Chinatown, this cocktail bar draws you in with an electrifying, inclusive atmosphere—perfect for a festive night out.
Montréal
