Alexandre Baldwin: The Passionate Mind Behind Some of Montreal’s Best Bars
Co-owner of Bar Henrietta and Taverne Atlantic, Alexandre Baldwin has left his mark on Montreal’s bar scene with iconic projects such as Whisky Café, Baldwin Barmacie, Taverne Square Dominion, and Balsam Inn. Sensitive, funny, and passionate, he has transformed Montreal’s bars into places where people feel at home—where the atmosphere is refined yet unpretentious, and having a drink becomes a magical experience where, for a moment, all worries fade away.
Alexandre Baldwin’s Beginnings: Whisky Café and the Revelation of a Career
At 19, Alexandre Baldwin took his first steps in the hospitality industry at Whisky Café. Fascinated by the atmosphere, he quickly realized that he loved this world—where people came to relax and have fun—so different from his grandmother’s pharmacy, where he watched sick customers come and go. “I loved it!” he says. He spent five years there, working his way up from cleaning staff to maître d’. It was during this time that he honed his sense of service, efficiency, and charisma, and met Alexandre Wolosianski and Nicole Lemelin, his future business partners. At 20, he confidently told Wolosianski, “One day, I’ll have my own bar… but it’ll be bigger than yours!” This marked the beginning of a friendship and a professional collaboration.
Gogo Lounge: The Non-Stop Party and the Necessary Break
After Whisky Café, Paulo Branco (Tokyo Bar, Gogo Lounge) offered Baldwin the opportunity to manage Gogo Lounge. “That was intense!” he recalls. Two years of putting on a show every night took its toll. “It was total excess—I burned out. I quit everything.” He took a break, explored other passions, but the dream of opening his own bar never left him. Staying in touch with Wolosianski and Lemelin, he jumped at the opportunity when a space became available.
Baldwin Barmacie: The Mile-End Breakthrough
In 2005, they launched Baldwin Barmacie, inspired by Baldwin’s grandmother’s pharmacy. With its sleek design, intimate ambiance, and impeccable branding, the bar quickly became a Mile-End institution. “We wanted a neighborhood bar, but it was always packed!” Baldwin poured himself into it, working seven days a week for three years. “Barmacie was in my bones—it was intimate, personal… and not just because I sometimes ended up in my underwear!” After ten successful years, the bar closed in 2015. Did he at least have fun? “Maybe a little too much.”
Taverne Square Dominion: The Art of Bringing Places Back to Life
Alongside Wolosianski and Lemelin, Alexandre Baldwin was searching for a new project when they stumbled upon Taverne Square Dominion. “When we first visited, it was a cave filled with beer flags. But I saw a historic gem waiting to be restored.” Inspired by 1920s taverns, they meticulously redesigned every detail with the help of chef Éric Dupuis and manager Virginie Bergerot. The result was a magical space that evoked old Montreal with impeccable service. “The Taverne was all about archival photos, flea markets, and hours of R&D.” Though it closed after the pandemic, it remains one of Montreal’s most stunning restaurants—an absolutely one-of-a-kind establishment.
Balsam Inn: An Italian Brasserie
Building on the success of Dominion, they opened Balsam Inn, inspired by 1940s Italian brasseries. “This project was crazy—endless renovations, architectural discoveries… and at the same time, my daughter Bettie had just been born. Intense!” Once again, the team created a warm, elegant, and timeless space where every detail mattered—including its famously beautiful restrooms, among the most stunning in Montreal! Though it also closed after the pandemic, it left behind memories of an extraordinary adventure.
Bar Henrietta: A Timeless Neighborhood Bar
Opened in 2015, Bar Henrietta quickly became a Laurier Ouest institution. Inspired by 1960s Portuguese taverns, it charms visitors with its refined decor, warm atmosphere, and impeccable selection of wines and cocktails. Designed by Alexandre Baldwin and Claudie Dussault, the space is crafted to make everyone feel at home—whether at the main bar downstairs, the upstairs seating with a view of the kitchen, or the stunning summer terrace. The menu’s emphasis on magnums and sparkling wines sets the tone for celebration, while Portuguese-inspired small plates make Henrietta one of the best bars to eat at in Montreal. It’s the perfect spot for a 5 à 7, a festive dinner, or a night that stretches into the early hours.
Taverne Atlantic: The Friendly Spirit of Mile Ex
Opened in 2019, Taverne Atlantic quickly established itself as a Mile Ex staple. With its large central bar, beautiful terrace, and ambiance inspired by European brasseries, it’s the perfect place for a drink with friends, a laid-back dinner, or a lively evening. The menu focuses on local beers, well-crafted cocktails, and a quality wine selection, all paired with simple yet flavorful dishes. Taverne Atlantic embodies the spirit of the neighborhood—authentic, eclectic, and unpretentious. And it boasts one of the most beautiful terraces in Montreal!
A Visionary Restaurateur
Through his establishments, Alexandre Baldwin has established himself as a creator of atmosphere, a designer of timeless spaces, and a visionary restaurateur. From Baldwin Barmacie to Taverne Atlantic, with stops at Taverne Square Dominion and Bar Henrietta, he has shaped places that people love returning to again and again. His eye for detail, passion for hospitality, and instinct for designing bars that are both beautiful and full of life make him one of the key figures in Montreal’s bar scene. Having a drink at one of his establishments guarantees a great time—where every detail is carefully considered, and where ambiance and enjoyment reign supreme.
Written by Élise Tastet
Written by Élise Tastet
