Copilote: modern speakeasy in Hochelaga

It is at the door adjacent to the Hélicoptère restaurant, within a former dépanneur, that Copilote was born in March 2024. Evoking a dim, intriguing, seductive atmosphere, both chic and laid-back, this 25-seat bar magnificently completes the café/restaurant/bar trilogy of the Hélico family.

Copilote harmonizes perfectly with Hélicoptère, becoming the go-to option for customers looking to extend their evening after dining at the restaurant on Ontario Street, or for those who want to enjoy a drink before their reservation.

However, be warned that Copilote does not follow regular bar hours. The establishment closes earlier than most of its Montreal counterparts.

A menu that lives up to expectations

Copilote’s menu is filled with small culinary gems to share, each more delicious than the last. Although less elaborate than Hélicoptère’s, the bar’s offerings share the same philosophy as its neighbour, highlighting high-quality, seasonal products.

Designed to accompany your favorite alcoholic beverages, Copilote’s dishes are meant to be eaten with your hands. You’ll find, for example, deliciously presented oysters, tartare, and crudo. These dishes will evolve over time and with the seasons but will always remain part of the menu. Regulars of Hélicoptère will be delighted to find the signature chicken liver mousse financier also featured at the bar.

Barkeep, a drink!

It’s hard to talk about a bar without mentioning its alcohol offerings. Copilote’s cocktail menu is curated by Benjamin Gauthier. To maintain coherence with Hélicoptère, the cocktails are named based on their “star” ingredient – coffee or yuzu, for example. Just like a restaurant dish, all other components are detailed on the menu. Copilote’s cocktails showcase seasonal ingredients and Quebec spirits, in continuity with what is being done next door.

Lined up in the former refrigerator of the now-defunct convenience store, the selections at Copilote are designed to quench all thirsts. Created by Samuel Fisher, the bar’s wine list focuses on well-crafted products. You’ll consistently find six choices of wine-by-the-glass, rotating weekly to avoid monotony for regular customers.

Copilote proves to be a more than interesting addition to the Hélicoptère ecosystem, offering a unique experience in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. With a refined menu and a carefully thought-out drink selection, Copilote establishes itself as a must-visit, reaffirming the quality and creativity that define the entire Hélico family.

Written by Gabriel Belzile
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: October 07, 2024

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