Sample: A Vinyl Bar in Old Montreal

A few steps down from the street in Old Montreal, Sample reveals itself. In the basement, a stunning analog sound system takes pride of place at the centre of the room, while shelves lined with records cover the walls. Settle in, order a highball and let the music set the tone for the evening.

Hi-Fi & Highballs

Sample is one of Montreal’s first true hi-fi listening bars. It comes from the team behind Coldroom, El Pequeño Bar, Bar Bello and Bisou Bisou, a crew that knows Montreal’s cocktail scene inside out. This time, they built a bar around one simple idea: Hi-Fi & Highballs. On the service side, the bar is run entirely by owner and manager Jama Joachim and the team, who will guide you according to your needs.

A Room Designed for Sound

We love the burgundy décor, understated yet intimate. Reverberation is carefully controlled, wood warms the space and soft lighting sets a dim, cozy mood. The audio equipment completes the décor.

The 40 seats are arranged so that guests face one another, in a setting that feels more like a living room than a traditional bar. On arrival, the team kindly invites guests to keep their phones in their pockets. It’s a small house rule that lets you step away from the screen and pay closer attention to what’s happening around the table… and through the speakers.

On the shelves, more than a hundred records range across soul, jazz, funk and disco. Enough to carry a whole evening without going in circles. On weekends, guests also take turns at the musical helm, so the selection is always changing.

Highballs for Every Taste

The menu features about ten original house cocktails, with highballs front and centre, appreciated in particular for their versatility. There are also stirred classics and more elaborate creations, with options ranging from a properly strong pour to a lighter long drink, ideal for lasting through a full side of a record. A few non-alcoholic options round out the selection.

Presentation is deliberately understated, leaving the spotlight on the balance of the cocktails and on the music.

We’re telling you about Sample because it gives music a place that’s still fairly rare in Montreal bars, without cutting any corners on the drinks. Keep it in mind for a date or a night out with vinyl-loving friends, when you feel like taking your time, listening to a record all the way through and letting the evening find its own pace.

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Sample

Updated on October 08, 2026

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