FAVORITES!
PUBS AND BARS PART 1
Update
August 9, 2013: This list was originally part of a two-part favorites post, along with Japanese food. It now has its own page. The link is here: http://mouthwateringmontreal.blogspot.ca/2013/07/favorites-part-2.html . Maps and more places have been added. Don't say I never do anything for you guys!
PUBS AND BARS
1)L'Amère à Boire - Microbrewery and Pub - Quartier Latin
Their website:
2049 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3K8
Telephone:(514) 282-7448
Telephone:(514) 282-7448
Oh, how I do love this place. They make a collection of their own beers (in fact, they don't serve anything they don't make, as far as I know), and they serve some pretty delectable food to go with it. A perpetual favorite combo of mine there is the rabbit burger with a pint of Cerna or a pint of Imperial Stout. But really, try all the beers - they offer them all in convenient, inexpensive sampling sizes (but which are still fairly substantial for a sample). Or, go hog wild and order pitchers if you're with friends. My blog post on it: http://mouthwateringmontreal.blogspot.ca/2013/08/lamere-boire-microbrewery.html
5800 Boul. St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1T3 Telephone:514- 278-2646
This place has a huge collection of whisky and, if you're so inclined (I'm not), cigars. Great atmosphere and stylish, this place is different from every other place I've listed so far in that it is considerably more expensive (I mean, it IS whisky, after all). Basically, a date place or celebratory place (of the non-raucous, more reserved type of celebration - you wouldn't do a frat party here!).
3)Pub McCarold's - Pub - Cote des Neiges
Their website: http://pubmccarold.com/
5400 Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, Québec H3T-1Y5 Telephone: (514) 344-9009
Speaking of whisky, you know what you should give a whirl? Whisky in POUTINE. That's right. Called Poutine Cheesy Jack, it is a surprisingly good combination. I'm man enough to admit that I had serious doubts about fries, gravy, cheese, and a shot of whisky in that mix at first, but it's definitely something that's outside of your usual poutine experience (in a good way). Of course, if you don't like whisky, never mind. In that event, do try the Guinness pizza - pizza with Guinness cheese. Still too adventurous? Well, fortunately, the rest of their food is good solid pub food. Warms the body and the soul on a cold winter's night :).
4)Pub Randolph - Board Game Pub - Quartier Latin
Their website: http://www.randolphpub.ca/
2041 St Denis St, Montreal, QC H2X 3K8 Telephone:(514) 419-5001
Yeah, you read that right - it's a BOARD GAME PUB. This is one of those rare places that I go to other than for food and drink. Mind you, the food is tasty (albeit small-portioned) (well, small for me - remember, I eat like a monster), and the shots are fun - back to that in a second. Basically, you come here, pay a $5 fee, and then you have access to literally over ONE THOUSAND BOARD GAMES. The staff here will explain how to play the games in English and in French (some with better English than others, but still, they do a good job), and, if asked, can give you excellent suggestions for games tailored to your party size (i.e., number of people) and to desired play duration. I've been here a number of times with varying groups for varying durations and they've always given great suggestions. Most importantly, it's been FUN. Speaking of fun, I return to the shots: They have nerdy gems named Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Cthulhu - sweet melon-flavored shots, Zombie (curdled Bailey's), and the like, and they taste GREAT. So, go down, drink up, and have hours of fun with board games!
5)Hurley's - Pub - Downtown
Their website: http://www.hurleysirishpub.com/en_home.html
1225 Crescent St, Montreal, QC H3G 2B1 Phone:(514) 861-4111, (514) 875-0066
There's absolutely nothing special about this place's beer. Their food and atmosphere, on the other hand, are fantastic! Wednesdays during winter time I always call ahead to make DAMN certain they have steak and kidney pies available (it's their Wednesday special) (no, seriously, I call ahead - the steak and kidney pie is freshly-made onsite - when it's gone, it's gone). When they say "yes", I sprint right on over! Also, their beef dip sandwich is crazy fantastic - make certain you have it with curry mayo. I always have these dishes with a black-and-tan, and man alive, I am smacking my lips in fond reminiscence right now... Other great features about this place: Courtyard and in-front terrasse in the summer, and live music pretty often. There was once also a storyteller too. Anyhow, great place for food and drinks after work.
6)Brutopia - Microbrewery and Pub - Downtown
Their website: http://www.brutopia.net/brutopia.htm
1219 Rue Crescent, Montréal, QC H3G 2B1 Telephone: (514) 393-9277
This place makes its own beer, and most of them are juuuuust fine :). My favorite here is the raspberry blonde beer. Light, mildly sweet, and wonderfully refreshing - it's a great summer beer! That said, according to two recently-arrived German colleagues, this is the type of beer they given to CHILDREN in Germany. Well, I'm secure enough in my adulthood to not give a damn - I love Brutopia's raspberry blonde and I will gladly drink it over and over and over again... Brutopia also has a regular rotation of live bands. They're typically pretty good (and now and again, they do have some truly awful bands, but those are outnumbered by the good ones. That said, this is a personal taste issue - I haven't heard anyone on stage who wasn't a million times better than me on guitar) (because, you know, I have no rhythm) (and can't sing) (or dance) (sigh). The place has three floors, and the basement floor is a lounge-type place whereas floors 1 and 2 are pub-like. Any which way, a good place for microbrews and to hang out.
7)Vices & Versa: Bistro du terroir - Microbrewery and Pub - Little Italy/Rosemont-Petite-Patrie
Their website: http://www.vicesetversa.com/
6631, boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal (Québec), H2S 3C5 Telephone: 514-272-2498
Great atmosphere, literally dozens of beers from a variety of microbreweries, and excellent pizza. Plus, a nice backyard terrasse. Honestly, not much more to say than that! Just go already!
8)Dieu du Ciel - Microbrewery and Pub - Plateau Mont-Royal
Their website: http://www.dieuduciel.com/
29 Avenue Laurier Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2N2 Telephone:(514) 490-9555
Loud, bustling, raucous - this microbrewery is a popular pub in the Plateau. With good reason - their microbrews are FANTASTIC. My favorite beer here is the Péché Mortel (Mortal Sin) - it's a coffee stout. Basically, it mixes two of my favorite beverages together - coffee and beer. How can it NOT be good? ... oh, right, it could be bad if it were made by unskilled folk. Fortunately, that's definitely not the case here! They is skilled, my friends. Do try all their other beers though - it's worthwhile. And, if you want their beers at home, you can find them at the Jean-Talon and Atwater Markets.
9)Cafe Hookah Lounge - Sheesha Bar - Quartier Latin
Their website: http://cafehookahlounge.com/
1699 St Denis, Montreal, QC H2X 3K4 Telephone:(514) 287-7266
This place offers turkish tobacco (in sheesha pipes) and a huge whack of imported beers. Most amazingly, they import crazy strong stuff that manages to taste GOOD. I have no idea how that's done. Typically, when a beer goes past 9%, I find that it tastes like battery acid. This place manages to find the few beers on the planet where a beer can be as strong as 14-15% AND taste good. Let me repeat that: They have FOURTEEN TO FIFTEEN PERCENT BEER THAT TASTES GOOD. Definitely worth checking out!
Whew! This list was long, and it's still not done. Ah well, a Part 2 will be on its way some point soon!
Mouthwatering Montreal - Favorite Pubs and Bars is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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