Baby it’s cold outside: wicked winter bars in Montréal

With biting winds and snowy sidewalks, winter is definitely in full swing. The good news is that Montréal is a seasoned pro at dealing with the cold, with the city losing none of its renowned vibrancy once the temperature drops. Terrace season may be on hold until next year’s thaw, but we’re excited to have entered the calendrical zone where comfy reigns supreme. Check out these Montréal bars that will keep your cockles warmed ’til spring.

Microbrasseries

Benelux – 245 Sherbrooke Street West and 4026 Wellington Street

Boasting twelve home-brewed beers and featuring a different cask every Thursday night, Montréal brewpub Benelux is a favourite year-round with its warmly-lit industrial interior that’s a perfect haven on a cold winter evening.

Brasserie Harricana – 95 Jean-Talon Street West

An incredible selection of in-house microbrews await you at Brasserie Harricana, a toasty pub in Mile Ex. Settle in for a spirited Montréal hockey game or watch the snow fall outside from a seat at the window.

Brasserie Réservoir – 9 Duluth Avenue East

Réservoir keeps its patrons shielded from the harsh winter months in this stylish Plateau brasserie that offers a host of homemade tap beers from their permanent menu along with some seasonal surprises.

Isle de Garde – 1039 Beaubien Street East

With a dark, warm, and inviting atmosphere, Isle de Garde’s eclectic beer menu features both in-house brews and an assortment of Québécois microbrasserie treasures.

Lorbeer – 381 Avenue Laurier West

Featuring beers from both the Lorbeer brewers and other locally-made pints, this chic Mile End pub makes a perfect refuge from the whipping winds of winter.

Wine bars

Philémon Bar – 111 Saint-Paul Street West

Philémon Bar is all class and style as it shelters you from the elements. Choose from a long list of wines, bubbles, and signature cocktails and turn up the heat with what’s sure to become a dance party.

Pullman – 3424 Parc Avenue

If you’re looking for an intimate and elegant refuge from the cold, Pullman has you covered. Duck into this downtown wine bar any night of the week for a glass or two to warm your cheeks and lift your spirits.

Buvette Chez Simone – 4869 Parc Avenue

Perennial Mile End favourite Buvette Chez Simone is lively every night of the week, and with good reason—this wine bar excels at providing a defense against the winter blues: good company and great drinks.

Cocktails

Bar Kabinet – 92 Laurier Avenue West

With space to sit only two dozen patrons, intimate Russian-themed Bar Kabinet is as cozy as they come. Warm up with signature special imports of the Italian liqueur amaro, or keep with the theme and try a Moscow Mule in the signature copper mug.

Sparrow – 5322 Saint-Laurent Boulevard

Plush couches, chic wallpaper, and dark wooden fixtures are the keys to its ambiance, but it’s the list of house specialty cocktails that keep Montréalers flocking back to roost at Sparrow.

Le Mayfair – 451 Rachel Street East

If the concept of a spiked tearoom doesn’t pique your interest, we don’t think anything will. Marrying the quintessential cozy beverage with boozy bar staples has put Le Mayfair on the map when we’re jonesing for “a cuppa” this winter.

Upstairs Jazz Bar Grill – 1254 Mackay Street

Duck into Upstairs’ cozy basement locale for dinner and a dangerously good martini as you experience the hot jazz dinner club that’s kept Montréal tapping and scatting through dark winter months for 20 swingin’ years.

Plateau Lounge – Hôtel W Montréal, 901 Square-Victoria Street

Hotel W’s Plateau Lounge’s warm autumnal colour palette and array of plush seating arrangements make it the perfect toasty sanctuary wherein to sip a killer cocktail and make you forget that outside, it’s still subzero.