McKibbin's Irish Pub
Various locations | Website
A very authentic slice of Ireland, of their four locations, the original McKibbin's Irish Pub is located in downtown Montréal (where the majority of the city’s Irish pubs are located) and another is conveniently situated on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the nearby Plateau-Mont-Royal district. These spots are always jumping and are standing room only on St. Patty’s. (Fun fact: Montréal’s St. Patrick’s Parade began in 1824, making it the oldest and largest after NYC’s parade.) The McKibbins must-have: sink your teeth into their aptly titled Titanic Burger.
© Alison Slattery
Hurley’s Irish Pub
1225, Crescent Street | Website
A local favourite (and occasional post-game haunt of Montréal Canadiens staffers and players), Hurley’s Irish Pub on Crescent Street is a darkly lit, winding labyrinth of small rooms and intimate seats tucked into secluded corners that features live traditional music every night. It’s got great draft beers on tap, including some harder-to-find varieties like Murphy’s and Harp, and more than 50 single malt whiskeys. The food is delicious and wholly authentic — be sure to try the fish and chips.
Le Vieux Dublin Pub & Restaurant
636, Cathcart Street | Website
Great live music and a vibrant atmosphere, Le Vieux Dublin Pub & Restaurant, or simply the Old Dublin as it’s known, is a city institution that comes as close to Irish pub royalty as it gets. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the Old Dublin is, as the name suggests, the oldest Irish Pub in Montréal, and it ain’t no blarney when they say they’ve got one of the best scotch lists on this side of the Atlantic.
McLean’s Pub
1210, Peel Street | Website
With its oak-beamed ceilings, hand-carved fireplace and many other unique features, McLean’s Pub been a mainstay of downtown pub life, “keepin’ it real on Peel,” since 1992. A great place to catch a Habs game, there’s always something on the go, whether it’s live music, DJs, karaoke or comedy. Pro tip: be sure to tuck into a plate of their wings.
Ye Olde Orchard Pub and Grill
Various locations | Website
A very popular meeting spot with Montrealers of all (legal) ages, Ye Olde Orchard has gone from its original Monkland Village digs to seven Montréal-and-area locations. Downtown locations of the Ye Olde empire include Ye Olde Orchard on de la Montagne Street, in a beautiful heritage building, and on Prince-Arthur Street, on the Plateau, just steps from Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Notably, they all boast great staff, a good beer selection and above-average food.
Le Trèfle Taverne Irlandaise
3971 Ontario Street West and 4718 Wellington Street | Website
Wood walls and floors, copper-covered bar, warm pub lighting, Le Trèfle Taverne Irlandaise delivers big time in the Irish pub ambiance and charm department, and several other departments as well. At its two Montréal locations in the historic neighbours of Verdun and Hochelaga, Le Trèfle (which means “The Clover”) offers more than 100 varieties of beer, a very enviable whiskey selection and a broad menu with some very pleasant Irish surprises: Irish Beer Mussels, with bacon, yogurt, tarragon and cider? Aye to that!
Honey Martin Pub
5916, Sherbrooke Street West | Website
Just a little off the beaten path, in Montréal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (N.D.G.) neighbourhood, is Honey Martin Pub. A homey hole-in-the-wall with consistently great live tunes and a very convivial ambiance, Honey Martin is the real neighbourhood Irish pub deal, as the fiercely loyal clientele will only be too happy to let you know.
Pub McCarold
5400, Ch. De la Côte-des-Neiges | Website
With nothing short of nine poutines on offer (check out the “Chuck Norris”) on a choice-packed menu, Pub McCarold in the neighbourhood of Côte-des-Neiges takes the food part of “food and drink” seriously. And innovative specials are part of the pub’s surplus of charm: don’t be surprised by the appearance of a Nordic shrimp salad, a Guinness pulled-pork mac’n’cheese, or a seafood pot pie with a Smithwick’s sauce.
One Punch Mickey’s Irish Pub
521, Bélanger Street East | Website
What it may lack in size it more than makes up for in character, and One Punch Mickey’s Irish Pub is truly a knockout when it comes to serving up a good time. It’s a warm environment to catch live sports with your mates, or even a game of bingo on a Sunday night. A mouth-watering menu includes a lamb smoked meat poutine, bangers and mash, and, faith and beggorah, bowls of Lucky Charms where you can replace the milk with Guinness for $5.
Patrick’s Pub Irlandais
1707, Saint-Denis Street | Website
Situated in the heart of Montréal’s Quartier latin on Saint-Denis Street, Patrick’s Pub Irlandais is an oasis of Ireland in a lively and bustling area of downtown. Live music, an impressive selection of beers, an outdoor terrasse and a kitchen that’s open until 2 am every day of the week are all part of Patrick’s appeal.
Brutopia, brasseur artisan
1219, Crescent Street | Website
While not technically an “Irish” pub, the always popular Crescent Street microbrewery — known for its seasonal, traditionally brewed craft beers, lovely pub food from their “Brutapas” kitchen and lively music — deserves honorary status at the very least. Brutopia, brasseur artisan’s other claims to fame? Montréal’s longest-running open mic night (every Sunday) and trivia quiz night (Mondays).
Le Sainte-Élisabeth
1412, Sainte-Elisabeth Street | Website
Again, on the not-quite-Irish side of things, “European” pub Le Sainte-Élisabeth (hey, Ireland’s in Europe, so technically it works) is a bit of a hidden jewel just off Sainte-Catherine Street between downtown and the Village. Its warm, inviting ambiance is perfect for all flavours of get-togethers, and its vine-lined terrasse is easily one of the most beautiful patios in Montréal.
Jamie O'Meara
Jamie O'Meara was the Editor-in-Chief at C2 Montréal and the former Editor-in-Chief of alt-weekly newspaper HOUR Magazine.
