14 romantic Montréal bars that are perfect for date nights

JP Karwacki

JP Karwacki is a Montréal-based writer and journalist whose work has appeared in Time Magazine, the Montreal Gazette, National Post, Time Out, NUVO Magazine, and more. Having called the city home for over a decade and a half, he regularly focuses on spreading the good word about the amazing things to eat, drink and do in Montréal. One half raconteur and the other flâneur (with just a dash of boulevardier), when he wasn’t working on the frontlines of the city's restaurants and bars, he spent his time thinking about, reading about and writing about restaurants and bars.

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This article was updated on October 17, 2023.

Whether you’re looking to impress someone special with a unique and in-the-know spot, or find somewhere you can be alone together, the candle-lit coves and skilled bartenders of the following romantic bars in Montréal make long and intimate date nights in the city a snap. No matter which of the following addresses you decide on, there’s just as much chemistry to be had with the atmosphere they provide as there will be in the drinks. Here’s to a night out of making memories and (re)kindling some passion.

Big in Japan

4175 Saint-Laurent Blvd. | Website

One of the city’s (almost) best kept secrets, Big in Japan remains one of the Plateau’s swankiest bars. With well-dressed staff, luxurious curtained off walls and a dimly lit wrap-around bar, this is a great place to bring a first date if you’re looking to impress. If you think you’re hitting off, make it your own regular haunt by buying up one of its whisky bottles, hung from the ceiling, to comes back to again and again over the next year of nights out together.

Milky Way Cocktail Bar

1886 Centre Street | Website

Walk up its portal-like stairwell dressed in blacklit neon paint and immerse yourself in the vaporwave terrarium of this upstairs bar. Under its large skylight, you and your date can drink your way through a long and inventive menu of cocktails, chat with bartenders as they entertain with flair, and soak up the atmosphere. All in all, a trip here will always make for a more-than-memorable evening.

Bar George

1440 Drummond Street | Website

With the swank and refined atmosphere this former gentlemen’s social club provides, it’s a perfect spot for when you want to have a classier evening out. Get dressed up and dive into its bar section’s seductive selection of libations and service: Cocktails both creative and classic, long and varied wine lists, and exceedingly skilled bartenders will add just the right amount of secret sauce a date night needs.

Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill

1254 Mackay Street | Website

Romance isn’t always about grabbing drinks and chatting. Sometimes you need a bit of culture in the mix, and the jazz performances at Upstairs will provide. Hosting a regular roster of musicians both local and international, you and your date can lean back and soak up some soulful music, an experience that you can connect over and maybe even discuss if you’re both more musically inclined.

Name's on the way

500 Rachel Street East | Website

This Plateau bar and restaurant is exceedingly welcoming when it comes to nightlife, and that means it makes for a great place if you and your date like an environment where the energy levels are high. Share a bottle of wine or order up some cocktails and consider diving into their regularly updated menu, and if you stay long enough, you’ll no doubt be joining their impromptu dance floor as the hours melt away.

Buvette Pastek

209 Saint-Paul Street West | Website

With its long and carefully curated list of wines alongside a plush and softly toned interior, Buvette Pastek is where you want to go when you want to sink into a banquette-couch hybrid and connect. Don’t jump to another spot if you get hungry either, as the kitchen here excels at lots of sharing plates you can feed one another. From late daylight to twilight, this bar is good for any time of day.

Bar Minéral

1641 Atateken Street | Website

Not all date nights need to be quiet and private. Sometimes you need a livelier place to have a good time during a night out, and this Village bar with natural and organic wine imports and upbeat DJ sets is among the better options for that vibe. It has a wonderful design to it as well, where the look and feel of the place shifts with the time of day, making for a varied and active time out on the town—just be ready to dance as the music picks up later at night.

Projet Pilote

980 Rachel Street East | Website

With one of Montréal’s more unique drink programs that combines the work of a sommelier, distillery expert, master brewer and chef working together in unison to craft a circular menu, there’s tons to explore here if you and your date are the types that love to drink and eat. The menus are full of conversation starters, but the atmosphere is equally enchanting, full of spots to split drinks over.

Renard

1272 Sainte-Catherine Street East | Website

A great place for a cleverly crafted cocktail (or two) and a snack to go with it, Renard is one of the Gay Village’s destination bars. The vibe varies depending on the night, from 5 à 7s to more lively experiences later at night when the place is likely to be packed, but there are always a few quiet corners where dates work magically.

Cloakroom Bar

2175 Rue de la Montagne | Website

Behind a wooden wall in a men’s clothing store and barber shop you’ll find Cloakroom, a beautiful bar where the cocktails are as impressive as the dark decor. This bar is just as great to make a first impression as it is a place to go when the date is going so well that you don’t want it to end.

Le Royal

1232 Mont-Royal Avenue East | Website

Built within the warmth of stone walls, Le Royal on Mont-Royal Avenue is a classy underground bar that’s perfect for cozying up with that special someone. The wine list is particularly outstanding, pulling from the sommelier from Le Rouge Gorge upstairs to offer something for every taste, while the cocktails are highly lauded on the national stage.

Tittle Tattle

22 Rue Saint-Paul Est | Website

Loyd Von Rose’s already made a name for himself through his work behind the bars of Netflix’s Drink Masters, so you and your date can trust that a trip here will impress. A lot of the cocktails play on childhood nostalgia, you can trade stories about childhood and have a laugh. Don’t forget to contribute a written secret to their centerpiece—it might just get turned into a cocktail you can try another night.

Le Plongeoir

5350 St Laurent Blvd | Website

Keep things casual by settling in at a table of this tavern-esque wine bar/dive bar where you can play a game of pool with your date, snack a bit, and split bottles from a list focused on French wines. It’s a great spot if you and your date like to meet new people together, because who knows where a night can lead when you meet some new friends?

Verdun Beach

4816 Wellington Street | Website

Not only does this slick wine bar offer all kinds of bottles both classic and natural for you and your date to enjoy by the bottle or glass, but the kitchen here makes all kinds of delicious snacks to share. The menu changes regularly, making it an a great contender for regular return visits. They also host wine tasting events so you and yours can learn a bit of oenology together.

JP Karwacki

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