Montreal has officially spiked the annual North America's 50 Best Bars list with a little local flavour. The spirited showdown of top watering holes across the continent, from Canada to the Caribbean, saw Montreal bars take a double shot at the prestigious ranking and both land.
The competition was stiff, featuring the best from nightlife capitals like New York, Las Vegas, and Mexico City. A panel of 270 anonymous industry experts, including bartenders, bar owners and well-travelled cocktail connoisseurs, cast their votes based on innovation, ambiance, and quality of service, ensuring each selected bar meets a gold standard of excellence.
After all, making the 50 Best Bars list means global recognition, a surge in visitors, and a significant boost for mixologists’ careers, setting a high bar for what patrons expect from a night out.
The Montreal winners are no strangers to the limelight. Cloakroom (#39) is a renowned speakeasy that offers an intimate, almost clandestine experience, while Atwater Cocktail Club (#50) is all about pairing eclectic beverages with dazzling decor.
Cloakroom caters to those looking for something beyond the ordinary, with a focus on rare amaro, bourbon, and other fine spirits. It’s an exclusive spot where the ambiance matches the cocktail quality. Atwater's offerings, on the other hand, are bold and experimental, featuring unexpected combinations like Canadian rye with tahini or sesame oil and even a curated selection of alcohol-free mixed drinks.
Here's more on this year's toasts of the town:
Le Cloakroom
Where: 2175, rue de la Montagne, #100
Reason to go: Hidden beside a tailor shop, the entrance to this speakeasy is a secret passage that only the savvy or the lucky will spot. Their approach to cocktails is personal: no menus, just a conversation with the bartender who crafts something unique based on your preferences. With a setting that only seats 25, exclusivity is part of the package.
Atwater Cocktail Club
Where: 512, ave. Atwater
Reason to go: Located at the dead end of an alley marked by a lone red light, the club opens up to a world of dark elegance and creative concoctions led by Kate Boushel, a top-tier mixologist. The club's décor, with its dark walls and reflective glass ceilings, complements its sophisticated drinks menu, creating an ambiance that's as intoxicating as the cocktails.
The 2024 top winners of North America’s 50 Best award include:
- Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
- Superbueno, New York
- Overstory, New York
- Martiny's, New York
- Rayo, Mexico City
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A cocktail at Bisou Biou.Courtesy of Gregory Buda.
The bar and alcohol selection at Bisou Bisou.Courtesy of Gregory Buda.