The Peel Pub is making a comeback.
The Montreal downtown bar, closed last June after 63 years in business, but now it’s set to reopen just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
“We needed a reno-overhaul,” said co-owner Paul Quinn. “We’ve put in a whole new bar on the ground floor, a nice big long 20-foot bar. We have put in that new TV sound system. We’ve put in a state-of-the-art new fridge and draft beer port to have the best beer in the city and in North America.”
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For some Montrealers, the Peel Pub brings back memories of their student years.
“I used to come here a lot when I was in CEGEP. So right after high school because the drinks were affordable, it always used to be packed, and the ambiance used to be really fun for like a night out with friends,” recalled Ano Masiyiwa.
“You got there as a group and played pool,” added Allan Portwine.
Sports fans’ new hub
The new owners say the restaurant will stay true to its roots, maintaining its sports‑bar identity, with a modern touch.
“We’re going to be a kind of a sports bar on steroids,” said Quinn, who comes from generations in the brewing and bar industry.
“We’re going to do all sports. We’re a mix of all cultures here. So we’re a lot of Irish English guys. So we’re going to have the rugby, the soccer, the hockey, the cricket, the basketball, the football. So that appeals to everybody. So I think that’s going to be our main focus is a lot of different sport offering.
As for the menu, Quinn says the Peel Pub will serve classic casual pub fare — from fish and chips and burgers to nachos, wings and smoked meat.
Reviving a Montreal institution
The popular downtown bar which opened in 1962 closed last summer after bankruptcy.
“I think what happened is the pandemic, the COVID pandemic knocked the wind out of a lot of restaurants in a lot of cities. The previous owner was getting on in age. He had some health issues and I think he just, he lost the drive and the enthusiasm. And he basically left. We’re a new team. We’re extremely excited. We’re extremely energized and we believe there’s plenty of business out there,” added Quinn.
Quinn says the Peel Pub’s location near the Bell Centre makes it a natural gathering spot for sports or concerts fans.
“Peel Street has always been the number one street in the city. It’s got a high traffic. It’s a big tourism street, and the Bell Center is incredible. The Bell Center with all of the hockey, all the concerts. So yes, the Bell Center really is the lifeblood of downtown Montreal. I think we’ll be getting a lot of customers who go to the Bell Center.”
