Let’s make a toast — Montreal’s bar scene is having a moment.
Canada’s 50 Best Bars 2026 list has put the city in the spotlight, with eight Montreal establishments earning national recognition among the country’s top cocktail destinations — including at the very top of the list.
The gold standard of Canada’s cocktail scene is Montreal’s Cloakroom Bar, which claims the number one spot this year and cements its place as a national leader in mixology.
After ranking second in 2025, it has now moved into the top position.
Tucked away in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile, the bar is an intimate 25-seat cocktail destination.
Founded in 2015, the bar has built a reputation for its no-menu concept where drinks are tailored to each guest.
Landing in seventh place, this Montreal bar makes another strong impression after ranking fifth in 2025.
Located in Montreal’s Saint-Henri neighbourhood near the Atwater Market, Atwater Cocktail Club is a neighbourhood bar built around a passion for cocktails.
The bar aims to offer an accessible yet elevated experience. The menu is built around a constantly evolving selection of cocktails, featuring spirits and house-made syrups.
At number 17, Bar Numéro is new to the list. It’s a contemporary cocktail bar created by the team from the former Entre-Deux in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Located on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Little Italy, Numéro is positioned within a growing hub of Montreal’s culinary scene, surrounded by a number of well-known restaurants and bars.
The interior features 1970s-inspired furniture and low lighting. The bar is intended for both quiet evenings and late-night gatherings in the heart of Little Italy.
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At number 24, Bisou Bisou climbs on Canada’s 50 Best Bars 2026 list after ranking 47th in 2025, making a significant rise in the national standings.
Bisou Bisou is a cocktail and apéritif bar in Old Montreal, built around apéritif culture, where low alcohol-by-volume cocktails, sherry, vermouth, amari and alcohol-free options set the tone for long conversations.
Hidden down a tiled stairway off Saint-Vincent Street, Bisou Bisou is a small underground room with a food menu inspired by Mediterranean flavours.
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At number 30, Bar Bello rises on the list, moving up from 39th place last year.
Bar Bello is an Italian-inspired cocktail bar in Montreal’s Little Italy built around the idea of aperitivo culture, with a focus on amaro and vermouth.
The bar offers a selection of small plates inspired by Venetian cicchetti, designed to pair with drinks and reflect a traditional approach to food built around sharing.
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The Coldroom lands at number 32 following a 19th-place finish last year.
Hidden behind an unmarked door in Old Montreal, it has built its reputation as one of the city’s most distinctive cocktail destinations. Often described as one of Montreal’s “best-kept secrets,” finding the bar is part of the experience itself.
The building itself dates back to 1877, originally constructed as a warehouse and later adapted through decades of changing use, including storage, commercial space and even a period as Turkish baths.
Now, the Coldroom blends that layered history with a hidden spot to enjoy cocktails.
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At number 37, Bar Dominion is new to to the list, earning a first-time spot in the rankings.
It’s a historic Montreal venue — it looks like a classic hotel bar reimagined as a gastropub in the heart of downtown. The space draws inspiration from the golden age of cocktail culture and the refined atmosphere of grand establishments from the past.
Originally opened in 1927 as part of the Dominion Square Hotel, the building has undergone several transformations over the decades, including periods as a pub, tavern and community gathering place.
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Rounding out the list at number 40, Le Majestique returns to the rankings after previously appearing in 2020, 2023 and 2024.
Le Majestique is a lively seafood spot, oyster bar and cocktail lounge on Saint-Laurent Boulevard known for its festive atmosphere and late-night energy.
Open daily until 3 a.m., with the kitchen serving until 2 a.m., the venue has built a loyal following over the years.
