Nightclubs and bars in Montreal

L'Assomoir on Notre-Dame is located in the heart of Old Montreal near the Notre-Dame Basilica.

What really distinguishes l'Assommoir from other bars is their extensive list of original and unique cocktails, and their flair bartenders. In deed, they have over 300 cocktails on their menu!

Its also a great place to get a bite. I personally love their menu. They have ceviche, tapas, tartares and meat on their menu. They also have big plates to share.

The decor is also really nice with old grey stone walls and wood. They have a nice long bar on the main floor.

They also have great brunches on the weekend!

Dress Code: Casual chic

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After the conference I went with some friends in search of some of the famous local beverage, and we ended up at the Benelux Brewpub, located close to the center city. It was a quiet night but we enjoyed sampling some of the variety of different ales, stouts, and porters that make every trip to Montreal a beer-lover's dream. They had 12 of their own beers on tap - I kid you not!

Benelux is also near the McGill University campus, just a little further to the east.

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I love blues and I heard that this place is the place to be when it comes to live blues bands. It did not disappoint. The bar is kind of small but it was not busy during my visit as it was Tuesday night. The band I saw was quite good and overall was impressed. There is music here nightly at 10:30pm. If I recall there was no cover and there is no talk of a cover charge on the website. You might want to call ahead.

Dress Code: Casual

I was wandering up St Laurent Boulevard after dinner when I decided to turn on the pedestrian walkway near McGill University. I came across this bar with a nice patio and said that looks like a nice spot to rest my feet. Well the locals were less than nice. One fellow almost started a fight (not with me thankfully) but he soon went away. Still it had a nice patio when compared to those in Toronto and when walking around touring a city all day, I really appreciate a nice patio. As I said the Bar Vol de Nuit is near McGill University so it does get a university crowd (university was out during my visit so there were few students). There are also alot of regulars.

Dress Code: Casual. Boxing gloves if you want to fight.

It doesn't require much to have a good night in Montreal. Club Unity had great music, lights/fog machine and welcoming atmosphere. At Le Drugstore there was not much going on....Sir Winston Churchill was a nice place to eat and have a drink on their outdoor terrace.

Dress Code: Casual

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The line-up is long to get into this place, and I can't be entirely sure why. It's decor is very trendy, but the drink prices are steep. Cover is $15 CAD before 1AM and $20 after that. That being said, they play good house music, so if that's what you're into, you won't be disappointed if you come here. It is conveinietly located right on the corner of Ste. Catherine's and St. Laurant though so you shouldn't miss it!

Dress Code: Dress to impress

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Down below Place Jacques-Cartier, on the west side of the dock, the King Edward pier is host to the Cavalier Maxim.

During daytime the Cavalier Maxim offers a 1½ hour guided tour around Montreal from the sea perspective.

Once or twice a week (in high season) Montreal's famous nightlife spirit takes hold of the Cavalier Maxim from midnight to late into the night, and the boat is then turned into the only floating discotheque in town! Departing at 10:45 PM and coming back till 3AM there is no way of leaving the club!! Cruising around Montreal with 4 different dancing areas around the boat it is a unique experience for any clubbing visitor in Montreal.

Dress Code: Nothing really that I noticed, a friend wore sneakers without a problem. I was wearing jeans.

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Orchid Nightclub is one of Montreal’s premier venues and is the paramount on the Hip Hop and RnB scene. Over the last five years, Orchid has been benchmarking the standards for nightclubbing VIP treatment and exclusive themes. In fact, Orchid has been recently voted as one of the top three nightclubs in the city by the highly respected Montreal Mirror’s “Best of Montreal 2006 – Readers Poll”. Orchid has been the gracious hosts to world class artists such as: Black Eyed Peas, 112, Massari, Shaggy, Colleen Shannon (Former Playmate 2001), Bruce Willis, Brandon Frasier and more.

Orchid provides intimate comfort with its capacity of 800 guests. The venue sets the ambiance with its intelligent lighting and beautiful layout. It provides an impressive 30,000 watt sound system that is masterfully engineered by some of the city's very DJs and MC. As well, Orchid offers its guests a 5,000 square foot dance floor, making it the largest Hip Hop & RnB venue in the area.

On Material Girl Fridays, ladies enjoy an open bar before midnight! As for Cosmopolitan Saturdays, ladies are entitled to one free Cosmo before 12:30 a.m. Orchid provides its patrons with a bottle service along with several VIP sections.

Guests visiting Orchid Nightclub are entitled to a cover free entrance before midnight under the guestlist. For more infomartion and to get under the guestlist, please contact us at:

guestlist@dp514.com or call: 514-889-6589 (Daniel) or 514-583-6423 (Phil)

Please visit us at: www.dp514.com & www.orchidnightclub.com

Dress Code: Dress to impress: No runners (except for Diesels, Pumas and trendy designer shoes), no hats or jerseys. There is a strict attire. Jeans are allowed as long as they aren't baggy.