The Best Speakeasies in Montreal & How To Find Them!

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Montreal has an incredible nightlife scene, but if you want something more exciting than your typical bar, you’ll love Montreal’s hidden speakeasies. These secret cocktail bars are tucked away behind unmarked doors, inside old buildings, and even hidden in suit shops.

During my trip, I visited three of the best speakeasies in Montreal, each with a unique vibe and some of the best cocktails in the city. If you’re looking for a Prohibition-style experience, here’s where to go and how to find these hidden bars.

What is a Speakeasy? A Quick History

Speakeasies date back to Prohibition-era America (1920–1933) when alcohol was banned, and people had to drink in secret bars hidden from the authorities.

The name “speakeasy” comes from the idea that patrons had to “speak easy” to avoid drawing attention.

Montreal’s Speakeasies

While Canada didn’t have the same strict alcohol laws, Montreal became a hotspot for American visitors looking to drink legally, leading to a boom in hidden bars.

Today, Montreal’s speakeasies mix history with creativity, offering a unique cocktail experience in secret locations across the city.

The Best Hidden Bars in Montreal

Now let’s get to the fun part—the three speakeasies in Montreal I visited and what to expect at each one!

1. The Coldroom (Old Montreal’s Hidden Gem)

📍 Location: Old Montreal
🔍 How to Find It: Look for the black door with a small button near Rue Saint-Vincent.

First, we visited The Coldroom, one of the most famous speakeasies in Montreal. It was only a ten-minute walk from our hotel.

We entered the address into our maps, and before we knew it, we stood before a big black door in the heart of the city.

Where to find speakeasies in Montreal
Where to find speakeasies in Montreal

After spending a few minutes looking around, we finally spotted the button we needed to press.

Once we reached the bottom, we entered the dimly lit room, which was packed to the brim at 6:00 PM on a Wednesday.

We squeezed our way to a seat at the bar and were handed a drink menu.

Best speakeasies in Montreal
Best speakeasies in Montreal

The menu featured so many creative options, ranging from gin to whiskey and beyond.

For our first round, we ordered gin-based martinis, perfect for sipping while enjoying good conversation.

Montreal speakeasy guide
Montreal speakeasy guide

I also tried a delicious tequila drink that was fruity yet strong, topped with a nice foam. Both the team and the menu lived up to the hype.

Downtown Montreal secret bars
Downtown Montreal secret bars

When we left, we exited through a different side, keeping the secrecy of The Coldroom, a top hidden speakeasy in Montreal, alive.

2. The Cloakroom (A Secret Bar Inside a Suit Shop)

📍 Location: Downtown Montreal
🔍 How to Find It: Walk into The Cloakroom Tailors and look for the hidden entrance.

The next night, we headed to downtown Montreal to visit The Cloakroom.

This Montreal speakeasy is hidden inside a suit shop, making it one of the coolest secret bars in the city. After finding the entrance, a bartender will seat you in a small, intimate room with just a handful of seats.

The best hidden cocktail bars in Montreal
The best hidden cocktail bars in Montreal

After finding the secret entrance, we waited for a team member to seat us. There was a short wait of about twenty minutes, but we didn’t mind.

Soon, we were led down the stairs to a small, packed room with a cozy, secretive vibe—just what you’d expect from a speakeasy restaurant in Montreal.

Montreal hidden bars
Montreal hidden bars

The best part? There’s no menu! Instead, the bartender asks about your flavor preferences and creates a custom drink just for you.

Cocktails At The Cloakroom
Cocktails At The Cloakroom

If you love a personalized cocktail experience, The Cloakroom is one of the best-hidden cocktail bars in Montreal to check out.

3. Le Mal Nécessaire (Montreal’s Tiki Speakeasy)

📍 Location: Chinatown Montreal
🔍 How to Find It: Look for a neon pineapple sign near a stairway leading underground.

When I visited Le Mal Nécessaire in Chinatown Montreal, I was instantly drawn to its retro tiki vibe and vibrant atmosphere.

While it doesn’t have a secret entrance like the others, Le Mal Nécessaire is still tucked away and easy to miss as you might walk right by it.

But once you step inside, you’ll immediately notice the speakeasy-style cocktail bar.

Le Mal Necessaire Chinatown Montreal
Le Mal Necessaire Chinatown Montreal

The tropical fruit cocktails here are a dream—my favorite was a rum punch served in a coconut!

Best speakeasies in Montreal
Best speakeasies in Montreal

This spot stands out as one of the best tiki-style cocktail bars in Montreal, with each drink as creative as the next. If you’re into bold, fruity flavors and a fun, lively setting, this is the place to be.

4. Le Mur 4e (A Detective-Themed Speakeasy)

Le Mur 4e is one of the most unique speakeasies I’ve visited in Montreal.

Hidden along Rue Saint-Denis, this detective-themed bar blends mystery with masterful cocktails and interactive clue games.

Entrance to Le Mur 4e, a detective speakeasy in Montreal
Entrance to Le Mur 4e, a detective speakeasy in Montreal

You’ll need to visit their website to get the secret address, then look for an unmarked brick entrance that reveals the door.

Once you get there, you will need to find the secret brick to press to open the door!

Inside, candlelit tables, vintage décor, and creative drinks like the “Too Bee or Not To Bee” and “Papi Alfred” make it a night to remember.

Cocktails at one of the most unique speakeasies in Montreal
Cocktails at one of the most unique speakeasies in Montreal

With each cocktail tied to an ongoing investigation, Le Mur 4e turns your evening into a story you get to be part of.

5. Atwater Cocktail Club (Hidden in Little Burgundy)

📍 Location: Little Burgundy, Montreal
🔍 How to Find It: Look for the unmarked black door behind Foiegwa on Notre-Dame Street.

I ended my Montreal speakeasy tour at Atwater Cocktail Club, and it instantly became one of my favorites.

To get inside, I walked toward the back of Foiegwa and found a plain, unmarked black door. The second I stepped through it, the whole vibe changed.

Hidden backdoor entrance to Atwater Cocktail Club, lit with red lights and surrounded by metal staircases.
The hidden alley entrance to Atwater Cocktail Club, one of the coolest speakeasy doorways in Montreal.

For my drink, I ordered the Siren’s Song, and it completely lived up to the name.

It was made with Grey Goose vodka, Tanqueray Rangpur gin, Cocchi Extra Dry vermouth, vine leaves, confit lemon, and pink peppercorn.

It was one of those cocktails you take a sip of and immediately know you ordered the right thing.

A martini glass holding the Siren’s Song cocktail at Atwater Cocktail Club in Montreal.
Sipping the Siren’s Song at Atwater Cocktail Club in Montreal

The atmosphere here felt chic but relaxed, and it was the perfect way to wrap up the night.

If you’re looking for a speakeasy in Montreal that has great energy and even better drinks, Atwater Cocktail Club is absolutely worth a stop.

FAQs About Montreal Speakeasies

Are Speakeasies in Montreal Hard to Find?

Some are easier to locate than others, but most require a little effort—which is part of the fun! Look for unmarked doors, secret entrances, or small signs that hint at the hidden bar inside.

Do Montreal Speakeasies Require Reservations?

It depends on the speakeasy!

  • The Cloakroom – No reservations, but there may be a wait.
  • The Coldroom – Best to go early (it fills up fast).
  • Le Mal Nécessaire – Walk-ins welcome!

Are Montreal Speakeasies Expensive?

Cocktail prices range from $15–$20 CAD, depending on the bar. Some places charge more for custom drinks but are totally worth the experience.

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