Bar Big In Japan draws praise for a sultry, intimate speakeasy vibe, moody lighting, and unique decor with bottles hanging from the ceiling, making the unmarked entrance easy to miss. The cocktails are frequently described as well crafted and strong, with favorites like Fleur de Sureau and Tokyo mule; several reviews note attentive service, though a few guests found the staff unapproachable or the service slow when the bar was busy. The atmosphere is celebrated as perfect for dates and small gatherings, with jazz and subdued ambiance aiding conversation, though some mention the music being a touch loud in a small space. A few notes highlight where experiences vary: certain drinks miss expected flavors, espresso martinis arriving with coffee grounds on top, and heat from HVAC or crowds can dampen comfort; some critics also dislike upfront payment or card-hold policies. The spot is widely praised as a hidden gem with a drink-focused program rather than a food destination, offering good value during promos and a memorable, stylish night out, even if weekend lines form and the crowd can be lively. Overall Bar Big In Japan is recommended for those seeking a chic, intimate night out with a standout ambiance.
Les cocktails sont d'une précision japonaise impeccable, avec des notes de yuzu & de shiso qui explosent en bouche. Le highball au whisky Nikka était frais & équilibré à souhait. Ambiance feutrée, idéale pour siroter sans précipitation.
Superbe décor, ambiance parfaite pour une date ! Le concept est vraiment cool : tu peux acheter ta bouteille & ils la suspendent pour ta prochaine visite. C'est super original & les prix sont corrects.
Le parfait endroit pour une première date.
Pour les boissons, leur sélection de whiskys japonais est bonne. Les cocktails sont bons , mais rien en dehors de l'ordinaire.
Petit détail à savoir : le service est très'hands-off'. Les employés te laisse vraiment tranquille dans ta bulle.
Un bar qui satisfait les besoins d'une clientèle plus mature.
great ambience, perfect setting for an intimate date or night out but the drinks severely disappointed. Ordered 2 espresso martinis which came with a sprinkle of what looked to be ground coffee on top rather than the anticipated coffee beans, & tasted like a watered down version of the described vodka/kahlúa mix… The only good drink we had all night was the fleur de sureau. the staff seemed unapproachable so it ended up being a quick stop rather than an enjoyable place to spend some time.
went for a blind date & it was perfect. the lighting is good. the service was excellent. & the drinks are well made. my only teeny complaint is the music was a wee bit loud for a small, intimate space. still 5 stars.
Feb 15, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Really cool spot, easy to miss the main door if you're not paying attention. The ambiance was great, the bar setup & aesthetic was super cool, I've never seen table seating like this it was very unique. Great service & awesome selection of cocktails.
Beautiful bar, but being asked to pay in advance was unexpected & disrupted the vibe for me & others around me. We likely would have ordered more drinks if this wasn't the case. Paying upfront or having cards held felt intrusive & is quite uncommon. It's a shame, as the space is nice & the staff seemed a bit on edge, possibly due to management.
Jan 17, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Nous avons bien apprécié notre expérience. Les cocktails étaient bien élaborés & savoureux. L'endroit était un peu bruyant à notre goût. Néanmoins, très belle découverte de speak easy!
Fleur de Sureau is drink I ordered here the waiter suggested it, & since it was my first time, I really appreciated the recommendation.
The place has such great vibes & is clearly more of a drinks-focused spot rather than a food destination. We didn't order any food & only got some chips to snack on with our drinks. This is definitely a place to come for the atmosphere & the drinks. I'd love to come back again & try more drinks next time.
Dec 14, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
My favorite bar in all of Montreal! All the drinks are impeccable & my absolute favourite is the Fleur de Surreau! On Friday & Saturday after 9pm, the wait can be a bit long (around 15 to 45 mins) because it's a small private & intimate speakeasy but it is absolutely worth the wait! I recommend coming before 8pm to avoid waiting in line but everything about this place is so cozy with the jazz music & ambient lighting! The drinks are around 10-20$ which is not too expensive if you consider other high end bars! Their cocktails are very strong, taste delicious & are made with great quality alcohols/ingredients. It's the best place to go to have a nice relaxing chit chat & to savour some great drinks! The servers are great too, super professional & very attentive, so they will come see you if you finish your drinks but they are not very talkative & let you be (which is I guess their style) because they know you come to this bar to talk with the people you are with!!
This speakeasy has some great selection of cocktails. The staff is helpful if you are not sure on what to get, they will offer recommendation to help you find the cocktail you'll enjoy! The ambience of the place was definitely a vibe & the most interesting part is that they have bottles hanging from the ceiling! you need to visit the place to find out what they're doing with it :)
Tucked away in a relatively quiet corner, the bar provides a relaxed atmosphere that makes an ideal speakeasy. That said, the drinks were a little lacklustre.
