Bar Big In Japan

Hunter

4.0

Great cocktail bar with a really unique & memorable atmosphere. Big in Japan has an amazing ambiance, very intimate, dimly lit, & thoughtfully designed, which makes it perfect for a night out or a date. The drinks are honestly a highlight, creative, well balanced, & clearly made with a lot of attention to detail. You can tell the bartenders know what they're doing, & it shows in every cocktail.

The only real downside for us was the seating. The chairs are not comfortable at all, especially if you're on the taller side. I'm 5'9 & my boyfriend is 6'4, & after one round we were already feeling it. We actually wanted to stay longer & have another drink because everything else was so enjoyable, but the seating made it hard to relax & enjoy the experience fully.

Aside from that, it's a great spot with incredible drinks & a beautiful vibe. With more comfortable seating, it would easily be a top-tier experience.

Apr 6, 2026

on Google

Kristine

5.0

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.

Jan 31, 2026

on Google

Jamaar

5.0

Above all, in my opinion, the place is best for it's atmosphere. Truly great for dates. Easy to have intimate conversation with one other guest, but the volume made it difficult for coverings of 3+ guests.

Entered through unsuspecting black door to the right of patita, proceeded down the very dark hallway with an obsolete payphone toward the dimly lit area behind the curtains.

Worth noting the interesting design of the majority of seating was effectively at counters served similarly to a traditional U-Shaped bar instead of service from over the shoulder.

Our primaryserver Lawson was a treat although there appeared to be a team of 4 working together.

Unfortunately, to no fault if the te1m on hand, the HVAC was out making the entire establishment very hot in early September. Service staff was visibly challenged by this with bowties tied & sleeves rolled up. One sole individual kept his black tux coat on through service.

Given the unforseen circumstances, it appeared that most parties stayed for only one round & left quickly. Itt us unclear if this is the normal standard of the enviroment & service style. If the establishment wanted to keep guests hour more than one round,I would expect that glasses of water would not be so difficult to acquire upon request.

Drinks themselves were clever in inspiration & design. Execution was questionable as garnished fruit & herb were found fully submerged defeating any sense of purpose or intentionality behind what aromas & visuals the garnishes might bring to the cocktails. Nevertheless, the menu was written well albeit difficult to see in the dim light.

I would highly recommend for a stop on a date night.

Sep 6, 2025

on Google

Shane

5.0

If you're in Montreal & looking for a truly unique experience, Big in Japan is a must-visit speakeasy that stands out. The ambiance is charmingly quaint with its low lighting & super relaxed vibe, creating an intimate & inviting atmosphere. The seating is incredibly unique, adding to the overall distinctive feel of the place. The drinks are nothing short of amazing, expertly crafted & full of flavor. Service here is impeccable, with staff that are attentive & friendly, making you feel right at home. The atmosphere has a way of transporting you to a different country, offering an escape from the everyday. Highly recommended for a memorable night out!

Aug 29, 2024

on Google

Lizzie

4.0

Really nice inside - maybe waited like 10 mins to be seated. (Came around 11:30pm). It took a while to get our order in but the espresso martini saved it. The seating was interesting - if you weren't at the bar, you were seated at an odd section & the seats were a little too far apart, so it was hard to have a conversation.

Jun 14, 2024

on Google