Bar Big In Japan comes across as a hidden, moody speakeasy with a striking bar design and bottles hanging from the ceiling, a setting that works well for dates and small groups; the drinks are generally well crafted and strong, with some standout cocktails and a solid Japanese whisky selection, though a few drinks are described as ordinary or pricey and some nights are hindered by heat, loud music, or slower service when busy; reviews highlight attentive, professional staff, a thoughtful atmosphere, and a vibe that ranges from intimate to chic, yet a handful mention an unfriendly host or upfront payment that dulled the mood; overall, it remains a stylish, cozy destination for a night out or date night, with lines possible on weekends and experiences that can vary.
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.
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
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I've been drinking in Japan, & I've been to Japan-themed establishments in other countries, & I was looking forward to this bar. But unfortunately I was sorely disappointed.
From the moment I entered, the host was quite unfriendly. He gave me an air of not wanting me there.
From the photos, the place looks like a bar, meaning very few tables & good for socializing, which was what I was looking for. It had'mood lighting', meaning dimly, but sufficiently, lit. Unfortunately the host sat me at a table in the back of the bar with literally no lighting, so I couldn't even read the menu. I turned on my phone flashlight to try to order something & was told I couldn't use that, & was instead handed a dim light to try to read the menu with. I asked for a seat at the bar, & was told I would get one when one became available, but my request was swiftly forgotten; I did not get a seat at the bar the entire visit.
The bar has a large number of Japanese whiskey bottles hanging from the ceiling. Unfortunately, their selection is basic at best. They have Toki, Nikki From the Barrel, & unmarked (no year) versions of Yamazaki & Hibiki, along with a few other usual things that can be found at any Japanese themed bar or Izakaya, nothing special. The menu says to ask for the sake selection; when I did, I was told they had a Ginjo house sake, Mio, & Sayuri, the most basic of selections available at any liquor store & not worth going out for. The markup was also fairly high on these.
The cocktail menu did not read Japanese at all, it was all Negronis & Palomas & Old Fashioneds & so on. I was expecting at least a Nama Lemon Sour, maybe something Matcha-infused, something with Yuzu, I don't know. But the cocktail menu read like it could have been any British pub or street bar, nothing uniquely Japanese at all.
Aside from the 7 or 8 selections of Japanese whiskey & the'please ask' selection of extremely basic sake offerings, the entire menu was not Japanese at all. They have a whiskey selection, mostly American or Scotch, & a wine selection, mostly French; not what I was expecting from a Japanese-themed establishment.
Honestly, this place was a miss on every level. The only reason I'm giving them a 2 & not a 1 is because the decor was nice, & our waitress, despite being new & not knowledgeable, was friendly & gave decent service (between being repeatedly hounded by the host for various tasks). But if I was going for a night out with high class drinks & a good atmosphere, this would not be a place I would recommend.
Hands down, one of the most refined speakeasies in Montreal. This beautiful modern bar with a unique layout that could possibly sit up to 50 people is tucked behind a long hallway. Our server Sophie was very friendly & when I couldn't figure out what type of drink I should get, she made it her mission to brainstorm with the bartender to curate the perfect drink for me.
Vraiment cozy & unique comme endroit J'ai bien aimé l'atmosphère & le staff sont charmants. Juste triste des items out of stock sur menu au moment où nous sommes passé mais on va revenir :)
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!
