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Bar Big In Japan
Bar/Pub Top Pick

Bar Big In Japan

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
4.5$$ & $$$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 5 pmValentine's Day: hours might differ
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Bar Big In Japan Montreal Restaurant: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
Snacks & TreatsGreat selection of cocktails

Amenities, services & more

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5★
69%
4★
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2★
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Reviews for Bar Big In Japan

Food
Service
on Google4.3 (1300+)
*as of 2026-02-01
5★
69%
4★
19%
3★
4%
2★
8%
1★
0%

Review Summary

Bar Big In Japan is described as a dark, moody, intimate hideaway with candlelit tables and bottles hanging from the ceiling, a vibe many reviews call ideal for dates and quiet conversations. The drinks are frequently praised for balance, creativity, and quality ingredients, with favorites like Fleur de Sureau and the Tokyo Mule highlighted, though a few cocktails can be overly sweet or lack the expected kick. The venue is mostly a drinks destination rather than a food stop, and while some patrons enjoy snack plates or dumplings, the emphasis remains on the cocktails and atmosphere. Service is generally described as attentive and professional, but a few reports mention unfriendly exchanges with the host or variability in knowledge. Peak periods can bring longer waits and a warmer interior, sometimes due to HVAC issues, but the space still earns praise for its intimate setting and refined program. Prices are sometimes high, though many feel the experience justifies it given the vibe, the quality of drinks, and the overall experience.
Page 4 of 5 - 83 Reviews

Ambiance intime très bien, le service agréable les serveur sont au petit soin. & il font de très bon cocktail 😍

Oct 11, 2024
on Google
4.0

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 :)

Oct 7, 2024
on Google

Secret entrance. The atmosphere is unique & cool!

Oct 1, 2024
on Google
2.0

Mon avis se découpe malheureusement en deux parties, car notre expérience a fortement différé entre deux serveurs. Au début de la soirée, nous avons été servis par une jeune demoiselle pleine d'enthousiasme, qui nous a proposé plusieurs bons alcools à essayer. Honnêtement, si elle nous avait servis toute la soirée, j'aurais facilement attribué 5 étoiles pour le service. Malheureusement, après 20h, il semble y avoir eu un changement de personnel. Je ne pointerai personne du doigt, mais voici les faits qui me poussent à écrire ce message. Après le changement, j'ai fini mon verre & attendu 20 minutes pour attirer l'attention du serveur, sans succès. Il est passé servir un autre groupe juste à côté de nous avant de finalement nous remarquer. Son premier réflexe a été de nous demander si nous souhaitions payer, alors que nous n'avions rien laissé entendre à ce sujet. En commandant un autre verre, pendant que je discutais avec ma conjointe, il a pris son verre de whisky à moitié plein, sans qu'elle ait signalé avoir terminé sa consommation. Comme elle me parlait, elle n'a pas pu voir qu'il s'emparait de son verre. Pire encore, il n'a même pas vérifié si elle avait terminé sa consommation. Débourser 20 $ pour un verre de whisky à peine entamé, seulement pour se le faire prendre, démontre un flagrant manque de professionnalisme. Cela s'ajoute à un service très lent & un manque total de convivialité. Le seul moment où il a été rapide, c'est lorsqu'il s'agissait de régler la note. Pire encore, le couple assis à côté de nous a été complètement ignoré par ce même serveur. J'espère sincèrement que cela était dû à un manque d'expérience. Ayant entendu de bons commentaires sur cet établissement, je dois avouer être déçu de mon expérience.

Sep 15, 2024
on Google

Great speakeasy. Love the bar design & staff was quick to notice when you might want to order another round. Drinks were well balanced.

Sep 15, 2024
on Google
4.0

Great atmosphere. Good cocktails. & you can't go wrong with some Japanese whisky, of which there are several to choose. Entrance is the black door just next to Patati Patata & then down the hallway to the room with lots of candles & a serpentine bar. Clever use of a mirrored wall increases the effect of the candles. Clever use of magnets allow them to hang Japanese whiskey bottles that patrons reserve over the bar. Magnets also allow placement of the gas powered candles at different places on the bar. Great design. Friendly service.

Sep 14, 2024
on Google

So cool. So discreet. Props to the reviewer who posted photos of the door or I'd be floating around the corner & back 20 diff ways fooled to think it was in the Patati place. That place that had a crowd & a line up. I am so coming back with my partner.

Sep 11, 2024
on Google

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

One of the best bars in Montréal. Drinks are great & the atmosphere is even bette

Aug 14, 2024
on Google

Another beautiful speakeasy in Montreal, if you know you know. It is classy when you reach the insides & is beautifully designed. Great place to come for a date as it is very vibey & intimate. Drinks were alright! Overall worth the visit.

Jul 13, 2024
on Google

2024: the easy James & la Sophie were good. The Traveller was amazing. Service was very helpful & polite. I feel like they haven't done anything with the decor in years despite being popular. 2022: excellent service. My friend pointed out that they could have put more effort into decor & comfort & I had to agree. 1st visit: Amazing drinks. Nice ambience. Better when it's not too crowded

Jul 10, 2024
on Google
5.0

Très belle découverte. Un lieu agréable & intimiste.

Jul 8, 2024
on Google
5.0

Favourite speakeasy in the city for over a decade. Perfectly executed cocktails with great attention to detail, & a very unique & timeless vibe.

Jul 6, 2024
on Google

I was looking for a bar where I can actually talk to the person next to me without having to scream over loud music or others. This place kept coming up so I decided to give it a shot. It was quite pleasant to be able to have a conversation over a drink. The drinks were also quite good, I had a rum sour & I quite enjoyed it, it was original. The others also liked their drinks (there isn't really much food, just a few things to nibble on & dumplings). I would say that the chairs are not very comfortable. The whole place is like one giant bar where you sit around on stools with no backs & they pull out & can spin in different directions. However, it's not really the most comfortable way to talk to the people next to you, notably if you are more than two or stay for more than an hour. The hooks under the table for your personal items was nice. The service was also very good. & once again another bar that removes the 15% tip option & tries to force a higher tip, probably the main reason why I don't go back to bars & restaurants as I really hate this practice.

Jul 5, 2024
on Google

Rlly nice

Jun 30, 2024
on Google

We thought it was the ramen, beer & wings place that it used to be. It was an accident finding this speakeasy bar. But it was the best experience ever.

Jun 25, 2024
on Google

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

I quite enjoy the atmosphere, very smooth, yet the quirky is noticeable! Drink selection is very inspired, yet not overwhelming. The descriptions are accurate & short enough to be manageable easily. I do enjoy that the food menu is "dumplings". They're good dumplings, & their cooking precision has always beat mine.

Jun 7, 2024
on Google

The atmosphere & drinks were really good, but they uncharged us for a drink after asking if we wanted a drink "smooth" & ended up making us pay an extra $6 per drink. I'm fine if you want to charge that much after asking, but if someone says they don't have a preference for whiskey, you shouldn't then go & charge extra.

May 25, 2024
on Google

Great hidden bar on Saint-Laurent. I have been here on a couple of occasions, & have always been served well. The drink menu fits a wide array of tastes; whether you like cocktails, or a nice glass of scotch, they'll have you covered. I will definitely be coming back to this establishment again in the future.

Apr 28, 2024
on Google