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.
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.
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
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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.
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
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.
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.
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
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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.
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 $6 per drink. I'm fine if you want to charge that much after asking, but if someone says they don't have a preference for whiskey, you shouldn't then go & charge extra.
Great hidden bar on Saint-Laurent. I have been here on a couple of occasions, & have always been served well. The drink menu fits a wide array of tastes; whether you like cocktails, or a nice glass of scotch, they'll have you covered. I will definitely be coming back to this establishment again in the future.
Bar très joli, ambiance général très agréable (lumières tamisées etc) mais juste la musique un peu forte, pour un bar à cocktails style classe moyen bof. Le service était moyen aussi, possiblement que la personne était nouvelle aussi ce qui serait compréhensible. Mais si c'est pas le cas c'est pas fou, longtemps à être servi, puis service assez froid. Pareil pour un bar a des verres à 20$ c'est dommage. Les cocktails sont super bons cependant à, rien a dire, bravo au chef(fe) des cocktails, continuez comme ça
