Award winning cocktail bar tucked away in a Montreal Chinatown. Authentic Cantonese food available for clients who want to snack while enjoying an all-natural libation. Live DJ sets every night.
Bar Le Mal Nécessaire is described as a stylish cocktail bar with a cozy, intimate vibe that can feel upscale depending on the room and night. Cocktails are frequently praised for creativity, balance, and strong flavors, with standout drinks like strong water, negroni, and pina fuego, though a few guests find prices high and portions small. Service is noted for being attentive and friendly, with staff offering knowledgeable recommendations and occasional courtesy substitutions that enhance the experience. The atmosphere and music receive mixed reviews, ranging from lively DJ nights and live acts to nights where the sound can be loud and conversation difficult. Food options are limited to small bites, and mocktails can be less exciting, but overall the experience is memorable and many would return.
A very warm & cozy place with great music being spun at a perfect volume. A great place for date night or a hang with friends. Good choice of original cocktails to chose from. I definitely recommend!
Mar 17, 2026
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the drinks were delicious, vibes were great on a rainy night, music was good & our bartender niko was excellent. the queueing system was really odd though, they escorted us to a back room bar where you can order a drink while waiting for an actual table. back room bar menu & main bar menu is different. we waited for around 30 min on a sat night before getting a table.
Attended on Sat Feb 14th. Did not eat. Fabulous, unique cocktails (strong water was the most smooth & balanced drink that we have ever tasted!) Amaretto sour was perfection! We had such great service. We ordered a cocktail that was new to us which neither of us enjoyed. Our server noticed, without us mentioning it to her, & replaced it with another drink of our choice at no cost. That is exceptional service! Did not enjoy the DJ's choice of music that night… was totally 1970's disco music for the entire 2 hours that we were there
Le Mal Nécessaire is one of those rare spots that feels special without trying too hard. One of my top go-to spots - Great music, beautiful space, & seriously good cocktails. Always a great night.
Jan 27, 2026
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Le Mal Nécessaire is a nice bar with interesting cocktails & a cozy, intimate atmosphere. However, the music was very loud & I didn't enjoy the band that was playing. That said, it seems like they host different acts, so the experience may vary depending on the night.
One of, if not, the best bars I've ever been to. There's a wide variety of drinks to choose from & if you're indecisive, the staff will make it easy by getting you something according to your preferences. The bar has a very nice atmosphere, with great music playing all along. Our server Adam was very friendly & professional with us. He handled our order with care & made sure we had a pleasant experience throughout the entire time, asking us if we needed anything or not. Additionally, he provided us with a portable charger so we could keep enjoying our night. I would totally recommend this bar if you're a couple or a group of friends looking for a nice place to spend an evening with amazing drinks.
Amazing vibes & music; The Champagne Papi was really good & i enjoyed the vibe all around, bartenders & service was actual legends. Thank you Jay & the others for a great time :)
Big recommend!!
Oct 12, 2025
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Atmosphere is super nice & the music fits the vibe perfectly, I got the champagne papi drink & it was really really good. Jay was a wonderful server, would definitely come back when I visit Montreal again
Lovely bar. Great music from the dj. Great place to drink & chat with your friends. I had the champagne papi & it was drake. I mean great. Jay gave use great service & I hope to visit again when I'm back in Montreal.
2025: signed up for the waiting list with an estimate of 45 minutes. 1h45 later still not seated in the main area. Staff was friendly & apologetic, but they need to revise their system. The lounge area isn't bad though, but I think the cocktail menu is more limited, & a bit understaffed. I like the decor & music.
2022: Two visits. Pleasant service, good music. Fun cocktails. My friend for the Singapore noodles & they were a little low on flavour.
Great ambience & drinks! I got the dirty martini & tale of two chillis. The martini was good but the tale of two chillis was amazing! I liked the ambience; the music was a bit loud at certain points (it was a live band) but I personally didn't feel talking to my friends was hard. The lighting was a tad too dark. Great experience overall though!
Oct 1, 2025
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Large enough place with plenty of comfortable couches & live music spinning. The menu had great cocktail variety, & it's designed like a zine with information about drinks & drink history in it. The atmosphere is on the darker side & it took a little time to get the drinks, but all the ones my table ordered were immaculate tasting.
