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 necessary stop for the cocktail inclined when visiting Montreal. Dim, vibrant, humming, & hip, this intimate spot attracts varied generations with a taste for lovingly crafted spirits touched with flare & fire - literally, if you tackle the pineapple slushy fuego that comes out like a sparkler. With good company, expect delicate sips mixed with stories & laughs. The kind of place where the drinks match the toast. Priced as such.
I went there twice, & let me tell you, I won't be coming back.
It took more than 45 minutes just to get our drinks.
When they finally arrived, the cocktails were filled with ice. Mine & my friend's were both finished after about five sips, which was very disappointing considering they cost $22 each & we had already waited so long.
The hostess was also quite rude & didn't seem concerned about the customers waiting. At one point she was on her phone instead of attending to people.
Mar 8, 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.
We were really pleased with the atmosphere & service, but the coctails & food were just OK. It wasn`t the most delicious experience, but I believe that I will give them the second chance!)
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
It's always a great experience getting drinks at the Mal Nécessaire, the combination of tasty cocktails & a cozy vibe makes this spot one of my favourite !
Feb 11, 2026
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The cocktails, even if more expensive than similar places, are excellent! The atmosphere is great. Highly recommend the Nomaretto Sour & the Strong Water.
Très belle place. Ambiance super chouette avec DJ & des serveurs professionnels.
Très bons drinks bien que je les ai trouvés petits (volume) on les finit rapidement.
The security guard told us to wait outside??? In -20 weather??? While waiting for our uber?? The drinks are great here, but we waited an hour before getting a table & then we had to fight for a better table, & then our drink order took soooo long. Service disappointed bigtime & was very annoying
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.
Très belle ambiance, par contre le son était trop haut & ça ne permettrait pas de parler tranquillement. Le staff est attencieux & les drinks délicieux, mais préparez-vous à débourser un bon 70$ pour trois boissons. Bon pour danser & jaser entre amis, mais pas un lieu du vous chercher de la tranquillité.
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.
