Bootlegger Cocktail Bar & Cuisine earns praise for its creative cocktails, an impressive whiskey selection, and a welcoming, knowledgeable staff that can turn a visit into a memorable experience; the venue combines a stylish speakeasy vibe with vintage decor, live jazz, and a focus on fresh ingredients and precise mixology, including oysters during happy hours. Across many reviews, the atmosphere and drinks are highlighted as consistently well balanced and thoughtfully crafted, while occasional notes of slower service, crowding, or higher prices appear, along with occasional menu quirks or dishes that miss the mark; overall the place is seen as unique and worth returning to for the drinks, the ambience, and the sense of discovery it provides.
We ended up at The Bootlegger as the bar we were going to had a 45 min waiting list. We arrived there, the design was really nice & intimate. However, it was abnormally hot considering it was only spring. The drinks were alright but I could live without the constant & perpetual up-selling of our server Tony. When I asked which whiskey cocktail he would recommend, he snobbed us & said'I don't come here for cocktails that have egg whites & all that stuff. I hate cocktails'. Considering this place is called Bootlegger Cocktails Bar & Cuisine, that comment is absolutely unacceptable & misplaced. Cocktails were decent, however I would much rather have waited the 45 minutes at Le Mal Nécessaire. Shout out to Tony who asked us to leave to leave a great review, well here it is.
Amazing place to unwind & enjoy some great food & rinks with friends. Drinks were great, oysters were amazing. Beautiful place to have a nice night with friends!
This place was the absolute best bar/speakeasy/whiskey bar in Montreal, can't convince me otherwise. My boyfriend & I came here together & had such a fantastic night & experience having Peter as our server & the bartender making sure we would like our drinks before we ordered. We just had to come back! We sadly! Didn't try the food but it smelled absolutely DELICIOUS & it seems the cooks/kitchen take their time preparing & making each meal with excellence , wish we tried it now that we aren't there:( As we came back a second time we had come with a group making us a total of 6 on a Saturday night, it was very busy but the host was so generous & helped us get in & had us at the most perfect table for our group. Our server was Tony & I've never had a better service & experience (other than with Peter since they're best friends!!) I highly highly recommend coming here whether it be for drinks, food, or just vibes you will NEVER be disappointed. THANK YOU GUYS!!!
Mar 23, 2025
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My group of friends & I were visiting Montreal for a girls trip & happened to stumble upon Bootlegger! We cannot say enough good about this cocktail bar! We loved it so much we went two nights in a row, & tried a variety of cocktails & food! The atmosphere & staff were exceptional & we would choose to go back there any day! We sat at the bar both nights to watch the bartenders craft their drinks as the drink list seems endless, & each & every drink is carefully made. If you are in Montreal, this is an absolute must on your itinerary!!!!
Honestly, no complaints. One of the coolest bars in the greater Montreal area, topped woth gread food, great drinks & a very helpful & friendly staff. Don't miss it.
Feb 11, 2025
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Such a hidden gem! We came here on a monday for their oysters special but they ran out since they have that same special all night long on a sunday jazz night. However, we still ended up having the best meal ever. The price compared to the quality & quantity so just wow, left me speechless. Definitely a good location for a date night or drinks with friends. 10/10 solid & impressive choice.
Writing a review for this place is difficult because there's so much to talk about. First, when you step in you feel like you're transported into a secret society of some sort. The red lighting, the stacked bar, the booths & the decor bring about an enticing & exciting atmosphere that is yet to be matched (in my humble experience, of course). I went to their 5 à 7 cocktail hour to enjoy dollar oysters, five dollar pints of good beer (they have a very decent offer) & a cocktail. I didn't want to leave. The barmen are VERY talented & show dedication & love to both their craft & their customers. For a girl who went alone, I felt safe & cared for. I would love to go back for one of their Sunday Jazz evenings, or just to go back for their 5à7. Whatever the occasion, just go! It's definitely worth while & one of my new favourite spots to get a drink in Montreal.
The jazz band was awesome & the whole aesthetic of the place was great. They had a wide variety of drink choices which was really cool however, their food was not to my taste. It felt like they were trying create something unique but the flavours weren't hitting. The worst part was the service. Our waitress was kind but we waited 30 mins before ordering & another 45 minutes to pay the bill. Perhaps it was an off night, I don't know but that was a little annoying.
The service leaves much to be desired. The oysters are great but they "run out" fast. The drinks are good but the amount served in the whisky tasting was ridiculously small. The rest of the menu is expensive & average at best. We were greeted by a passive aggressive host & a waiter that had the same attitude. Really disappointing.
Fantastic experience with Tony. Service & friendly attitude were the cherry on top of great drink recommendations. His attention helped make a wonderful & memorable evening. For anyone wondering, my party was impressed with the selection of spirits available. Definitely something for everybody as well as mixologists to help try something new. Cozy spot with a great environment & will definitely come back!
One of the best cocktail bars we have been to. The ambiance is amazing, service spectacular, drinks very tasty. Felix did an amazing job with creating our drinks right in front of us at the bar & made us feel at home. Would definitely return!
