Bootlegger Cocktail Bar & Cuisine is described as a cozy, vintage speakeasy with warm lighting, tasteful decor, and live jazz that makes for a standout atmosphere; reviews praise creative, well balanced cocktails made with fresh ingredients, a strong whiskey selection, and an oyster focus that many find excellent, especially during happy hour; food earns praise for some dishes and vegetarian options, while a few entries note variability in quality and portion size and occasional kitchen misfires; the staff are repeatedly cited as friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, with many guests appreciating personalized recommendations, though some experiences mention slow or uneven service and wait times or noise that can be a drawback for a quiet date; overall the venue is seen as a special spot for drinks, oysters, and live music, offering a memorable vibe and top tier cocktails that keep guests returning, while noting that prices can be high and consistency sometimes wavers.
It was truly an amazing experience. We were just walking by, not knowing what to expect, & we ended up walking up a bookshelf-themed spiral staircase, then through curtains, into this immersive speakeasy. Despite not having a reservation, they were able to take us in. Live music was playing (I will say, it was a little loud), but the waiter still was extremely attentive & actually lowered himself so he could be able to talk to us & hear us. I was unsure of what to have, but he was very patient & said something along the lines of he will help me find my happiness or something like that. It felt like he really cared for me to have something I would like. The others in my party said they had the best old fashions they had ever had, & the food was amazing! Instead of fries, they were actual potatoes. They catered to my allergy - even excluding that ingredient from the spinach salad for me, it was still amazing - & that was just the sides! I do wish they had more chicken/vegetarian items but that seemed more across the board for all of montreal, but i still enjoyed what i had. We would 100% go back next time we are there!
Really nice vibes, great cocktails, & phenomenal food especially as a vegetarian the Ratatouille was phenomenal! Went on a Thursday with live music & it really was a wonderful experience
A pleasant find. Food is fantastic as are the cocktails. Staff were super friendly & attentive. Great atmosphere & unique set up. Live music makes it even more interesting. 10 out of 10!
Excellent service & drinks! The staff is absolutely lovely (& hilarious!), promptly answering any questions we had & kindly indulging us in conversation. We will be back again to try more drinks, some food, & enjoy the live music :)
Jan 8, 2026
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Drinks overpriced. Advertised as a jazz bar with live performances, there were no live performers nor jazz or blues music related to the theme of the bar. If you're willing to spend a lot on a night out, this is your place.. otherwise, there are options with better atmosphere, affordable food & drinks.
In town for 3 nights. Bootlegger was a choice for night #3 as we were on the hunt for an establishment with live music, some cocktails & food after shopping both Down town & more curated vintage shops on Saint Laurent. My expectations of Bootlegger after reading some reviews online & reading their bio was that I was going to have some great cocktails, Oysters & some snack type food. Everything on that realm was great, Service was great. The only short fall from our opinion for what's it worth. Is the interior finishings was budget, I was anticipating a much more lavish swanky interior with more premium finishings & materials used. Not the 5/8's stained plywood found on a house under construction on most carpentry & fence deck board partition wall. The finishings seem to be consistent through out. If you are planning to empress with some swank while on a date or business function I would consider somewhere else. Booze selection was expanse + fantastic & cocktail presentation was decent but, you can find a better elevated product at other establishments. Montreal brings tough competition in the culinary world of things with lots of options.
Nov 17, 2025
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Really cool spot! We were added to the waitlist since the restaurant was full, but it only took about half an hour to be alerted for a table.
I would recommend trying their absinthe-based cocktails. I ordered their Starry Night Van Gogh-inspired cocktail which was really fantastic. The outside of the glass had some fine sugar which gave the appearance of a starry sky. The taste was amazing, & it was not excessively strong for my liking.
My partner ordered their Sin City cocktail, but was not quite as impressed with it because the beetroot syrup was a bit overpowering. It was still a cool drink though.
The atmosphere is really cool, with eclectic decor all around & good music. It was quite loud & tables are close together, so you had to almost yell to talk. I was okay with this since it was a Saturday night at a bar.
After a full day of sightseeing, this spot was the perfect place to relax & recharge. The atmosphere was vibrant yet cozy, with live music adding a wonderful energy to the evening. Our server was attentive & knowledgeable, offering great recommendations-including a whiskey we truly enjoyed. The ambiance was charming, with Victorian-style picture frames adorning the walls & seating thoughtfully arranged for intimate conversations. Highly recommend for anyone looking to unwind in style & comfort.
We did not love Bootlegger contrary to many of the other reviews. We came in on a mildly busy Friday night for a night cap, & two of the drinks we wanted were unavailable. The drinks we ended up with were just ok, we've definitely had much better craft cocktails elsewhere in the city. The music was good though & the service was also ok.
Our server, Tony was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Loved the ambience of live jazz music & fresh oysters from PEI for just a dollor/oyster! 10/10 would recommend! :)
Went for jazz music & $1 oysters. We loved our oysters & the handmade hot sauce to complement them! Lots of unique cocktails to choose from, which were all a great hit. Music & ambiance were just what we were looking for!
