Reviews describe Mona Loa as a visually striking cavernous speakeasy with dim lighting, warm tones, and a unique decor that makes the space feel intimate yet elevated. The vibe is repeatedly praised as cozy and immersive, a great setting for dates or a night out with friends, and the cocktails are often highlighted for being creative and well balanced, with a standout Habibi cocktail frequently praised. Food receives mixed notes, with some dishes like seafood and sushi praised for freshness and flavor, while others arrive cold or fall short of expectations for the price. Service is generally friendly and attentive but inconsistent at times, and during busy periods some guests report slower pacing or seating and menu hiccups. The location and atmosphere are consistently cited as a major draw, including the sense of discovery and the overall aesthetic, sometimes described as a hidden gem on Crescent with a basement bar and lively music. Reservations are advised as the place fills up, and a few reviews caution about noise levels and the value for money. Overall Mona Loa is seen as a must visit for ambiance and drinks, with the experience varying by visit depending on service and kitchen execution.
You won't get a table!!!
We had reservations for 3 at 9pm on a Saturday. First they made us wait in a table outside. Then we waited at the bar for 1h when we eventually figured we were not going to get a table because of the lack of organisation. The vibe, music & food is okay here. The service I wouldn't say as much. The owner was kind enough to offer us something to drink. It was shots & we didn't feel like drinking shots so we asked for'cocktails' instead, which were the shots with pineapple juice. I found that to be very cheap considering the prices on the menu. Overall me & my friends were disappointed with our experience here.
Vibes only. Pricey but unimpressive menu. Door personelle were great, wait staff was more attitude then service. Go for insta content if you need to, but don't expect much else.
Sep 1, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Pretentious attitudes, bordering on rude. Slow service. Took a while just to get a menu. Cocktails not that exciting. Was served drinks with no cocktail napkin, no water. The vibe of the space itself is cool, fun DJ, but it didn't make up for the bad energy from the staff who all seemed to not be getting along amongst themselves. If you've been there too long without spending they will ask you to pay your tab & leave. Seems to prioritize young women. Trying to be a night club but it's just a small bar with food. Could be better in so many ways. Skip.
Mona Loa is Montreal's newest hidden gem. The cavernesque, intimate atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night. The staff is outstanding-warm, attentive, & clearly passionate about what they do. The cocktails are exceptional, with the standout being the Habibi, hand-delivered by the owner himself. The music, the vibe, & the energy make this speakeasy the city's new hot spot. A must-visit.
You're really just paying for the vibe here, not the quality or taste of the food.
The music was good & our server was nice, but everything else was disappointing. We had a reservation for 7 people at 9pm, & while eating, the restaurant slowly started letting people in to stand around & drink. It was super uncomfortable having people standing right next to our table while we were trying to have dinner.
On top of that, a lot of items on the menu weren't available, including sushi, which was one of the main reasons we came.
The food we did get was just mid at best, definitely not worth the price.
Great music, but not somewhere I'd come back to eat.
Une des pires expériences que j'ai eues à Montréal. On sortait du casino vers 2h du matin pour finir la soirée des 21 ans de mon ami au Mona Loa, qui avait pourtant l'air cool. Mais dès qu'on arrive, le bouncer (un clown en manque d'attention) me bloque à l'entrée en disant que mon permis de conduire est'fake' ou que c'est pas moi sur la photo. J'ai 20 ans, la photo date de mes 17-18 - obviously j'ai pas la même face qu'à l'adolescence.
Je lui offre de lui montrer ma carte d'assurance maladie, une photo de mon passeport… il s'en fout. Il voulait juste flex son pouvoir de portier en chef. Le gars me sort sérieusement :'wallah c'est pas toi sur la photo, t'as fait de la prison ou quoi?' C'est quoi ce comportement de wannabe policier frustré? T'es pas un agent de la paix, t'es un portier dans un bar. Calme-toi.
Il m'a redonné mon permis (heureusement), mais nous a quand même refusé l'entrée - zéro raison valable. Juste une attitude méprisante, du jugement gratuit, puis une vibe qui puait le'donne-moi du cash pis j'vais faire semblant que je t'ai pas vu'.
Bref, un bar avec un beau décor mais un accueil aussi toxique que le videur à l'entrée. On est allés ailleurs & on a eu dix fois plus de fun. Mona Loa? Une perte de temps totale. Y'a des dizaines de speakeasys à Montréal qui savent c'est quoi traiter les gens avec respect.
Si vous cherchez un bon spot, allez n'importe où ailleurs. Ce bar-là se prend pour ce qu'il n'est pas, & laisse un cave à la porte ruiner l'expérience dès l'entrée.
