Reviews describe Nhau as an intimate, cozy space with thoughtful details, strong cocktails and tasty food from pad thai to crispy broccoli and fries, with a friendly, attentive staff and an atmosphere that makes it great for dates or catching up with friends; the vibe is often described as tiki inspired and unique, though some evenings the music can become very loud, making conversation difficult and even leading some guests to skip returning; overall the drinks are praised for balance and variety, the kitchen is seen as capable, and many guests plan to return to enjoy the ambiance as well as the evolving menu.
Had the absolute worst experience at Nhau Bar. I was really excited to come here for my friend's birthday, but the service was terrible, & the staff was awfully rude. At first, we are told that we need to check our coats, & that we won't be let into the bar with any coats on, even a jean jacket. So they force us to pay $4 per coat check just to go into the bar, while when we went down into the bar others were wearing their coats & jackets. So what a big scam & truly despicable. As well, I know we had a young group go, but if we are giving our IDs, yes, you can be skeptical, but there is no need to laugh, which the waitress denied doing... but she did, also giving a lot of rude attitude to everyone. It was the rudest tone we have ever encountered at a bar, & it added to this terrible experience. Besides that, the drinks were fine. I appreciated the atmosphere in the bar & the free dessert for my friend, but our mood was thrown off, & we just had an awful time. It is truly sad to be treated like this for no apparent reason. We just wanted to have a calm, respectful time, but we were met with overt rudeness. I say this regretfully, as I hate talking down businesses, but personally, I know I will never return & would never recommend anyone go here if this is what they will be met with.
Apr 10, 2026
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there was a mandatory coat check that we got charged for which set the mood off in a weird way. The service was bad for a cocktail bar: someone at our table asked for recommendations from the menu & whether the bar tender was able to make something off menu with a specific ingredient, the server did not give any information or offer interest in cocktails or mixology. I watched the bartender free pouring cocktails which was alarming. As a bartender myself I did not feel like they understood that ratios are key to a balanced cocktail. Even at our own table two of the same drinks did not taste the same. There was attention to detail on the aesthetic of the cocktails, but they did not taste good or worth the cost. The ambience is the main reason for coming. The lanterns are cute. The seating is fine, not conducive to talking in a group.
Nous avons découvert le Nhau en cherchant un endroit dans le Vieux-Montréal pour célébrer le passage à la nouvelle année. L'ambiance aperçue de l'extérieur semblait propice à la fête. Nous avons donc payé 50 $ pour deux places au bar à 22h 30, avec l'intention de manger une bouchée & de prendre quelques cocktails avant le décompte.
À notre arrivée, le bar était pratiquement vide & nous avons constaté que nos «places» étaient debout, sans tabourets ni espace réel pour s'installer confortablement. Aucune information claire ne nous avait été donnée au moment de l'achat à ce sujet.
L'offre sur place ne correspondait pas à nos attentes : ambiance inexistante & aucune valeur ajoutée justifiant le prix payé.
Nous avons quitté aussitôt entrée. Pour un événement aussi particulier que le Nouvel An, un minimum de transparence & de considération envers la clientèle serait essentiel.
We were having a great time last night . Great drinks & great atmosphere. We were seated & had a table & all of a sudden very rudely we were asked to leave the table because there was allegedly a reservation. The waiter said only bottle service at the table, however, it had been over 1 h 30 mins wee were at the table having drinks, which by the way are not cheap at at all. Cheapest cocktail with tax & tips is $20 & my friend paid $38 for 2 glasses of red wine.I told the waiter my friend wanted to order a bottle of wine to which she answered: other people will order more expensive bottles than that. I was so pissed. The table next to us, which we didn't know, offered us to be with them, but the waiter said with attitude: it will be too crowded. I then talked to the guy that took the table & told him what happened. He told me he didn't have a reservation but in order for him to enter the bar he was told he needed to buy a bottle. Long story short, we were treated like garbage after being already consuming in the place & having a good time. The worst part is that the 2 women servers lied to us & didn't even feel sorry & they felt this was normal to treat customers like this. Never going back again.
We had an amazing time at Nhau! It's a great space with some thoughtful attention to detail, such as some lovely incense staff attended to that really made the space warm & inviting.
You'll find tiki & tiki-inspired drinks here, & while that usually suggests tropical, fruity, & pretty sweet libations, bartender Kali really shines at balancing everything!
It got busy later in the evening & she was a whirlwind behind the bar, but was also bubbly & passionate about the craft when we had any questions, taking the time to discuss & engage with us. She is excellent at bringing in a beautiful savoury element to the drinks, & just has this intuitive spark; one of my later orders was pretty good, but didn't quite hit like the others, & she somehow just knew. Without a word, Kali later whisked it away & in moments redid it from scratch, proclaiming,'I like to make this one a little different...' & it became something special, more beet-forward, balanced, & layered.
There is a crowded lineup of top cocktail destinations in this city, but some have been resting on past accolades & become complacent. Nhau demonstrates the ability to brawl with the best of them, & has easily become one of our cocktail bars to revisit the next time we return to Montreal!
Nov 15, 2025
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Great bar, great food (main dishes & entree). Very good service (i think her name is Mathis). If you don't know what you want, she'll know what to suggest based on preferences. A friend requested a mocktail off the menu & it was very tasty. Went for a birthday with 6 people & it was a vibe.
Drinks are amazing & well-priced! Our servers were really kind & chill. One of the top speakeasy/cocktail bars that I have been to - wasn't too crazy but very fun.
Love this basement bar for the great ambiance & creative & delicious cocktails made with high-quality ingredients. The bartender was friendly & professional. A nice cozy bar for a date or to go with friends.
Waitress was very very rude. Was only nice once we realized we were buying a bottle. & she knew nothing. She didn't know what bottles she had or even had to pop a champagne bottle. Very unimpressed with service . Will not be going back Bar man outside was super nice !
Feb 12, 2025
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Arnaud-thierry is the best bartender you can ask for!!! the drinks he made us were out of this world. I come to nhau bar at least twice a month this visit was different because of Arnaud the drinks tasted even better than they already are ! Ask for Arnaud he will make your experience worth it!! merci beaucoup 🤩
Jun 28, 2024
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Les cocktails sont très bons & pour un prix qui est correct dans ce genre de speakeasy. L'endroit est très bien décoré. Il y a une ambiance bar & une ambiance pour danser si vous le souhaitez.
Brian is the best bartender ever!!! He was so nice & hard working, all of his drinks were extremely delicious. He was so pleasant to be around. Thank you for a great night Brian!
My recent visit to Nhậu Bar was a delightful experience, marked by inventive drinks & commendable service. This trendy spot stands out for its unique approach to cocktails & a vibrant atmosphere. The standout feature of Nhậu Bar is undoubtedly its creative drink menu. Each cocktail was not only delicious but also presented with flair, showcasing a blend of classic & contemporary mixology techniques. The bartenders' expertise was evident in every sip, & their passion for crafting unique beverages added to the overall enjoyment. The service was another high point of our visit. The staff was friendly, attentive, & knowledgeable, making us feel welcomed & well-taken care of throughout the evening. Their recommendations were spot on, ensuring that each drink we tried was to our liking. While the overall ambiance of Nhậu Bar was energetic & fitting for a night out, the temperature inside was notably warm. A slightly cooler environment would have made the experience more comfortable, especially when the bar gets crowded. The music selection at Nhậu Bar deserves special mention. It provided a great backdrop to the evening, enhancing the lively mood without being overpowering. The mix of genres kept the vibe fresh & engaging. ----- Ma récente visite au Nhậu Bar a été une expérience délicieuse, marquée par des boissons inventives & un service digne d'éloges. Ce lieu branché se distingue par son approche unique des cocktails & son atmosphère animée. La particularité du Nhậu Bar est sans aucun doute sa carte des boissons créative. Chaque cocktail était non seulement délicieux mais aussi présenté avec brio, mettant en valeur un mélange de techniques de mixologie classiques & contemporaines. L'expertise des barmen était évidente à chaque gorgée, & leur passion pour la création de boissons uniques a ajouté au plaisir général. Le service a été un autre point fort de notre visite. Le personnel était amical, attentif & compétent, ce qui nous a permis de nous sentir bien accueillis & pris en charge tout au long de la soirée. Leurs recommandations étaient justes, garantissant que chaque boisson que nous avons essayée était à notre goût. Si l'ambiance générale du Nhậu Bar était énergique & adaptée à une soirée, la température à l'intérieur était particulièrement élevée. Un environnement un peu plus frais aurait rendu l'expérience plus confortable, surtout lorsque le bar est bondé. La sélection musicale du Nhậu Bar mérite une mention spéciale. Elle a constitué une excellente toile de fond pour la soirée, renforçant l'ambiance animée sans la dominer. Le mélange des genres a permis de maintenir l'ambiance fraîche & attrayante.
