Philémon Bar is described as a lively Old Port spot where the vibe loosens after the early crowds, with a central bar, good music and DJs, friendly service, and drinks that are reasonably priced for the area, while reservations help beat the rush and the staff generally manages busy crowds well. The ambiance and energy are widely praised and make it feel like a fun nightlife destination, though some reviews note aging decor, a few maintenance issues such as dirty bathrooms or broken furniture, and that food options can be limited or unavailable at times. Language service can vary and hours can be inconsistent, but staff often go the extra mile to accommodate by finding nearby dining options or offering lounge access. Overall, it remains a popular choice for a night out, especially for dancing and socializing, with the caveat of crowding and occasional service or offering gaps.
Never bothered with the food here, only came here to party a few times. Nightlife in Old Port can be a hassle in general without reservations. Philemon is an exception to this, if you manage to get here before 10:30pm you will have a good shot at getting in. The atmosphere is a lot more fun & unrestricted especially later in the night compared to some of the more reserved Old Port establishments. Drinks are reasonably priced for the area. Great service, the staff does their best managing the bustling crowds which get super tight at peak. The DJ's are usually of quality selection too.
Feb 3, 2026
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this place sucks. service is waaaaaay too long, like 20 min to receive a drink & music like basically chom fm but super loud. what is up with the volume going up & down & the lights. bye losers
L'ambiance & choix de musique parfait (un peu plus rock comme j'aime), les drinks au 1001 saveurs & le super service A+++ font de cet endroit le parfait match pour une soirée arrosée entre amis.
At the end a great experience, even with a bit of a bumpy rode 😅 I reserved for my birthday for 10 people 3 weeks in advance & the waitress explained that there's food, drinks, we'll have the lounge & I can bring a cake with me. I confirmed by text 2 days before. On the same day, at 2 pm, the same waitress calls saying there will be no food - like none, literally just olives - available because the chef is sick. Which I understand, but on a Saturday night I'd expect some back up. The waitress told us she's sorry & knows it's a party of 10 & that it will be challenging to find another place, but she contacted several restaurants nearby to accommodate us. We ended up all searching for half an hour & I found a place to dine. The waitress also told us we were welcome to the lounge at 10pm (which normally they only take reservations until 8pm) & offered a bottle of Prosecco to apologize. We arrived at 10:15 & got seated & had our bottle, & ended up having a great time! Thanks for accommodating.
A great place to dance but gets JAMMED PACKED. If I wasn't on the lounge it would be annoying to be in such a crowd.
Philemon Bar in Old Port, Montreal, offers a chic & vibrant atmosphere, perfect for a lively night out. The bar's modern, industrial design combined with its cozy ambiance makes it a great spot to unwind or catch up with friends. The music selection is excellent, often featuring live DJs, which enhances the overall experience. The drinks menu is well-curated with a variety of cocktails, beers, & wines. The bartenders are skilled & friendly, always ready to recommend something new if you're undecided. The crowd is generally upbeat, contributing to a fun & energetic vibe throughout the night. However, the bar can get quite crowded, especially on weekends, which might make it challenging to find a spot to sit. The prices are also on the higher side, but the quality of drinks & the ambiance justifies it. Overall, Philemon Bar is a fantastic choice for those looking to enjoy a lively evening in Old Port, offering great drinks, music, & atmosphere. It's definitely worth a visit, though be prepared for a bustling crowd & slightly steeper prices.
Nice little spot situated in the old port. On the downside, it is VERY VERY small & it gets unbearably hot, drinks are cheap enough & staff are lovely.
Love this bar!! The staff is very friendly & they play 2000s music, the vibe is 10/10. The drinks are a bit pricey but that's the case everywhere. Will definitely come back
Only stopped in for a drink, but the staff was so nice & the music was not super obnoxious. Could be a little cleaner, but I think it's a bit of a dive bar anyway :)
Jun 24, 2024
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I came there with my wife we had a great time the two of us. The drinks were amazing. We had a great bartender named Julia that gave us some great suggestions for cocktails & she nailed them. Even my wife was very impressed which is very rare since she can only use 30% of her taste buds because of a childhood injury. The DJ was great & there is a nice smoking area too.
This will be a long-ish review but the summary is 100/10, would recommend to ANYONE. Got out of a long relationship & I can honestly say the thursdays at Philemon not only made my summer, but gave me the confidence to go back out there. Much can be said about the establishment, its beautiful design, convenient location, etc but the main aspect of Philemon is ITS PEOPLE. The staff is seriously the absolute best I have ever seen. I lost a camera for months & they kept it nice & safe in their office for half a year, they are trust worthy. The drinks are always amazing, the music is top notch, & again the vibe is simply impeccable. I also tried their cheese platter & it was divine, & the wine advice I received from the manager that day (Julia) was simply sublime. I cannot strees enough how great this place is, you just have to see by yourself. If you want a BUSY night with LOTS of people from any background, age, gender ? Then go on thursdays fridays & saturdays after 10PM. You want a quiet relaxed date where you can enjoy some amazing drinks & have some privacy ? Then go on weekdays or any day before 10pm. Either ways, Philémon is THE SPOT in Montreal & you have to visit at least once to understand why its such a well-known & trusted establishment.
I’m just not giving five stars cause the ambiance wasn’t so hyped. I can’t explain why cause everything here is amazing, the ambiance, the waitress (the sweetest girl ever) & the drink. I kid you not, the best cocktail of my life. It was a mixture of amaretto & coffee *kiss chef*
Oct 13, 2023
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The first & last time I visited Philemon was actually a couple months ago & I had a very much below average experience. The cocktail menu doesn’t have many options so I selected something that sounded interesting but when I got it I couldn’t finish it, pretty sure it was Negroni. I came up to the bartender & asked if I could have it changed because I didn’t like it & he said I’d have to pay for a new drink even though my old one was untouched. Normally, if you don’t like your drink they change it for you without charging you twice but I ended up leaving with a $30 bill for 2 overpriced underwhelming drinks, one of which I didn’t even drink. The bartenders looked like they were barely 18, didn’t interact, couldn’t hold a conversation, & honestly looked high out of their minds. The atmosphere is nice, definitely not everyone’s cup of tea but overall it’s cozy besides the scratched up dirty floors.
This is a multipurpose space & I have come for drinks, a market & to dance. The music here can really vary but I have had some nice nights at this spot. The outside area is also really chill.
The last time I went it was sooo hot like uncomfortably so. I’ve heard mixed reviews as of recent but I think it really depends what day you go.
