Reviews describe Poincaré Chinatown as a lively, stylish bar with a standout beer program, including Kölsch on tap and inventive pouring, a warm atmosphere and a charming terrace, and a decor that blends modern touches with neighborhood flair, with the ambiance and drinks frequently praised as a great fit for groups or a relaxed evening, while food is enjoyed but not consistently on par with the drinks, portions can feel small for the price, and a few guests note issues such as excessive foam, uneven service, or limited dessert options, and despite these caveats the place is seen as a welcoming fermentation focused experience that pairs well with social evenings in downtown Montreal.
This is a great place tucked away in Chinatown between downtown & the old port. The beer was excellent. Share a bowl of fermented fries & watch everyone's face as they try to place the taste :) then get a bowl of your own.
May 16, 2026
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I came here for drinks Sunday night with a few friends & we were pretty disappointed. The beers we ordered were 25% foam. My friend mentionned the foam to the waitress & she just removed the foam & returned it without topping off the pint. I looked around at other tables & they also had an excessive amount of foam. For a $13 pint (including tip) I'd expect the glass to at least be properly filled.
Terribly small portions for the price. You will be very disappointed & regret it. Do not order food there. There are other nice terraces nearby that have a chill ambiance but with better food.
My friend also asked if a dish had sesame seeds because he's allergic & they confirmed it didn't, yet there were obviously sesame seeds sprinkled on the dish...
very cute terrace & staff was friendly. however the cocktails & food were very disappointing for the price. also they don't take AMEX. probably won't come again.
Been here a bunch of times now, mostly late afternoon early or early evening during the week, I am sure it gets very busy later on Friday & Saturday nights. Always good friendly service with a solid & rotating selection of true Montreal/Quebec craft beers ranging from lagers, IPAs & darker beers. Interesting & tasty food too.
I went to Poincaré for the Lager of Lagers final (May 2025). The beers were AMAZING. They had 10+ beers on tap, all hand-chosen with care incl. 4 beers on LUKR & 1 on hand-pump (English Bitter). My inner beer-geek was in heaven.The service was efficient, super friendly & fun. Big shout out to Arnaud & his awesome team - Florence the wonderful, JM'Jim' Mr Smoothpour, Antoine the omnipresent bus & Jade with a fresh haircut. If I could give 6 stars, I would. I'll definitely go back !
Came across this restaurant in Chinatown unexpectedly & it was a great surprise. Great food & beer & wine selection. Really nice vibe for an evening date, with friends, or even solo. Good vegan options as well.
Probably the coolest & most laid-back rooftop bar in Montreal. They offer a nice selection of locally brewed draft beer, with friendly service, right in heart of Montreal's Chinatown. Unfortunately, I haven't try the food yet, but the German beer was delicious, so I'm sure to be back to select more of their menu. To be honest, the main attraction is the rooftop, so I wonder if Poincaré is as appealing in the winter when you'd be delegated indoors, on the floor below. In any case, Poincaré is lots of fun & worth a visit.
Cute spot for cocktails & snacking in Chinatown. The staff is quite friendly, food service is quick. The fermented gailan is good, despite being incredibly salty.
I had exactly the same experience as another reviewer from a few weeks ago. My friend & I stood awkwardly for the hostess to spot us while it was quiet inside with barely any customers. We didn't eat, but the drinks were mediocre & way overpriced. We were asked to pay immediately before we even got out drinks, like why do I need to tip before I even get the service & why does 18% show as the minimum on the machine? Bloody Caesar was too salty & spicy for no reason. My friend waited a much longer time just for a draft beer. When we were finally told there was room on the rooftop, we had to basically sit right next to another group & share their table, which seems to be a normal thing at that place but still felt awkward, & there really isn't much of a view to justify going up there anyway. I'm guessing the food must be this business' strong point since most people are leaving enthusiastic reviews based on that, but from what we've seen this place is outrageously overrated & you can do a lot better in the area.
Cute place with great service! Everyone was very welcoming & super nice! The fermented fries were a bit too tangy for my taste however the chicken skewers & the kefir lime salad was delicious! Beer was great & the summer cocktail was very good too!
Jul 1, 2024
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June 2024: the Bird was a great cocktail. The Sherry cobbler tasted like it should. The pork confit was possibly the best I've ever had. Super tender & flavourful. Sausage was good. Music was excellent this time around. Service was efficient. July 2023: gorgeous terrasse, friendly service, the campino cocktail tastes like its namesake. March 2023: Friendly service. Cocktails were alright.
If you like pickled or fermented foods, Poincaré is the place for you! They have so many delicious foods to try. I particularly like the fermented fries. The tangyness perfectly balances the fried potatoes. Their wine selection is also very good. The Maher wines are very flavorful, & if you visit, you should give them a try!
The server asked us what we wanted & then neglected us for 30 minutes after we decided. There was some miscommunication, & they brought us a dessert we didn't order, & then didn't take it off the bill. It might've been too busy for the number of servers. The fermented fries were not very good, over cooked, & the sourness did not add to fries. Pork was decent. Wine was decent. More concept than follow through. Nice place to sit, albeit loud. Vegetable options are a complete afterthought.
Service was great though I wish they better marked vegan options. Service was very friendly & quick. Great delicious variety of cocktails, & lots of funky fermented food! Fun place to hangout after work with friends or coworkers, though I really wish the music was a bit lower, it was kinda hard to have a conversation. (I never understand why places like this crank it up so high, don't people come here to talk?)
The atmosphere was nice & quiet. I was hesitant in trying this place cause i am not a fan of pickled food but this was surprisingly really good. I would recommend the fries & the confit pork! The IPA was really good too.
