Yer'Mad Bistro Bar is described as cozy and local with an old school dive bar vibe and a cash only policy that adds immediacy at checkout and can bring on site ATM fees. Service is often slow or uneven, and the menu is limited with nachos not always matching the description or value. Yet the atmosphere, music, and hospitality are frequent bright spots: beer is cold, glasses are clean, prices are reasonable, and staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly and attentive, making it a good spot to meet friends or feel at home. The crowd is down to earth and the playlist generally earns positive notes, though some locals can feel a bit cliquey. Overall, Yer'Mad Bistro Bar is seen as a distinctive Montreal style corner that many would return to for the vibe and camaraderie, even if the cash only policy and occasional gaps in food quality temper the experience.
The place is cozy, local & everything, but it's cash only, service was mediocre & slow, couldn't hear any music.
I tipped like 12% because of a mistake in the calculation (not included in the bill & cash only - no machine) & I was demanded right away the 15%, which is normal but it rubbed me in the wrong way. I also had to pay immediately after ordering, which was weird somehow for a bar.
I ordered nachos & they were pretty meh for the price, didn't match the description provided by the waitress. The food offering is very limited as well. Is it really a bistro?
This bar reinforced my love of Montreal..
Toronto has lost this sort of place. While I love my city, I envy Montreal for this kind of acknowledgement that today is today, & tomorrow is tomorrow...Just embrace the chaos. Also, most of the muic was good. Staff was beyond outstanding.
12/10.
This place saved my soul. Booking.com inexplicably canceled our hotel booking (warning! don't use them!), so we headed here to make a plan. The bartender took good care of us, & the friendly clientele at the bar cheered when we found a new room. If I lived in this city, this bar would be my home away from home.
Jul 23, 2025
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Nice little bar right in front of Berri station. Great atmoshpere. The beers are good, the nachos are delicious, & it's a great place to meet with friends. Be aware, though: it is a cash-only bar. There is an ATM on site, but the fees attached to it are eye-watering.
Un dive bar un peu trashy avec une ambiance old school comme il en reste peu dans le coeur de Mtl. Bonnes bières pas cher, parfait pour quelques verres avant ou après un show à l'Olympia.
I often bike past this bar but I've never tried it until last night. It's cozy & low lit however however I wasn't happy about the fact they only take cash. Thankfully, the person I was with had cash on him. There's an ATM however you'd probably have to pay a fee. The drinks are pretty cheap so that's a plus.
The best bartenders, music & atmosphere for a Canadian pirate Irish dive bar. Love the lighting, logo stickers, lighting & wide variety of guests in a central location with friendly ambience & drink specials. Worth visiting with groups!
Apr 30, 2025
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Didn't eat, but the beers were cold, the service was quick & first rate & right the vibe was amazing! The perfect downstairs dive bar that reminded me of a few bars in New York. Going back for sure!
Love this place, super nice peeps. Great punky dive bar atmosphere. ...to be clear, that is a very good thing. LoL Snack food, good but snack food. Can be very loud at times.
Super affordable, amazing service, cute vibes! The bartender was very friendly & accommodating & made sure we were well taken care of! Quirky eclectic vibe - went in festival clothes & felt super safe! Unfortunately it is down a set of stairs so is not wheelchair accessible
Absolutely great place, great ambiance, great people. Edit on the review: 4 years later, I came back by chance in yer mad. I encountered Phil the bartender & I remembered what I loved the most about the place, the AMAZING staff. Phil was so incredibly kind to me, he literally made me feel welcomed & helped me out with good will & friendliness. Paired with the cozy atmosphere yer mad feels so homey I actually felt like I had walked into a little comfortable basement home party hosted by a friend rather than a random pub. I am name dropping Phil in this review hoping his manager will see this & know what a wonderful person works for him! If someone, as a customer, encounters Phil, make sure to tip him a little extra😌. Don't forget to tip all the other bartenders! They're doing a most wonderful job! With warmth, good humour & good nature. The atmosphere & the coziness & the staff make up for the fact that they only take cash. Which is practically a crime in my eyes as a member of a technology savvy generation that doesn't carry cash or even a debit card since it became possible to pay with your phone.
