Published by Leonardo Calcagno
By the time the leaves start turning gold and the air smells faintly of woodsmoke, Montrealers know it’s cocktail season again, the cozy kind. Gone are the frozen margaritas and terrace spritzes. Now’s the time for drinks that feel like a warm scarf: rich, spiced, and just a little indulgent.
Here’s where to sip the city’s best fall-inspired cocktails this season.
1. The Coldroom: “The Smokeshow”
Hidden behind a discreet door in Old Montreal, The Coldroom remains one of the city’s most creative cocktail dens. Their autumn special, The Smokeshow, mixes peated scotch, maple syrup, and black walnut bitters, served under a cloche of wood smoke. It’s dramatic, aromatic, and tastes like a campfire after a long hike.
Where: Rue Saint-Vincent, Vieux-Montréal
Vibe: Speakeasy mystery meets Montreal cool
2. Atwater Cocktail Club: “Apple Cart”
Atwater Cocktail Club’s Apple Cart is fall in liquid form. Think spiced rum, house-made apple cider reduction, and a dash of cinnamon, served in a coupe with a dried apple slice. The dim lighting and plush booths make it the perfect spot to hide from a chilly evening.
Where: Behind Foiegwa, Saint-Henri
Vibe: Dark, intimate, effortlessly stylish
3. Stillife: “Maple Boulevardier”
A newcomer with old-school charm, Stillife in Mile End puts a Quebec twist on the classic Boulevardier. Their Maple Boulevardier swaps the usual simple syrup for a local maple reduction and adds a hit of orange zest. It’s bitter, sweet, and undeniably Québécois.
Where: Saint-Laurent Blvd, Mile End
Vibe: Minimalist design, maximalist flavors
4. Milky Way: “Harvest Moon”
Tucked above Bar Pamplemousse, Milky Way brings celestial vibes to every season. Their fall feature, Harvest Moon, pairs Calvados (apple brandy) with sage syrup and lemon, finished with a foamy egg white top. It’s bright, balanced, and somehow manages to taste like both a walk through the orchard and a night out downtown.
Where: Rue Saint-Jacques, Old Montreal
Vibe: Dreamy lights, lively crowd, rooftop energy
5. Le 4e Mur: “Café Noir Negroni”
For those who prefer something moodier, Le 4e Mur’s Café Noir Negroni blends coffee-infused gin, vermouth, and Campari. It’s bitter, bold, and caffeinated, the perfect pre-dinner pick-me-up or late-night closer.
Where: Secret (you’ll need to find the password)
Vibe: Underground chic, secret-society energy
Whether you’re huddled in a candlelit bar or watching the rain streak down a café window, Montreal knows how to make a drink that matches the season. Each of these cocktails tells a little story of fall, smoky, spiced, and perfectly local.
So wrap up your scarf, grab a friend, and let the city pour you a taste of autumn. And if you’re dreaming of sipping cocktails somewhere else this season, maybe while keeping an eye on the latest from Bet365 in France, well, there’s more than one way to enjoy the game.