The name translates to "the unloved bar" and the space leans into it: terrible lighting, great jukebox, extraordinary crowd. The drinks are simple and cheap. Opened by former restaurant workers who wanted a place to drink after their shifts, it has remained the after-midnight go-to for industry people across the city.
The room is Plateau-Mont-Royal · $ · 6pm–3am Mon–Sat's answer to Montreal's broader hidden gem scene. The bartenders take their craft seriously without making a show of it, and the menu rewards repeat visits rather than first-timers chasing the obvious order. The Industry Bar programme is the right place to start.
Best time to visit is mid-week between 6pm and 9pm when the bar settles into its rhythm. Weekends fill up and the room takes on a different energy. Reservations are recommended for groups, and on Friday and Saturday for couples.
Bar Mal-Aimee sits in Plateau-Mont-Royal · $ · 6pm–3am Mon–Sat, one of Montreal's most distinctive drinking neighbourhoods. The crowd skews toward thirty-something locals on weekdays and a slightly younger international mix on weekends. The lighting is low. Conversation works at the bar; the booths handle small groups.
Dress code is smart-casual. The bar is most rewarding for an unhurried 90-minute visit between 7pm and 9pm — early enough to talk to the bartender, late enough that the room has filled in. Tags worth knowing about: Industry Bar, Late Night, Cheap.
Bar Mal-Aimee accepts walk-ins mid-week before 8pm. After that, expect a wait — reserve in advance through their Instagram or by phone. The bar takes cards. Tipping follows local convention in Montreal. Most regulars order two drinks at the bar, then move to a table when one opens up.
What to order
- 01
The Industry Bar programme
- 02
Editor's Pick
- 03
Off-Menu Request
