Local food & fun

1. Patati Patata

A shock of colored tiles makes this corner restaurant on St. Laurent and Rachel impossible to miss. They offer lowpriced but extremely delicious burgers, fries, and poutine until 3 a.m., which is decent for a city without many late night eating options, and excellent for postclubbing shenanigans.

2. Bar Notre- Damedes- Quilles

Bowling alley? Excellent food? Karaoke? Feminist/ LGBTQ+ comedy shows? Find all of the above at NDQ. The bar/club has a theme almost every night, including Disco and New Wave, and cover is almost always free.

3. Fairmount and St. Viateur Bagels

Both locations are open 24/7 and offer bagels that are less than a dollar each. Try both locations in a Montreal rite of passage so you can pick a side in the friendly competition between the two. ( Ed. Note: St. Viateur is better, but farther!)

4. Apartment 200

Though this club is up 2 flights of stairs and rather exclusive on the weekends, weeknights are usually free, fun, and not too crowded. They play a mix of pop, fresh R&B, and cool classics. Get a good group of friends together and it’s the perfect recipe for a good night.

5. Suwu

Everyone knows the best cure for a hangover from a night of drinking and dancing is a morning of drinking - at Suwu, they recommend the bottomless mimosas. Service isn’t the fastest, but the food is delicious.

6. Gerts

Mcgill’s very own student bar, charmingly situated in SSMU’S nearly windowless basement. It has the virtue of being extremely affordable, but that’s about it. You will probably cry here at some point during your degree.

7. L’escalier

A chill, queer-friendly space at Place EmilieGamelin. Drop by for a leisurely afternoon beer with pals, or come later in the evening for dancing and live music ‘til the wee hours. Up a flight of stairs, and some unevenness in the floor. Vegetarian friendly.

8. St. Suplice

No-frills student bar on St. Denis, close to UQAM’S arts complex. Not the place for a connoisseur of craft brews, but the beer is cheap, and their massive, tree-lined courtyard is the perfect place to while away a warm night with friends.

9. Bar des Pins

Conveniently located at Parc and Des Pins, BDP exists for those times when you need a drink urgently, but not quite urgently enough to spend your night in the SSMU basement. A longtime staple of Mcgill student life, it more than makes up for its lack of atmosphere with highly affordable prices.

10. Super Sandwich

A hidden gem located just west of campus, at Peel and Sherbrooke. To get there, make your way through an underground shopping complex to the little depanneur-looking place at the back. You can choose from a range of basic sandwiches (including vegetarian options) - they’re staggeringly cheap, delicious, and prepared in seconds.

11. Bar- K Karaoke

Located on Crescent, this “Asian-style” karaoke place has affordable private karaoke rooms with a lengthy list of classic hits to choose from, plus a [limited] selection of drinks and pitchers. Head there with a group of friends when you’re ready to lose your inhibitions and sing your

12. Kampai Garden

This trendy spot on St. Catherine is on the more expensive side, but is great for when you’re in a group and willing to share. The sophisticated, “nouveau chic” vibe has struck a chord with people looking to get out of the conventional student atmosphere.

13. Bar Ganadara

Another chic upscale spot, Ganadara is just as popular for its food as it is for its drinks. Get a table before 10 p.m. to beat the rush that comes in closer to midnight.

14. Imadake

This place is famous for its sake bombs and $5 menu items, which prove to be unexpectedly affordable given the fancy decor and ambience. As an added bonus, the staff have a reputation of being friendly and generous— you may even get some free drinks out of it.

15. Frite Alors!

A popular Montreal chain known for its varieties of poutine. Bring your friends or family from out-of-town here if they want to try a Montreal tradition!

16. La Banquise

Another classic poutine spot, this place has the added benefit of being open 24/7, so you can stagger in at 3 a.m. after a night on the town for a generous helping of warm, savoury deliciousness.

17. Aux Vivres

Vegan restaurant located on St. Laurent in the Mile End. They also have a prepared food counter next to the restaurant that supplies some of Mcgill’s cafeterias, so look for their logo in the grab-n-go fridges!

18. Arepera

Casual restaurant located on Duluth in the Plateau that serves arepas, a flat corn dough stuffed with meat, cheese, and vegetables. A popular staple of Venezuelan cuisine, this dish is also gluten free! Beware the long wait times at the door.

19. Cafe Santropol

Famous for both their cozy outdoor garden seating and their sandwiches, this Montreal institution is a only a short walk toward St. Laurent.

20. Cafe Replika

A popular study spot for Mcgill students who are sick of Mcclennan, this “hipster” cafe is located in the Plateau. Go for the classic coffee and bagel sandwich combo.

21. Pikolo Espresso Bar

Another hipster cafe joint. Good for a quick coffee, but don’t plan on hanging out for too long because seating is tight!

22. Cafe Aunja

Try something new at this Persian cafe with coffee, tea, and food. Close to campus, come here for ~aesthetic~ tea in mason jars that are only slightly overpriced.

23. Falafel Avenue

A fast food spot right by the Mcgill metro where students can pick up a falafel sandwich for just $5. Cheap, simple, and delicious.

24. Casa del Popolo

Among its many claims to fame, Casa is the epicentre of festival Suoni Per Il Popolo in June, which self describes its musical genre as “out and way-out.” The locale itself is divided into two rooms, one reserved for concerts and cultural events, such as the Howl Arts Fair, and the other serving full time as a cafe and bar. At street level on St. Laurent and St. Joseph, it’s a Montreal institution, decorated with fairy lights and vintage couches at the entrance and with a menu that hasn’t changed in twenty years.

25. Bar le Ritz

An important venue for alternative music, and the site of many a queer dance party. Located on Jeanne Mance in between Parc and St. Laurent, it has become the main home to recurring events such as LIP, Cousins, and Slut Island Festival. The venue is wheelchair accessible, has gender neutral washrooms, and gets packed and sweaty pretty quickly after midnight.

26. Cafe Gitana

Calls itself a cigar lounge but is well known as one of the snuggest places to drink tea, smoke shisha, and indulge in Turkish food and drinks, as well as weekly Baladi dance performances. Accessible at street level with one step down at its interior, it has moody low red lighting, carpets hanging from the walls, pictures of Che Guevara dotted around the place, and a soundtrack ranging from communist Italian folk songs to traditional Turkish music.

27. Midnight Kitchen

Free vegan meals on campus! Bring your own tupperware and utensils, and follow them on Facebook for weekly updates.