This will be a long-ish review but the summary is 100/10, would recommend to ANYONE. Got out of a long relationship and I can honestly say the thursdays at Philemon not only made my summer, but gave me the confidence to go back out there. Much can be said about the establishment, its beautiful design, convenient location, etc but the main aspect of Philemon is ITS PEOPLE. The staff is seriously the absolute best I have ever seen. I lost a camera for months and they kept it nice and safe in their office for half a year, they are trust worthy. The drinks are always amazing, the music is top notch, and again the vibe is simply impeccable. I also tried their cheese platter and it was divine, and the wine advice I received from the manager that day (Julia) was simply sublime. I cannot strees enough how great this place is, you just have to see by yourself. If you want a BUSY night with LOTS of people from any background, age, gender ? Then go on thursdays fridays and saturdays after 10PM. You want a quiet relaxed date where you can enjoy some amazing drinks and have some privacy ? Then go on weekdays or any day before 10pm. Either ways, Philémon is THE SPOT in Montreal and you have to visit at least once to understand why its such a well-known and trusted establishment.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The first and last time I visited Philemon was actually a couple months ago and I had a very much below average experience. The cocktail menu doesn’t have many options so I selected something that sounded interesting but when I got it I couldn’t finish it, pretty sure it was Negroni. I came up to the bartender and asked if I could have it changed because I didn’t like it and he said I’d have to pay for a new drink even though my old one was untouched. Normally, if you don’t like your drink they change it for you without charging you twice but I ended up leaving with a $30 bill for 2 overpriced underwhelming drinks, one of which I didn’t even drink. The bartenders looked like they were barely 18, didn’t interact, couldn’t hold a conversation, and honestly looked high out of their minds. The atmosphere is nice, definitely not everyone’s cup of tea but overall it’s cozy besides the scratched up dirty floors.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 3
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 4

I’ve never experienced worst service. We showed up at 5:30PM and the bar was otherwise empty until 7:30PM (on a Thursday night!). Upon arrival the waitress informs us that the only food item available on the menu is the charcuterie board. Every time we wanted to order, I had to get up and go find the waitress to ask her if she could pass by our table. She would come by our table ~15 minutes later (despite us being the only customers). The wait for drinks was ~30 minutes each time we ordered, and we waited >1 hour for the charcuterie board. The waitress didn’t even bring utensils for us to eat it with!!! We were SO hungry after waiting for the board and figured after another 10 minutes that the utensils we requested were probably not coming, so we just dug in with our hands, cutting cheese with some of the dry meat!! I do not recommend this place at all and will NEVER be returning.
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1

Every time I go there I wait for 10 minutes at least, having someone telling me they are going to come take my drink order, fine, I get it. Waitress or bartender if I can call her that, takes 15 minutes before 3 to close her bills? To tell me after thwy are closed. Either you know how to give service or you just dont care (second one in my opinion) Managers birthday tonight and herself told me to "go home" when at 2:45 told me she was coming to take my order. I am in bar service too and coud not be more disappointed by my experience. There are limits, and this was just disrespectful to make me wait 15 minutes, her chatting elsewehere, for me to be told I came too late. Amateur service thats all. To finish a good night in Montreal, never would recommend that place to clients in the future.
Service: 1

Philemon est phenomenal! I cannot say enough good. Booked a dinner reservation on New Year's Eve; the meal was lovely and certainly worth the 35$. The wait staff was beyond kind, even after the place turned into nightclub form and became packed and chaotic. The bar gave us a free shot to start, which made my night, and had all my friends enamoured with my selection, so a massive thank you to whomever did that. By the midnight countdown, everyone was tipsy, dancing, and happy—I could not think of a better atmosphere to begin my 2024 with. So thank you, Philemon, merci beaucoup, and I hope to return someday if I'm ever in town again.
Price per person
$90–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

We went here as a big group. The bouncer said give him a little bit of time to make space. We then got in. After some people got their beer, the bouncer said the section we were in was reserved and we had to leave that seating area. Very sneaky way to get us inside when they actually didn't have the space. And of course that section was left vacant for the entire duration (90+ mins) that we were there. It definitely left a bad impression in front of a group of international guests.
Service: 1

I found this jewel of a bar a year ago on a late night walk in my neighborhood. I instantly felt welcome when I entered. Very friendly barmaid / bar staff. I love the crowd - A mix of Old Mtl residents and a couple tourists on weekdays. Weekends are lit with a younger crowd. Food is served until 9pm. I reccomend the charcuterie board... good quality of meats & cheese. Great whisky, great tequila, great music,great times! Love this place.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I came there with my wife we had a great time the two of us. The drinks were amazing. We had a great bartender named Julia that gave us some great suggestions for cocktails and she nailed them. Even my wife was very impressed which is very rare since she can only use 30% of her taste buds because of a childhood injury. The DJ was great and there is a nice smoking area too.
Price per person
$100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Not amazing, not horrible. Philemon bar is in Old Port, where parking is terrible but it's a nice neighborhood for Montreal sight seeing.The bar is small and simple inside. You can order drinks and food as well, but don't go there hungry because food is very ordinary and they only have pasta... They look good, but the taste is plain. Music was okay and staff was nice. Wouldn't go back as you can try so many other bars in Old Port that are much better.

Awesome place! The music at this club was insane, every song was amazing and had everyone dancing (EVEN ON TABLES!) The only thing that i didn’t like was that one waitress brought my friends and i drinks (that we didn’t order or ask for) and when we said “we didn’t order these” she replied “it’s on the house”. half an hour later, she said we had to pay. i don’t mind paying for drinks but i didn’t like the sneaky tactic she used.

Really nice vibes here with my colleagues for drinks & dancing. Drinks were on point & not overly priced. I didn't get a chance to eat here yet, but I will definitely try out sometime in the future. The staff were very friendly & always around when we needed them. Friendly crowd. Great place, I will definitely be back soon!
Price per person
$80–90
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The cocktail I had was awful, but maybe that's just not my type of cocktail. The musinc was too loud and loungy/clubby. The ambience was awful, but maybe I'm just too old for this. It was filled with kids and they seemed to be having a great time, so perhaps it's not a bad place and as a 30 something I'm just not their target demographic ‍♀️

This is a multipurpose space and I have come for drinks, a market and to dance. The music here can really vary but I have had some nice nights at this spot. The outside area is also really chill. The last time I went it was sooo hot like uncomfortably so. I’ve heard mixed reviews as of recent but I think it really depends what day you go.

The atmosphere has switched so much over the years! Only bumping place in the port - food is great if you love pasta, turns into a club feel after midnight. Need a reservation to get in on weekends so plan accordingly. Drinks are cheap and it’s a mix of 20-something-year-olds with an older crowd. Now serving bottles of liquor too

I’m just not giving five stars cause the ambiance wasn’t so hyped. I can’t explain why cause everything here is amazing, the ambiance, the waitress (the sweetest girl ever) and the drink. I kid you not, the best cocktail of my life. It was a mixture of amaretto and coffee *kiss chef*

Very good wine list! Brenden makes a great dark and stormy with ginger . We really enjoyed our time here, cozy but very industrial, similar look and feel to old Montreal. Our bartender was very informative and helpful in finding other places yo go. …

Worth coming just for the fresh pasta. Small menu - so you know they do each dish/drink well. Had the parpadelle et sugo der boeuf Effiloché with the “mere grand” Beaujolais-villages and I couldn’t be happier. Staff is really nice and knowledgeable.

Amazing whisky sour. DJ on a Saturday was terrible. Played the same songs 2 or 3 times and he killed the vibe all night. The place had no atmosphere because he kept killing any momentum. He looked drunk.
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 2

Bartender clearly served me a 3/4 ounce for a vodka cran. When I asked him how much he put in he said 2 ounce :( and then refused to mesure it when I asked. Still charged me a full price. Don’t take anything but shots from this spot More

Although I am really picky when it comes to drinks, this place made the best drinks I have ever tasted. Not only do they taste good, but you can’t even tell they contain alcohol! And I have gotten really drunk off of just 2 drinks every

We were a large group arrived around 10:30. At first we were a bit sad we didn’t have enough tables for the amount of people we requested but our assigned waitress, Emily, made up for any faults with this place. At a nightclub you go in

Came around 9.30, the place was not crowded, there were many free tables and yet service was VERY slow and they had like 5/6 employees and I could clearly see them just talking together. Had to wait more than 30 mins for a drink. Had to

The first and only drink we had was relatively strong but tasted horrible. We had decided not to tip, as it was already an expensive drink that we stood to pick up ourselves. (no table service or anything). And because of that, all the

A fun bar in old Montreal with a good range of reasonably priced beers. We raised the average age of the clientele by a couple of decades, but hey.
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Doorman was able to quickly get us a table for 4 and we had great service! The only thing is that i find that the interior was extremely dark as if they had a power outage. Turns out the decor is very dim and music is quite loud.

Had a good time, staff was friendly and served you quick. There were plenty of bar tenders so you werent left hanging which is a big problem for club/bars. Music was a good variety place was overall clean. Cant complain!

Always a good time at Philemon. The music is on point and the staff is super nice and friendly. If you’re there often you definitely feel part of a community. It’s my go to for a safe, great night out that’s for sure!

Honestly never had as much fun in a bar, the staff is very friendly and the drinks are chefs kiss. Great place!
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Daytime wine bar that has fun imported wines and nighttime becomes more of a club vibes. Staff seems to have fun and enjoy meeting clients. We met almost all of the staff and were nice to us!

Nice place had a great service, staff was polite, fast and well inform about the menu and wine. Loved it. Prices are steep pour this is in the old port, mostly like any other bar in the area

My brother and I go here religiously. People here are like family to us. Great music and beautiful people. Welcome home
Price per person
$40–50
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Would be totally cute for a romantic intimate date night. Not too dark and not too bright. Our server as an absolute joy, great personality and engaging. Drinks were awesome

my to go to. always a different crowd every time i visit, no scenesters. ideal for business travellers & alike
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

It used to be a nice place, it’s sad that it’s not anymore. We had booked a table and in the confirmation of the reservation, it was

great vibes. staff gives 0 f-s about serving you. feels like winning a lottery when you get a bartender attention
Service: 1

Great vibes, great people. I love coming here whenever I'm in Montreal.
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Fantastic cocktails. Whiskey sour to die for, even a simple gin martini with lemon was somehow elevated. More

omg the homemade pasta was AMAZING!!! definitely recommend trying this place out

Drinks were refreshing, very cute place and the food was good for a bar

We love Alex. Best server ever. Amazing table service - fast & fun.