Montreal restaurants with live music

They say that music soothes the soul, so maybe it also helps with digestion? Anyway, it's always pleasant to accompany a fine meal with live music, and a number of restaurants engage musicians to perform while you dine. When you're deciding where to hold your office party, this might give you some ideas.

Bistro Le Modavie

1
1, rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 1Y6

The kitchen at Modavie prepares French bistro classics, and both floors of the dining room feature large windows overlooking the heart of Old Montreal. Fans of lamb, beef and pasta will love the menu, but their duck confit, salmon filet, charcuterie plate or mussels in Pernod will surely find takers as well. To accompany your meal, the well-stocked wine cellar is sure to please. Local jazz, blues and R&B musicians perform every night. Several areas can be made private, so the space is very adaptable for groups. Finally, stone walls and wood trim create a warm and authentic atmosphere.

L'Assommoir

2
211, rue Notre-Dame O, Montréal, QC H2Y 1T4

Stone, wood, steel and leather create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere at L'Assommoir, which offers a decidedly epicurean experience. The 250-strong cocktail menu alone is worth a visit. Those who prefer beer, wine or shooters are not neglected either. To accompany your drinks, opt for their famous platters of cheeses, meats or tapas to share, unless you would prefer poutine, tartare or a heartier beef or fish dish. Depending on the night, music will be provided by a DJ or a live band, like "Dimanche à Cuba," which plays merengue, salsa and other Caribbean music.

Solmar

3
111 rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1G7

An institution since 1972, Solmar restaurant serves Portuguese cuisine made with Quebec ingredients. Of course, fish and seafood are featured, but you may prefer Portuguese tapas or Portuguese-style filet mignon. To accompany your meal, their wine cellar offers a wide selection of Portos and wines. Every Friday and Saturday night, a guitarist accompanies a singer, who most often sings fado. The artists change every week but their music always creates an elegant, romantic atmosphere, which, with the help of your meal, will transport you to the seaside in Portugal. Note that the restaurant has a private room.

Mckibbin's Irish Pub

4
1426, rue Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E6

Fancy an Irish pub atmosphere? Head to McKibbin's for Canadian beers on tap, as well as imports from Ireland, England, Belgium, France, Germany and even Japan. Their menu offers comfort food, from chicken wings, burgers and onion soup made with Guinness, to quesadillas and several Irish specialties like lamb stew with Guinness, or fish & chips. Musicians play live sets every night, seven days a week. Performers speak both French and English, and musical styles range from rock to indie pop, folk or Celtic music. Special evenings are organized regularly. Note that the pub also has two private rooms.

Stash'S Café

5
200 Rue St Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 1Z9

Polish cuisine is not well-known, yet Stash Café has been established in Old Montreal for over 40 years. Embark on a journey to Warsaw and discover placki (small potato pancakes), pierogi (stuffed pasta), Sledz (pickled herring), krokiety (stuffed pancakes), golabki (cabbage rolls) and kotlet drobiu (breaded chicken breasts), not to mention sauerkraut on the side. Interior stone walls, exposed wooden beams, posters and decorations create the look of a Polish cafe. Each evening, a pianist accompanies dinner with pop songs, contemporary music, or jazz tunes. Performers rotate through, so you can return another night for a different musical atmosphere.

Diese Onze

6
4115A, Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M7

Since 2007, this jazz den has welcomed guests to its intimate half-basement on the Plateau. The music starts at 6 pm, every day of the week, whether it's gypsy guitar, '30s swing or flamenco jazz. Later on, an evening concert is performed on a small stage with a grand piano. A succession of jazz artists join in jam sessions, "soul therapy" nights, and play jazz accented by funk, Latin, rock or world music. Food offerings are equally eclectic, and include a variety of tapas, salads and tavern fare, but you can also simply enjoy listening to music over a drink.

Casino de Montréal

7
1, ave du Casino, Montréal, QC H3C 4W7

After recent renovations that took more than five years, Casino de Montreal's Cabaret du Casino offers exceptional acoustics adapted to each performance, and a busy concert schedule. To benefit, you have the choice between brunch and dinner concerts, each with table d'hôte service. French-inspired cuisine features classics like salmon filet with maple, or flank steak. On stage, solo singers alternate with various ensembles delivering a wide range of musical experiences.

More and more Montreal restaurants offer a fine wine list, and private imports are popular, but this does not lessen the appeal of places to which you can bring your own bottle. Here is our selection of Bring Your Own Wine restaurants.
The island of Montreal doesn't have a monopoly on fine dining in the region. Chefs are quick to open restaurants in the suburbs, and now the city of Laval is also a destination for gourmet cuisine. Here are our recommendations for fine dining in Laval. [Image credit: iStock.com/Tanya_F]
Whether you want to indulge in a mid-afternoon snack, or you need a cake for a special occasion, to delight your guests, or offer as a gift to your hosts, we have some tempting places to propose. Here's our list of where to go in Montreal when your sweet tooth needs satisfying. [Image credit: iStock.com/vm2002]
Close menu