When I saw that the 1608 Bar within the renowned Fairmount Château Frontenac landmark hotel was one…read moreof the top cocktail places in all of Canada, I knew that I needed to pay it a visit. The hotel itself had also long been regarded as a must-see in Quebec City, though my friend and I found its lobby underwhelming. The bar, however, was in the back of the main floor and offered stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. We approached the host stand and asked if it would be possible to get a table for two on short notice and without a reservation. While we did not get seats with a view, we were thrilled to secure what seemed to be the lone remaining table.
The room was cylinder in shape with a circular bar right in the center. The walls were either windows overlooking the River or bookcases of the classics. There were exposed lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling that provided the only real illumination in the dimly-lit bar. The place had a mix of industrial, rustic, and masculine vibes. It felt almost like a scientist's lair or a professor's library.
Our server, Henry, was very refined, yet personable. He helped my friend navigate the mocktail list and ensure she was going to get a concoction that met her needs. Meanwhile, I loved perusing the cocktail list that explained the inspiration behind each of their custom beverages. I immediately selected the Apex, as it included many of my favorite ingredients. The martini had been inspired by The Great Gatsby and was composed of Bistro Vodka, ginger, a passion fruit and vanilla cordial, Suze, pineapple bitters, sesame, and prosecco. The bright yellow drink was topped with a hefty scoop of a ginger-lemongrass foam. The sesame, ginger, and lemongrass gave the drink an exotic, Asian flavor that was as delicious as it was unique. In addition to our drinks, the bar was nice enough to give each table a bowl of potato chips. The couple next to us was going through their snack fairly quickly, so, despite being full from dinner, I figured I needed to at least try a solitary chip. Sadly, they were just plain and nothing out of the ordinary, though they were a tasty rendition for sure.
The 1608 Bar was a fun, intriguing, and gorgeous place. It certainly earned its spot of number 41 on Canada's 100 Best Bars list, for its creativity in particular. I would highly recommend grabbing a cocktail there, but I would suggest making a reservation first, as I think that we had just been lucky to get the last table.
