Negligent, rude coat check staff lost my jacket for 6 days because they were giving out the same ticket number to multiple people, and carelessly returning them at the end of the night. Belittling bouncers were extremely rude, kicking out my friends in skirts in -30 degree weather. Absolutely nightmare experience. Worst customer service I have ever witnessed. read more

Came here for a quick drink with a friend and was able to snag two seats at the bar. The interior is dark and at first glance seems a bit dirty but after settling in, there was a comforting nature about the place. I forget the name of the cocktail I ordered but it had earl grey in it and was quite tasty. The bartender who made my drink was very distant and almost seemed annoyed that she had to make a drink. That being said, one of the other bartenders came up and spoke with us and had a few laughs so it made it all ok. There is great people watching as everyone in there was young and beautiful. I can see it being a good place to chill and have some drinks but I could also see it getting quite annoying, especially the more crowded it gets. read more

Philemon Bar - Forget the name but it had earl grey in it. - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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It's hard for me to give a review that embraces the experience of going there. It was an off period and the place empty . We each had a cocktail one very good the other drinkable. The highlight was Yulia the bartender she was very friendly and gave us some good advice about the area , in English as we are not French speakers. We are also 60+ so we are not the demographic. One star removed because the bathroom was horrendous think frat house after the party was over. read more

On a busy Saturday night, a group of us (and later, others) came here because it was the first bar we encountered as we walked away from Old Montreal/Chinatown that didn't have a wait. The inside is beautiful. Unfortunately, with that beauty comes noise - sound carries, and it gets louder as the night goes on (and the crowds increase and the music picks up). The drink menu has a little bit of everything but not a lot of anything in particular. The cocktails we ordered were fine. Outside of the bar area, you can see that the rest of the building is somewhat run-down, including the lower level where the bathrooms are. Regardless, this is a popular destination, particularly for larger groups. read more

Fun ambiance and a surprisingly good margarita. The wait staff were friendly and helpful.

Our favorite bar in the neighborhood. Very inventive cocktails. Bartenders were nice and helpful. A good vibe, fun Spanish music in the background. Almost loud enough to be a club, but if you want to talk, you can still have a conversation. We became regulars overnight. read more

Philemon Bar - a table with drinks on it - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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. read more

Came here with high hopes. Wait for the waitress was long even though they weren't busy. We finally got the menu but there was nothing in English. After ordering random drinks, we didn't order food because waitress said it an universal language of pasta ( we didn't understand anything) we waited forever. Then we asked if they serve any appetizers- we ordered one and another round of drinks, our appetizer was delicious- cheese with honey and almonds but when we got our drinks we were already done with the app. Horrible service! Asked for a check and she was waiting next to us staring at our hands and money- verryyy uncomfortable. read more

Met a lot of new ppl and tried the L'appocalypso beer. It was a light beer. My waitress was Cass- friendly and she recommended me other interesting places to try for the night. An English bar though in a French town. Lively for a Sunday night. read more

Philemon Bar - a group of friends posing for a picture - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

This is where I got my wife pregnant in Montreal. Only thing on the menu is dumplings all you need feels like you're in Havana or Shenzhen. Very pretty, hauntingly beautiful spot. read more

Came there around 11pm on a Monday night and we were seated. However, we never got service. We waited for a good 30 minutes before we decided to leave. We saw servers check on tables but completely missed or ignored ours. They were too busy catering to one or two tables or cavorting with one another behind the bar. What a shame. We are visiting from out of town and it was our first night. I was beginning to think that Quebecoise were rude to out of towners, but turns out the rest of the trip has seen nothing but great service and friendly servers from all OTHER bars and restaurants. Folks are seemingly coming here for the 'vibe' but to be honest, it's not even that vibey. Maybe for a quiet old town block but not at all worth it or hip enough to be that bad of service. read more

After a long walk in the old port, I found Philemon Bar. It was very cozy, great ambiance, great location, nice music, nice staff, and great drinks! It was exactly what I was looking for. read more

Philemon Bar - Dark and stormy - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Had high hopes for this place. Stayed across the street at Hotel Nelligan. Horrible service. Sat for 15 mins, didn't get service. Moved to the bar (2nd chance), 10 mins later still no acknowledgment from bartender...so? We left. What the hell is wrong with people these days? read more

This place had the hottest bartender I've ever seen in my entire life, and that assessment was made BEFORE I had my first drink. Seriously, like the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen sober. Eat your cold twisted heart out, experimental hybrid creature made up of Megan Fox, Kate Beckinsale, and Evangeline Lilly. So ask me, how did I handle meeting this beautiful creature? FANTASY: Bartender: Hey, how's it going? Me: (looking up) I'm good, looking for a drink. It's a hot night. (flips up second collar) Bartender: Yeah, I know, we gotta cool you off. Me: Huh? Yeah, gimme a double Jameson, neat. Bartender: Here's my phone number! REALITY: Bartender: Hey, how's it going? Me: D-UUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHRRRR. I heart Montreal so hard right now. read more

Philemon Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

It was just after we got done rocking out to Arcade Fire in Parc Jean-Drapeau that I found myself walking through Old Port to a bar "where we had a table in the back with bottle service." When I got outside and saw the lineup, I started wondering whether we would have been better off skipping the show to get there early and avoid the wait...hold on, no I didn't, I didn't think that for a second! Arcade Fire ROCKED! It wasn't until I red the nondescript sign on the front of the building that I saw the sign "Philemon" until I knew where I was: the semi-famed 20-somethings destination for Montreal nightlife. I'd been interested in checking this place out before I'd gotten to Montreal, having heard good things about the cocktails and the hip vibes (OK, maybe I had just heard about the cocktails...which were good). The place does a good job all-around, from the service to the drinks, but I wouldn't say it's over-the-top. Table service was good despite the wall-to-wall crowd. Space was definitely at a premium, with minimal space for a dance floor, and a bar right in the middle that forces you to squeeze through the crowd, regardless of where you're at in the club. Definitely a good spot to add to a night roaming around Old Port, but I wouldn't make it your only destination. read more

Philemon Bar - It's dark, but the bar in the center dominates the landscape - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Drop what you're doing RIGHT NOW and go to this bar. That's how good my cocktail (the Number 8 - a gin/chartreuse/basil concoction) was. That's how much I liked the vibe. That's how good the music was. That's how friendly the service was. Can't wait to go back, and I don't often say that about places in Vieux Montréal (but maybe I'm not going to the right places...) We were wandering around the neighborhood with some time to kill before a dinner reservation, and stumbled into this place. I was instantly in love. It has all the industrial style I adore in a bar, a very old factory feel, while simultaneously having extremely comfortable booth and lounge seating. We were early (8pm-ish?) and the dj had not yet started his set, but basically everything coming up on house iPod shuffle was amazing. I would love to stick around and see what happens, although, I have a feeling that this is the kind of place that plays AMAZING music on a Saturday night that NO ONE dances to.[ In which case, seriously, what is the point? Can we all agree that's insane. If Hall & Oates's 'Rich Girl' comes on, you dance, people!] Ahem... So I'm thinking I may take off a star if I go back and the place is unbearably packed and noisy, but considering I'm much more of a 5 à 7 than a 10 à 2am kind of gal, I assume I will continue to love this little spot. The cocktails were super noteworthy, or at least enough so to deserve their price tag. There was a fairly extensive wine list and definitely enough beers on tap to keep you happy. The service was great - although, the place was really quiet when we got there, so that may have something to do with it... read more

Philemon Bar - No. 6 & No. 8 - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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Not from Montreal but had a great time with my girlfriends here. Lots of locals but no one was annoyed that there were foreigners there. Fun place to drink and dance with your friends on the bar top but can also be chill depending on when you go. Sunday nights are live. Had an amazing time would go back in a heartbeat. Bartenders were attentive and so sweet to us and never felt unsafe at any point. Thanks u Philemon read more

Loved the vibe and the music! I think the decor could have been taken up a notch! Ordered and old fashioned and it was fantastic. read more

Low key, nice ambience bar in the heart of Old Montreal. This was our 2nd time here and honestly, we liked it better the first time. I had the cava and my friends had a couple of gin and tonics, martinis and rum and cokes. When you're located in Old Montreal and bars are a dime a dozen, you truly need to stand out to earn anything above 3 stars. Whether it's drinks, ambience or service. This place had the ambience down (which isn't difficult to do in Old Montreal). The drinks were nothing earth shattering. So service was a potential stand out domain. Unfortunately, they didn't. I wouldn't go so far as to say they flopped, but they were mediocre at best. We sat at the window where there was a high top counter facing the street so we could people watch as we enjoyed our libations. The waitress came by a couple of times but she was curt and seemed hurried every time, like we were taking up her precious time... Not a great impression. When we came previously we sat right at the bar and had wonderful service, so maybe the key here is: you'll get good service, as long as it's convenient for them? read more

Philemon Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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This bar has good and bad things. The best thing is the music. It's very 2000's so it's great to come here and dance. The bad side is that overall I find it a bit dirty, specially the bathrooms. Drinks and good and not expensive. read more

Philemon Bar - people sitting at the bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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BEST PLACE EVER. Emma J is the BEST bartender i've ever had!! So sweet and accommodating. She always made sure we were doing good even during a major rush! I've worked in service and having to manage many clients isn't easy! the fact that she was able to be so in tune with each clients shows what a great worker! I will be back for her! xxxxx read more

My bf and I were visiting Montreal and randomly popped in here for a drink as it was open late...lucky us! We LOVED LOVED LOVED this place. Super cool and chill atmosphere and decor, excellent people watching, delicious drinks, an attentive waitress and DJ who was off the chain. My bf doesn't usually drink but we had so much fun here we stayed and drank all night, chit chatting, making friends, having a blast. Its small and intimate with a mature crowd right in the heart of old Montreal. Great place for a chill date listening to tunes and having some drinks read more

Really good cocktails and drinks. Definitely a fun place, and really good for groups.

This place has two very distinct faces, if you're looking to enjoy a nice dinner over candle light you've found the right place up until about 10pm. Great menu, friendly staff & the pints are misleadingly tall. After 10pm it becomes the place you wanna go to have a few too many & meet the type of people who are bound to ask what you're going next even though it's already 3am. read more

I waited outside in the cold for 4.5 and a half hours and also my friend leg was really hurt really bad and they called herm a little gremlin with parsnips for fingers and also then we got in and I get shot or two and they were too strong and I told them and there wasn't any refund and also they don't sell ciggies? read more

Had a girl's night out and hit up hipstery Philemon Bar. We ordered drinks then the plateau du marché to share. The platter is delish and honestly I wish I could've eaten the whole platter by myself. It had olives, cheeses, humus, charcuterie meats, mustards, a sort of sauerkraut (?), bread, pickles, some sort of moussy purple stuff. Also had the mushroom toast which was also quite good. A little pricey at $50 for the platter and the wines aren't cheap either. The place is great but as it filled up the servers never made eye contact with us so we could order more. Had to go chase one down. It's a good go to place for 5@7. read more

Philemon Bar - Plateau du marché $50 good for sharing, a few bucks over-priced. - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

Craft cocktails are always a welcome treat. Craft cocktails served by a cool waitress/bartender are even better. Craft cocktails served by a cool waitress/bartender while listening to awesome music is the best. Philemon is a lot of fun. I can see how/if the place was packed that it might not be fun but most places, when packed, are not a lot of fun. Lucky for me and my friends, we came on a quiet Sunday night and enjoyed all the space and (relative) quiet that we liked. Well, if you count listening to dance and new wave as quiet. I do and it's fantastic! Knowing that PB was known for its libations, I started with a #7. The drinks are numbered and grouped by spirit. I'm all for drinks with a sweeter tinge to them (and not to say that this drink was like drinking a soda) but the experience was a bit beige for me. That's when Naomi, our waitress/bartender, swooped in to action and told me that I should have ordered an Old Fashioned. I let her know that I'm from Kentucky and was Old Fashioned/bourboned out. She scoffed and said I'd never tasted one of hers. Intrigued, I ordered one and, true enough, I loved her take on an Old Fashioned. I don't know whether it was the bourbon, the bitters, the fruit, or the simple syrup/sugar, but the drink was as good as I've had and not at all humdrum. Vindicated, she told me that I should always trust her. I became a believer that evening. Trust in the cocktail powers (and infectious awesomeness) of Naomi. Now you know. read more

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a gin and tonic as much as I do over here. Philemon is a good loungey-bar to go to with a group of friends or a date while out and about in Old Montreal. In all my experiences here, I've always received friendly and attentive service. On weekends the place gets pretty packed as the night unfolds, which is to be expected. So be sure to get there at a decent time if you expect to find a free banquet, places at the bar, or on the high chairs. While you're there, take a look around you to notice the quirky fixtures and appliances that accessorize the space. read more

Huhhhh-huhhhh. That's a collective of people all exhaling, fogging up the big window facing St Paul's cobblestone street. A DJ spinned house at a decibel still conducive to conversations for a diverse mix of late 20 somethings, some in their parkas and toques, others in their stylish tights and heels, while we all sipped on wines in pre-marked glasses (are these tasting glasses?), beers and ordered bottle service. No cover on a Friday night, bottom of the barrel bottles of vino started at $40ish, and a glass of red rang in at $8. All in all, reasonable in my books. It might be a place to be seen, but the vibe veers towards friendly. And ladies, I saw plenty of single guys.. just sayin' read more

I asked a hostess at a restaurant for recommendations on a bar or lounge or neighborhood to spend our last evening in Montreal. She suggested Philemon and mentioned it would be a cool bar plus there are other ones nearby in case we wanted to hop. We take a cab to Saint Paul in Old Montreal and I see the address for the unassuming bar, but no door or sign. Then I see some people walking down a short alleyway and up stairs to a black door. This is it! As you enter you'll find yourself in a dark yet cozy hipster bar with a DJ spinning house and hip hop. The bartenders are skilled and attentive. Tip: check out the bar in the back rather than the middle main bar. The service is faster. My bartender made a perfect dirty martini. After 12am the crowd gets more lively and a dance party will ensue. Enjoy! read more

Not a bad place to kill time trying to "fool" our way into dinner reservations at Garde Manger (damn you Chuck Hughes!). We stopped into this wine bar in Old Montreal for a drink or three. We were early, but you could tell the place was laid back and chill. I just wished they had more wines by the glass (there were a few things that I wanted, but didn't want to stick a straw in a wine bottle). read more

I hated this place. Horrible service with really rude staff. They give you a rotten look when you cheap out on the tip... well guess what? Bad Service = Bad tips. They messed up my order, it took 3 times before they got it right. I see making a drink is such a hard job. I don't understand what the rave is about, but its just a bar with no flare. I won't be returning here. read more

Come Thursday 5 a 7 time, Philemon bar gets packed quickly, until it's elbow-only room around the bar. I was there with a big group, and someone had the foresight to reserve us some plum seats, so we were cozy on the couches in the front window. It's a fancy crowd, and perfect for people watching. We were particularly taken with the lookalike of Mad Men's Christina Hendricks. They were playing some good tunes, too, that kept the vibe upbeat and a little dancey (confession: there may have been a little chair-dancing going on after a glass of bubbly). I was very pleasantly surprised with their wine list, especially the selection of wines by the glass. There were not one but three different sparkling wines available by the glass. I also had a mighty, peachy good glass of Burgundy Chardonnay. They also had a few beers on tap, and make most mixed drinks, so there's something for everyone. I haven't sampled the food, but they do have some small dishes available if you need something to soak up the alcohol. read more

There are few places that are consistent in the nightlife experience they offer. Philemon became the new "go to" place in Montreal's Old Port for precisely that reason - you can always count on its strong quick'n'dirty drinks, relaxed vibe, fashionable and goodlooking 20-40 year old crowd, and limited space around the horse-shoe shaped bar. Oh, and being hit on. Yes, this place is a meatmarket (meetmarket?), but usually not in a dirty way. Self-esteem needs a boost? Now you know where to go. I like that this place is not a cocktail bar. Basic martinis are available, as are nice wines and bubblies, but Philemon doesn't try to coax and lure their patrons with blueberry basil martinis or beet juice vodka concoctions. It's a bar, take it or leave it. It's that attitude that allows for many different types of people to enjoy the venue - it appeals to dressed-up hipsters, suits, the casually dressed, the chi-chi and everyone in between. With the weekend come live DJs who play a mix of musical genres such as hipster-chic (The XX, Mike Snow, Mgmt) gentle electro and less tacky pop. There are booths and banquettes for the sitter-downers, although you should be standing because it's good for your cool and allows for mingling. The prices are very decent, and they serve a yummy bar menu including oysters and cheese plates until 3am. I really do like this place. There're just a couple of things... Philemon doesn't do bottle service. I understand not wanting to be one of those places, but it does have banquettes and sometimes bottles just make things easier. Also, since it's been open for over a year now, too many people have heard of it. Looser ropes at the door mean that some dirty people will be let in (I mean Christina Aguilera "Dirrty", male and female), but hey, that's what eventually happens to all the cooler places that open in Montreal. In any case, Philemon does keep you warm on a cold winter's night and suits both a party mood (later at night) and a going-out-to-catch-up-with friends-mood (earlier in the evening). Go on a Thursday for the 5à7, or on Saturday night. Fridays are good too. Hell, you can't really go very wrong. Music 8.5/10, Pretty people 8/10, Service 8/10, Drinks (stronglittlemofos) 9/10 Pictures: http://belledenuitmontreal.com/posts/philemon/ read more

Much more bar than wine bar, at least late at night. Loud music and dark room. I had to ask three or four people before I found someone who knew the name of the place we were in. Not really well signed or easy to figure out. Drink was just fine though! read more

Classy, low-key lounge. We were there from 8.30p-10p on a Saturday and it was pretty dead...not sure what that was about. Service was also a little spotty. Our server...either didn't like us at all or couldn't really speak English, so he came across a little rude and cold. Whatever....we were there for drinks, not hugs. Would have been nice if it was a little more packed and happening. read more

Proven to be more than just a place to get LiT (wasted) lol. They offer a small light menu of healthy tapas. Today we a delicious beef tartare and a peach, tomatoes and pancetta with fresh dill! It was absolutely delicious. In addition, I am a regular here because their staff are so friendly and down to earth! For the 80's babies who are familiar the sitcom, Philèmon is the closest thing to our version of CHEERS!!! "Where everybody knows your name!!!" Lol read more

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This is a great place for a 5a7 in the Old Port. When we arrived, a little before 5, the place was dead, but quickly started to fill up. By the time I left just before 7, it was quite busy, but not crazy busy, fun busy. Bonus points for allowing us a group reservation. More bonus points for bringing us a big pitcher of water and glasses upon arrival. The drinks themselves are quite nice. I sampled a couple of the $12 cocktails, and while no, they are not cheap, they are quite strong and very tasty, and a little bit different than the standard. But not too strange either. Just right. The space itself is really interesting. I liked the mix of bar, booths, little nooks with benches and bars. Spaces that could be good for a group, or for a more intimate conversation, or just a bunch of friends hanging out. The only thing that would make this place even better is if the windows opened. It would have been so nice to sit near the window and enjoy a breeze. Oh and slightly cheaper drinks, but then I'm cheap and those drinks aren't going to make themselves, so I guess I'm ok with the price. read more

My experience there was ok. No more. It's one of the new flavor of the month type of places. Service was good, a little pricey as was expected. But I wasn't left with the urge to return. Certainly not if I had to wait in line. read more

Philemon Bar - people sitting at the bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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If you want a relaxing, chill, yet fun evening, Philemon Bar in Vieux Montreal is the place to be. It is one of those unique places that are trendy, but not too pretentious. As others have said you find find all sorts of people partying here on any given night. I've only been here on the weekends and late at night, so can't speak for 5 a 7. But, the place starts to get packed starting around 10-10:30 pm. I know I have walked by a few times with the intention of going, but it was too cold to wait outside in the long line. For drinks they have a few special cocktails, but the standard drinks are what I stuck to. Service was good, we had a roving waitress take our orders and she was quick and efficient. We had to stand by the DJ booth because there really wasn't much else space left. As far as the music, it is an eclectic mix that doesn't drown out conversations. My only concerns stem from the fact that the bar in the center is oddly shaped, thus creating areas that have a lot of room and some areas that are tight. Makes for a hard time to walk around. read more