Upstairs – It’s Jazztastic!

Just a few steps below the street level on Mackay, you will find a quaint little hidden gem called Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill. This place caught my eyes from the moment I glimpsed in through the window and saw an upright bass musician jamming away. As an avid jazz fan, I squealed like a little girl and excitedly walked in.

The place: dimly lit room. Very jazz-y and intimate. The Chicago 1950’s feel, complete with brick walls covered with an array of frames, takes you away from the downtown Montreal feel the moment you walk in. All that’s missing is the cloud of smoke hanging in the room (damn this ban!). The food is simple yet tasty and the staff is remarkably friendly. The ditsy, large breasted blonde bimbos you’d find as a nightclub bartender working for tips would not fit in to this classy, old-fashioned joint. Surprisingly, the prices are extremely fair. This place has a vibe I haven’t seen in a long time in Montreal, which is always a bonus since it seems that so many places follow the same template nowadays. A generally older crowd (30+) can appreciate this cozy, laid-back feel where people can share their passion for music.

Several times a week, you will find live performances by jazz artists. For that alone, it’s worth to check out Upstairs. Don’t get me wrong; you don’t have to adore jazz to go. When the performances are done for the night (roughly by midnight), the crowd gets back to it’s lively pace.

I fell in love with this place the moment I walked in. There’s a certain warmth in the personal interactions you can never find in a nightclub.

Their wine list isn’t too extensive, so I’d stick with the drinks. If you’re in the mood for a quick bite, get the Antipasti for 2, you can’t go wrong with calamari, smoked salmon, grilled chicken and a few other ingredients to pleasure your taste buds.

Bonus: Check out their website for scheduled performances as well as special recipes with step-by-step instructions.
www.upstairsjazz.com

Suite 701 – Don’t Forget to Shave

Feel like bumming out and getting wasted with your buddies without spending too much? Then don’t head off to Suite 701, because you probably won’t even get in with those dirty sneakers of yours. This lounge is the definition of class – the interior is beautiful, the people are beautiful and the drinks are beautiful.

Located in Old Montreal, Suite 701 is relatively small: basically a long narrow room with a bar running down one side. However, its extremely high ceiling prevents the feeling of being cramped. Opposite of the bar, a series of low coffee tables and lounging sofas help accommodate large groups. The interior architecture is absolutely fascinating. The high ceiling paired with the detailed moldings, modern chandeliers and boudoir-type mesh curtains give the space a classical, contemporary and naughty feel.

Although you’ll see the DJ booth the moment you walk in, there unfortunately isn’t an existent dance floor. So really, a DJ is kind of useless but she was hot, so there you have it. I’m more of a chat-over-a-drink kind of person, so the absence of the dance floor didn’t bother me. What was frustrating however was the excessively loud music that even prevented you from having a conversation. After somewhat mastering the art of reading lips, the ambiance was pretty chill and ideal for going out with a group of friends.

The drinks are not cheap, they’ll run you about 12$ for a cocktail, but you’ll definitely find some original ones made with quality liqueur. Maple syrup is an interesting ingredient found a few times on the menu – a tad too sweet for my liking, but worth trying and will definitely be enjoyed by most girls. Fortunately, Suite 701 is one of the rare nightlife spots where they serve mojitos! Finally! You can sit down with a drink and pretend like it’s just another hot summer day when the reality is that you’re completely unaware a snow plow has just ripped off one of your side mirrors during its run. Unfortunately, I speak from experience… By the way, the reason why those drinks are so hard to come by is due to the fresh mint leaves needed as the prime ingredient. Most of the time, it’s not worth for clubs or bars to carry something with such a short shelf life if the demand isn’t high enough. So ladies, no bitching if a club or bar doesn’t offer mojitos. Order something else and quit acting like a princess. … again, I speak from experience.

If there’s a drink that you must try, it’s called The Basilic. Evidently, one of the ingredients is basil… sounds nasty, I know, but its combination with the sweetness of the raspberry liqueur makes it very interesting. It’s a usual favorite for the ladies, the men however, find it tastes like spaghetti sauce.

Pros:
• Good music
• Good drinks
• Gorgeous design

Cons:
• Pricey
• A slightly snooty crowd
• Tight space

Business Lounge; An Old Port Hot Spot That Won’t Disappoint

Located in Montreal’s Old Port district, Business Lounge offers an ambiance similar to the many nightlife establishments nearby. At first sight, one would feel like having just walked into a bourgeois’ dining room. However, its level of elegance and class make this venue stand out from the rest while still offering drinks at affordable prices.

Its modest entrance opens up to a narrow and deep, dimly lit room. The doorman and efficient bartenders greet you in a friendly manner, a characteristic seldom seen in Montreal’s busy hot spots. With two floors open on a Saturday night and the many festivities being held in the neighborhood, there was no problem in finding a seating place for all sized parties. The interior decor reminisces of the centennial-type architecture complete with dark wood wall paneling, burgundy velour banquets and black iron chandeliers that give a somber, yet intimate mood. The latter also enhances a feeling of intoxication without having to down half a bottle of Grey Goose. The dark vintage furniture contrasts with the bar’s metallic industrial look. This change in décor is interesting and mixing up your surrounding made the venture for drinks that much more exciting.

A quaint dance floor placed near the bathrooms serves for the select few who chose to get their groove on in an establishment best suited for sit-downs and friendly conversations. With good music pumping throughout the place without it being over-drowning, Business Tapas & Lounge is a spot I highly suggest to check out whether it’s for a quick drink with a partner, a night out with a large group of friends, and everything in between.

Pros

• Friendly staff
• Good prices
• Elegant décor
• Many mirrors on the walls (for the ladies)

Cons

• Secluded location
• Small dance floor
• Slightly younger crowd (age 20-25)