Bar Le Mal Nécessaire

Le Mal Nécessaire is a very good bar, though I must admit I more liked the vibes of the old location as compared to this on. Its brighter and more vibrant, but the vibes of the old one were just better inmy opinion, also didn't feel as well taken care of as before, not bad by any stretch! Just not quite 5 stars. Can't fault the cocktails at all though.

The décor and ambiance are absolutely stunning. While I have no doubt the cocktails are exceptional, I found the mocktails a bit underwhelming—they tasted more like simple juices, likely due to the absence of a non-alcoholic base. That said, the overall experience was still thoroughly enjoyable.

We came here on a Friday night between 10 and 11 PM and managed to get a seat however it’s quite full. It’s a very mixed crowd. We really enjoyed the cocktails. There was a DJ too. Overall, a really great bar.

I had an incredible experience at Le Mal Nécessaire with my wife. The ambiance was unique and cozy, perfect for a night out. We were especially impressed by the exceptional service we received from Eddy, who was not only welcoming but also extremely knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the different cocktails and helped us choose drinks that suited our tastes perfectly and they were absolutely amazing! From presentation to flavor, everything was on point. The pineapple cocktail was a fun and delicious highlight of the night. This place is a true hidden gem in the city. We’ll definitely be back!

Great place for some drinks at night. I wish they also had food menu, but that's ok. All the drinks are described in detail on the menu. The DJ keeps the atmosphere very nice, would go back for a quick grab for a drink. It is a bit loud for a quiet talk.

I believe this is a new locayion for them. I didn't visit the previous one, but this one is effortlessly classy and cozy with expertly crafted drinks. We tried the Mal Nécessaire — the bar’s signature cocktail — which was a bold and balanced creation, but the real standout was the Strong Water. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best cocktails I’ve had this year — complex, smooth, and packed with flavor. Can’t wait to go back!

Hands down one of the best if not top cocktail bar I’ve been to! I have been here a few times now and the drinks are some of the most unique and best tasting drinks I have ever had! I love all the drinks I have tried here but I think the coco supremo is my favourite! 10/10 drinks, atmosphere and service! Their menu is one of the most visually appealing unique menus I have ever seen - each drink has a description and they even have a cocktail scale to help you pick! One of the best bars I have ever been to!

This is my go to bar when i want to grab a few drinks with friends, or for a lovely date night. I love that the place is spacious and has room for big groups or just one on one. They have so many fun drinks to try.

First visit to their new space (they just reopened and expanded) and I was blown away. Beautiful, sophisticated design, but still feels intimate and low key. Staff were fun and friendly; drinks were fresh, interesting/unique and stiff. Loved the vibe overall and definitely worth making a detour for - it's a great spot for a date, to hang with friends, or to go out with business colleagues/clients. They've completely upped their game even further and cemented its status as one of the best cocktail bars in the city.

tiki bar vibes, super fun vibes, live DJ , amazing waiter *champagne papi 8/10 *pain killer ?/10 (i forgot) *pina fuego 1000000/10 (came on fire in a pineapple and tasted like juice, what more can you ask for)

Waited around 30/40 minutes for a party of 7, the space is small but not chaotic. The tables are tiny and low, the seats aren't too comfortable either, there are seats by the bar which seem much better to be seated at. It's a cool place to hang with friends, go on a date, or for an apperitivo. There was a live dj spinning, bonus point for not playing top 40s! I ordered the Champagne Papi, served with a shot of Prosecco. They have great presentation for all their drinks, not to mention the excellent menu. All their drinks are a hit, you can't go wrong! I highly recommend stopping by if you have a chance.

What a cool bar!! Loved it here. The drinks were super delicious and extremely cool. The place was full but they were super accommodating. If you're in Montreal you should stop by this place.

BAR LE MAL NECESSAIRE . . 147th best cocktail bar in world located in Chinatown in Montreal. A intimate underground bar perfect for date night or hang out with friends. . . Champagne Papi 4/5 Amer Du Sud 3.9/5 Painkiller 4/5 Chicha Sling 4/5 . . We went twice during our four day trip to Montreal because they're just that good! The drinks are delicious and prices are very reasonable. Music was great, the vibes were definitely there. The staff working there are amazing! Service was 100% even though it was a bit slow at times, but understandable considering how much people there were. Huge shoutout and thank you to Evan for finding my bag and letting me come early to get it.

A trendy spot in Chinatown, the staff are very friendly. It gets quite busy on the weekend. It is definitely difficult to get a seat. The tables are quite small, so you might have to squish. But the atmosphere is great and so are the cocktails. I found the cocktails to be very reasonably priced, considering the ingredients and the effort put into making it There is a piña colada that served in a large pineapple with a fire element on top. There is also a coconut drink served in a fresh coconut. The service is thoughtful , they have areas to put your coat so that you can maximize the seating space. It is a modern take on a tiki bar , will definitely come back

Haven't been here in years, it seems way cooler now... My must try recommendation is the fruit loops shot. It's not too strong, a little sweet and the flavor shifts gradually ending with an amazing after taste. The coco supreme cocktail is cool too, if you like pina colada.

Le Mal Necessaire est une destination necessaire, especially if you are in Chinatown or doing a general bar crawl. The tips to look for the pineapple helped a lot. Just looking down as you walk in, you can sense the atmosphere of the place, dark yet vibrant. One of the first things we saw was the DJ spinning vinyl, with a bizarre set of numbers flashing behind him. Turns it, that was the decibel level - which certainly went up a lot over the evening when the gal at the table next to us got going, lol! My cocktail, their namesake, was quite a surprise, sort of like a cinnamon french toast with pineapple glaze as a drink. I thought this was great until I saw the drinks going to aforementioned table in large pineapple mugs subsequently lit, and suddenly FOMO. It's no wonder so many of my friends recommended Le Mal Necessaire as a necessary stop when in Montreal.

Excellent cocktails in a small, dark basement in the Chinatown area. Tried 4 of the signature cocktails, the mal necessaire (same as the name of the bar) was a particular hit, very refreshing on a warm day. There can be a bit of a line on weekends but it's worth the wait. Prices were in line with downtown Montreal standards, about $15-20 per drink. Only complaint was the service was crazy slow - we waited over 20 mins to get our order in and then another 20 for the drinks - and then they initially brought us the wrong drinks!

Loved our drinks!!! The drake face, and then the entire pineapple was such a cool touch, and set this bar apart. It was difficult to find this bar, but once you see the green sign, it's just so much fun after that! Definitely recommend grabbing some friends and hanging out and listening to the music in here. The fruity shot was my favorite, you can't even taste the alcohol (in my opinion). It's a small bar, so get there earlier in the night to get a good seat.

Loved this place! Definitely not what you expected from the entrance of it and if you don't look it up before it's very hard to miss lol ... we were so excited for the food but unfortunately on Mondays and Tuesdays they don't have enough kitchen staff (wish this was somewhere on their IG or website). We arrived and their was some room at the bar and on the couch we moved twice and the bartender was so nice about it and accommodating. The drinks all very but being a Hispanic I was super interested in the one with Chicha Morada which is a Peruvian corn! Super delicious and refreshing. If I'm ever back on Montréal I would stop in again.

This tiki bar is everyyyything!!! We sat at the bar for a drink and absolutely loved the vibes, service and music. Both our drinks were delicious and we could of sat for a few more just to listen to the funky jams. It was loud but could still hold a convo with my partner. No dancing on the Saturday night we were there but the music was inviting. Definitely a great choice for cocktails in Montreal!!

Great drinks. They had a very well thought out menu that rounded each drink out very well. A great variety of cocktails and they will make any classic cocktail. Staff was very friendly and got drinks out quickly

Really cool bar with DJ but not too busy or loud on a Wednesday night. Went with some friends after practice and we had a great time, we could hear each other still even with the music. The watermelon drink is actually very good for someone who never drinks usually. It doesn't taste too strong or too sugary but also the taste of alcohol isn't overwhelming. It's a great balance. The other specialty drinks are also so unique and cute. Would go back!

October 2023: Came here on the recommendation of an acquaintance and absolutely loved it! The servers were friendly and so professional, and the vibe was very on-trend. We tried 4 different drinks and a shot and everything was so unique and delicious. I literally IJBOLed when the Champagne Papi came out. We went at 9:30 on a Saturday night and waited just a minute until 2 seats opened up, and stayed an hour and a half. By the time we left, there was a line out the door.

We originally saw this bar on a "Hidden Speakeasy" website, which explained it as a Tiki bar but it's not. The drinks were Ok for the price but I could not get over the DJ who was playing nothing but what I can describe as "modern elevator music" at full volume. I could not even talk to my wife and have a conversation. If you're into sitting in a dark basement not being able to hear your friend or significant other. By all means this is the place for you.

My friend and I stopped here on a Monday night so it was not very busy but we were recommended this place. We're definitely glad we stopped in. The bartenders were extremely friendly and made us feel right at home. They gave us recommendations for drinks and had us try a variety. They kept the conversation going all night and made sure we had everything we needed. They also celebrated our last night on our trip by giving us a shot on the house which was a nice touch. Even with an almost nonexistent crowd we had a great time!

Loved the vibe and atmosphere of this place! They had a live dj and good ambiance. My bf got the Le Mal Necessaire which was a huge pineapple slush with burbon. The drink was very fruity and refreshing! I got the champagne papi which was a passionfruit sour served with a Prosecco chaser. I really enjoyed the presentation of both drinks :)

We ordered the Chicha Swing and a few beers, and shared the calamari chilli and general tao. The calamari was good except the salt was not mixed well so some pieces were more salty. As for the general tao, tasted more the batter tham the chicken in some pieces. Otherwise, service was great!

Best staff, best DJs, best cocktails in the city. A modern tiki experience that should not be missed. An amazing ambiance tucked away in a chinatown basement, a blink and you'll miss it hole in the wall that will exceed all expectations. I see complaints about the prices in other reviews, but when all of the juices are fresh squeezed everyday, when the bar makes coconut creme from scratch you should expect to pay for quality-- and by all means you cannot find a cocktail of finer quality in this city.

We googled "tiki drinks near me" and found this gem of a bar! Very comfortable and inviting, not scary or sketchy at all. Delicious drinks, nice patrons and nice bartenders, will definitely be back!

Wow!!!! Came here twice during my week long visit to Montreal because it was just that good!! The drinks are delicious, the ambience is lively, and the music is groovy! The staff are accommodating and have a great attitude. :)

Short wait for an outdoor table in Chinatown. Great atmosphere, music, and unique drinks and containers. Painkiller was a bit boozy, but the rest were fantastic - tale of two chilis, chicha sling, big fun in little china, amer du sud, passion fruit sour (with drake pictured on foam), fruit loops and tangerine dream shooters.

Cute bar with interesting drink menu. The meh service was a bit surprising though because we came on a monday night that wasn't so busy. After a dinner in chinatown, my group of friends dropped in here for a few drinks. They have an outside terrasse but we opted for the cool and somewhat mysterious basement seating. The interior is dark but in a good way, with cool art and a pretty bar to look at. When we got there, they asked for ids (totally valid because although the age range was 22-30, some of us look a little young). The hostess just had a little bit of a bad attitude was overall ok. We looked over the menu and ordered drinks pretty quickly. The drinks took a looooong time to come because they only had one bartender. When they did arrive, they were very good. I personally didn't like mine but I tried other ones which were much better. I found the drinks pricey but I'm pretty sure it was standard. To get a drink in a fruit, the minimum price was 20$. I would come back again and hopefully the staff are a little friendlier. 3.5/5**

Speak easy | Tiki | starter/finisher Speak Easy: it's modeled to be a speak easy that's open to the public. You go down stairs and the entire place holds at most 50 people. With multi-way small table set ups that hold about 4-6 each with a bar that holds 10. Tiki: The whole thing is tiki themed, so it was an interesting twist on the "speak easy" concept. They have a variety of fruity drinks. I got "southern charm" which came in a coconut. It was very fruity and STRONG. Starter/Finisher: it's the perfect spot to start your night or end your night. The music is played relatively low. Definitely low enough to have a good conversation with friends without straining your voice. But, you definitely can't stay there all night unless it's a first date . Pro tip: ask about the specials that are overhead. They are drinks that they mixologist is trying for 1 week at a time, so it's a cool way to try new stuff and provide the crew feedback.

Came here with my friends to hangout a bit. The ambiance was nice and the place looked cute as we were going in. I arrived a little later than my other friends so they already had some drinks. After i arrived, we were told that the painkiller pitcher would be around $5 per person (there was four people in my group including me). The waitress told us it was a deal and that the pitcher wasnt on the menu. We got it and it was pretty good. What wasnt good was the final price of the pitcher that came out to about $11 per person (this did not include the drinks that my friends ordered before i got there). While the drink was good, it certainly was not ~44$ good. When we got the bill and saw the final price per person, we were surprised that the waitress would lie to us about the price of a drink. Because of this some of us didnt feel inclined to tip. The waitress saw this and complained to us about us not tipping. My friends and i found the attitude she gave us about the tips to be unprofessional and that certainly wouldnt have helped her get any tips afterwards. We would not be coming back here again.

I wanted to like this place. But it was sold to me as a tiki bar, if this is what you're expecting, it's anything but. Loud music, too crowded, line out front to get in. Good for them. I'll give it another shot, not on a weekend. But yeah... no.

We sat outside on the Patio because it wasn't big enough to fit our group of 9. We really enjoyed the drinks from here. The passion fruit cocktail had drake's face on it. Our waiter's service was great!!! Our group had a great time with delicious cocktails and shooters. Would recommend if you're looking for good cocktails.

small tables for small amounts of liquor... $23 for five sips out of a flaming pineapple sad boi hours. Instagrammable bevies must stop.

Hands down, best bar in Montreal! I recently visited Montreal and was looking for some cool bars around the Chinatown area near our hotel. Found this gem and we visited here several times on our short trip because it was so amazing! Craft cocktails in a warm dark setting. Best bartenders around. Shoutout to Simon who made us the best drinks we had during our entire trip!!! And on a side note, he's super intelligent and helped us with our way around the city. We will be back because of him! If you are looking for an awesome and unique bar in Montreal with the best bartenders around, this is your bar. It's small and that's what I really loved about it. The drinks are outstanding and you really need to stop by here. Ask for a Naked and Famous. It'll change your life :)

Without no doubt my favorite bar in Montreal. The location is super convenient, they are next to capital tacos makes it 1000 times better. They have the best piña colada in montreal, service is always A1. They have a nice choice of beers if this what you fancy and tons of cocktails and unusual shots I LOVE THE FROOT LOOPS. I highly recommend without no hesitation.

The vibe is great, you have to try the "painkiller" drink it's delicious and it give you rhat great vibe! The music is so amazing kind of a deep house ! The design is also great! You should try it!

Le Mal Nécessaire is a great underground bar to go as much as on a date or with a group of friends. It's a hidden gem in Chinatown that really sticks to their tiki bar theme. I went at 1 am on a Sunday night so my friends and I were able to find a place to sit immediately. The way the booths are designed, they allow groups to sit around a table and talk to each other which is amazing. It was extremely dark in there and only the fake candle on our table was the source of light, so reading the menu was a bit hard. Going over the prices, they were quite high and I hesitated but got the Bahama Mama because where else will you get a drink in a pineapple! The drink itself was delicious, but near the end the melted ice kept getting stuck in the straw so I couldn't completely finish my drink. The waiter was friendly, but rarely checked on us so we couldn't always order the drinks right away (and mind you, the place was not packed). There was a live DJ that played mostly house and techno throughout the night but near the end of the night, he started playing throwback hip hop tunes which made the bar even more fun. Overall, I give this place a 4.5 and I would definitely come back

I wanted to grab a drink here while passing by after a jazz show Nicely dimmed place and seems like a good place to grab a drink and catch up with friends. Music wasn't blasting like crazy but still enough to sway with the tunes. You can get drinks in a pineapple or coconut and if do come here you should definitely try one of those!

We dropped by the place for a friend's birthday on a Wednesday night (lol) around 10 PM. Tucked under Chinatown, the bar is identifiable thanks to its neon green pineapple. I'm not sure how to describe the place... Weird-tropical-hipster-den-offering-chinese-take-out-for-your-late-night-munchies? The drinks were cool and diverse, although prices a bit steep for the quality offered. The staff was super busy, and we waited a good 20-30 minutes before getting anything. No big complaints tho! We were there for the vibe, and it was allll good.

Went there for a 5 @7, on a Thursday night. It is a great casual, cool down place to go after work. We were sitting on the bar. The bartender mixed some cocktails. I tried one with pineapple, coco creme and rhum. They prepare their own syrup and mixes. We had the dégustation menu. I suggest to try it if you want to have a consistent dinner. I notice that the person who got us the food, came from upstairs. I think that outsource the food. We had vegetables spring rolls. It was a bit oily. We also had a very tasty salt and peper shrimp, a huge bowl of vegetables which i loved, and the chiken pops. This degustation menu is a must try. I am definitely going back for those cheiken pops.

My best friend as I visited Montreal in the Spring and stumbled upon this gem! It's basically underground so you walk down stairs and right in your face is this big green neon pineapple. The bar is a little smaller but that's really how most bars are in Montreal, it is pretty dark and lit with candles which makes it look so pretty. Perfect for a date night. I loved the drinks, I got a pina colada which came in a coconut and my friend got a Bahama Mama which came in a pineapple that the was on fire. I don't think I have really had a drink inside a piece of fruit except for when I travel to the Caribbean. My drink was garnished with a cute pink flower. They use paper straws which I loved! Next time we go to Montreal, we will def stop by for a drink....or two :)

Lovely bar, great music choice and u gonna love the cocktails! The waitress was lovely and attentive and they have a nice patio outside

Underground bar with a cute pineapple theme. Their drinks and cocktails are delish and prices are decent. I came here with a few friends and it was hard to hear one another since the music was so loud. Other than that, the music itself and ambiance were nice.

Just two words - Singapore Slinger, As a cocktail lover, this was a amazing drink that will challenge the weak and will be appreciated by the strong, I came in alone and sat at the bar on a Sunday night and it was, all in all, a pretty great experience. I immediately saw the large glass bottles that everyone else seemed to be drinking and just ordered the same thing. Although i did not finish the drink as I had set out to do, I enjoyed every sip i took and would not hesitate to do it all over again. They also have a pretty cool food menu which someone next to me ordered from and it smelled amazing. But do note that the bar is a bit understaffed sometimes so service but be slower than usual.

This place will make your tiki dreams come true in freezing Montreal. I had the Long Wong Iced Tea, and lord, was it delicious. A friend got one of the pineapple drinks, and the Thai Bulldog. The atmosphere had a groovy, 70s vibe and was well designed without being decorated just for Instagram. Also, fab and friendly service! A must try in Chinatown.

If Chinatown and a tiki bar had a baby, you'd get Le Mal Nécessaire. This is one of my fav summer spots to start a night out with friends. Super fun vibe filled with tiki inspired drinks and good looking people. Bonus, if you're feeling hungry, you can order Chinese food and the staff will run out to pick up your fix. I've always found the staff great and seems no matter what night you come, the place packs a crowd.

As a fellow New Yorker that loves to try out speakeasies, it was great to discover one while visiting Montreal. Le Mal Nécessaire is a bit tricky to find and very easy to miss. If you are walking, slowly pass by the doors and you will see the lit Pineapple symbol through the glass. That marks the spot. The place was chill and the music was upbeat and fun. However, the issues are that the place is cramped and too small. Even the bar area was uncomfortable to enjoy. The drinks are a bit overpriced for the quality and I don't recommend a drink inside a pineapple. It wasn't carved correctly and had too much ice to begin with. The Humble Jungle was smooth but again for the size, it was overpriced. Would I try the establishment again if I'm up in Montreal, I'd say yes but probably when they first open to avoid the crowd.

Beautiful bar. Amazing service. Delicious cocktails. My girlfriends and i enjoyed the ambience, the DJ and drinks.

It's a cute hangout place. For a small place it does get surprisingly LOUD in there. But they're open till 2am on weeknights so that makes up for it...I guess? Some of the drinks are really yummy, the problem I have with that is their drinks are very small and come with lots of ice! I love the Perfect Storm with cherry and lime. Last time I tried Concession Française but the Asian bitters threw me off...to me it tasted like 5-star anise plus bitters which was a little weird. Kudos to them on having a number of interesting, affordable virgin drinks at the back of the menu!

I LOVE THIS PLACE. Specialty drinks were cute and I got the champagne papi which was so cute. Came with drakes face on it and a tiny glass of champagne. Super cool vibe with DJ too

Honestly I don't know why I am even giving 2 stars as I really had high hopes for this place from the reviews. Our waiter talked us into a whole pitcher of the painkiller cocktail after we initially tried to order it by the glass because we didn't know if we would like it ,it was one of the most disgusting cocktails we have ever had in our opinion. All we could taste was a watery blend of rum and orange. After our pitcher was dropped off we were never checked on again to order food. My last complaint is the awful mix tape they played it was like classic rock and hip hop mixed together ugh just one or the other would have been fine. We managed to choke down about a third of the $40 pitcher and decided to pay our check and leave.

This #pineappletheme #cocktailbar came highly recommended. It sure not disappoint with its tiki bar inspired cocktail list. I ordered the Bahama Mama - the rum filled frozen #pineapple. Funky vibe with live DJ spinning too.

Stumbled on this spot while on vacation - fantastic cocktails, cool vibe, super friendly bartenders. 100% highly recommend.

Hide gem un the heart of chinatown. But not be fooled by the unassuming entrance. great drink and a nice selection of Chinese food delivered fresh from the restaurant next door.