Les Foufounes Électriques

This was one of the coolest venues I’ve ever been to, let alone played. The staff were all super nice and helpful, especially considering I don’t speak French. When I return to Montreal I will 100 percent come back and hangout here.

The mixologists behind the bar are so willing to listen and quickly build the exact drink that the punks and drunks are demanding, it's such a beautiful dynamic. Don't ask for a menu, be an adult. Go watch a show, have a pint, enjoy Montreal's biggest punk bar/showspace that's been around since the 90s.

Went for the wheatus concert this past Monday. While I showed up early I sat at the bar and waited. Extremely friendly staff. The bartender was so nice to me even though I didn’t order a drink. On top of that the music playing is really up my alley. Dad rock, 2000 punk/alt/emo. I’ll be back for that drink for sure. The venue is also huge. The show happened in a separate part of the building built just for shows. There was bar seating available down there as well as a bar and washrooms. Wheatus was insanely good, and the setup was comfortable, felt safe and relaxed.

This was the venue for a band I saw play recently. The concert itself was awesome. I only hung out upstairs for the show, but it was a cool spot. I only ordered a soda, so no reference for drink prices or service really.

We flew out to Montreal to see Moneen back in 2023 and it was the best time. Venue is great. The crowd was awesome because Moneen! There were some jerky people there though that kind of dampened the experience a bit, but it wasn’t the venue. They were just some obnoxious people that didn’t even really care for the bands. Can’t say anything about the food. We were only there for Moneen!!!!

My friend and I came here last night to watch @NicotineDolls. Very different experience than clubbing in my 20s. Clean, open and friendly staff. There was a fan blowing at us in the balcony, so it wasn't too hot. A perfect venue fo smaller bands. Very well put together.

Went to check out Les Chiens Dog for their 4/20 show when they opened for Dany Nicolas

I've been looking for a place with rock concerts and local bands for a while now. This is definitely the place. The audience seemed to be over 30, but I went to a Pearl Jam cover show, so don't take that unique experience as a basis for the audience that frequents the place. But the atmosphere is really cool. On the second floor where the show is taking place, there are some free arcade games, as well as a pool table and a table football. The sound is really good, and the quality of the bands that played was incredible!!!! The only thing that wasn't perfect for me was the delay in starting the shows. This, in particular, frustrated me a little, but it didn't detract from the quality of the connection at all. However, for the next show, I'll be prepared for some delay.

Cool rock/punk bar with interesting decor, spacious seating, and large outdoor space with vines. Drinks were cheap and you can either order at the bar or have seated service. Some games, like foosball, but people tend to hog the tables so they should have a time limit.

One of the greatest bars in Canada! First floor has tons of space; great bartenders. Upstairs it's a bit of a maze but also very cool, an institution in Montreal; with good reason! $2 bottles of beer $4 glasses of wine Unheard of in Toronto, come to mtl!

Wow, I can't believe how long I've been going to Les Foufounes Electriques! I think I started going back in 2001 or 2002 when I was on tour, and nothing's changed. It's a dingy cash only punk rock/metal bar. I don't know, maybe it just reminds me of "back in the day" on tour times, but I like this spot. Didn't hurt that when I went in they had $4 La Fin du Monde bottles. Was that happy hour pricing or is it always that cheap? Wish I could rewind time and go here after a concert with a room full of people who saw the show and wanted to party!

I love this place because it reminds me the old University time!! We used to go there to drink and party, so much fun. I just went back with friends to celebrate a going away party for an employee and it has not changed, same super cheap pichet de biere et amazing ambience. I had forgotten about the downstairs bathrooms, these were a little scary. Seriously, we had amazing local craft beer in pitcher and the service was actually very good. The music was loud but we could still have conversation, it was fun to go back! Oh! And I forgot to say how cool that artwork is, super nice and creative!

I want to love this place because I love the music and the artwork everywhere but 2 stars fell off because of the pitiful service

GREAT, giant industrial looking music venue. We sat at the bar for a bit, then crept upstairs to the stage area for some hard core punk rock! Great find, but then it was exactly what we were looking to do on this day. Great venue, and Montreal is a fantastic music town.

A fun bar near Downtown and the Village with super cheap drinks. Loved the ambiance, the bartenders were cool, and the drinks kept flowing! What more do you need????

This has been a rock institution in Montreal for years, but now it's turned into TGIFriday-ish. Drinks are expensive, nice patio and rock paintings on the wall, but that's about it. Sad to see something that has so much history is now resorted to this.

Great spot. Really cool environment. Service was slow!!!!!!! No sense of urgency to get the 8 people without drinks any service or attention. Some guy that knows the bartender went right up and cut in front of everyone patiently waiting and got service. I would have stayed but it was a waste of drinking time. It's too bad. Felt like we could have had a really good time.

Very nice place to drink cheap beer and play pool. Cool place with not loudly music and not so busy.

This is exactly what I was looking for in a bar when I travel. Clearly mostly locals, and clearly a place which caters to the metal/punk/goth crowd. The crowd was super diverse, too. Like, this bar takes everyone. Saw some metal kids, some punk rockers, some goths, some frat boys, some club girls, and really ethnically diverse as well. Come as you are. This place accepts you. Pretty cheap prices, La Fin du Monde in the bottle, so A+ to that. Came here TWICE on our 5 day trip to Montreal. Once because it looked cool, and another time to pre-game before going a few doors down to Metropolis for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Pretty rad punk rock bartenders, too. Also, they have just one (sadly) arcade game which has like.... 600 arcade games in it from the 80s. And it's free to play. Rad metal artwork in here, too. Like, straight out of Alien or Fallout. Huge outdoor patio, which was nice on a hot day. Crazy artwork on the entire outside of the building, so don't forget to take a loop when you're here.

Montreal's answer to NY's CBGB's or Max's Kansas City (if you don't know those two places then you're not old enough to read this review) Foufounes heyday was definitely the late 1980's-early 90's, I remember seeing the likes of k.d lang, nitzer ebb, KMFDM and 808 State here. Going now, it's almost a let-down and you get the feeling they're just trying a little too hard to re-create the magic of those early days. Now it's all these affluent suburban kids "rebelling" and trying to come across as "hardcore" when you know in less than a couple of years from now, they'll be climbing those corporate ladders they so profess to hate right now. Wasn't always like that. Back in the day, things were grittier, the attitudes were fiercer, the music was much more authentic and so was the audience. Were we back in 1988, I'd give it a full 5 stars, but it's always sad to see a place live largely on it's reputation and not what it offers now so I'll have to give 2 stars.

Hell yes! Can I uproot this place and bring it back to Vancouver? This is one of the biggest alternative pubs I have been to, and one of the best. I was surprised that an establishment this big could exist without a kitchen, as I know the bylaws in Vancouver are VERY different when it comes to drinking. The cool thing about Montreal people is that they just like to drink and party, it doesn't matter that the place is "alternative" and attracts punks, goths, and alterna-jocks. We actually can all live together in one place! Hurray! I came here last time I was in Montreal, and we came back today for a mid-afternoon drink, and by the time we left, the place was overloaded with Habs fans, who are probably still getting shit-faced because the Habs won game 7! Woohoo! I started with a cesar and ended with a pitcher of sangria, and both were decent. At FouFounes, you will find yourself surrounded by photographic art, tables that have been decorated with band posters, and gates decorated with really cool iron sculptures. The DJ booth is especially rad, and one day I hope to grace it with my rock-n-roll styles. The bathrooms downstairs are spray painted with graffiti, and look super punk rock, and the men's room is great for a photo op - empty or not! J'adore Foufounes!

Pretty cool bar. Such a punk rock atmosphere. Service is okay, could be better. The bartenders tend to have a bad attitude if you ask them for advice on a drink or are unsure. Prices are very cheap but not strong. Pool tables are located in the back.

Popped in for a drink before a show elsewhere. I was astounded by the cheap drinks and great service. Judging by the reviews, I'll be sure to come back for the music :) Negative: Bathrooms are the turn knob kind and all only have 1/2 knob, could be cleaner as well

Really cool bar. Outdoor area is small, but plenty of tables to sit at. Also, enjoy the painted murals and live entertainment which seems to be happening all the time. The beers are reasonably priced, and there a decent selection. The bathrooms are hidden downstairs, but theres plenty of them and theyre clean. When i came here during the day there were artists doing a live painting series, which was awesome --never seen that happen at a bar or club. i dig this spot.

There are many reasons Foufs will always hold a special spot in my heart, but I'll break it down to three main points: 1) A Montreal institution with a wicked history of live performances. 2) An absolutely HUGE space complete with rotating decor, a large patio, pool tables, foosball, projector screens to watch the game, and a stage and dance floor upstairs where you can rage with the hardcore kids or get your white girl on, depending on the night. 3) STUPID cheap drink specials. I've seen 6$ pitchers, 1$ bottles, 2$ mixed drinks, the list goes on. Regardless of the night you go, you can pretty well bank on getting wasted on the cheap. I've had countless nights (and afternoons?) at foufs over the years and have yet to walk away from this place without a good story. Is this the same Foufs of decades past? Absolutely not. But this is as good a dive bar as you'll ever find, and has long since earned its place in Montreal music history.

I'm gearing this review to those over 25. Why, you may ask? Because it really is a place for high school, college and immature uni students. The music is good if you're into punk and metal. The drinks are standard. The bathrooms are terrible but since majority of the clientele is wasted, who the hell cares. Most of the women here will be barely legal (if that), and the guys will probably need to bathe. I say this with all sincerity, if the above isn't your scene then don't bother! There is nothing sadder than some mid-30's guy trying to fit in and hitting on teenage girls. In case you're wondering, I was a regular from my late teens until 21-22. I've had invites to go since, but uhhhh, no thanks...

inexpensive drinks. pool tables and arcade machines. crazy sculptures/art/paintings (steampunk spiders, anyone?). outdoor drinking area. solid music - definitely a metal/punk vibe to it, though on a Sunday night it was more 80s alternative. just an absolute blast of a bar to grab a drink at.

The giant spider is gone!!!!! (but the hippo head remains!) I haven't been here since 2006 and for my friend she hadn't been there for 7 years. We were checking out the scene at Under Pressure, when we saw the new mural going up, so we decided it could be a good time to chill have a beer and watch the artists at work. All the memories started rolling back, when my friend recognized the bouncer and was like "omg same guy has been working here for like 10 years." I guess they must be doing something right for their staff to keep em happy. We loved the $2.50 happy hour, and we loved the wide mix of people that were there. Miraculously ran into a few people that I have seen in ages too! Overall friendly and great atmosphere with people ranging from kids age (with their parents) to 60s. We chilled here for about 4 hours watching the mural transform, and chatting with people around us. Good times!

Atmosphere was okay, a bit too dark at my taste but nothing I couldn't get used to. Cheapest beer on Saturday's I've ever seen in any establishment. Crowd all in their 20's but seems to attract mostly ravers and bikers. Not really my type of people but I get along. I didn't stay long since the person I came with had to go but I heard that they made the floor concrete because it's easier to clean all the puke the customers usually produce. Needless to say I don't want to stay there after 11 when all the wannabe badasses realize they can't hold their beer as well as they thought they could and start spraying their entrails like a squirter in the middle of July. Wouldn't go back. It WILL be your thing if you're into punk/raves/hard metal.

Foufounes Électriques opened its doors in the early 80's and has become part of the Montreal Culture. With it's exotic decorations, it is a mandatory place if you are looking for an alternative place in Montreal. The bar is huge, with various spaces, including pool tables, the outside patios during the warmer months, and the upper floors were they usually have live music. It has been the stage for some very renown Rock / Punk and Metal concerts. The beer is cheap and there is a good variety. The crowd also varies so you are sure to see all sorts of people getting drunk and listening to good music.

Mixed feelings about this place. As a venue, it was interesting and had a lot going for it (like ample outdoor seating).. and the "basement" where the bathrooms were looked like a set from "Sid and Nancy". But in terms of music, I was *hoping* they would be playing goth/industrial music (as I'd read that had in the 80's/90's) but only Metallica and generic metal were rolling on the wheels of steel that night. The beer selection was also disappointing, especially in a city with so many great breweries. Finally, at 34, I was likely the oldest non-employee there. Since I feel like it's a landmark, I suppose it's worth checking out, but not a place I'd hang out at frequently if I were a Montrealer.

As I sauntered up the up the cold street of St. Catherine in my search to find the infamous "Foufs" I was surprised to find how underwhelming it was. Sure, the blaring thrash metal definitely was a change of pace if what you what typically experience in most local bars, but the people didn't seem to match the energy or aura of the place. It could've been off night of course (especially considering it was Monday) but it just didn't do anything for me and I was expecting the good people of Montreal to be more engaging. On the plus, they have great drink specials and the bartenders are cool. I may be back, but certainly on another night.

Cheap beer, good decoration, and free arcade games. Could do without the angsty nu-metal though.

many crackheads outside... and not in a funny way. the bartender was nice in helping us find another place to go to since this one was empty. to be fair it was a monday night i'm sure this place is super fun on friday or saturday but if you are a girl go in a group. not a safe area.

I was born and raised in Montreal and Fouf is one of the most important «alternative» (Punk, Metalhead, Industrial, Goth, Ska and even back in the day Skinhead) bar-club scene. I've been there 3-4 times and there two points of view on that place; An absolute fan that goes there every week-end or even the barfly living 30-40 hours a week there. And the other kind: the one that went a couple of time, had fun but wouldn't go there. If you'r a girl watch your drink and if you guy, watch out the next fight. There is a large ammount of staff to cover the large 2 floors places. Some of the best time I had there was on a Metal-Punk night, a 5$ cover and 1.25$ the freakin beer! CHAWING! Imagine! 40$ of alcohol can kill you! :P The ambiance was over the edge, really loud. Some random anglo spoke with me when i was pissing and another guy (before i was dressed like a wall-street booker) was pissed at me and wanted to fight. I ignored him, and i think somebody eslse wanted that fight too. It reminds me of a Modern Punk-Destroy version of a John Ford Western Bar fight. The other time that it was so fun was at a Show of Reverend Horton Heat who absolutely ROCK THE PLACE! some Rockabilly, young punkish-pin up, Punk and casual dudes were on a mush pit on that tiny little place where you can hardly understand why they're selling so much ticket. This place has pretty much EVERY GOOD UNDERGROUND Scene coming there. the show was intimate and pretty much 20$. a bit expensive BUT 1.25$ per Beer deal was there to make me forgot I've paid 20$ for a show in a place like 50 ft. by 30 ft.

It's a nice place to drink a beer and listen some good music, i went on champions finale, and there was alone, so... it's more for a night time.

My favourite bar in Montreal! Reasonable drink prices, great happy hour prices and some of the best bar staff I've ever encountered. Great shows and great vibe to the whole place. It's pretty clean for a punk and metal bar but still nice and gritty! I like how you can still go to the bar downstairs even if you don't want to go to see whatever band is playing upstairs. Great bar.

The downstairs area of this place was great. There was lots of indoor and outdoor areas to sit and hang out, creepy bathrooms with pop rocks in French and great art work. The upstairs area, where bands play, was terrible! I could barely see anything and the low hanging ceiling was a main cause of this. Unless I got dragged 12 hours from my house back to here, I probably would not see another show here. Good for drinking, bad for bands.

They tend to be unprepared for pouzzafest and don't handle the bracelet system well leaving many paying participants unsatisfied. Would not recommend.

Great club with good music. Since we went on a Tuesday night the place wasn't too crowded which was perfect if you wanted to dance on some throwbacks. Also, the staff was extremely friendly,especially Sylva the bartender who was really nice to us when we ordered our drinks, which were inexpensive (6$ for a pitcher of Bud). Overall great night and we'll definitely be going back soon.

La Fin du Mondes. :) I wouldn't have known about this place, much less have gone here if it weren't for my wonderful traveling companion's distaste for the club scene and everything hip-hop/pop. We were on yelp trying to find a bar that wasn't moonlighting as a club... and we found this place. It's not as rock-centric as we were expecting.. perhaps more punky than anything, but that suited us just fine. There's a downstairs which is cool- this place really is awesome looking- the art, lights, people... but- go upstairs. Pay the $8 at the coat check and do it... it's a maze (well, for someone like me who's somewhat directionally challenged, it is.) of people, bars, music, mosh pits... lots going on. We were on a bit of a budget (did you know that many (if not all??) ATMs in Canada don't take Visa??- we didn't.) and it was go up & watch or stay down & drink. We stayed down & drank (and I watched tennis... lol). I was curious though, about where all these people were going. I went up to the bouncer and asked him what was up there. He told me, and then I asked him if I could go up & look around, and he said YES! Are bouncers supposed to be nice??? So, I came back to my friend and reported basically what I reported to you. Next time we come back we're going upstairs!

I paid 10$ with my friends to go upstairs to the dance floor. I went to the bathroom quickly while my friends got their tickets. Not a minute after my friends entered upstairs they didn't let enter because the bar was apparently closing earlier than I expected because of daylight savings. I told him they just let my friends upstairs and that she didn't tell me that you wouldn't be letting me in if I went to the bathroom. The guy very aggressively told me to go take it up with the lady who sold me the ticket, so i did. I asked for my money back because I didn't get what I paid for and they weren't having it. After being insistent that I get a refund and that I speak with her manager she called the bouncer and threw me out of the bar. On top of that I asked a bartender for water and she never came back to bring me anything and the bartender gave my friend who naively asked for a pitcher of guinness a disdainful look. Terrible service, hostile staff and a complete scam. Never going back.

This may sound like an oxymoron, but this is the best metal bar with a relaxed atmosphere around As someone who enjoys heavy metal and music with a harder edge to it, it's nice to have a place that plays nothing but music of this nature. The best part is that they appear to have hit the perfect decibel balance. The music is loud enough to enjoy but not loud to the point of having to shout at the person right next to you. It truly is a place where you can sit back and relax with some friends with great music playing in the background. I'd be remiss if I forgot to mention the staff. From the people working the door to the servers, everyone is very friendly. Oh, and the best part? The beer is cheap. Sure, the selection isn't what I'm used to seeing at most of the bars and restaurants in Vermont, but it's not like they are serving swill, either.

We went here looking for some rock and roll music after getting hitched in Montreal. We were told this is the place to go for some punk rock. Unfortunately, the punk rock is only played on the upper floors (where you have to pay a cover), so we stuck to the main floor, where the music was an odd drum and base with a hint of house. The drinks were pretty cheap, the atmosphere was pretty awesome and they had some really cool art on the walls. I would probably go back if they played better music with no cover.

Went here on a Weds night after binge eating some indian food and on the verge of puking. Bartendress was really nice, the music was awesome -- whoever had the ipod playing had Highwaymen on and then later Tom Waits and I was astounded. Had to run home to vomit unfortunately but vowed to come back the following day. Little did I know, every 16-20-year-old in Montreal would be in line to get in there the following day. I tried to surpass the bouncer by telling him I was there yesterday but apparently that information wasn't enough to get in.

Yes this place is really nice. Has a great atmosphere, good drinks, and the music was good. I'd come here again if I come back to Montreal.

local watering hole for getting wasted on a budget. good shows never too pricey awesome specials. I like my bars grimey and this one is perfect

The venue was pretty cool and the music was great but service was unattainable. We stood at the bar for 30 minutes waiting to get a round of drinks. We had to leave as we weren't willing to wait another 30 for a second round.

no very impressed. Bar tenders were beyond rude, and inisting you tip, hounding you to tip. Really not cool.

I grew up a couple hours from the border and went to Montreal a lot in my teens, but was always somewhat disappointed with the St Catherine bar scene and the club type places that always played awful music. I found this place through a couple MTL punk sites and thought it seemed like a good place to unwind after a concert. A friend and I stopped in here after Warped Tour this past summer - we found a really cool mix of young and old rock/punk/metal fans just trying to have a good time. We paid the cover to get into the upper floors and it was totally worth it. The vibe was great and we made tons of new Canadian friends. Definitely looking forward to coming back here on my next visit to Montreal.

I don't go as often as I would like but every time I do I have a great time! This is the most excellent dive bar Montreal has to offer. The above 30 crowd tends to stay on the terrasse or downstairs, but the party tends to happen on the dance floor! This is the type of bar you can go to alone or with friends and still have an amazing time. Enjoy some cheap beer and dance your ass off to some punk / metal music! yeah! Foufs is an institution and makes me feel like I'm 20 again.

If heavy metal is your vibe then this is the place for you. We weren't quite expecting the place to be as hardcore as it was. It wasn't super packed and I can't speak to alcohol prices but the coat check and upper level entry are cheap, $2 and $5 respectively. The security guy followed us into the women's restroom which I found a little strange. The place was overwhelmingly occupied by men. It's not a very friendly or inviting space. If this kind of place was my scene I'm sure it would've been fine though so 2 Stars from me.

If you've never been here before, it's definitely worth a visit. However, if you've been to it more than 60 times over the course of a decade like I have, you might find that it loses its magic. The novelty is over (for me, anyway). The first floor tends to have more of a pub-like atmosphere and usually has an older clientele. I learned about tipping here in 2003, on the first floor. I sat at a table with my friends and after I bought a beer, the server asked me where the hell his tip was. I told him I'd give him a tip at the end of the night and he indignantly insisted that he wanted one after each time he gave a beer. I still think that sort of tipping system is insane, but I guess it just is the way it is. The first floor is also where you will begin and end each night at Foufs. You will begin the night by checking your coat or bag in on the first floor and will end the night drunkenly rocking back and forth while impatiently clutching your coat check ticket amongst a crowd of equally drunk and equally impatient people. The coat check girls are almost always hot and almost always stressed out as hell. This is also usually the moment that it will dawn on you that you have to take a cab. Following this is the moment where it will dawn on you that everyone else also had that realization and will be competing with you for cabs. Happy hunting! I'm getting ahead of myself - on to the second floor. You gain access to the second floor if you pay a cover, usually. It's usually worth it. The bouncer puts a stamp on your hand that won't wash off in the shower the next day. The second floor is where all the action is at Foufs though, in my opinion. You will find cheaper beer, sometimes a live band or three, an open mosh pit, loud punk/rockabilly/metal/rock music blasting from speakers, and at least two hundred young-ish drunk people wearing black. It's not really for the faint of heart, but it is incredibly entertaining to just people-watch here. I've seen a 65 year old punk with a mohawk kiss a 20 year old, and I've seen people eat glass, for example, and believe me when I say that that's just the tip of the iceberg. Just the very tip. There is a third floor as well, which is essentially the same thing, except you can look down at the people on the second floor to judge them more efficiently. On some nights they will play different genres, but I've found that on most Saturday nights, metal and punk generally dominate, so if you don't like those genres you probably won't enjoy yourself on the second or third floors. I must be getting old or something, because this place just doesn't do it for me anymore. When it's packed, sometimes the bouncers will get people to line up a certain way so that it takes over an hour to get in, and you only find out how long it's going to be once you're literally trapped in this one tiny corridor and see the sea of people ahead of you, also trapped. In the blistering cold, this is not exactly fun. I'm also completely over it when it comes to the second floor, as I have way less patience for people's aggressiveness (in the smoking area especially). I will always have fond memories of Foufs. Everyone should try it out at least once. However, I'm pretty sure this buttcheek's been tapped out for me.

Horrible bounce staff, unnecessarily rough and rude, they exhibit disgusting behaviour and make me want to never go back again.

A cool spot. Downstairs is rock music, upstairs is a dance club with Top 40. Drinks are cheap.

took a roadtrip to montréal last weekend and stopped by this joint for some beers. it's right off st. laurent street, where all the excitement happens, so you can't miss the massive neon sign. downstairs was chill, pool tables, tons of places to kick it with your friends. upstairs, $9CAD cover. loud, but great crowd, early to mid-20's (though they didn't card us, so i'm sure a few underaged kiddies were roaming about). great if you're into rock and metal. and if you've ever wondered where all the good-looking people are, this is the place. also, i'm marking this as inexpensive, because coming from new york, a $4CAD beer is good isht.

I spent many nights of my youth here in the eighties. It's a great place for a punk or Metal concert. Attended a concert here recently and not much has changed. Cheap drinks, music slanted towards alternative, punk and Metal. This place is the complete opposite of the trendy bars you would find on Crescent street. Just relax, have a beer and enjoy the music, no one to impress here. Again just like the eighties, I headed... or stumbled to the Montreal Poolroom for steamed hot dogs after last call.

This place is huge. It's a bar (street level) and a night club (upstairs, 5$ cover). The music was mainly rock, hard rock, electro rock et hip hop when I was there. The smoking areas outside have heaters, which is perfect during the cold winter days. The drinks are cheap. The people there are mainly in their early 20's.