NsurMackay

The bar tender T was really amazing, as someone who does not know a lot about alcohol and what I would enjoy, she was able to recommend and make something for me that was both delicious and exactly what I didn't know I needed! I definitely recommend it. It's a nice and welcoming environment with friendly staff and a nice ambience.

Perfect place to go queerbaiting. Wait staff said they liked our vibe so had a great time. As much as I am comfortable in myself I do love external validation. Is that so wrong? Anyways drinks were sweet and cute and served in teacups and ambience was loud enough that pretentious conversation wasn’t heard but quiet enough that I didn’t have to scream. Good

This bar didn’t just serve us drinks. It served us purpose. We came in thirsty and left spiritually awakened. Best bar in Montreal, hands down. And trust me, we’ve done the research. Jesse had already clocked out, but still dove into the depths of the back room to find a bottle of Japanese whiskey my husband ordered. Man was off the clock and still giving 110%. Legend status unlocked. And let’s not forget Shane -funny, welcoming, and clearly running on vibes and pure charisma. Between him and Jesse, this place is basically the Avengers of bartending. The atmosphere? Immaculate. But the real MVPs are the staff. Friendly, hilarious, and somehow all have the vibe of your funniest friend who also makes great cocktails. They’re the heartbeat of this place. I’d protect them with my life. If you’re in Montreal and don’t come here.. rethink your life choices. This bar will change your life. You’ll leave buzzed, blessed, and maybe a little in love (probably with Jesse… or Shane).

very nice place, barmaid really knew her stuff. met someone nice here and had a good conversation made better by the nice atmosphere. I'd come back every day if I could.

Really quaint and nice cocktail bar with creative and diverse drink options. Friendly staff, cozy atmosphere with it being tucked away on the lower level. Wish we had more time to stay and try some other drinks. As a plus, good snacks on offer if you’re feeling peckish.

This place is good to go for drinks and have a chill talk with friends :D the service was kind and the place have a nice atmosphere.

To be honest is one of the best bars ever! I love the ambience, the service is perfect and so friendly! We had a waitress extremely nice and charming! We took the cocktail of the week that is cheaper and I don't have any complain...Delicious! We love it so much that we went to dinner and we decided to return to continue trying their cocktails! All the drinks that we tried were delicious! For sure I will return! I really recommend this place!

Terrific dark lit and old style feel. Very good scotch and whiskey selection as well as some interesting cocktails. The staff didn’t really know too much about the whiskeys so wasn’t a great help but the selection was great. The bar itself is very quiet and feels intimate though spacious. Highly recommend visiting for a drink if you’re in the area. Went here again and got a nice ‘flight of the month’ which was very well presented. The place was full but we managed to grab a seat. The bar was out of a couple things that we wanted which was unfortunate but all in all another great experience. The only thing was it was busy so service was a little slow. The bartender was also the server so could have used some help! Returned again and had a fantastic Friday afternoon. The staff was lovely and the owner was working. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the whisky selection. Some great rare options too!

Here after dinner in the area on a Sunday night. Chill atmosphere but utterly disappointing service. There are barely any customers and the bartender is just busy chatting w his friends. Not sure how it's so highly rated on google maps reviews. Is it a racist thing going on here? Our glasses have been empty for quite some time now but he's not even looking over at us and impossible to disengage him from whatever heated conversation he's having w his friend. Friend had the cocktail #2 and I had the mojito. For the price, those drinks were poorly made. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else!

They have a special cocktail that's $6.75 before 7pm. Beers and straight liquor are also $6.75 before 7pm. Crazy deal!! The cocktail of the week was "November Rain" when we went. It wasn't very strong, but tasted pretty good. The bartender was very nice. Really great bar.

One of my favourite bars for happy hour downtown. A little hole in the wall, sometimes I even walk past by mistake. While maybe not the most beautiful looking inside the vibe is retro, with a slight 1920's feel which you get more when it's quiet and dimly lit. I only come here to get my cocktail fix, and normally get the cocktail of the week which if you order before 8pm is only 6$. It changes every week and they aren't on the menu. Once they even made a past cocktail of the week on special request. So if you like a cocktail remember when you came and if they aren't busy they might be able to hook you up. The bar is is extensive and I'm pretty sure you can ask for anything you want actually. No lack of selection here. Order at the bar for the fastest service.

Very intimate and timeless place. Whether it was the stylish entry way or the bottles of wine-by-the glass displayed in an ice bath at the bar, the whole place looked lovely. Service was expedient both in terms of wait staff outreach and in actual order to delivery time of the cocktail. I joined a group already seated and had my cocktail quicker than it took me to actually go through the menu which is a challenge with proper recipes. The drink itself was the Elderflower Remedy and man oh man if all the drinks taste that good this place is dangerous. It was absolutely delicious and even came garnished with physalis, I was very impressed. All the cocktails at the table came in their own glasswares, stemless wine glasses, coupe, goblet etc. The cocktails were also all fairly priced which isn't usually the case and I will certainly be back for another Elderflower Remedy, so good!

If you're in the downtown area and in search of a good cocktail look no further than N sur Mackay. You could say that it is inspired by the speakeasy concept because it is easy to walk right by this cocktail bar and miss it. There is only a small sign that says, "Bar" on the front. The bar is non-pretentious and in summer they have a small terrasse where you can sit and enjoy the warm weather. Despite the fact that it was a sunny, summer Sunday my friend and I had no trouble getting seated and served. Their menu features a mix of classic cocktails like the mojito and their own creations. I tried two of their own unique drinks as well as a Negroni because I am a fan of those. All three were enjoyable and reasonably priced though they could have been slightly stronger. The Negroni was probably my favourite. Service here is very attentive and our waitress was very welcoming. She checked on us frequently and we actually ended up chatting with her quite a bit. They do a good job of looking after customers here. As someone who enjoys cocktails I had a great experience here. It's the perfect place to come for a 5 a 7. It's nice to see a place like this downtown.

Happened upon this bar when my partner and I were exploring the neighborhood and looking for a spot to enjoy an afternoon libation. We happened to enjoy the heck out of this cozy spot nestled a half story below ground, and it was all the more enjoyable to pass a storm with the extremely kind bar staff and locals inside :) SHORTLIST OF GREAT THINGS HERE: -Cozy Irish bar -Incredible gin selection -Awesome staff (bartender Jennifer was terrific, so kind and attentive! Bar owner Natasha also superb!) -Wonderful regulars happened to be at the bar and lended to great conversation Lovely time with the folks and their offerings!!! Highly recommend, rain or shine!

My first stop in Canada. Friendly ppl. Too quiet for a Friday night. They did have a lot of cocktails.

I had a hard time deciding between 3 stars or 4 stars, but considering the bartender was super sweet I'm going to bump it to 4 stars. On a weekday my friend and I decided to check this place out on our bar hop. Yelp said it was open, however when we got there it appeared to be closed (door locked, no one seemed to be around). As we were about to leave the door opened and the bartender let us in. Not sure if it was just an off night (I believe it was a Tuesday) or the weather (a bit cool), but no one was in the bar. We had it to ourselves. She said it had been pretty quiet all night and was thinking to close up, but let us in. How nice. We did offer to leave so she could go home early but she insisted we stay for a drink :) We sat at the bar, had a drink and just chatted with the bartender for the next hour or so. We didn't get the full experience had we come here when it was busy, but that's ok. I've never been in a bar when it's been empty so this was a nice chance to actually talk to the bartender.

What a delightfully unpretentious cocktail bar. The drinks are well thought-out; the seating is comfortable and mismatched; the crowd is casually-dressed and the service is fantastic. On a quiet day it's the kind of place you could probably make a friend in. Last time we visited there appeared to be some sort of group trivia night (at a cocktail bar!) My first visit I was a little sceptical because so much of the cocktail menu was vodka-centric. Not my fave liquor. Fortunately the mixologist was more than willing to swap in some gin in lieu for consistently amazing drinks. Whiskey drinkers- the whiskey of the week has yet to be a bust. I highly recommend whatever the staff recommends. They very clearly know their business.

I loved this bar! Best bar we visited while during our entire stay in Canada! Lots of scotch's to choose from and why also has a great selection of gin. GREAT BARTENDER, super chill crowd, I could of lost hours hanging out in this place. The prices are very reasonable too.

What a great speakeasy bar. And even better since it was the next street over from our AirBnB. My boyfriend and I came here for a night cap. We really enjoyed the tasty cocktails and the great ambiance. They had table games/ cards on the bar. Our service was spectacular. The bartenders were nice and helpful.

This place is amazing! I love that it has the fun ambiance and comfort of a local dive bar, but the impressive drink menu of an upscale cocktail bar. I only tried the refresher, and it tasted exactly how it sounds - refreshing. My date LOVED his calvados drink too. We'll be coming back for sure.

After dinner, the gf and I were looking for a good cocktail after dinner and stumbled upon N Sur Mackey. It is a bit hard to see at first because the entrance is lower than the street. The look and feel has a New York kinda vibe, I love it. The gf ordered the Moscow Mule while the I enjoyed an Old Fashioned. Both cocktails were well made and hit the spot. The bartenders were friendly, and the atmosphere was very cool.

Amazing place! I went there for a drink on an Sunday evening and everything felt so...Right! This is the kind of place where the locals and the regulars mingle with the new kids on the block because here everybody is seeking the same thing: A cocktail done right by a crew of passionate patrons. The bar is stocked with a large and extensive array of imported and local liquors. The bartenders are amazing and know their art! Don't be shy, ask anything your heart desire! But really ask for the "tartelette au citron" that is just a boozy lemon pie served in a fancy glass. Can I get an other round? :D

Wonderful cocktail bar. I'm so happy with the mixes we had and so were my friends I believe. Had to follow the directions from the Yelp app not to miss the entrance, if you have read the reviews you would know to look for the N sign. Once inside we kind of quickly chose the tall tables in the front section of the bar, behind you will find rooms with more comfy seating and relaxing vibe. A little bit more work on the interior and different music choices, and this bar can become a perfect speakeasy spot downtown, for now there are too many leftovers reminding of the previous pub owners. But really who cares when you are there for the delicious drinks. Before going back to my experience with the mixes I have to mention the impressive list of whiskeys. N sur MaCkay could be definitely a very good whiskey bar, but luckily they also mix cocktails. Their Bloody Caesar was pretty good, may be not the best in town, but carefully thought through and executed with love. The winner of the night is the Smoke and Heat cocktail. I love smokey whiskeys and this is the first time I have seen somebody to dare mixing 10 year old Laphroaig in a cocktail. Unusual in the beginning it grows on you and it was so unbelievably good that I had to have another one. It was not exactly a refined mix, it had a brute force and the citrusy ingredients enhanced its strength, a must have experiment for whiskey lovers. I'm certainly back as there were so many more interesting mixes to savour and the cocktail of the week can keep you coming even if you are done with the menu.

How I wish, wish, wish I lived down the street so this could be my neighborhood bar. This is exactly everything a neighborhood bar should be: not overly crowded, friendly, unpretentious, affordable, with drinks that just knock your socks off, that are even dreamy. The drink that won my heart was the tartlette citron, with quebecois gin, lemon juice, olive oil, and a dash of vanilla. It was light and perfectly balanced, not overly sweet, yet refreshing and with all the lovely freshness of a lemon pie. And I don't even like sweet drinks or dessert all that much. A friend of mine had a strawberry balsalmic drink which was similarly novel yet balanced and just perfect. I also enjoyed the teq-uito, with tequila and a hint of ginger and lime, a nice summertime drink. The space is warm and inviting and not ornate. It felt like visiting your friend's incredible home basement bar with the most delicious cocktails. The bartenders were knowledgeable and clearly proud of their craft, yet not at all snooty.

Quite possibly my favorite bar in all of MTL. Has a chill, speakeasy feel to it with friendly and knowledgeable staff. The drinks are fantastic - and affordable. The specials are amazing. And the bartenders are willing to tailor your drink to you. Love, love, love this place!

Drove up from Boston and Stumbled in on a private NYE event. One of the employees was super nice and invited us to crash. Drinks and music were great! Will definitely come back!

N sur Mackay is truly a hidden gem in downtown Montreal (seriously, you might just walk right past it). Every time I come here I wind up spending hours talking to the other patrons; it's that kind of place. It is a magnet for interesting, funny folks who have stories to tell and I always try to snag a seat at the bar so I don't miss out. I recently found out this place is named after the owner (hence the "N"), a really lovely woman who was offering us cookies while we sat at the bar! Always happy to come here for a nice cocktail or a beer with my boyfriend and we leave with great memories every time.

On a night when JJ and I were bar-hopping, N Sur Mackay stood out with the best cocktails. When we walked into the tiny bar, two seats opened up as if by magic, and we happily sat down. This was the most crowded establishment we visited all night, but I really enjoyed vibe; this bar would be a great place to take a date for a drink. I decided that I was in the mood for something fun, and immediately ordered an espresso martini. The airy cocktail that arrived moments later was equal parts delicious and powerful; I restrained myself and sipped it slowly, although I could have easily demolished it in a few gulps. Skillful cocktails combined with a cozy atmosphere made this bar one of my favorite spots of the night.

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this spot while waiting for a show to start at the nearby jazz club. We were thrilled with the find and a little sad to spend only a half hour there! The bartender asked us if we liked gin (which we really, really do!) and we were sold. He pulled out 4-5 varieties of gin, 2 that were just brought in, and offered us his twist on a gin & tonic. The bartender and (I'm assuming) manager were fun to talk to, very genuine and know their products (booze) well! They really know what makes a quality drink and quality service. We're sure to go back next time we're in Montreal!

you know when you have been to bars but never remember their name (which is ridiculous because in this case it's only one letter). N sur Mackay is a great small in the hole kind of bar. Dim lit, cute bar with old style seating .The cocktail game is strong for 10$ each- nice vibe- without the tavern or clubby feel.

Great place! The entrance is easy to miss so make sure to look for the N sign! The bartenders are always very friendly. The drinks are strong and will set you back around $9-$10. I've tried the majority of the drinks on the menu and then some! The bartenders will make you anything you want. I've tried multiple drop shots. Ask for the jolly rancher or the lifesaver if you like drop shots! My favorite drinks are the oh sweet sweet sangria, whiskey sour, and lemon tartlet. If you are looking for a bar that doesn't cheap out on their liquor, definitely go to N Sur Mackay!

Cute little speakeasy. I've come here a handful of times. Most of the cocktails I've had here have been great! The elderflower remedy and black cherry bourbon are excellent. Staff is always very warm and welcoming. Overall this place is very easy to settle into. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a quiet place with chill music to sit and talk with friends.

We enjoyed a thoroughly civilised evening at N sur Mackay. In terms of decor, their lounge has a relatively high quirk factor. Their classic soundtrack is pervasive (but not invasive) and well-curated. The servers are helpful, maintaining a good balance between attentiveness and privacy. The menu has a variety of excellent suggestions for all types of flavour profiles, but their bar is well-balanced enough to allow them to make old standards, as well. I enjoyed an elderflower cocktail and a Brooklyn before a round of Fernet-Branca shots.

The place is super cozy and warm .. perfectly located. We ordered 2 sangria pitchers .. absolutely beautiful. However I asked the waitress for a suggestion on the best drink which is very common in India , in return got attitude . "Whatever's on the menu is on the menu!" ... probably not the culture here ! Oops!! I forgot my mom made scarf luckily they were kind enough to keep it rest you will start starving after a while as theres no food or titbits options ! Otherwise , awesome place to go with your group ! Cheers!!

So disappointed in myself for not discovering this gem sooner. If you are cocktail-obsessed like I am you have to come here. N sur Mackay is a cozy and quaint basement speakeasy- it's very easy to miss from the outside. I had the Bam and Smoke & Heat cocktails. The former cocktail is a twist on The Last Word (gin, chartreuse, maraschino liqueur) and even though I loved it I have to admit I can't stop thinking about the Smoke and Heat. I think it's made with Laphroaig and it's just incredible. The Islay single malt brings a smokiness that unexpectedly pairs well with the sweetness from the sugar and hint of heat from the chili flakes. I can't wait to bring everyone I know here and make this my new neighbourhood bar.

Some great memories made here on my travels. Stopped in for a quick drink as I was passing by. Almost looks like a bar in the basement of a brownstone (and technically, may be). Nonetheless, ordered a drink and was guided by the bartender to find a gin that suited what I was looking for. What stood out was how friendly the folks were. There was a group drinking next to me - regulars from what it seemed like - who invited me to join them. We ended up having a few rounds together and a ton of laughs. Clearly, my rating is biased based on my experience which may be unique (or maybe not). But I'd highly recommend checking it out.

This place was perfect! It felt like I was back in Prague for a little while. Great drinks, amazing bartenders, good prices, and a lovely atmosphere. Very intimate and quiet in a way that was enjoyable but not boring.

I was visiting Montreal and stumbled upon the yelp deal for here, $5 off is a good deal, so my boyfriend and I left our hotel and went looking. Luckily I had read other reviews and knew to look for the "N" and with eyes peeled we found it and descended the stairs. The subterranean bars in Montreal are great (Philly doesn't do it) but this place had such a speak easy vibe that it felt extra satisfying to go into the ground in search of a cocktail. Our bartender was sweet, helpful, and very skilled because our 2 cocktails disappeared very easily. We both got the special which was a spin on a whiskey sour and I can't stress enough what a wonderful and under utilized ingredient egg white it. Anyway, if you are in Montreal definitely stop in for a perfectly constructed cocktail.

What a great shabby chic, out of time, sunken little cocktail bar with amazingly talented mixologists who probably don't care about being called that. Romantic corners in what used to be an old school divey pub... small, friendly, with excellent drinks - this is kind of everything you need to know. It's easy to miss this bar so watch out for the N then slink down the small stairs. The bar is dim and perfect for a solo drink at the bar, a quiet conversation with friends, or (as mentioned) sexy date vibes. I'll take this spot over the dozen other local "cocktail" bars that look the same with their huge wood tables and edison bulbs and waitresses in revealing outfits who would just a soon serve you a round of jager shots as a sazerac. To be clear, I respect those ladies and the werk they do, I just get bummed in bars that all look the same. One of the better options in this part of downtown.

Great local bar, stumbled upon this gem with my fiance 2 years ago when we arrived to Montreal and returned this past weekend. Great innovative cocktails and the bartenders are super friendly. The gave us great suggestions about where and what to do in Montreal. Great music choices and open late!

This drink was wack. I had an old fashioned and I had a feeling it wasn't going to be good just based on they way the bartender was moving along.

I looooove this place. Delicious, strong drinks and wonderful staff! You can even order delivery to the place if you're hungry for a meal. They never disappoint. Try their Moscow mule mmm

I'm sorry. This is literally one of the worst bars I have ever been to in my life. I am a bartender. I live in NYC. We were here in Montreal for a friend's wedding and found this place on Yelp. I don't know who was reviewing this place before, which is why we came, but it is just about the furthest thing from a speakeasy one could ever find. It's more like an old basement Irish pub that had a few old tables put in, and decided to buy some glass plates to put gross stuff on, then never clean it. I ordered the whisky sour on the menu. It was the sweetest whisky cocktail I've ever had. Nothing sour about it. The menu description said it had egg whites, but then the bartender poured the egg white from a carton bought at the store. And sugar all around the rim. And the whisky was Jim Beam Devil (terribly sweet) that I overheard them say they accidentally bought, so they decided to put it in the cocktail. Needless to say, I tasted it, declined, and had a Jameson on the rocks. I hate to post a bad review, I really do, but good God, this place is just straight out of Bar Rescue. I actually feel bad for the bartenders. The owners obviously don't care at all, because the bar staff has no clue how to make a proper cocktail. It's not their fault. Also, the bartender was on her phone the whole time and being super loud and gossiping about the BS happening in the bar. I don't mind a bartender being on their phone, but it was totally obnoxious. This was definitely not the kind of place that people came to escape prohibition. Like I said, I am a bartender. I know how it goes. This place. Do not go here. I hope the owners call Jon Taffer.

Amazing cocktails, they can make anything! Super fun staff met some really nice people.

Since January, I've been coming to this bar more and more frequently. It's got a great atmosphere and almost all the bartenders are fantastic. I've had amazing experiences whenever Jesse is making the drinks (others too, but he's the only one I know by name). The selection of drinks is incredible and I've never been nervous thinking that a group of friends won't have a good time there. Generally, the people are working are attentive, friendly and make great suggestions when someone seems overwhelmed by alcohols and cocktails. I'm pulling down one star though, because I do feel discouraged whenever I see one short-haired woman behind the bar. On the occasions that I've been there and seen her while walking in, I know that my table will almost never be visited and we'll have to impatiently go to the bar for all of our orders throughout the night. She seems to take an enormous number of smoke breaks and just generally carries an air of apathy. I don't expect everyone in the customer service industry to be a ball of sunshine, but it doesn't seem okay to have both that sort of attitude AND a bad work ethic. My friends and I are going to keep coming back again and again for that music, aesthetic, atmosphere, and, of course, the drinks. It's too good of a Montreal space to leave alone.

I love this little spot! Great drinks, the staff is awesome and the ambiance is comfortable and chill. I would recommend this place hands-down as one of my fav spots in the area. I can't say enough about the staff, they are friendly, knowledgeable and fun! The drink list is extensive and they have a great selection of Scotch (if that's your thing).

I love this place. But. I have only ever stopped by for a 5à7 or for a petit apéro, so for me, it's like a cool, whiskey bar with a speakeasy feel. For all I know, during normal nighttime hours it might magically turn into a noisy dive of the sort that I would have adored about a decade ago. Fab cocktail menu, with great specials. Reasonable prices. Super great service - both bartenders that I've met have taken great care of us.

I was staying at the Hi-Montreal hostel nearby and the good Yelp reviews led me to N sur Mackay. The bartender was very engaging and sweet. She gave us plenty of suggestions of what to do around Montreal, seeing as it was our first time visiting. She was thoughtful in her preparations of the drinks- we ordered a pitcher of Pimpin' Sangria, and she asked about our preferences in taste and continually tweaked the drink until she was satisfied with its flavour. The ambiance was very cozy as well. I do believe we'll return here on future visits to Montreal.

My friend and I was looking for a close place for drinks near Concordia because of the heavy snow. It is a little hard to find because it is underground. I really loved the atmosphere. It was not noisy, people were talking to each other and having their own fun. It is a really good place if you want to spend the whole night chatting with your friends. The drinks are amazing. I ordered the le Mackay, and I love the flavor of the cinnamon.

Super creative menu, fantastic staff, beautiful glassware and amazing cocktails- this is a GREAT bar.

I went there recently on two different occasions for whiskey tastings. and thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the tastings, stories as well as the staff and regulars who were there.

Friendly staff and great cocktails. Perfect pre-dinner drink before heading to Nora Gray. They even have Frenet Branca if you're into Argentinian cocktails.

I almost don't want other people to know about this place because I like the low key atmosphere of this place. It is not too crowded, so you don't have to shout to each other to talk. Their cocktails are amazing as well. I forgot the name of my drink but it was a pear-flavoured cocktail. It was refreshing and not too sweet. I would definitely come back again.

A Hidden Gem! It's a great little cozy, old-time cocktail bar with friendly knowledgeable servers. They have an awesome "QNA" trivia night (pub quiz) every Wednesday night with a ton of prizes and interesting questions. Not to mention a great selection of whiskeys and, more limited but still great, selection of beers.

Super friendly bartender and really great drinks! It's pretty small and intimate, great place to just talk and learn more about Montreal from the bartenders. Reasonably priced drinks for how good they are!

Great drinks , expect some nice attention to detail Came here on Friday night place was busy ! Martini espresso is awesome !

Whether to just get a couple cocktails and leave or actually hanging out with the owner and bartender, this is absolutely the place the be! This is one of those bars I'd called my own if I live here. Honestly an amazing place and so much more to discover off the menu.