Two people sip on a Tiki Bowl. Right: An enormous cocktail available in Montreal.
As summer comes to a close, so begins the annual tradition of flocking to Montreal terrasses in order to make the most of the fleeting warm weather.
That said, there is another way to squeeze more drinks out of the few summer nights we have left: order bigger drinks.
Whether you love fruity beverages or prefer the spicy twist of a Caesar, these Montreal bars have XXL drink options to suit anyone's tastes. Here's a roundup of the city's best ginormous cocktails — some of which may very well be bigger than your head (all the more reason to avoid thinking about the cold weather coming our way).
And, hey, if you don't make it to these spots before the summer ends, you can always grab some friends and drown your winter blues in a massive cocktail, enjoyed indoors.
Cheers!
Milky Way Cocktail Bar
Address: 1886, rue Centre
Why You Need To Go: Located in the Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood, Milky Way Bar is known for its innovative drinks and jaw-dropping decor. It was even ranked one of Canada's top 30 bars of 2024!
Between the beautiful skylight ceiling, fun tiki-style knickknacks, and eclectic multi-coloured lighting, a trip to Milky Way feels like an intergalactic fever dream — and that's just a bonus on top of the excellent beverages.
Their cocktails, on average, are quite large, but the Preach's Peach is the showstopper. Served in a huge swan-shaped chalice, the sweet and tasty mix of peach vodka, peach liqueur, coconut, lemon and vanilla is definitely worth tasting.
Snowbird Tiki Bar
Address: 6388, rue Saint-Hubert
Why You Need To Go: This fun and inventive tiki bar has a colourful cave-like atmosphere with beautiful hanging lanterns and an interesting piece of decor everywhere you look (including a blowfish light). That said, there's also an outdoor terrasse if you're looking for an ambiance that's less dark.
While Snowbird Tiki Bar has a number of gigantic drink options, the Tiki Bowls are a must-try. There are four different types to choose from, two of which come with a flaming centrepiece.
Tacos Lakalaka
Address:
- 4110, rue Saint-Denis
- 3459, rue Ontario E.
Why You Need To Go: At this delicious Mexican restaurant on Saint-Denis, you can get more than just a good taco.
Almost every drink on the menu is available in a larger size, including the Margaritas and bright blue Pitufos — and when they say "large," they mean it. Michelados come in 44-ounce glasses, beer comes in buckets or three-litre towers and you can even order a flight of tequila featuring 10 double shots.
Many of the drinks are sweet and colourful — perfect for sharing with a friend or having all to yourself. Plus, the decorations they put on top, like candies and rubber ducks, add a little bit of fun to the already instagram-worthy beverages.
Taco & Margarita
Address: 6445, boul. Monk
Why You Need To Go: This new Ville-Émard restaurant doesn't disappoint when it comes to good food and enormous drinks. In fact, their Margaritas and Piña Coladas might best be described as fish bowls because they're that big.
Another fan favourite on the menu is the Michelada, which comes in a super-sized barrel mug with either one or two Dos Equis bottles sticking out of the top.
Since the drinks are so shareable, this lively resto-bar is a great spot for your next night out with friends.
The Farsides
Big Kahuna Volcano Bowl from The Farsides.
Address: 690, rue Notre-Dame O.
Why You Need To Go: The Farsides serves some of the most delicious Thai-Hawaiian fusion food in Montreal, but it also has an exciting cocktail menu.
Decorated like a Brooklyn alleyway circa 1992, no visit to this trendy two-floor restaurant in the Old Port is complete without ordering a Big Kahuna Volcano Bowl. Bacardi, Hayman's Smith & Cross and absinthe make this drink nice and strong while grapefruit, lime and bitters — served with billowing smoke — give it flavour.
L’Gros Luxe
Address: 451, av. Duluth E.
Why You Need To Go: L’Gros Luxe is a good pit stop for pub food, but it's also a great place for Bloody Caesar lovers.
The Ultimate Bloody Caesar comes topped with your choice of snack, the options for which include mini grilled cheese, onion rings, mini pogos, mini burgers, fried pickles, samosas, mac & cheese bites, jalapeño poppers and more.
What's better than ordering a cocktail and getting a whole meal?! This is one drink you should only order when hungry.
Ukiya Izakaya
@emilie.rossignol.arts Montreal budget date night? 👀 details👇 1. Everyone at the table must have the special so that you can get the deal 2. Theyre closed mondays and tuesdays 3. Its not applicable on the whole menu, just a selection of items that they will indicate 4. Cocktails can be any from the mojito or sake collection 📍Ukiya Izakaya 3842 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec H2W 2M2 #montreal #cheapeats #montrealfood #thingstodoinmontreal #canadianfoodie #fyp
Address: 3842, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: This tasty restaurant on Saint-Denis offers traditional Japanese eats while also having one of the best happy hours in town. Wednesday to Sunday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., visitors can get unlimited tapas along with a giant cocktail — all for just $20. The cocktail can be any of the mocktails, sakés, or mojitos on the menu.
If you are heading there with a group, it's important to note that you all have to order the $20 dollar happy hour special to partake. If you post pictures and leave a Google review, you'll also get two free shots!
Le Mal Nécessaire
Address: 1015, rue Saint-Alexandre
Why You Need To Go: This moody cocktail bar offers patrons chic vibes and large cocktails to enjoy while listening to live DJ-curated music.
The menu's pièce de résistance is the Piña Fuego — and, as the name suggests, it really is a flaming pineapple. Made with rum, Cointreau orange liqueur, Falernum, pineapple, lemon, and bitters, this drink bites back in the tastiest possible way — slushy, sweet and tangy, it's the perfect way to cap off your summer.
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