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Philemon Bar
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
13 reviews for Philemon Bar
12 reviews in English
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Review from Gregory S.
Montréal, QC
3/6/2012
If you want a relaxing, chill, yet fun evening, Philemon Bar in Vieux Montreal is the place to be. It is one of those unique places that are trendy, but not too pretentious. As others have said you find find all sorts of people partying here on any given night.
I've only been here on the weekends and late at night, so can't speak for 5 a 7.
But, the place starts to get packed starting around 10-10:30 pm. I know I have walked by a few times with the intention of going, but it was too cold to wait outside in the long line. For drinks they have a few special cocktails, but the standard drinks are what I stuck to.
Service was good, we had a roving waitress take our orders and she was quick and efficient. We had to stand by the DJ booth because there really wasn't much else space left.
As far as the music, it is an eclectic mix that doesn't drown out conversations.
My only concerns stem from the fact that the bar in the center is oddly shaped, thus creating areas that have a lot of room and some areas that are tight. Makes for a hard time to walk around. -
Review from Belle D.
Montréal, QC
3/3/2012
There are few places that are consistent in the nightlife experience they offer. Philemon became the new "go to" place in Montreal's Old Port for precisely that reason - you can always count on its strong quick'n'dirty drinks, relaxed vibe, fashionable and goodlooking 20-40 year old crowd, and limited space around the horse-shoe shaped bar. Oh, and being hit on. Yes, this place is a meatmarket (meetmarket?), but usually not in a dirty way. Self-esteem needs a boost? Now you know where to go.
I like that this place is not a cocktail bar. Basic martinis are available, as are nice wines and bubblies, but Philemon doesn't try to coax and lure their patrons with blueberry basil martinis or beet juice vodka concoctions. It's a bar, take it or leave it. It's that attitude that allows for many different types of people to enjoy the venue - it appeals to dressed-up hipsters, suits, the casually dressed, the chi-chi and everyone in between.
Keep reading: http://belledenuitmont... -
Review from Erik M.
12/1/2011
I hated this place. Horrible service with really rude staff. They give you a rotten look when you cheap out on the tip... well guess what? Bad Service = Bad tips.
They messed up my order, it took 3 times before they got it right. I see making a drink is such a hard job.
I don't understand what the rave is about, but its just a bar with no flare. I won't be returning here. -
Review from Luisa D.
2/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great place to grab a cocktail or a yummy beer on tap, have some snacks and relax with friends. The staff are fun and the atmosphere is relaxed. The antipasto plate is great for sharing too.
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Review from jocelyn l.
10/31/2011
Classy, low-key lounge. We were there from 8.30p-10p on a Saturday and it was pretty dead...not sure what that was about.
Service was also a little spotty. Our server...either didn't like us at all or couldn't really speak English, so he came across a little rude and cold. Whatever....we were there for drinks, not hugs.
Would have been nice if it was a little more packed and happening. -
Review from Lesley T.
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Come Thursday 5 a 7 time, Philemon bar gets packed quickly, until it's elbow-only room around the bar. I was there with a big group, and someone had the foresight to reserve us some plum seats, so we were cozy on the couches in the front window. It's a fancy crowd, and perfect for people watching. We were particularly taken with the lookalike of Mad Men's Christina Hendricks. They were playing some good tunes, too, that kept the vibe upbeat and a little dancey (confession: there may have been a little chair-dancing going on after a glass of bubbly).
I was very pleasantly surprised with their wine list, especially the selection of wines by the glass. There were not one but three different sparkling wines available by the glass. I also had a mighty, peachy good glass of Burgundy Chardonnay. They also had a few beers on tap, and make most mixed drinks, so there's something for everyone. I haven't sampled the food, but they do have some small dishes available if you need something to soak up the alcohol. -
Review from Hector M.
5/6/2011
Not a bad place to kill time trying to "fool" our way into dinner reservations at Garde Manger (damn you Chuck Hughes!).
We stopped into this wine bar in Old Montreal for a drink or three. We were early, but you could tell the place was laid back and chill. I just wished they had more wines by the glass (there were a few things that I wanted, but didn't want to stick a straw in a wine bottle).Listed in: Weekend in Montreal
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Review from Raffy E.
Vancouver, BC
This place had the hottest bartender I've ever laid seen in my entire life, and that assessment was made BEFORE I had my first drink. Seriously, like the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen sober. Eat your cold twisted heart out, experimental hybrid creature made up of Megan Fox, Kate Beckinsale, and Evangeline Lilly.
So ask me, how did I handle meeting this beautiful creature?
FANTASY:
Bartender: Hey, how's it going?
Me: (looking up) I'm good, looking for a drink. It's a hot night. (flips up second collar)
Bartender: Yeah, I know, we gotta cool you off.
Me: (distracted) Huh? Yeah, gimme a double Jameson, neat.
Bartender: (intrigued) Here's my phone number!
REALITY:
Bartender: Hey, how's it going?
Me: D-UUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHRRRR.
I heart Montreal so hard right now. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2011
Huhhhh-huhhhh. That's a collective of people all exhaling, fogging up the big window facing St Paul's cobblestone street.
A DJ spinned house at a decibel still conducive to conversations for a diverse mix of late 20 somethings, some in their parkas and toques, others in their stylish tights and heels, while we all sipped on wines in pre-marked glasses (are these tasting glasses?), beers and ordered bottle service. No cover on a Friday night, bottom of the barrel bottles of vino started at $40ish, and a glass of red rang in at $8. All in all, reasonable in my books. It might be a place to be seen, but the vibe veers towards friendly.
And ladies, I saw plenty of single guys.. just sayin'Listed in: Montreal, In a Weekend
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Review from Arwen L.
4/20/2011
Wow! I am SHOCKED to be the second person to review this place. I loved it here and totally recommend it to anyone near this side of Old Montreal (btw if you can get into to Garde Manger for dinner, do it. Then come here after!)
After a filling dinner we decided to walk around a bit through the cobble stone streets of Old Montreal. As you walk by this unassuming little spot, in the middle of what looks like to be a small town in France, you think to yourself, "oh that place looks interesting."
So we decided to pop in for a night cap and I am so glad we did.
When you step into the lobby, there is a curtain to keep out the cold (because it was effing freezing outside), then just behind it, you walk into a dimly lit and very chic lounge. For people in Miami, LA or NYC think of The Room, The Other Room and Another Room just bigger, no smoke and souped up!
The artwork was eclectic and included thick glass frames with things like peacock feathers in one and a full-sized turtle in another (think of a paperweight with something at the bottom that you look at through the curved glass).
The DJ was spinning exactly what Crystal H. described, music (in our case he veered off from straight house into some down tempo and hip hop) "at a decibel still conducive to conversations for a diverse mix of late 20 somethings, some in their parkas and toques, others in their stylish tights and heels." The crowd apparently has not changed much at all since January, however, my group with the exception of one 23 year old (a mature one at that) was in our early 30's and we did not feel old at all.
Great place for groups to go, but get there early to snag a big table/area. Full liquor bar. A decent selection of beer and wine, although nothing to write home about.
This is not the place you come for specialty brews or wines, but for a birthday or a get together with someone you haven't seen in a while, it's perfect! Not pretentious at all for what easily could be.
I wish we had a Philemon Bar in Miami. One can only dream. -
Review from Larry P.
8/18/2011
Philemon sucks big time...service sucks also. Boss boy even reverse the whole tray on me...without any excuses.
Just not a place you want to hang out with friends on Thursday night.
In 3 months, this place will already be a dead place.
Owners of this place, please make sure that you work on your customer service...because you seriously need to work on that if you want to be successful... -
Review from Monica G.
Montréal, QC
4/29/2011
Can only sum it up in one way: The cheers of Old Montreal, where everybody knows your name... For a some tapas and drinks, or late night shmoozing, this is now the place to be! Do not go if you can't handle crowds, stuffiness, and maybe a free drink;)
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