Places to check out: La Porte Rouge

I love to frequent bars which are somewhat unknown to the general public. La Porte Rouge (or Red Door as I call it) is fairly unheard of. From the location (far east on Mount-Royal) to the of lack of a sign or marking outside, La Porte Rouge isn’t to most advertised watering hole in Montreal.

The way to find this place is to look for the big red door or like most Montréal bars the group of smokers huddled outside (corner Mount-Royal & Papineau). Once inside La Porte Rouge looks like an old tavern turned trendy. Dark shades with splashes of hot red give the hot/cold rustic look many bars have adapted in recent history. The crowd is a mix of the typical Mount-Royal/Plateau, trendy, relaxed francophones with a touch of the sophisticated 5 à 7 gang. It’s not all “Oui’s” and “Merci’s” as the location might suggest while manovering through the crowd you’ll catch an English conversation here and there.

Every once and a while a new place becomes the happening “5 à 7” spot in Montreal, right now it’s La Porte Rouge. Swing by on a Thursday evening after work, have a pint, meet new people.

• The Place: La Porte Rouge (1834 Mont-Royal Est) - http://www.barsalonporterouge.com/
• Type of food/establishment: Bar-Lounge