Montreal's Bar Minéral swaggers from a wine bar into a dusky lounge as the night goes on

Now that authorities are finally allowing bars to close at 3am at full capacity alongside dining rooms, and more recently the reopening of the karaoke stages and dance floors, the city's drinking destinations have a chance to get back to business. If for many it's just a return to near-normalcy, for Bar Minéral—opened in June 2020—it's finally the opportunity for the whole team to spread their wings a bit wider.

Opening between two waves of pandemics was clearly a risky bet for Mathieu Ménard, co-owner of the Mineral and of other spots like Le Blind Pig, Waverly Bar and the Italian grocery store Aperitivo Village. However, this entrepreneur's enthusiasm was not going to stop him from opening his dream bar. Today, now that his bar is officially reopened at full capacity and meeting his initial ambitions, he can say that despite everything it's a mission accomplished.

Le Minéral is finally enjoying its freedom by offering a wine bar concept starting at 4pm, slowly transitioning to a nightclub atmosphere until the wee hours of the morning.

The wine is mostly natural, the cocktails are original and fresh, and the food lends itself to the environment whether you're there for a drink or a whole evening. The menu is entirely designed by the team of Aperitivo Village, located a few meters from Le Minéral.

But besides the food and drink menus, and adding in DJs several times a month, what makes Minéral a particularly appealing destination is the clever design that evolves throughout the evening up until late at night, made possible by Blanchette Architecte who created an environment where the atmosphere is shaped by light and color.

Bar Minéral (1641 rue Atateken) is open every day of the week from 4pm until close.