STAGE NOTES: Weaving a fantastical retelling of Cinderella’s stepsisters on stage

We asked people which closed Montreal bars they miss most and the answers hit hard

<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/super-sexe-a-bar-in-downtown-montreal.jpg?id=61129705&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C39%2C0%2C39"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-bars" target="_blank">Montreal’s bar scene</a> has always been lively, but not every spot survives the times, the rent hikes, or the chaos of city life.</p><p><span></span>With that in mind, we recently took to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MTLBlog/posts/pfbid0Y2iVTdGVuGAoKcxQGFN7gazdWAYoAFsx2TRNdBx5eZcvAvJEn9fCdSTpEy9ZzZdTl" target="_blank">Facebook to ask MTL Blog readers</a> to name a Montreal bar they wish had never closed. The responses were instant, passionate, and full of heartbreak (and a few hangovers). </p><p>From legendary party spots to neighbourhood watering holes that felt like second homes, here are 13 beloved bars Montrealers still aren't over losing.</p><span></span><h3>The Irish Embassy</h3><br/><p>A downtown staple for decades, the Irish Embassy was the kind of pub where everyone knew your name, and spilled into Bishop Street on St. Patrick's Day. But in March 2018, a five-alarm fire devastated the building. Despite initial hopes to rebuild, the pub never reopened, and the space was <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-restaurants-closed-old?utm_source=chatgpt.com#rebelltitem4" target="_blank">eventually sold to condo developers</a>.</p><p><span></span>Former location: 1234 Bishop St, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Peel Pub</h3><br/><p>The most recent casualty on our list, this classic downtown dive had been pouring pitchers since 1962 and was a longtime favourite for students, sports fans, and anyone chasing cheap wings. It survived a major fire in 2010, but after being hit with a <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-peel-pub-montreal-1.7568964" target="_blank">bankruptcy notice in June 2025</a>, the pub's days are officially numbered. </p><p>Former location: 1196 Rue Peel, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Katacombes</h3><br/><p>For punk fans, this grimy co-op under St-Laurent was legendary, hosting hardcore gigs from 2006 until December of 2019. Rising rent, landlord neglect, and building deterioration <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/katacombes-montreal-closing-music-venue-1.5334299" target="_blank">forced it to shut down</a>, and the venue has since been demolished.</p><p>Former location: 1635 Boul. Saint‑Laurent, Montreal, QC</p><h3>1234</h3><br/><p>Once a staple of Montreal's nightlife scene, 1234 was the kind of club where you dressed to impress and danced till sunrise. It launched in the disco era and quietly fizzled out decades later. Since then, the iconic address has hosted L’Esprit, Le Cinq, and is now home to the upscale supper club <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-club-bixi-valerie-plante" target="_blank">Yoko Luna</a>.</p><p>Former location: 1234 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, Quebec</p><h3>Divan Orange</h3><br/><p>Nestled in the Mile End from 2004 until March 19, 2018, Divan Orange was a beloved indie-music co-op, hosting thousands of acts over the years. Noise complaints — some racking up thousands in fines — and financial pressures eventually <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/just-leave-me-alone-after-getting-noise-complaint-saint-denis-bar-asks-mayor-to-back-off/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">forced its doors to close</a>.</p><p><span></span>Former location: 4234 Boul. Saint‑Laurent, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Le 2 Pierrots</h3><br/><p>If you ever found yourself singing along to Quebec classics in Old Montreal after a few too many pints, chances are you were at Le 2 Pierrots. First opened back in 1974, this iconic live music bar was all about the vibes, chansonniers, dancing on benches, and lyrics everyone somehow knew. </p><p>It closed for good in December 2020 after nearly five decades, with the <a href="https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2020/12/08/le-2-pierrots-pour-une-derniere-fois-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">owners citing pandemic challenges as the final blow</a>.</p>Former location: 104 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC<br/> <h3>Thursday's</h3><br><p>Thursday's was a Crescent Street institution that blended bar, restaurant, and dance club all under one roof. It was a favourite from the 1970s through the 2000s, and its terrace was always packed on sunny days. It <a href="https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article227841.html" target="_blank">officially closed in 2020</a>, marking the end of one of the street's most iconic venues.</p><p><span></span>Former location: 1441 Rue Crescent, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Club Super Sexe</h3><br/><p>If you ever wandered downtown after last call, chances are you passed the glowing sign of Club Super Sexe. This strip club turned late-night institution was a fixture on Sainte-Catherine for decades, known as much for its wild reputation as its retro neon. It <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/3510879/montreals-club-super-sexe-sign-will-soon-be-taken-down/" target="_blank">closed in 2017 to make way for condo development</a>, and its iconic sign was <a href="https://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/article178136.html" target="_blank">damaged in a 2021 fire</a>.</p><p>Former location: 418 Sainte-Catherine E, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Kon Tiki</h3><br/><p>Located on the ground floor of the Mont-Royal Sheraton Hotel, Kon Tiki was <a href="https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/memoiresdesmontrealais/le-kon-tiki-restaurant-pop-polynesien" target="_blank">Montreal's first tiki bar</a>. Known for its Polynesian decor, flaming cocktails, and exotic kitsch, it brought island vibes to downtown well before tiki bars were cool again. The 50s relic shut down in the 1980s, but remains legendary among former patrons and local cocktail nerds.</p><p><span></span>Former location: 1455 Rue Peel, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Limelight</h3><br/><p>If your parents grew up in the 70s, you've probably heard of this place.</p><p>Limelight was a <a href="https://www.limelightmontreal.com/lime.html" target="_blank">disco-era hotspot</a> that, in its heyday, welcomed music legends like David Bowie and James Brown. It was packed with Studio 54 vibe and known for its glam energy and anything-goes dance floor. It closed as the disco scene faded.</p><p>Former location: 1254 Rue Stanley, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Mad Hatter's (original location)</h3><br/><p>Before moving to a new spot a few doors down, the Crescent Street Mad Hatter's was a multi‑level madhouse with pool tables, karaoke, and student-friendly deals. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/mad-hatter-pub/mad-hatters-is-moving-on-d%C3%A9m%C3%A9nage/373757829637082/" target="_blank">original Hatter's shut down in 2016</a>, and some people say the vibes were never the same. </p><p><span></span>Former location: 1208 Rue Crescent, Montreal, QC</p><h3>281</h3><br/><p>Le 281 was Montreal's most famous male strip club, drawing bachelorette parties and curious tourists since it opened in 1980. It officially <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/le-281-male-strip-club-shuts-down-1.5713889" target="_blank">closed in September 2020</a>, citing COVID-19 and changing times. </p><p><span></span>Former location: 281 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montreal, QC</p><h3>Hard Rock Café </h3><br/><p>For those who may have forgotten (or are just too young to remember), <a href="https://touristscavengerhunt.com/r-i-p-hard-rock-cafe-montreal/" target="_blank">Montreal was once a stop on the international Hard Rock Café circuit</a>.</p><p>Opened in September 1990, this spot brought the brand's signature mix of rock memorabilia, classic pub fare, and live music to the heart of Crescent Street. It was once a fixture in downtown Montreal's tourist scene and was a popular pre- or post-game stop for Bell Centre crowds. But after nearly two decades, the restaurant quietly closed back in 2009.</p><p><span></span>Former location: 1458 Crescent St, Montreal, QC</p></br>