The Coolest Bars And Pubs For Watching Hockey Games In Downtown Montreal

MONTREAL, CANADA: The Montreal Canadiens celebrate a victory against the Nashville Predators at the Bell Centre on October 16, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) Getty Images Montreal is a city that lives and breathes hockey — but that feeling is particularly amplified right now. The best place in the city to watch a Montreal Canadiens game is objectively the Bell Centre but getting tickets during playoff season isn’t exactly financially or logistically simple.

If you want to catch a game in Downtown Montreal there are plenty of pubs and bars that exude team spirit; the Habs fanfare is contagious even just walking down the street right now. Here are some spots to check out if you’re looking to catch a game near the Bell Centre: Ye Olde Orchard Ye Olde Orchard is a longtime downtown favorite — and is one of the best spots to head if you’re looking to enjoy pints with serious Habs fans. The crowd here actually watches the game (it doesn’t just play in the background) and the location on de la Montagne means you’ll feel the pulsing energy of match night just by being in proximity to the Bell Centre.

La Cage La Cage is the next best thing to actually watching the game at the Bell Centre. The bar is located within the same building, you can basically hear the roaring fans from your table. The only disclaimer I’ll add is that this location is particularly tough when it comes to securing a table; you need a reservation and they tend to book up very quickly.

McLean's Pub Classic Irish pub atmosphere meets sports bar at McLean’s Pub on Peel. The bar became a bit of an institution among Habs fans in the downtown core and feels slightly more traditional and cozy than your average sports bar. Don’t let that fool you, though.