Bowie Speakeasy
Bowie Speakeasy 457 Rue Sainte-Hélène, Montréal
3.9
46 evaluations
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Review summary

What guests say about Bowie Speakeasy

Bowie Speakeasy seems to offer a festive atmosphere and a well-liked decor, with music, cocktails, and meals that many customers often enjoy. However, the service gets very mixed reviews: some people highlight attentive and efficient staff, while others mention slow service, rudeness, and a lack of professionalism at the entrance. A few complaints also come up about photo and dress code rules that are seen as poorly communicated or enforced inconsistently. Overall, it’s a place that can be appealing for a lively night out, but the experience seems to vary a lot from one visit to another.

Summary based on 46 reviews.

Reviews / Ratings for Bowie Speakeasy

Photo of O Ch
31 May 2026
Source: Google
4.0

Underground cool stuff

Service
Cooking
Atmosphere
Photo of Aya Sgar
26 May 2026
Source: Google
3.0

Night of May 21st was the worst DJ I’ve ever heard of my life, might as well give a sticky iPad kid GarageBand and let him click through the copyright free sounds

Photo of Safiya Safiya
16 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Fernando the best one

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Restaurant response
Response added on 18 May 2026
The famous Fernando effect!✨
Photo of hafssa loulad
16 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Best one service fernando

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Photo of Anastasia PM
15 May 2026
Source: Google
3.0

I come here & often great service. I took friends from out of town - some have been here before & I arrived 30 minutes after they did... we reserved a table... 1 hour in we still have water I had to flag down the bustboy to meet our server... anyway in the whole 2-3 hours we were there we were served drinks once & food we got a half order & the rest I told the server 3 different times & he said he would bring it. I only got it 3 times after I asked the bill & left no tip because ive never received such horrible service. The server was hugging & talking to girls at other tables so obvs hes not too busy and wouldn't come to our table. It's the first time ever I have left a 0% tip while my friends still wanted too because they always do. When I talked to the host for feedback the server came back directly to me to say "thanks for snitching and you left 0% tip". Sir, the 0% tip at the end was because in 3 hours we had seen you twice and we had to flag people giving water to get you... it's pretty hard to get 0% tip and for you to achieve it means a lot. The fact that not only was he rude the whole night (2-3 times he saw us) plus coming up to me is such a lack of professionalism i dont understand how's he's a server. If you are a local only come for drinks and If you are visiting they are way better places to visit as a speakeasy. I had to bring the host and the manager involved which i never do but did because I've never seen this behavior anywhere and I travel a lot. How do you serve us 3 drinks (3 people) in 2-3 hours? Do we have to beg you to give you money? Manager was great but please have a talk with your staff about how sales work - put your ego aside and also if you have friends coming - instead of talking and hugging them the whole night - maybe do your job??? I was so embarrassed bringing people I know here with this behavior, thought the server would try to fight me at the entry. Honestly there is so much better, go on TikTok and Instagram and look at speakeasy. PS 1 am a local. We ordered two entries, first one came on time. When the second didn't I asked he said he would follow up. 1 hour passed (he never came) once again I had to find him walking around to ask him & he said "I guess they forgot" sir I told you at the table one hour before I think they did & to check it.. My friends were there from 9:30 ish & I arrived around 10 and we left around midnight. One drink each… I went out but im still shook at the audacity & im not even a mean person, takes a lot for me to lose my cool. Maybe the behaviour was because I was a woman? Idk? I also don't want to be rude because it doesn't matter if you buy 1 drink or buy 1000$ of stuff but you guys lost a lot of $$$$$ especially that we were celebrating the sell of a big business in the USA. My friends don't need to have brand names like people do in MTL to spend & we spent it all on other better places we've been in the past. I don’t believe I’ll be back or will invite people who are visiting / client meetings etc. Really left a sour taste. Again thank you to the manager & host for listening. To the server, I understand stressful busy nights happen - but in this case it's hard for me to sympathize or try to put myself in your shoes when I see you hugging & talking and giggling with girls at other tables for hours on end. You were sassy, rude & unprofessional in the way you talk since the first word like if it was a task to get our order of 2 lychee, 1 beer, 1 bok, 1 slider. Bowie is great and of great potential, but it is not that high up to have behaviour like this, we are not in the top of the top, so it's quite ridiculous and a "show". I usually leave a tip but I didn't want to encourage such behaviour as most people would usually give in. Things like this needs to be addressed and reading reviews I see this is a recurrent issue. Your women staff / servers I have never had an issue or the staff at the bar. We had people join us and we had to text them to meet us at the next place because the service was so bad. Feel free to check the cameras

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Restaurant response
Response added on 17 May 2026
Dear Anastasia, We are truly sorry to read about the poor experience your group encountered on your last visit. What we read in your comments reflects in no way the standards we set for ourselves and the hospitality we aim to provide in our establishment. Please know that your comments are taken very seriously and that we are taking actions to prevent a situation like this to happen again. We would like to get more details and open up a chance to make things right by you. Please email our direction at: [email protected] Sincerely, The Bowie team
Photo of Christo Rahme
9 May 2026
Source: Google
4.7

Saturdays there are great

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Restaurant response
Response added on 18 May 2026
Don't forget to book ahead! 😎
Photo of Noor Shehab
9 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing experience and good food! music is great i highly recommend!!

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Restaurant response
Response added on 22 May 2026
Glad to hear you had a good time, See you soon! 💃
Photo of Zeina Zeidan
9 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Love the ambiance. I recommend this place !!

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Photo of Lynn Gemayel
9 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Best place in town! Love their drinks and ambiance

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Restaurant response
Response added on 18 May 2026
Thanks for the high praise Lynn! See you soon 🍹
Photo of rayan dahdah
9 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Loved the place! I’m coming back next week!

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Restaurant response
Response added on 22 May 2026
We'll be waiting for you! 😎
Photo of Sara Klinghoffer
7 May 2026
Source: Google
1.0

I almost died in that place. In the dark entrance there is a completely hidden staircase going down. I took a step back thinking it’s just a wall and I fell back and caught myself with one hand half way down backwards and smacked my head and smashed my toe. It could have been worse if I didn’t have good reflexes. Guys seriously you can’t have an open stairs going down with ZERO barrier or light - fix that!

Restaurant response
Response added on 15 May 2026
Hi Sara, we are truly sorry to read what happened to you and glad your good reflexes saved you from a bad fall. However, we can't help but wonder if perhaps you have us mixed up with a different location of a similar name in Toronto? Our entrance and staircase is unmissable; quite well lit and anything but hidden and dangerous. Hope to welcome you at Bowie (Montreal) one day! P.S. if this did happen at Bowie Montreal, please email us directly at: [email protected] so our team can investigate the incident better.
Photo of Sam S
7 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Absolutely loved Jazz night! The food was delicious and the drinks were perfectly balanced.

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Restaurant response
Response added on 17 May 2026
Thanks for the lovely feedback, The team is always happy to hear our creations hit the spot! 🎶🍸
Photo of maria tsaboukos
7 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Beautiful place, went there with my girls and had a great time. Thank you to the GM Fernando for taking care of us! Great atmosphere and energy

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Restaurant response
Response added on 17 May 2026
Glad to read you had a great night, See you soon! 🍸 💃
Photo of Michael Ly
6 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

This place is absolutely beautiful. I went here with some friends on a Thursday night in April. The music was great, ambience perfect and the food delicious.

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Restaurant response
Response added on 17 May 2026
Thank you for the kind words, Hope to welcome you again soon!
Photo of Basma Fahoum
4 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Best spot!

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Photo of Estelle Majka
2 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing

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Restaurant response
Response added on 4 May 2026
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Estelle. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back soon. Bowie Team
Photo of Nassar Céline
2 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing

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Atmosphere
Restaurant response
Response added on 4 May 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Nassar Céline. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back for another exceptional evening soon. Bowie Team
Photo of John Asmar (“JA”)
2 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Best place in mtl to party

Service
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Restaurant response
Response added on 4 May 2026
Thank you for the high praise, John. We are thrilled that you consider our secret lounge the best place to celebrate in Montreal. We look forward to welcoming you back for another exceptional evening soon. Bowie Team
Photo of zane baramki
30 Apr 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing food,drinks, service. If you need anything speak directly to Fernando, he never disappoints!!!!

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Restaurant response
Response added on 1 May 2026
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Zane. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed our menu and that Fernando provided such exceptional service. It was a pleasure hosting you in our Old Montreal lounge, and we look forward to your next visit. Bowie Team
Photo of Amelie Zerdani
13 Apr 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Loved the vibe and the music was really good. Nouha was our waitress and it was my friend’s birthday, she brought her a tiramisu with sparklers and we didn’t even have to ask. She’s truly the best, can’t wait to go back !

Restaurant response
Response added on 23 Apr 2026
Thank you for the lovely review, Amelie, and we are so glad you enjoyed the music and the birthday celebration at our cocktail bar in Old Montreal. It was a pleasure for Nouha to help make the evening special with the sparklers and vibe you loved at Bowie. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back soon. Bowie Team
Photo of Alexandra McQueen
12 Apr 2026
Source: Google
2.5

Very confusing door policy. Felt more like a performance than real selection..especially with a half-empty club. Might be worth revisiting who and how you let people in

Service
Atmosphere
Photo of Polina Khantadze
12 Apr 2026
Source: Google
3.0

We usually really love going out to Bowie, being residents of Old Montreal, yet tonight it really felt off. The usuall tall and handsome doorman was not working and instead there was an incredibly rude and unnecessarily obnoxious woman who’s attitude would be more appropriate as a prison guard than a doorwoman of an upscale nightclub. She ignored many people who came out for a smoke break and made them wait 30 minutes in the cold without their coats. She let in tons of men despite many top model looking women trying to get in and have a good time. As a result, the crowd inside was mostly sullen men and not the usual fun party vibe. I understand that sometimes the club can reach capacity, but the selection process left much to be desired, the club was half empty and not fun which was truly surprising as it is my number one go to for a fun night out with my girlfriends. Please bring back the charming, usual doorman, he helps make Bowie the number one destination for Montreal’s glitterati.

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Photo of Firas Sawan
3 Apr 2026
Source: Google
1.0

Allowed in wearing a full leather outfit including a hat, stepped out for a smoke, and was suddenly told to remove it on the way back in. If there’s a dress code, it should be clear and applied consistently. Not selectively enforced depending on who’s at the door. Also there’s a way to approach clients. Running after me from coatcheck and tapping me on the back is tacky.

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Photo of galia regalia
22 Mar 2026
Source: Google
5.0

We went for my friend's birthday last night and it was excellent! The decor, the drinks, the food (minus the calamari, it was a little too salty), the atmosphere, the service was 10/10. Our server was communicative and attentive. The staff, server, server assistants, hostess, coat check, bouncer were great! You can tell they work hard and it shows in there service. We made some great memories there last night. I will definitely be back :)

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Restaurant response
Response added on 27 Mar 2026
Thank you for the excellent review and for celebrating your friend's birthday with us. We are so glad you enjoyed the service and the atmosphere at our cocktail bar in old montreal. It was a pleasure to host your group and we look forward to the chance to welcome you back. Bowie Team
Photo of Anne Marie Gergian
22 Mar 2026
Source: Google
5.0

I celebrated my 31st Birthday at Bowie and I must say the service was amazing. They made sure to accommodate all my needs, they were super generous and thoughtful, making sure my night was going well. The food and drinks were really good as well and the atmosphere was amazing. I recommend.

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Restaurant response
Response added on 27 Mar 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review and for choosing to celebrate your birthday with us. We are so glad you enjoyed the food, drinks, and the amazing atmosphere at our cocktail bar in old montreal. It was a pleasure to host you, and we look forward to the chance to welcome you back. Bowie Team

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Opening hours

Dining room
  • Sunday Closed
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 19:00 - 00:00
  • Thursday 19:00 - 02:00
  • Friday 19:00 - 02:00
  • Saturday 19:00 - 02:00

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