Canada’s Smallest Bar

Exactly a week ago today, I was a few hours from entering El Pequeño, a cuban-inspired cocktail bar reminiscent of Havana many decades ago. Located in the heart of Old Montreal, Canada’s smallest bar wears its name rather well. With less than a dozen seats available and barely enough room in the centre to do a jumping jack, El Pequeño almost felt like a production set, like it wasn’t real.

I’d first like to point out that this bar is tucked away in a corner of Old Montreal I had never seen, or perhaps noticed, before. I always thought Old Montreal was the one neighbourhood in the city that made you feel like you weren’t actually in Montreal, and that was even more true in this particular corner.

Stepping into El Pequeño’s space with its ancient chandelier and dark wood walls intertwined with washed-out tapestry felt like I was suddenly living in a time warp. There was only the occasional non-Spanish song to snap me out of my bubble, and the lively bartender who was exactly as a bartender should be. Despite this being a rum-based bar, the man behind the counter had no problem whipping up a (delicious) mocktail for me, with a creativity I expect to see from bartenders at such specialty bars.

El Pequeño was a mixologist’s haven, a bar goer’s playground and a twenty-something girl’s dream escape from the city.