Rooftop Terrasse sur l'Auberge in Montreal

Terrasse sur l'Auberge: the river, with fireworks as a bonus

On the roof of an inn facing the Old Port

The Auberge du Vieux-Port occupies a 19th-century building on Rue de la Commune Est, facing the quays. On the 5th floor, its rooftop terrace, partly sheltered by a wooden pergola, offers two viewpoints: on one side, the Old Port, its quays and the St. Lawrence River, with the Ferris wheel and the Jacques Cartier Bridge; on the other, the rooftops of Old Montreal and the bustle of Rue Saint-Paul. At sunset, you can watch the bridge's lights come on.

Front-row seats for the fireworks

In summer, the terrace faces the sky where the fireworks of the international fireworks competition burst. On show nights, a cocktail menu inspired by the featured countries accompanies the display, turning a drink into a full night out. It is best to book on those evenings.

Cocktails, sangrias and sharing plates

Cocktails cost around $18 to $22, complemented by a sangria bar, serving by the glass or by the jug, and a spritz bar, as well as mocktails. On the food side, there are boards of Quebec cheeses and charcuterie, mezze or oysters to share, followed by tuna or bison tartare, grilled octopus, a lobster roll, a poke bowl or brisket tacos. At weekends, brunch takes over in the morning.

Practical information

Seasonal terrace, open from late spring to early autumn and closed in winter; check dates before you go. In season, it opens from 4pm on weekdays and from 10.30am on Saturday and Sunday, until 10pm. Bookings online; for groups of 20 or more, a group form is available. Inn phone number: +1 514 876 0081. Allow $18 to $22 per cocktail, plus taxes and tip. Champ-de-Mars or Place-d'Armes metro station (orange line), less than ten minutes' walk away.