Affordable Night Out Ideas in Montreal

These days, going out in Montreal can get expensive fast. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay home and stare at your ceiling. It just means getting a little more resourceful and finding the hidden gems that make the city fun without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a tourist, a student, between jobs, or just trying not to spend $80 every time you leave the house, this guide is for you.

Cafés

You can never go wrong with cafés because they are great social settings to meet friends, dates, or people you’re pretending are just friends. One of my favorite spots is Café Myriade, a very cozy café across from Concordia University. Another favorite café in the area is Café Aunja, which serves strong coffee and warm vibes. If you’re up for a light snack and a coffee, going to cafés is a great, affordable night-out option.

Restaurants

If you’re looking for an affordable restaurant, check out the newly opened Maison Bao, where they serve dim sum, dumplings, Chinese pastries and noodles. They opened a new location across from Concordia University, and the prices are student-friendly. You can walk away full for under $15.

Open Mics

This is typically your best, almost free option in the city. At Comedy on Mackay, we host a free open mic on the last day of the month, with a one-drink minimum. There are other open mics in the city, like MTLOL’s Lion’s Den Open Mic & Peel Pub Comedy Night, Ye Olde Orchard Open Mic by Tom Murphy, and The Dirty Mic by World’s Smallest Comedy Night.

These open mics are PWYC and open to the public. At Comedy on Mackay, we don’t want price to be a barrier, so we offer students 50% off, letting them watch the Pro/Am show for $8.

Pinball & Arcade Bars

If you’re looking for a more retro-chic watering hole and arcade featuring old-school pinball games dating from the 1960s, check out North Star Pinball. It’s near the Wiggle Room, which has a free-for-all deal on Sundays and Mondays from 5 PM-1 AM. The drinks are inexpensive, making for an affordable night out with friends.

Fancy more an 80s arcade than vintage pinball vibes? hit up none other than Arcade MTL for your retro kick and cheap drinks. All the classics from Galaga to Pong to Turtles In Time; they’ve got you covered.

Bars

Voted in the top 5 of best bars and cocktails by CultMTL readers, I love N sur Mackay because it is one of the few bars in Montreal that doesn’t have dozens of televisions with sports games happening at once. It really focuses on connecting with other human beings. What’s unique is that they have a drink special each week, and sometimes they offer shot deals.

They also have non-alcoholic options, so there is something for everyone. Their cocktails are affordable and tasty, made by some of the friendliest bartenders in Montreal.

Improv

If you’re looking for something free, social, and a little outside your comfort zone, check out Les Lundis Impro at Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, where they hold free improvisation workshops. It’s a great way to meet new people, try something different, and get out of the house without spending money.

Affordable does not have to mean boring. Montreal still has plenty of ways to go out, meet people, laugh, eat, drink, and try something new without spending your entire paycheck. You just have to know where to look — and sometimes, where to sit down for a $4 coffee and pretend it counts as dinner.