Yïsst, a New La Petite-Patrie Bar, Wants to Pimp Your Nuts

Yïsst, a new neighbourhood bar, opens tomorrow on Saint-Zotique in La Petite Patrie. Principals include Martin Rouleau and Bernard Rouleau, of Sur Bleury restaurant downtown, Gilles Mireault and Yves Mireault, of Rosemont bar La Succursale, and Catherine Archambault. The beverage program includes all Quebec beers and ciders, wines from Canada, and spirits produced, for the most part, in North America. The bar will also include Montreal-made products like 1642 Cola and 3/4 oz. Tonic.

Yïsst made the news months ago when management's bid to secure a restaurant license was rejected by the borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. "Nous aimerions avoir un permis de restauration, mais l'arrondissement nous dit que c'est contingenté," Martin Rouleau told TVA. Bernard Rouleau disagreed with the borough's classification of Saint-Zotique street. "Il y a beaucoup d'activités sur la rue Saint-Zotique, particulièrement dans la zone où nous sommes, près de Saint-Hubert. Elle devrait être considérée comme une rue commerciale."

Its restaurant status scuttled, Yïsst will look to snacks. The bar plans to go beyond humdrum bowls of stale pretzels to offer old school peanut vending machines. "Not just any old peanuts either," reports Archambault, who describes the bar's décor as sober. "We want to offer des noix pimpés to complement what we think are some pretty quality drinks." Look for flavours like rosemary, piri piri, and more. The bar will also whip up novel takes on traditional party mixes. Yïsst's official launch kicks off tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Status: Yïsst, 901 St-Zotique Est, (514) 439-0992, open as of Thursday, May 28. Tentative hours are Sunday to Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday to Saturday, 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.