New Bar Riverside Lands In St-Henri By The Canal (Not The River)

Saint-Henri has a new watering hole, and for once, it’s not on Notre-Dame — the name is Riverside and it’s on Saint-Ambroise, steps away from beer company McAuslan’s two St-Ambroise venues, and with scenic views of the abandoned Canada Malting Silos.

While Riverside haven’t yet returned Eater’s request for details, it’s known that it comes from the owner of Village bar Mme Lee, Nicolas Hamel. Hamel is also a former partner in club Newspeak, Mile End bar Ping Pong Club, and owned now-closed Mile End eyewear boutique Maison Montures and slightly confusing hybrid store Oxford, which sold magazines and sneakers. Social media posts also suggest house music producer Forrest (also known as Zach Joss) is involved.

Riverside seems well set up for all-seasons in the city — fitting with its surrounds, the interior industrial and concretey, but done up with plants and and intriguingly-shaped curved couch. A reasonably-sized DJ booth suggests that it’ll be perhaps a louder, more dance-oriented kind of spot. But it’s equally friendly to outdoor drinking, with a grassy ground level terrasse, and even a rooftop garden. Take a look at some images, lovingly culled from social media.

STATUS — Riverside is open at 5020 St-Ambroise Street, Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.