Look Inside St-Henri’s Sprawling New Post-Industrial Canal-side Neighbourhood Bar

Just over a week ago, new bar Riverside opened its gates alongside the Lachine Canal in Saint-Henri, from Mme Lee owner Nicolas Hamel.

The space — quite literally wedged up against the Canada Malting silos on St-Ambroise Street — is something to behold, although it might not be obvious from the roughshod parking lot in front of the space.

Enter through a main gate, and there’s a boardwalk that leads to a sprawling green space at the back, dotted with picnic tables. On the right is a space for food truck parking, and on the left, a slightly elevated wooden terrasse. A yoga studio is also based out of this back area.

Right next to the front gate is the main indoor bar — where concrete floors and grey, post-industrial walls are brought to life with plenty of plants and disco balls. Take a look inside below.

Grid View

It’s a very versatile venue — while there are plenty of DJ bookings slotted in the evenings, Hamel highlights it as more of a neighbourhood spot — the open, grassy space is amenable to both families and day-drinking (those DJ nights are also without cover charges at present). The bar program is unpretentious: affordable beer, a few natural wines, and cocktails on offer but with no specialty menu. Food trucks will regularly be on site, and late-night barbecues will happen after food trucks close up.

Hamel says he wants the bar to be open to community groups and non-profits for events — they’re invited to get in touch with ideas, too. The Food Fest night market is already booked in for late August, and Hamel suggests that other markets, movie screenings, and more are in the works. Details on events are on Riverside’s Facebook page.

• New Bar Riverside Lands In St-Henri By The Canal (Not The River) [EMTL]