Vodka-Driven Russian Bar Has Landed in the Latin Quarter

Montreal has a new bar that wants to commit itself to all things Russian: Le Petit Moscou quietly opened in recent weeks on Ontario East.

Le Petit Moscou takes over a space between St-Denis and Sanguinet that was formerly Nexus Smartbar and Teddy Bar.

Central to the offerings is a cocktail selection from Montreal cocktail guy Lawrence Picard, featuring ten takes on the classic Moscow Mule. These mostly centre around fruity variations of the drink, including peach, raspberry, and orange versions of the cocktail (a classic Mule is vodka, lime, ginger beer, and mint).

While Moscow Mules aren’t historically Russian (they’re American), Petit Moscou is still making them with only Russian vodka — in fact, its whole vodka selection is Russian, including labels such as Beluga, Polugar, and Legend of the Kremlin. While vodkas are the focus on the cocktail menu, there’s a fully stocked spirits selection, and a few beer and wine options; the bar also serves light snacks throughout its opening hours.

Le Petit Moscou/Official

With no shortage of red lighting and a basement setting in a historic building, the bar seems to be angling at a “Soviet speakeasy” vibe, with a few plush red furnishings thrown in to boot.

STATUS — Le Petit Moscou is open at 323 Ontario E from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., seven days.

• Le Petit Moscou [Official]