We will be staying in town near Place des Arts. How family friendly are places like Du De Ciel or Benelux? I will also have some "me" time as well and generally like to walk the cities I visit. I realize it could be a 30 - 40 minute walk from downtown to DDC, would there be any neighborhoods I need to avoid. Thanks for any advice
I can't speak to family-friendliness, but I don't think that there would be any problem with having kids with you anywhere (especially now that it is terrace weather). There are no neighborhoods that you need to avoid. Montreal is safe and accommodating beyond belief. Especially where you'll be going. For DDC, I'd recommend taking the 55 bus (don't be intimidated, it is ridiculously easy) at St-Laurent and Maisonneuve. It'll drop you off right in front and then you can dedicate walking time to trying Montreal bagels at Fairmount and St-Viateur, smoked meat at Schwartz's, and maybe using the energy you saved by taking the bus to walk to Vices et Versa (a really great beer bar). If you want to kill some time alone, from where you're staying, go along St-Catherine to St-Denis and turn left. You can walk a couple blocks and will pass Saint Houblon (brewpub), Le St-Bock (great huge beer bar) and L'Amère à Boire (tasty lagers). If you want more, from St-Denis go down Ontario Est (away from your hotel) and you'll find Le Cheval Blanc and eventually Station Ho.st. Hope you have a good time!
I would say Benelux is more family friendly as it's larger (inside and the terrace). Go to DDC alone (take it from Dad!). Montreal is a great walking city especially in the Plateau or like TheDoctor said on St-Denis. If ever you're interested in trading some of your locals, let me know
Family friendly is one thing but if you have young kids with you it is illegal in Quebec or most other provinces to allow them into bars and brew pubs. I have heard on more than one occasion of people not being allowed in DDC because they came with kids. I would suggest using your me time for DDC and looking for a restaurants with a decent beer list for family time.
Um..not sure about the illegal part. I wouldn't bring my kids to a bar but have you can bring them to a brewpub that serves food before 8pm with no issues.
well at least thats what DDC quoted to the guys I've read reviews from and as long as its considered a restaurant yes but if it is much more a bar than you may run into issues.
It all depends on the license the location holds. some hold brasserie licenses and restau licenses and allow children before 8 others have a "bar with food" license and will not let kids on the premises. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g155032-i51-k6673148-Children_in_pubs-Montreal_Quebec.html
I wouldn't call DDC a restaurant by any stretch, but I've always enjoyed their food. Do not bring the kids there. Le St-Bock patio perhaps.
I haven't been to DDC in years, and although their food was good, it was more for snacking than a real meal. Yeah, I'm not sure you'd get the kids in, and I wouldn't want to.
Awesome, thanks for all the replies. Will only be in town for a couple days so I hope to be able to get in a visit to DDC on my own.
Sorry to piggy back, but what beers should I bring back if I can purchase them? I may go up at the end of July.
If you like IPA's Le Castor's Yakima IPA is a must. Peche Mortel might be cheaper than in Texas too. There are a bunch of good les trois mousquataires beers and My guess is their " Ca C'est pas un Gueze" will be on the shelves by then. In reality Montreal is a big beer city and there really are too many to name. Most craft beer shops sell tons of singles. Try a bit of everything!
Wow thats surprising as DDC usually has very good distrobution. Might I suggest Moralite too than! Hope you enjoy your time here. It's a beautiful city. I've traveled quite a bit and seen lots of amazing places but I there is something about Montreal's vibe that just makes people feel alive! cheers bud!
The distribution network in Texas is expensive for a new brewery, my friend at Jester King was explaining it to me. Very little of the Shelton Brothers portfolio is in that state but having just been a couple Spec's there very recently. Texas had crazy stuff I haven't seen in many other states.
