Guide to Quebec City Nightlife: Top Bars and Restaurants on rue Grande Allee
As one would expect from a city filled with culture and history, the Quebec City nightlife scene is varied, vibrant and welcoming. Ask any local for bar and restaurant recommendations, and you’ll quickly find that most of the city’s nightlife is concentrated along a couple of streets. One that stands out the most is rue Grande Allee in the Upper Town, a beautiful and historic road that features beautiful architecture and some of the best spots in the city to spend an evening.
From laid-back microbreweries to upscale cocktail bars, these are the top bars and restaurants on Grande Allee that put Quebec City nightlife on the map.
Quebec City Nightlife: L’Atelier on Grande Allee
Any list about Quebec City nightlife would be incomplete without mentioning L’Atelier Quebec. L’Atelier on Grande Allee is the cocktail bar in the city if you’re after elaborate drinks and delicious tartar. The restaurant and bar boasts a warm, industrial interior and a breathtaking view of Quebec City from 40 feet up. And if you’re visiting in the summer, snag a table on their spacious patio and sip on one of their signature cocktails.
Known as one of the top Grande Allee restaurants, L’Atelier has the food and drink menu to prove it. The bistro-style fare is consistently delicious and well-presented. Just make sure to opt for the bison tartar drenched in balsamic vinaigrette or the vegan asparagus and tomato tartar with artichoke puree. The cocktail menu is equally impressive with an array of unique drink inventions and old favourites. Whether you sip on the Gin I. Joe (a combination of gin Ungava and Milton ice cider) or a classic Manhattan, you’ll be scoping the menu for your next choice at this Quebec City restaurant.
Quebec City Nightlife: L’Inox on Grande Allee
Situated on Grande Allee, L’Inox has been a Quebec City institution since 1987, making it the oldest operating microbrewery in the city. With a cool, industrial loft-like decor and a spacious sidewalk patio perfect for those warm summer days, there’s no doubt L’Inox needs to be on your list of breweries in Quebec City.
The short food menu at L’Inox consists primarily of hot dogs, pizza and other pub snacks, all of which go really well with the house beers. You can’t go wrong with the European-style hot dogs though. Whether you’re craving an extra blonde, lager type or a Scotch Ale with smoked malts, there are several different types of beers you’ll find on the menu at L’Inox. The microbrewery boasts four that you can regularly find on the menu, four rotating beers and four seasonal. Whatever your taste is, order a bottle (or two) for the table and enjoy the laid back atmosphere.
Quebec City Nightlife: Taverne Grande Allee
La Taverne on Grande Allee is one of those Quebec City bars that’s the perfect spot for a casual dinner during the week, a reasonably priced date night or a night out with plenty of beers and cocktails. The interior is full of exposed brick walls, high beamed ceilings and eclectic decor that pair well with the 90s grunge music often found playing from the jukebox and the old school arcade machines strewn throughout the Grande Allee restaurant.
The menu at La Taverne Quebec is relatively short, but the best options here are chili con carne, grilled cheese and anything with smoked meat on it. Better yet, opt for the local favourite — a large plate of salty, homemade poutine. The drink menu at La Taverne, on the other hand, boasts an extensive selection of beer and cocktails, so you’ll find something for every taste palette.
Quebec City Nightlife: La Piazz on Grande Allee
La Piazz is one of the top Quebec City bars that offers live entertainment and drink specials every day of the week. Located on Grande Allee in the heart of the downtown core, the lively basement bar specializes in spotlighting home-grown artists, so you can enjoy a variety of tunes from the past and present. And did we mention the live music is free? Although you won’t be able to find a food menu at La Piazz, you will be able to find plenty of local and imported beers to choose from.
Special thanks to the staff at the Comfort Inn Airport East in Ancienne Lorette, QC for their suggestions.