Nacarat Bar, Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal — Restaurant in Montreal

While we loved the hotel, the way we were treated in the bar ruined our entire stay. I have also reached out to Fairmont privately to discuss this, but they have not replied so I will post it here.

We had a $100 credit to use during our stay. On Thursday night after a day of site-seeing, we went in the bar, Nacarat, for a drink. We ordered a red wine, which had obviously turned. But they were busy and we just signed our tab (with appropriate 20% tip) and left. Saturday night we returned for a drink after being out all day. We were dressed in sweaters and jeans, as were many others. The hostess sat us at the bar, as requested. It was moderately busy but not packed. Waited about 10 minutes without being served, even smiling and making eye contact with bartenders. 5 more minutes, hostess seats a couple beside us at the bar, a server immediately comes from behind and gives them water and drink menus. I smile and make eye contact and he nods. I assume he'll be back. Hostess sits another group to our right, server immediately comes again and gives them waters and menus and delivers the first couple's drinks. We've easily been there 25 minutes with nothing. I wave my hand over my head to get his attention. He comes to us, " how may I help you?" I point out we haven't been served. "What would you like ma'am?" No offer of water or menus like the others. I tell him we just want beers. He asks what beer, I ask for a Coors or a Molson l, he says "we don't have that, how about a Bud Light - or are you against that?" At this point I do not know if he's making fun of us or not, I just want a drink, so say sure Bud Lights are fine. He delivers them fairly quickly without incident. We drink them in 10 or 15 mins. Then he continues to serve everyone around us still, I'm sure seeing our empty beers, but pivots quickly without helping us 3 times. I look at my watch. It's 10 p.m. I tell my husband "at 10:15 we are leaving without paying." At one point I tell a bartender we would like to pay, and I see him tell the server, who does not come to us. So at 10:15 we very slowly gather our coats and belongings and head out. As we are stepping out the door I wave goodbye at our server, who then chases us out into the lobby waving our receipt. "Were your Bud Lights not cold enough?" I let him know we'd been trying to leave for 20 minutes but he kept serving everyone around us and not us. He invited us back in for "Bud Lights I will personally serve you cold!!! If Bud Light does not insult you!" We told him no thank you, it's clear you don't wish to serve us and we have never walked out on a bill in our lives. Plus last night our wine had turned.

He continued to have loud words with my husband in the lobby being sure to insert "ice cold Bud Lights!" often. We left. The hostess had taken our room number, so really I knew they could have charged us if they wanted to.

If Nacarat does not want people in jeans in at night they need to post a dress code or tell the hostess not to seat them. If the server does not want to serve Americans or Bud Light, he should not work at a hotel bar.

Our very nice stay was ruined by this incident and Fairmont has not replied to...

Updated review: Following my original review, the manager Raphael reached out to me to apologize for what happened. As a commercial gesture, he offered my wife and I the opportunity to try again the Nacarat mixology experience. That evening went much better, and Raphael came to explain what happened and what they changed to avoid such situation to happen again. I really appreciated him taking the time and energy to do so. To conclude, the Nacarat bar is a great experience for a small crowd to discover and enjoy the mixology menu they created (the clarified rum, coconut and wine cocktail was amazing).

Original review: Mixed feeling experience for a birthday party.

I booked over 2 months ahead of time for 20 people. I asked if I could bring helium balloons, and they accepted. I also asked to bring a cake, which they accepted for a cutting fee of 5$ per person, to keep it in the fridge, and to use candles and sparkling candles that I would provide. I also had a few calls weeks before to clarify some points with them, and everything seemed to be good.

4h before the event started, I got a call saying that they wouldn’t be able to keep the cake in the fridge, because they aren’t a restaurant. I was already on my way with the cake and balloons, so we discussed with the manager. He accepted to take the cake before the event, but refused to keep it after the event while we were going out to a party after. They also refused to take the balloons I brought because it would mess with their ambiance that they want to keep chic. After discussing, they accepted to keep only the two balloons representing the birthday numbers. I then lost all of my other helium balloons. When they brought the cake, they didn’t bring any of the sparkling candle that we agreed upon, just the two candles with two birthday numbers.

The event was planned to be on the terrasse with a view, but because it rained that day they installed us indoor on small tables. We couldn’t order individual plates per lack of space, so we had to make it a buffet, ordering a lot of the sharing options they offer. However, they didn’t even have enough of what we ordered. And while being expensive, these snacks are not easily shareable, and not worth the price.

The good things: -The drinks tasted good. -The one waiter tried to accommodate us as much as he could, with a nice smile. -Nice atmosphere inside.

Cons: -Because of their lack of organization or clear rules, they added a lot of pressure and stress on me 4h before the event while it was booked for over 2 months. -I lost so much money and wasted my time for items that they accepted ahead of time but in the end refused to use. -They provide only 1 bill for groups, so enjoy your time to split it after (it was mentioned during the reservation). -The shareable options are good if you are only 2 or 3 on it, but expensive for the size and taste.

I recommend for casual drinks in an intimate setting, but not for group or...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Nacarcat, and nabilbartenderI must say, it was an experience to remember. The ambiance of the place was the first thing that caught my attention—chic, modern, and welcoming, with a touch of sophistication that sets the perfect tone for an evening out.

The highlight of my visit, however, was the amazing cocktail I ordered. From the moment it arrived at my table, I was impressed by the presentation. The vibrant colors and garnishes were artfully arranged, making it almost too beautiful to drink. But drink it I did, and it was nothing short of spectacular.

The first sip was a revelation. The balance of flavors was impeccable—each ingredient was carefully chosen and expertly mixed to create a harmonious blend that was both refreshing and complex. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients was evident, and the cocktail had a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and a hint of bitterness. It was clear that the mixologist at Nacarcat is a master of their craft.

What truly set this cocktail apart was the depth of flavor. As I sipped, I discovered new notes and nuances that kept my taste buds intrigued and delighted. There was a subtle hint of citrus that brightened the drink, a touch of herbal complexity that added depth, and a smooth, lingering finish that made me savor every last drop.

The staff at Nacarcat were also a significant part of the experience. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about their craft, making excellent recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of my visit was enjoyable.

In conclusion, my experience at Nacarcat was nothing short of exceptional. The ambiance, the service, and, most importantly, the outstanding cocktail, made it a night to remember. I highly recommend visiting Nacarcat if you’re looking for an unforgettable cocktail experience.

I hope this captures the essence of your experience! If you have any specific details you’d like to include, feel free to...