Making Your Way In The World Today...
Bars, in my opinion, should be the antithesis to everyday city life. Just like Cheers, they should be the sort of places where "everybody knows your name." An intimate, cozy setting, with friendly people, alcohol, tunes, and a nearby bathroom - an atmosphere which should be in stark contrast to that of a club. A lot of bars I've been to in Montreal seem to see no difference between bars and clubs, and specialize in packing ridiculous amounts of people into a small space, blaring contemporary music way too loud and making it an adventure to try and land six seconds of the bartender's time in order to secure some booze.
Mad Hatter's (1220 rue Crescent) is not like that, and thats probably why it's one of my favourite bars here. Of the couple of times I've been there, every time has been a pleasant experience, without the overcrowding that usually mars my bar-going experience. The bartenders are quite friendly, and in fact one started recommending random mixed drinks from a book of drinks she happened to have. Needless to say, extreme intoxication soon followed.
The bar includes a pool table, a rooftop terrace ideal for the long summer nights, and a jukebox with most of the tunes you're likely to want to hear during a good drunkening. A friend of mine and I took turns playing Pink Floyd and Nine Inch Nails songs. A bit of a jump back and forth, yes, but fun nonetheless. And isn't that the whole point of a bar? Why yes, yes it is.
