Peel Pub
| Peel Pub | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Peel Pub | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1962 |
| Food type | Pub food, pizza |
| Location | 1196 Peel Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Website | peelpubmtl |
Peel Pub is a restaurant, pub, and performance venue in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Located on Peel Street across from Dorchester Square, the establishment is considered a long-standing institution of Montreal's downtown nightlife and student culture.[1][2]
Founded in 1962, Peel Pub became widely known for its inexpensive food and drink specials, late-night operating hours, oversized pizzas, and popularity among university students, downtown office workers, tourists, and attendees of events at the nearby Bell Centre.[3] The pub was particularly associated with Montreal's anglophone downtown bar scene and developed a reputation as a casual gathering place frequented by generations of residents and visitors.[1]
History
Peel Pub opened in 1962 at 1105 Saint Catherine Street.[4] Despite being located on Saint Catherine Street, the business operated under the name Peel Pub from its opening onward and was located at the corner of Peel Street.[4]
Over the following decades, Peel Pub became a recognizable fixture of downtown Montreal nightlife because of its central location near McGill University, Concordia University, major hotels, office towers, and entertainment venues.[3]
On 21 May 2006, Peel Pub relocated to 1196 Peel Street after more than four decades at its original location.[3][5] Located across from Dorchester Square, the establishment became widely frequented by students, downtown workers, tourists, and attendees of events at the nearby Bell Centre.[3]
On 13 February 2010, a late-night fire caused approximately $100,000 in damage to the establishment.[6]
In June 2025, Peel Pub closed unexpectedly after more than 60 years of operation, prompting significant media coverage and public nostalgia in Montreal.[1][2] In March 2026, the Montreal Gazette reported that the establishment was expected to reopen under new ownership by St. Patrick's Day 2026.[7]
Reputation and cultural significance
Peel Pub became known in Montreal for its inexpensive pitchers of beer, oversized pizzas, long operating hours, and informal atmosphere.[1] During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it was frequently associated with Montreal student nightlife and downtown pub culture.[3]
The establishment also became known as a gathering point before and after concerts, hockey games, and events at the nearby Bell Centre.[1]
Following its 2025 closure, numerous Montreal media outlets and social media users described Peel Pub as a nostalgic landmark of the city's downtown social life.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "End of an era as downtown Montreal's Peel Pub closes after 60 years". CBC News. 23 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 North, Harry (24 June 2025). "It's Taps for Montreal's iconic Peel Pub after more than 60 years". Montreal Gazette.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Greenway, Kathryn (19 August 2006). "Downtown crowd finds way to Peel Pub". Montreal Gazette. Montreal. p. E13.
- 1 2 "Montreal street directory (1962)" (PDF). Lovell's. p. 532.
- ↑ "canada.com Auction Mart advertisement page". Montreal Gazette. Montreal. 11 March 2006. p. L8.
- ↑ "Un Peel Pub ravagé par les flammes". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). 13 February 2010.
- ↑ "Brownstein: From belly up to bottoms up, Peel Pub gets another shot". Montreal Gazette. 6 March 2026.