Bily Kun

Bily Kun is a modern tavern with a Czech theme on avenue du Mont-Royal Est in the Plateau. Its co-founders, Fabien Lacaille and Bruce Hackenbeck, were inspired by a bar of the same name in Loket, in the Czech Republic, and after a long project the doors finally opened on the evening of 25 April 1998. More than a quarter of a century later it remains a fixture of the avenue's nightlife.

The drinks list follows the theme. The bar pours Czech-style beers including La Bělouš, a 4.5 per cent lager, La Karlovy Weiss, a 4.5 per cent flavoured wheat beer, and Czechvar, the 5 per cent Budweiser original. Czech spirits such as absinthe, Becherovka and slivovice are also on offer, along with Czech-style snacks, so you can graze while you drink.

Music shapes the week. Live musicians play from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, a relaxed early-evening slot that suits an after-work drink, and DJs take over from 10pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, when the room becomes a late-night spot. The October 2026 calendar, for example, featured performers such as Peter Mika and Miguel Graça.

The bar opens from 3pm to 1am Sunday to Wednesday and from 3pm to 3am Thursday to Saturday. The afternoon opening makes it easy to drop in for a quiet beer before the evening crowd.

To get the most from a weekend visit, plan two stops: arrive for the live set between 6pm and 8pm, go out for dinner, then return after 10pm when the DJs begin. On weeknights the bar is calmer and closes at 1am, which suits a single drink after a meal in the Plateau. Casa del Popolo on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and the Dieu du Ciel! brewpub on avenue Laurier Ouest are both good additions to an evening in this part of the city.

It suits groups of friends, couples and anyone who likes a lively bar with music, as well as curious drinkers who want to try something different from the usual craft beer list. Prices are moderate.

The St-Viateur bagel shop and café at 1127 avenue du Mont-Royal Est, on the same avenue, is useful for a morning-after breakfast. For questions or events, call 514 845 5392 or email [email protected].