We came here on a Friday afternoon and had to wait maybe five minutes for a table. The drink list is very unique and interesting... I like how they have the cocktail backstory and describe the flavors. The reason for three stars is really the service... Our server took forever to come take our order, then came back 7-8 minutes later and asked us what we ordered, which means it didn't even go into the system yet. Then we see others who arrived after us who were given waters, and bar snacks of chips and mixed snacks... We had to ask for those, and he only brought the mixed snacks, not chips. We ordered the hummus, but he never brought it, and by that time we were over it so we didn't bring it up. read more

Bar 1608 - Bar confidential and green fog - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

has a beautiful, upscale ambiance that really sets the mood. The space feels elegant and intimate. It was perfect for a night out . We only stopped in for cocktails. The presentation was lovely and very aesthetic, though the drinks themselves were just okay. Not bad, but nothing particularly memorable flavor-wise.service was very prompt. Overall, it's a great spot for the atmosphere alone, especially if you're looking for something refined and stylish. I'd come back to try more of the menu. read more

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What a treat to visit this historic hotel while sipping on one of the most creative cocktail bars in QC. As soon as we were seated at the bar, we were served water and bar snacks. The service was very smooth and in between watching our bartender making all the beautiful drinks, he took time to jot down other speakeasies around town for us to visit. Our chosen cocktails - Hemingway's Retreat and Soie were out of this world. Yes, both drinks were expensive, but rightfully so given the location and the complexity of the drink. Both drinks were so tasty that we can't wait to return to try other drinks. read more

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Bar 1608 was absolutely fantastic -- a true gem inside the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. From the moment you step in, the ambiance is both elegant and inviting, with a perfect mix of historic charm and modern sophistication. Love love love this hotel and this bar was an added bonus!!! The drinks? Superb. Each cocktail was expertly crafted, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. You can tell the bartenders take pride in their craft -- every sip was a treat. Whether you're a cocktail lover or just in the mood for a great glass of wine, Bar 1608 delivers on all fronts. The service was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, and the views overlooking the St. Lawrence River added an extra layer of magic to the experience. I absolutely love this hotel, classy, cozy, and unforgettable -- I can't wait to return! read more

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The best bartenders around! Lovely location and a perfect place to grab a nightcap. We came every night of our stay and were always extremely pleased with the drinks and service. read more

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I stayed at the hotel so I stopped by this bar and it really was gorgeously decorated with a classy ambience! loved the charcuterie so much paired with a glass of wine. Would highly recommend checking out this bar read more

Bar 1608 - wine and charcuterie - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

What a great bar! We are guests at the hotel. Our bartender Jeremy takes pride in his work. He created some masterpieces. Vibe was energetic. We didnt order food here but they have small bites and Tapas menu. read more

Bar 1608 - Jeremy - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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After a stressful train ride from Montreal, 1608 Bar filled my cup... literally! The drink menu is gorgeous! There's beautiful hand-painted photos of the drinks as well as a write up of the history, ingredients ands anything else. There's a cocktail specifically made for Anthony Bourdain. The Old Fashioned was out of this world-definitely in my top 5 ever! My server Henri was lovely and recommended some things for me to do while in QC! He was incredibly busy so it was nice to chat for a hot sec. The bar itself is masculine with dark wood, books and a fireplace. The views of the St. Lawrence are awesome (if you're seated near a window). The tables are tightly packed together so you so absolutely overhear (and possible even meet!) your table neighbors! The bathrooms are in the hotel (go to the 1st Christmas tree and turn left!) but there's several stalls. There's also several staff members if you get lost on your way back! Everyone speaks perfect English as well! read more

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Drinks and appetizers were good as expected. However, we had a bartender accidentally spill champagne all over my wife and I. He was apologetic and nice and we were good sports about it but I would expect some sort of gesture to have a drink or 2 to be written off. A small gesture for potentially ruining our clothes would have been ok. I understand accidents happen and the bartender was cool other than that but expected to feel better walking out of there. read more

Wanted to do cocktails based on the reviews of this place. The cocktails did not disappoint! We had to wait about 10 mins to get a seat at the bar and were seated directly in front of the bartender. We got to observe him in action with all the convictions he put together. We were served popcorn and chips while waiting for our drinks. We were not provided with water as most high end bars automatically do. We ordered the Artic char which was very fresh and we also tried the duck croquettes, those were also tasty. The place is a bit loud and was very busy. It was in a great location and in the special historic chateau Frontenac. Good place to check out and wind down after a busy day in Quebec. read more

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Stopped in one night while staying at the hotel. Beautiful historic bar. The bar itself is visually stunning. The service not so good. One of those places where they are all over you to order when you first sit down. Then it's all downhill from there to get anyone's attention to reorder. Pretty much all tourists. Good place to stop in for a drink, that's probably all you'll get is one. read more

Fantastic ambience and great cocktails! The whole place is very classy. Definitely would come again.

Stopped in for drinks, just because it's in the Chateau. Very skilled bartending and great waitstaff, who were helpful in making selections. I chose the Smoked Old Fashioned, which uses their very own version of Maker's Mark, and a 1608 Cocktail Club. Both were well done and delicious. It was great to be able to sit in such a great hotel and atmosphere for a little while and pretend we could afford to stay at such an establishment. read more

Bar 1608 - Smoked Old Fashioned. With Maker's Mark cuvée Château Frontenac. - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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The atmosphere was upbeat and lots of mingling happening in this place. We got a spot directly in front of the bartenders work area which was great. Between people watching we had another show of him doing his magic. Nothing to complain about food wise either. read more

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Every once again you have to just say "I deserve this!" And this my friends is one of those days! We came into this bar after a brief wait time upon there 2 pm opening. We sat in a low top corner table over looking the river . Our server Felix was so delightful to us. He was polite , energetic and knowledgeable. He gave us many tips and pointers from dishes to drinks to local things to do and try. We settled on some of the more important things in life , wine champagne caviar meats and cheeses. All of the above mentioned were just what we needed and deserved in life. The caviar was local the meats were cured to perfection the champagne bubbles went from your toes to your nose and the wine warm your heart. Beyond the amazing table fare the hotel leading up was beautifully decorated with various Christmas trees and decor. The ambiance kept the Christmas vibe alive. I highly recommend trying this place and trusting in the staff . I would hope you have 1/2 the experience we had and you will leave with a full belly a warm body and a complete heart! Merry Christmas to all . Live laugh and treat yourself cause you deserve it!! read more

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Amazing vibes here, we were staying at the Frontenac and decided to grab a few drinks here. This is the place to go if you're looking for true mixology! We also got the cheese board which was very good as well! Definitely recommend stopping in here. read more

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This review is not for those of you that live this lifestyle all the time...for those of you who can afford to actually stay in this historic hotel. This review is for those of us that would like to feel for a moment what it might be like to stay in a such a charming place. TIP: Go off hours...there's not a lot of room in this bar area. We went late afternoon, before typical bar hour time. By the time we left, it was packed. Two of us had wine, while the other two had mixed drinks. All were just right. Our server brought us some munchies, and was kind enough to plug my phone into an outlet at the bar to charge when I asked. (sadly it didn't work though, but I never told him). For us this was one of those magical moments where for a short while we felt part of something way beyond our everyday grasp. Note in point: a couple was just getting in their Bentley that the Valet brought them as we were walking away. read more

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This place is a world class bar. We came here for drinks before our reservation for Le Continental. I wish I could have stayed for the food which looked phenomenal. But those drinks. Those wonderful, wonderful drinks. Is their a more skilled bunch of bartenders in Quebec City than this place? If so, id love to know because the bartenders here are at the top of their game. Perfectly balanced drinks, inventive drinks. The strawberry gin drink with drops of tarragon oil was *chefs kiss*. This bar is a must try if you are in QC. read more

Bar 1608 - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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Very great bar with an amazing bar tender that makes great cocktails on and off the menu. Very enjoyable place for drinks and oysters. read more

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The cocktail bar at Chateau Frontenac overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence river. We got there a few minute before opening on a Sunday and we were first in line which gave us the best seats in the house. We had the Bella Vita and a wonderful glass of Malbec with a platter of cheeses. Expensive? Yes, but oh so worth it! read more

Bar 1608 - Overlooking the St Lawrence - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

So beautiful! We were not able to stay for long, just a small pre-drink dinner; However, the views were beautiful, all furniture was exceptional and the drinks were tasty. Definitely would stop in for a drink! read more

A little pricey but worth it! We ordered 6 drinks and one cheese plate and our bill was 260 Canadian dollars. Cheese plate was excellent. Drinks were creative. Great place to stop. read more

Bar 1608 - 5 Fromage - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

Stopped here for drinks prior to having dinner at Le Sam. Lots of room in the bar. It had to go on a wait list as they didn't have enough staff. Pretty bad for one of the largest if not the largest hotel in Quebec City. read more

Awesome drinks here. Unfortunately didn't get the standard experience because the main spot was under renovations, so we were seated in an underground wine cellar type temporary location. But here I experienced the best Negroni I've ever had. read more

Bar 1608 - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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We went there on Easter weekend just to have a drink. Place it's ok, environment acceptable, service very good. However very pricy for what you get ( location for sure). Would I recommend to go? Maybe but there are way better places around. read more

Beautiful bar, tasty cocktails, great music! One of the best espresso martinis I've ever had. Our bartender was so pleasant and attentive. read more

Bar 1608 - Espresso martini - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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Really sexy bar with great vibes. The waitstaff was excellent, and we ended up spending a lot of time here. We got the beef pate (small plate) and were pleasantly surprised. It came with crackers, some fruit and jams as well. It was delicious. This is a great place to stop by for drinks. read more

Bar 1608 - Beer Pate - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

Quirky little bar with wonderful views in the Chateau Frontenac. While the Chateau Frontenac is a big deal out here and is very nice, the 1608 Bar was resting on those laurels instead of its own; the 1608 Bar is right next to the fancy Champlain restaurant. We were seated relatively quickly, and then sat there for the longest time to see if anyone would mosey over and take a drink order. They finally did, and left a little bowl of stale nuts for us to munch on. The drinks themselves were only fair. One in our group wasn't up for alcohol so she ordered lemonade - what came out was seltzer water with a lemon squeezed into it - 1 star bad. Another had an Amareto Sour and it was 2 star affair - it really didn't taste anything like one from the States and I didn't know it would be so different up north in Canada - they must have used some off brand mixer or used a different recipe because we didn't finish this drink either ... just maybe they gave us a New York Sour by accident. The last in our party had a Boulevardier and this one barely reaches 3 stars; once again they must have used a substitute for the regular ingredients (1 part whiskey/rye, 1 part Compari, and 1 part sweet vermouth) or their recipe is just different (the 1608 Bar recipe was supposed to have some brandy in it also) - either way it was just OK. All in all, the Bar is more show than go and we would not return. In fairness, we did not try the food items in the 1608 Bar and they may be a difference maker to some. read more

Amazing bar at the Chateau Frontenac! Prices were surprisingly reasonable here considering the venu. We both got cocktails and the mixed platter which I highly recommend! It was a mix of several different meats, two cheeses, berries and jamThey also serve complimentary nuts with drinks. I would most definitely come back! read more

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Really cool drinks and a nice atmosphere. If you're staying at the hotel make this a stop on your evening travels.

My husband and I stopped in for an afternoon drink and charcuterie board. I tried a local white wine and very much enjoyed it! The charcuterie board was not only beautiful but delicious. It was my first time trying pate and it definitely will not be my last! Beautiful modern bar in an iconic hotel. read more

Bar 1608 - Quebec cheese + 3 meat charcuterie board - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

Best hotel bar in Québec...hands down! Located inside the Chateau Frontenac, in historic Old Québec. I chose a classic gin martini, prepared with Québec's Piger Henricus gin, made by Les distillateurs subversifs (the subversive distillers). It has a floral note, and includes parsnip in its flavor profile. The olives alone in this martini are worth the trip up the hill by foot or funicular, the latter being a cable with ascending and descending cars, counterbalanced. The bartenders at 1608 are exceptional architects of adult beverage. We enjoyed a 180° view of the port from comfy seating behind the centrifuge bar. read more

Bar 1608 - Classic gin martini at 1608 - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

1608 is an amazing bar! Don't be shy, and take a load off in one of their comfy leather chairs by the fireplace or by one of their grande windows near the back of the bar. Service was fantastic, and the hubby and I felt very welcomed. We relaxed and people watched as plenty of other tourists came in to take pics of the bar. Had a white cosmo which was the best thing I ever had and the hubs had a drink which I think was called "jam the sam" which was spicy yet fruity----so good! We also got a cheese board which I highly recommend. It was delish and we sampled various types of Quebec cheese. Time went by so quickly and the environment was so relaxing that we did not want to leave. Price wise-yes it was expensive, but totally worth it! ;) read more

Bar 1608 - white cosmo - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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Lovely hunting type atmosphere (even if dead animals are not my thing). Dark and well appointed room. Great seating options. Just here for an after dinner drink but we were glad we stopped in. I had amaretto di saronno on the rocks and it came with 1/2 a lemon that I squeezed into and rubbed around the glass. I've never had it that way and it is my new fav drink. Hubby had single malt. Only drawback was the pours were small. For a fancy bar in a fancy hotel with fancy prices they could be more generous. Here again tonight. Same cheap pours. Intolerable and wrong. read more

Bar 1608 - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

If this is a "cheese bar," then that term is meaningless. The cheese plate appeared inviting, with various fruits and jams, but the interest ended there. The actual cheese selection process was lazy. They ignored our request for a blue cheese or anything with a pungent smell (I demand a strong nasal assault from my cheeses!). They placed three remarkably similar (and boring) cheeses, two of which felt like something we'd get at a grocery store. What a disappointment. The waiter boasted they had hundreds of cheese varieties, but fell flat on his face in explaining them. Also, the deer tartare was remarkably boring, with virtually no discernible interesting taste. Short version: a warm place to have an expensive drink when it's too nasty outside to enjoy the nice view. read more

Second time at 1608 in the Frontenac. Don't listen to the naysayers, it's got great atmosphere and they actually put alcohol in their drinks so it's worth the $$ read more

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This bar is located inside of Fairmont de Frontenac Castle. It's also pretty darn cozy and romantic with class and elegance. The cocktail menu is impressive, be-careful though you could find yourself ordering a $500 cocktail without not even knowing it! We had a wine and cheese plate, multiple different cocktails and they were all on point each time. Super pricey $20 for casual cocktail USD. The staff was friendly, accommodated us Texans with no issues, very awesome place to watch the snow fall and have a drink. read more

Bar 1608 - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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Bar with a Great atmosphere and ambiance. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The different seating areas are great depending if you are there for a date or group setting. The drinks: excellently crafted and tailored, perfect balance in cocktails. ** I am an old fashion snob, and usually find that most bars don't make it well. This bar makes the perfect old fashion (asked for Makers Mark). The balance and choice of bitters was excellent - I wouldn't doubt it if they made their own bitters. The cheese plate was very delicious and came very thoughtfully put together. If I had to find one flaw, I would say that for a craft cocktail bar (and the fact that it's a bit pricy), I wish they had specialty ice cubes, perhaps bigger squares of sphere for the bourbon/whisky drinks Etc. But overall a great experience ! read more

Bar 1608 - Wine Bars Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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Beautiful semi-circle wine bar in the Fairmont hotel. Highlights: - Lovely comfortable seating areas at chairs around the bar - Views: later at night by the windows you can see the lit up buildings by the water - Fun music: but not too loud so you could still hold a conversation - Chili popcorn and a snack mix were great to much on - Liked the wines we ordered - Offered local cheeses and other snacks for purchase - Contemporary art: blue-haired David Bowie and painting of people serving wine at a bar. Also Beauty and the Beast like glass cylinders encompassing large vodka bottles. Lowlights: - Have to wait to be seated during more crowded times - No affordable glasses of sparkling wine: cheapest was 29 Canadian dollars Loved it here that we visited twice in our 4 day stay--and probably would have more if we had the time. read more

Was craving wine and cheese and was staying in the hotel, so I decided to travel downstairs to see what this was about. We got a seat right away and was brought chips and some nuts, while we waited to order. My partner got a non alcoholic drink, I think the grandmas pie, and it tasted good. I settled for the Pinot gris. I really wanted to only have wines from Canada and their wine menu left me wanting more options, which is why they lost a star. We got a cheese plate and were asked our preference, we didn't really have one. We got a goat cheese, brie, and blue cheese. All which were good. read more