The Sun had the opportunity to visit the premises of the new establishment on the eve of its official opening, this Thursday January 9, 2025. Called Tiger Bar, this small speakeasy continues the tradition of underground taverns from the American Prohibition era… without the guesswork to spot it.
Indeed, its co-owner and co-founder Félix Lemieux Dallaire is not hiding too much about the location of his supposedly hidden new address.
“There’s a certain intrigue and a good demand for this kind of hidden place. It’s a way to attract a good clientele, because not everyone knows that it exists and where it is located. But to attract them, you have to tell people where it is!” he says.
The Asian theme of the place led to the choice of lanterns and the tiger as the logo, in particular. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
It is therefore under the Miyagi restaurant that the Tiger Bar shows its claws. Owned by Mr. Lemieux Dallaire and his partner Caroline Guay, the Thai cuisine and sushi bistro moved into its new premises on 3rd Avenue, in Limoilou, in the fall. With this move, the well-known address — which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in February — has tripled in size, going from 40 to 100 seats.
Like Alice in Wonderland…
By taking the staircase that leads to the Miyagi basement, customers will be able to access the Tiger Bar via a hidden door equipped with a surprising detection system. So as not to spoil the pleasure of the curious, let’s just say that this access point is reminiscent of Alice’s when crossing into Wonderland…
Lighting is an integral part of the decor. It can be varied depending on the occasion. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
From the ceiling hang traditional lanterns imported from Asia and long tubes of luminescent diodes whose colors and intensity vary depending on the desired atmosphere. The walls have pages from old wrestling magazines from the 1970s and 1980s. A counter leans against a stone wall which reveals the foundation of the building.
In short, we focused on refined eclecticism for this small place with around forty seats, it is said.
“The Tiger Bar concept brings us another atmosphere, inspired by Asian street food and Bangkok bars. We wanted it to be dynamic, festive and unique in Quebec,” explains Mr. Lemieux Dallaire.
The Tiger Bar can accommodate around forty customers, up to around sixty if the tables are removed. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
In the speakers, we promise to resonate “gentle” hip-hop, 1980s pop “without electric guitar” as well as emerging electro.
The same menu as Miyagi
Initially, the Tiger Bar concept promised a distinct menu, inspired by Thai street food. However, for reasons of “complicated organization”, efficiency and labor, we instead turned to the Thai bistronomic slate and sushi at Miyagi just above. On the menu: Asian starters and soups, wok stir-fries, pork dumplings, rolls, revisited poutines, salads, poké bowls and sushi, among others.
Leather and metal for an “industrial” touch to the bar. You can order an elbow drop, a tiger mule, a flip flop and fly amaretto and shooters, among other cocktails with colorful names. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
That said, the hidden bar has its own equipped kitchen, which can accommodate large groups during corporate evenings, in particular.
Finally, the Tiger Bar offers its own signature beer and cocktail menu. Among them, some specialties developed for the occasion, including one called “The Elbow Descent” in reference to a wrestling movement.
A 2.5 million project
With the move of Miyagi and the opening of Tiger Bar, Félix Lemieux Dallaire and Caroline Guay are completing a long-term project. It took approximately three years and $2.5 million to make their vision a reality.
Forming a couple in love as in business, Caroline Guay and Félix Lemieux Dallaire invested heavily in the move of Miyagi and the opening of Tiger Bar. (Frédéric Matte/Le Soleil)
“The Miyagi remains the same, but with more space and an improved experience,” says Mr. Lemieux Dallaire. With the Tiger, it allows us to develop another good clientele, to offer alcohol at a fair price and to offer a place that has a lot of class, something which — in my opinion — was lacking in Limoilou in this register” , he adds.
Namely
- Tiger Bar
- Address: 442, 3e Avenue, in the Limoilou district, in Quebec (under the Miyagi Bistro Thaï et Sushis restaurant)
- Hours: Thursday to Monday, 4 p.m. to midnight (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
- Info: tigerbar.ca
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