Alt-country club Muni tees up a social golfing hideaway in Pointe-Saint-Charles

Montreal’s best times for socializing, sports, and getting a bit day-sloshed are cruelly short, and as attention is increasingly drawn away from drinking ‘til 3 a.m. on a wintry Friday, that’s left room for indoor alternatives to sprout up.

Muni, an 8,000-square-foot urban indoor golf club that blends high-tech simulators, Southern-inspired eats, and a boutique pro shop offers time on the green by bringing the fairway into the city. Styled as more than just another sports bar, Muni trades shoving simulators into the corner for an alternative to the country club.

Behind the concept is Emile Ménard, a former amateur youth golfer. After years of working for his family’s company and playing golf in the States, he set up Muni in the corner of Pointe-Saint-Charles’ Nordelec building where Cacao 70’s open-to-the-public factory once stood. 

Ménard began developing the idea a few years ago and soon brought in partners to flesh out the concept: Peter as Muni’s Director of Marketing, Max Ruiz Lang, and chef Liam Barron heading up the kitchen—who together combine experience from spots like Montreal Bowling, Lou’s and Rendez-Vous.

“The goal was to recreate that country club vibe, but indoors and accessible. We didn’t want to lean too heavily into the golf theme—it’s not in-your-face,” Mant says.

That’s not you in the corner

Muni’s main attraction lies in a lineup of seven semi-private, living room-inspired simulators in rooms dressed in materials like carpets, heavy curtains, and wood veneer. The décor evokes the sport’s classic elegance, balanced with minimalist details to bridge the tradition to the tech.

The simulators themselves are powered by the South Korean company GOLFZON’s cutting-edge hardware and software. As far as the principals know, Muni is the first location in Quebec to use them. While that probably all reads like hyperbole, GOLFZON was chosen because of its deep understanding of what makes golf, well, golf.

“These aren’t your average simulators,” Mant explains. “The plate moves to mimic different lies—sand, rough, fairway bunkers. It tracks every shot, films you, and even provides AI swing evaluations through an app. The more you play, the more it learns about your game.”

It’s the type of tech that can make a scratch golfer better and give a beginner the tools to improve. But it’s not all data and perfectionism, as Muni was made for everyone, be it a seasoned golfer, a complete novice, or someone just looking for something fun to do.

“We didn’t want the simulators to feel like an afterthought in a bar,” Mant explains. “We wanted people to feel that country club vibe, but without the exclusivity. It’s about accessibility, about making golf something everyone can enjoy.” 

That’s baked right into the name—Muni is short for “municipal,” a nod to its inclusive invitation to all golfers and those interested in starting out.

This ain't summering in Nantucket or a weekend in the Hamptons

If the simulators’ interiors are any indication, aesthetics is no afterthought. Designed by Montreal’s Ivy Studio, the space fuses its original industrial elements with refined details—think wood tones, bold colours, a maroon-and-green colour scheme, and custom lighting fixtures.

“We wanted it to feel different from anything else in Montreal,” Mant says. “Ivy Studio nailed it—mixing modern and classic elements to create something functional and beautiful.”

That extends to the 50-seat restaurant and bar, which leans on country club fare you’d find in the Southern United States to distinguish itself from the usual sports bar grub: Biscuits, fried chicken, nachoes, and Cobb salads all get thoughtful touches to elevate them a bit.

“There’s a bit of a lack of Southern-inspired food in Montreal,” Mant says. “We wanted to bring that style to life and offer something different.”

As for drinks, the bar menu doesn’t fall into clichés of only serving the stuff you’d find when googling ‘classic golf cocktails.’ While you can find traditionals like transfusions, the cocktail card—designed by Jono Thorpe from Lou’s—offers options that would feel at home in a high-end lounge.

“Muni’s drink menu is inspired by some of the classics from New Orleans, the birthplace of many modern cocktails,” Thorpe says. “We put our own spin on them to help make them more golf-appropriate, while still feeling like the originals they are based on.”

As for Muni’s in-house boutique, it caters to golf enthusiasts through gear, accessories, and fashion. It eschews standards for more up-and-coming and alternative brands like Country Club Adjacent, Malbon, and the Montreal-based Forden. 

“A lot of these brands are tough to find in stores—most people order them online. At Muni, you can come in, touch, feel, and try it on,” Mant says. 

With plans for pop-ups and collaborative events, the boutique is set to grow into something more dynamic with time.

Creating that third space

“We wanted a place where anyone can come,” Mant says. “Have a beer, watch the game, try something new. It’s not just about golf—it’s about creating that third space. Not your house, not your office, but somewhere else to hang out and feel comfortable.”

The timing couldn’t be better. As Montrealers embrace activity-based socializing, Muni is poised to become another staple in the city’s entertainment landscape. 

 “It’s fun to be a little bit of a kid again. Whether it’s arcades, bowling, or golf, people are looking for something to do,” Mant says. “That’s what Muni is all about—giving people that experience in a way that feels elevated and unique.”