Willie's Clubhouse brings an elevated billiards, darts, and cocktail lounge to downtown Montreal

The recreational landscape continues to evolve beyond the traditional bar scene, and activity-based venues are gaining momentum thanks to home teams focused on offering up alternatives.

First there was the revived relic of Montreal Bowling, then the indoor driving ranges of the alt-country club Muni, and now? The latest entrant, Willie's Clubhouse, transforms a mothballed, 3,230-square-foot space in the Montreal Forum into a refined space that combines classic billiards, darts, and cocktail culture.

In development since last summer, what started as aspirations for "just another pub" evolved into something more ambitious: a trendy English-style pool hall connected to a sophisticated dart room with distinct personalities.

"We wanted a space for people to really be able to hang out, whereas bowling seems more of an event," explains Peter Mant, who worked on the project alongside Renaud Lambert, Phil Allard, and Vincent St-Pierre.

"This is very much a hangout spot—pool, darts, bar, some sports on as well—with a different feel than bowling, a little more laid back."

The design mandate given to Ivy Studio was clear: create an "old English clubhouse vibe" that evokes nostalgia for high-end pool clubs while maintaining accessibility. The result is a space divided into two distinct zones that still feel cohesive.

"Walking into the Forum, it's so white, and it can feel surreal when you come into the lobby of Willie's through the elevator," Mant explains. "This just feels like a whole other world."

No neon, no busted felt, no sports bar clichés

Willie's Clubhouse deliberately avoids the stereotypical pool hall atmosphere. The main area houses multiple pool tables—not the massive tournament-style ones, but classic 8-ball tables—surrounded by carefully considered design elements that elevate the experience.

"We wanted something a little newer, something with more feel, not necessarily just oriented towards beer or sports bars," Mant says.

What was originally an open space with no bar, two TVs, and brightly colored walls has been transformed into a venue where the overall vibe matches exactly what the space looks like—new, fresh, yet with a bit of old-school feel. The design makes traditional billiards feel aesthetic and elevated—chic, but still accessible.

Montreal's newest throwback pastime

Perhaps most surprising about Willie's Clubhouse is its dedicated dart room, an adjacent new kid on the block dubbed the "Dark Room". Connected to the pool area through two entrances in the wall, this speakeasy-like space offers four dartboards under specially positioned lights, creating what Mant describes as "extremely pleasing aesthetics along with being a fun activity."

"There's such a lack of dedicated space for darts in Montreal, and it's super accessible," Mant explains. "All ages were playing one Friday, all demographics, and it can be played very quickly."

The dart room has its own distinct identity—more refined, like a lounge or chic cocktail bar. Think smoky backrooms where old soul, jazz, and NYC rap play. "It's the kind of place where you feel like lighting a cigar and sipping a martini," says Renaud Lambert, another of Willie's Clubhouse's principals.

The 'bar ludique'

Beyond pool and darts, visitors can enjoy various table games like chess, backgammon, Jenga, dice, and cards. The versatility of the space means guests can grab a beer, go to a table, and just have some fun, hence that 'clubhouse' concept.

"It’s ‘ludique’ in a subtle way — almost without you noticing it. There are different areas designed for different moods: you can chat, have a drink, play cards, watch a game, shoot some pool. It’s playful, but sophisticated," explains Lambert.

The food menu features classic pub fare: nachos ($15), hot dogs ($3.50), grilled cheese ($7), paninis ($9-$9.50), and mac n' cheese ($13). "It's more like pub food," explains Lambert. "It's simple stuff, but stuff that we think people will really appreciate."

Willie's truly shines in its elevated drink offerings: The cocktail menu includes a dedicated martini section, signature cocktails featuring vermouths and amaros, and a curated beer selection with beer snacks to match.

"Later on, we want to create even more cocktail-oriented options in the dark room," Lambert adds, hinting at future expansions to the concept.

Destinations within destinations

Willie's Clubhouse adds another dimension to the Forum, which now houses bowling, a lounge, a cinema, and a comedy club under the same roof. "The Forum's become a destination now where you can spend hours; that was also a bit of our mission here," Lambert says.

The timing seems perfect. Montreal Bowling and Muni have reportedly seen successful weeks even throughout the winter, the team says, suggesting Montrealers are embracing activity-based socializing with enthusiasm.

With Willie's Clubhouse now open seven days a week, Montreal gains yet another sophisticated "third space" that isn't quite a bar, isn't quite an arcade or game room, but something more thoughtfully positioned in between.