With an ambiance that's kitschy, quirky, and slightly baroque, this is perhaps the only bar in Montreal worthy of the adjective "swank." Relaxed crowd of mostly 30- and 40-somethings intent on some grown-up fun. Expect any of the occasional live music acts to know not only how to play well enough, but how to find numbers lower than 10 on the volume dial. Gainzbar is also one of the few bars I know that has found an acceptable use for TVs in a bar, which is to contribute constructively to the ambiance by silently playing trashy B-movies from the mid-20th century. The overall atmosphere is inviting and relaxed.
Bartenders are emphatically not mixologists. Don't order an Old Fashioned or a Sidecar. Do order beers, shots, and simple drinks like G&Ts. Cheers!