f you’re hell-bent on serious, al fresco drinking, try testing out any of these decks you may well know, may well love, may have forgotten about, and may never have heard of. Once again, we at Martiniboys.com have donned our lab coats and subjected the city’s terraces of inebriation to rigorous testing. Our team of writers has visited each one, testing the potency of drinks, measuring the padding on chairs, administering attitude tests and test-driving martinis. Whether or not you crave the burn of alcohol or just like the action, the numbers don't lie: Any of these deck spots hold the power to put you in a better mood, sufficiently crowded with like-minded stylers for whom threads and rides are as salient as scoring.



Aix La Terrasse
I welcome any opportunity to use the word "Aix." Due to its sleek, industrial design and much ballyhooed (yeah, I wrote ballyhooed, so what?), French-fused culinary sculptures, this patio atop the L Place d’Armes has quickly become the crème de la crème for those seeking the hippest and most cosmopolitan of urban lounging. Immersed in foreign money and local energy, the gorgeous patronage eagerly submits to Aix La Terrace’s numerous charms. Indulge in ultra-hip fondue dishes and super-designer Martinis, including a few concoctions from the mixologist lab. – A.J. $$$. 701 Cote de la Place d’Armes, 514-842-1887.



Altitude 737
When the heightened demands of urban life get stale and you find yourself hankering for something 727 feet aboveground (specifically), consider this resto-lounge/deck perched atop Place Ville-Marie. With one of the best views of the Montreal skyline, 737 offers a bit of fresh air and the chance to pick on vertigo sufferers. This upscale restaurant serves pan-Asian cuisine and doubles as a chi-chi weekend nightclub, with DJ music so loud it's difficult to talk. Even so, Altitude 737 tends to attract the young and the wealthy. – R.L. $$$$. 1 Place Ville Marie-Niveau, 514-397-0737.



Bar le Drugstore
Much like the temptation to go swimming shortly after eating, the desire to mix pharmaceuticals and booze can be strong, especially in a drugstore bar. Sometimes the best way to deal with temptation is to face it head on (or give in; either way). Despite this resto’s moniker, cowboy Matt Dillon will not be found within, thus Le Drugstore leaves many hearts unfulfilled with their false promises. With two outdoor terraces, one of which on the rooftop, you have plenty of space to let your wild ways run free. -E.J. $$$. 1366, rue Sainte-Catherine Est., 514-524-1960.



Bar Plan B
Bar Plan B has split personalities, and quite blatant it is. Inside, the décor is comfortable-chic. With soft, light-coloured walls and dark leather and wood seating, the contrast provides a laid-back, yet attractive, environment. The patio, however, seems like a whole other world. During the day, you could go out there and have a beer and hors-d’oeuvres, surrounded by enormous walls covered in greenery, creating a casual environment. At night, the great music, extensive drink menu, dark surrounding sky and the small yellow lights around the terrace are what make it one of the most desirable summertime venues in the area. –M.K. $$$, 327 Avenue Du Mont-Royal E., 514-845-6060.



Le Bar Soleil
Le Bar Soleil, a poolside utopia atop the Hilton Bonaventure, embraces a hotel-ish design, complete with a botanical garden. It has a cosmopolitan in-spot vibe for young social networkers settling into patio chairs, marble-tiled tables, and an impressive selection of elixirs, wine and bubbly, including Veuve Clicquot, Cristal and Cristallino. Because nothing goes with a view like small-bites, tapas is available from the hotel's restaurant. The sound system pipes in lounge beats, but stays low enough to allow for intimate, creepy stare conversations. - A.J. $$$$. 900 de la Gauchetière West, 514-878-2332.



Bar St-Sulpice
The purple Mercedes parked out front portends the surreal ambiance awaiting inside. St-Sulpice creates a little downtown magic with the help of three floors, numerous inter-connected, ethereal terraces, and a lounge-y DJ vibe. This longtime downtown favourite keeps a low-but-chic profile without being pretentious; they have a VIP room that's reservation-only, and kitschy cocktails, like the Cosmopolitan with raspberry Smirnoff, to help hipster patrons do that voodoo they do so well. – A.J. $$$. 1680, rue Saint-Denis, 514-844-9458.



Ristorante Bice
I thought of writing, 'the ristorante so nice they named it Bice,' but that's not even verboten enough to be good. Instead, you get: Since 1926, this Milan-based mini-chain of fine Italian restaurants has slowly been claiming new fine-dining footholds throughout the world. With this expansion into Montreal, Italy has finally conquered a part of the North America under its own flag (Columbus was a sell-out). The recent addition of a loving-glance culling, garden-esque patio further cements Bice's hold over epicureans, trenchermen, and air lovers (I think everyone, aside from fish, loves air). -S.T. $$$. 1504, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, 514-844-9458.



Brasserie Le Réservoir
Quintessentially Plateau, Le Réservoir is a blend of down-home décor and modern design. Locals and hipsters alike flock here for the home-brewed selection of beers and the laidback atmosphere. The terrace on the second floor is a perfect place to grab a pint, order some tapas and soak in the rays. Incidentally, don't quote Reservoir Dogs, it's been done (and poorly). -S.T. $$. 9 Duluth East, 514-849-7779.



Café des Éclusiers
Situated just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist traps, Café des Éclusiers is a stone’s throw from the booming tech industry offices and piled high with the requisite Blackberry-wielding nine to fivers. Time and time again urbanites make their way back to this outdoor haven in the hopes of finally making it in. Can one blame them? The Café works on a simple formula: great view plus good booze. There just aren’t many places as remarkably picturesque in Canada as Old Montreal and there are even fewer places you can go to have a decent drink and tan all the while. With a recently revamped lounge on the second level, complete with squishy banquets and a reworked menu, the Café offers beautiful views and beautiful people. -S.T. $$$. 400 De la Commune West, 514-496-0109.



Café Cherrier
The word-of-mouth reputation of this MTL tavern far exceeds any press that a PR firm could provide. Since 1931, this café has been serving lattes, frappes and cappuccinos to patrons who brave the chilly weather at the opportunity of dining on the large wrap-around terrace. The potential of finding a patio seat become quite slim come summer when hoards of media and show biz types lounge around and munch on the bistro-style French fare with friends all afternoon. If you want an invite to their table, dress up a garbage bag outfit with your kid cousin’s acrylics and a plasticine bracelet under the air of an “artiste” devoted to their craft. They will FLOCK towards you. –E.J. $$$$. 3635 rue St-Denis, 514-843-4308.




Café Local
This café might seem like a regular bar on the outside, but they actually serve brunch, and have a selection of burgers and several Mexican dishes, all reasonably priced. The place also happens to have a great variety of martinis to choose from, which are lovely to drink on their small-yet-cute patio. –M.K. $$. 200 St-Viateur Ouest, 514-274-3651.