Loft Club
After clubs started realizing that they were losing business to private loft parties, they decided to tackle the issue by naming their club after the coveted dwelling in hopes that people would associate this club with the funky, classy, floor-to-ceiling space that houses hipsters - thus the vibe of the private parties would transfer accordingly. While this is not necessarily true (who really can afford or would want a loft on the corner of party-central St-Laurent & Ste-Catherine anyways?), there is quite a following who come to Loft for cheap drinks and space to get their boogie on. Though the patio is not exactly a typical loft feature, we’ll let it slide as the views of the antics occurring below are hard to match at other venues in the city. -E.J. $$. 1405 St Laurent, 514-281-8058.




Narcisse Bar a Vin
This wine bar is located in Old Montreal, which says something about the restaurant already. In such a coveted location, and a selection of over 100 wine varieties, a wine-connoisseur would get weak at the knees. The patio is seriously stunning, and the view is what makes it spectacular instead of just nice; it's overlooking the Old Port and the St. Lawrence River, creating a picturesque view of the horizon. Also, the tables are set just as elegantly as inside the restaurant, with summery wicker chairs and white tablecloths surrounded by potted plants and blooming flowers. –M.K. $$$. 93 rue de la Commune E., Montreal, QC, 514-392-1649.



Nuevo
I’ve never really been sold on the whole ‘supperclub’ idea, so I was pleasantly surprised with what I found at Nuevo. Weekends are packed with birthday revelers and office party mayhem. What you don’t notice right away is the inviting, little terrace in the back that can hold about 40 people. There, you can find respite from the loosened tie, spouse calling set. As a bonus, the tapas menu is superb. Try the honey chicken, you'll swear off cow. –MBO. $$$$. 775 Mont-Royal East, 514-525-7000.




Pub Victoria
This “old school” pub has been around for ages and is the real-deal, serving pub-grub such as beef Wellington, Yorkshire pudding, beef dip, stout and mashed potatoes. What’s great about this pub is its selection of real good beers such as Kilkenny, Guinness etc. and, obviously, its incredible terrace, so expect it to be busy, even around noon. –M.K. $$. 698 Rue Notre-Dame O., 514-864-5060.



< Restaurant S
Restaurant S stands for many things available on the patio beginning with the eponymous letter. First, Spring and Summer are a good start as those would be the optimum seasons for enjoying the lilac and herb scents wafting by during your lunch excursion. The Saint-Sulpice Garden, and its reputation as being one of the most gorgeous and oldest in the city, it another “S” worthy focal point on the patio which horticulturalists and admirers of beauty (the rest of us) will equally enjoy. Finally, sun and shade are also “S” features available exclusively on the patio where patrons can get a dose of Vitamin D from the big red ball in the sky or take recluse under the shady trees and umbrellas. Voila le “S”! -E.J. $$$$. 125 Saint-Paul Ouest, 514-350-1155.



Ritz Garden
Invite someone you want to impress and take a trip back in time. Why not a champagne cocktail? Gallivanting baby ducks perhaps? Housed within the walls of the majestic Ritz Carlton Hotel, the Garden is a bastion of a time forgotten. You'll feel aristocratic in the confines of this English garden. So slip on your Sunday best and enjoy an elegant drink even your grandmother would approve of. –MBO. $$$$$. 1228 Sherbrooke Street West, 514-842-4212.



Rosalie
Deep in the downtown core, a non tourist-trap patio is hard to come by. If you’re in the area and in dire need of a cocktail, head to reliable Rosalie. The restaurant’s spacious terrace, with Paris-aping, umbrella-covered tables, is a favourite for the after work 5 à 7 crowd. But, with decent martinis and a good steak tartare, many regulars stay long after happy hour is over (content hour? Surely not sad hour). –MBO. $$$$. 1232 De la Montagne Street, 514-392-1970.




Rumi
Two brothers who love to schmooze with their clients and make sure they have an enjoyable experience own this Persian, Middle-Eastern and Sufi-influenced resto. This warm and cozy spot has often been praised for giving hungry customers the best bang for their buck. The terrace is cute, but not huge. It would a great place to go on a date without breaking your bank. –M.K. $$. 5198 Hutchison Street, 514-490-1999.




Le Sainte Elizabeth Pub
This European pub is a beer-lover’s dream with both imported and microbrew on tap, which, alone, offer 17 options! Included in this selection is their own microbrew called – shocker – the Ste-Elizabeth. They also have bottled beer, an assortment of wines, whisky, port and cognac. While the inside has a homey, casual feel, especially when at full capacity, with dark, wooden tables and walls and even a fireplace on the first floor, their famous outside terrace has a quiet elegance, with its small circular tables enveloped by 45 metre-high ivy-covered walls. –M.K. $$. 1412 Sainte-Elizabeth, 514-286-4302.




Santropol
This true grassroots café is one of my all-time favorite restaurants because it has character bursting at the seams. The walls are all different bright colours, but a rich purple is prominent throughout. They are also adorned with eclectic art, some of which are three-dimensional. My parents used to go there when they were kids and it was just as popular back then. I loved the restaurant from the get-go, but I'll admit that their most exciting food is not for everyone. My personal favourite is called Midnight Spread, which is filled with cream cheese, peanut butter, honey, nuts and raisins. They also offer standard food if you're feeling less adventurous. The sandwiches are gigantic, so you're getting a good deal for your $7 to $10. They do offer much more on their menu, such as soups and salads, as well as their famous milkshakes. The notoriously beautiful back garden has been voted numerous times as favourite patio/terrace by many alternative sources for its relaxing vibes. It maintains its eccentricity outdoors with the surrounding fence painted in the same popping purple as inside. Patrons sip their coffee and take in the scents from the indigenous plants while nestled within the lush foliage of wild flowers and under the canopy of shady trees. Fair trade coffee and organic sugar options will allow your mind to rest easy as well. –MBO. $$. 3990 St. Urbain, 514-842-3110.