September continues its winning streak with a week of extraordinary live entertainment, headlined by the legendary AC/DC making their triumphant return to Montreal for a massive outdoor show at Parc Jean-Drapeau. This week also features intimate performances from a celebrated singer-songwriter, a chart-topping French rapper, and the genre-defying collective JUNGLE. Before the shows, discover a bright, spacious canteen from the team behind Joe Beef, offering comforting food in a stunning waterfront setting.
👉 For more nightlife and dining picks, visit MontrealNightlife.com.
🍱 Restaurant of the Week: McKiernan Luncheonette
📍 Address: 800 Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, Montréal, QC H5A 1K3 (Second floor)
McKiernan Luncheonette is the new project from the team behind Liverpool House, Joe Beef, and Maison Publique. This massive 7,000 square foot restaurant offers a comforting canteen kitchen in a much-needed corner of town. The owners of McKiernan are the same as those of Joe Beef: Frédéric Morin, David McMillan (now retired), Allison Cunningham, joined by Marc-Olivier Frappier and Vanya Filipovic (Mon Lapin and Vin Papillon), Chris Morgan and James Simpkins from Liverpool House, and Derek Dammann of Maison Publique.
The name McKiernan comes from the man behind Joe Beef—Charles McKiernan. Considering the size of Joe Beef today, the restaurant first opened in only half of the space, and the other half was occupied by a small restaurant called McKiernan. However, demand for Joe Beef was too high, so the owners had to close McKiernan to expand. “James and Chris liked the idea of reviving McKiernan. We had many sad customers when we closed McKiernan on Notre-Dame West. It was a logical continuation to bring it back in a different format with different partners.”
Atmosphere & Décor
The space is magnificent. Located on the second floor of a complex housing companies like Airbnb, Volcom, and the Alouettes, the restaurant offers a stunning view of the canal, proximity to the dragon boats, and a roof terrace. A huge bay window provides incredible natural light during the day and a magical atmosphere in the evening.
The restaurant was built completely from scratch. “It was an open area but with nothing in it. It is the first place we’ve built from scratch. Our restaurants tend to be pretty dark places, so we wanted something brighter.” The area offers large picnic tables in a Biergarten style, relaxation areas, a foosball table, and a large counter to order food. It is all cozy and really nice. The space has a standing capacity of 350+ people plus another 200 seated.
🍽️ What to Order: Simple and Tasty Canteen Food
Derek Dammann is in charge of the kitchen. “Maison Publique’s food is very similar to that of McKiernan. It was a logical transition and evolution.” The menu offers a simple and tasty experience using good products. You can grab a bite from the bakery or a warm breakfast in the morning on your way to work. For lunch, you can eat a salad, a ham and cheese sandwich, a vegetable pie, or roast chicken.
Highlights from the Menu (2026 Menu PDF):
- Rotisserie Chicken Alexandre ($16/27/51): A house specialty—perfectly roasted, juicy chicken.
- Bomba-Schnitzel ($22/36) / Jägerschnitzel ($25/45): Classic schnitzel options, crispy and satisfying.
- Spicy Rigatoni Rosé ($22): A comforting pasta dish with a creamy, spicy tomato sauce.
- Shrimp Scampi Linguine ($35): A seafood classic, simple and elegant.
- Prime Rib of Beef (Evenings Only, 8 or 16 oz, $55/110): A showstopper for meat lovers.
- Honey-Garlic Spare Ribs ($31): Sticky, sweet, and savoury.
- Trout Colbert ($32): A delicate fish dish, perfectly prepared.
- Country Salad ($14): Fresh, seasonal greens with apple vinaigrette.
Sides & Small Plates:
- Cold Shaved Prime Rib of Beef ($25): A generous starter.
- Devilled Brussels Sprouts ($18): A creative and flavourful take on a classic vegetable.
- Albacore Crudo ($23): Fresh, light, and elegant.
- Burrata & La Charrette Tomatoes ($32): A simple, high-quality Italian classic.
- Fries + Dijonnaise ($7): The perfect side.
- Parker House Rolls ($8): Soft, buttery, and irresistible.
🍷 Drinks to Match
The wine list is curated by James Simpkins and features a small selection of natural wines with a focus on fresh, easy-to-drink options over lunchtime. A range of pét-nats and beers in kegs and bottles, including local microbreweries, are also available. There are cocktails—both classic and house-created. Sarah Laporta, a dynamic young woman with a lot of experience, manages the dining room.
Why You Should Go
Because McKiernan Luncheonette is a rare and welcome addition to Montreal’s dining scene. It offers the quality and care of the Joe Beef group in a bright, spacious, and unpretentious setting. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or hosting a large event, this space is for everyone. As the team says, “We wanted to have fun and offer quality food in an unpretentious place.” Congratulations—what a great new addition to Montreal!
🎤 Performances of the Week
Presented by MontrealNightlife.com
🎸 José González at MTELUS
Presented by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter José González brings his “Against The Dying Of The Light Tour” to MTELUS. Known for his intimate fingerpicking style, hauntingly beautiful voice, and deeply introspective lyrics, González is a true master of minimalist folk. His songs, including hits like “Heartbeats,” “Crosses,” and “Line of Fire,” have a timeless, meditative quality. With special guest Ambre Ciel.
📍 Venue: MTELUS, 59 St Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, September 11, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
😂 T.J. Miller at Théâtre Beanfield
Comedian and actor T.J. Miller, known for his roles in Silicon Valley, Deadpool, and his distinctive stand-up comedy, brings his unique, high-energy style to Théâtre Beanfield. Miller’s comedy is fast-paced, surreal, and unapologetically weird, making for a truly unforgettable live show.
📍 Venue: Théâtre Beanfield, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, September 11, 2026
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
⚡ AC/DC at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Australian rock legends AC/DC bring their “POWER UP TOUR” to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a massive outdoor show. Since playing their very first show on December 31, 1973, at the Chequers Nightclub in Sydney, the band has become one of the most influential rock acts in history, with more than 200 million albums sold worldwide. Their album Back In Black is recognized as one of the best-selling albums of all time and the third best-selling album by any artist, with over 50 million copies sold globally. The band continues to fill stadiums across multiple continents, sells millions of albums each year, and generates billions of streams worldwide. With special guests The Pretty Reckless.
📍 Location: Parc Jean-Drapeau
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026 — 7:00 PM (Doors: 5:30 PM)
🎟️ Ticket Options:
- General Admission: Access to the site.
- Pit: Limited capacity zone with direct proximity to the stage and fast-lane entry.
- Terrace: Private platform with optimal view, luxury washrooms, and fast-lane entry.
- Table (4 people): Private table on the Terrace with barstools.
- Booth (6 people): Private booth on the Terrace with couch and table.
- Suite (16 people): A dedicated luxury suite on the Terrace.
📱 Good to Know: The event will take place rain or shine. The metro is the best way to get to the event, with the Jean-Drapeau station on the yellow line. No readmissions will be permitted.
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🎸 President at MTELUS
Presented by Heavy MTL, rock band President brings their “North American Campaign 2026” to MTELUS. With support from Showing Teeth, this is a night of high-energy rock for fans of the genre.
📍 Venue: MTELUS, 59 St Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026 — 7:30 PM (Doors: 6:30 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
Niska at Place Bell
French rapper Niska brings his high-energy show to Place Bell. One of the biggest names in French rap, Niska is known for his catchy hooks, energetic delivery, and collaborations with artists like Booba and Jul. His hits include “Réseaux,” “Médicament,” and “Du lundi au lundi.”
📍 Venue: Place Bell, Laval
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🌴 JUNGLE at Place Bell
British electronic collective JUNGLE brings their infectious blend of soul, funk, and disco-infused dance music to Place Bell. Known for their tight musicianship, falsetto vocals, and euphoric live shows, the band has built a devoted following with hits like “Busy Earnin’,” “Heavy, California,” and “Back on 74.” Their concerts are a celebration of rhythm, movement, and pure joy.
📍 Venue: Place Bell, Laval
🗓️ Date & Time: Sunday, September 13, 2026
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
📚 Sources
