A month or so ago I learned there’d be yet another new bar joining an ever growing list of happening hotspots on Notre Dame West. It seems like there’s no end to the number of new places opening in the swankier-by-the-minute and ever densifying, Griffintown. When I learned a couple of weeks ago that Rufus Rockhead was finally open I curiously popped in to check the place out.
While I was seated at the bar, sipping a beer with a friend the owner, Jeff Stinco (who also happens to be lead guitarist for Simple Plan and owner of the very popular Mangiafoco in Old Montreal) came over and we chatted very briefly about how this particular project has taken over two years to come to fruition. As far as I’m concerned it was two years well spent.
Cool décor aside, the real backbone of a bar is always the staff and their mix-ability. On my first visit I only tried their beer but I’ve headed back since and the bar staff really know their stuff. The beer is good and cold and the drinks are mixed to perfection. They feature a concentrated food menu that boasts some pretty inventive snack choices. I tried their fried chicken and potato salad. Both were delicious.
Rufus Rockhead had their official opening this past weekend and as usual Montrealers came out in droves to see what the place was all about. The atmosphere seemed fun and light as people explored the cleverly carved out maze of a bar. Overall Rufus will easily become the hotspot for the coming months. It has all the elements that make for a Montreal hotspot. Good drinks, great atmosphere and service. Being owned by a rock star can’t be a bad thing either!