Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City is earning national recognition as 1608 Bar secures the People’s Choice Award and ranks No. 41 on the 2026 Canada’s Best Bars list.
The annual rankings, presented by Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, highlight top cocktail destinations across the country based on both industry input and guest experiences. This year marks the introduction of a People’s Choice category, where public voting identified 1608 Bar as a leading favourite among Canadian guests.
Set within one of Canada’s most recognized hotels, 1608 Bar continues to shape its identity through a cocktail program led by Head Mixologist Jérémie Deschênes-Boutin. The bar’s concept draws from literary themes, reflecting the room’s earlier use as a writing space. Bookshelves line the walls, while the circular bar design and views over the St. Lawrence River contribute to the overall setting.
The Canada’s Best Bars list follows a structured evaluation process. Judges from across the country submit their most memorable bar experiences over a 16 month period, with requirements to include venues outside their home regions and avoid conflicts of interest. The approach aims to recognize consistency in service, originality, and overall guest experience.
Within this framework, 1608 Bar continues to build a reputation that balances technical precision with creative direction. The addition of the People’s Choice Award signals strong guest engagement alongside industry recognition.
The result places 1608 Bar among a group of destinations shaping Canada’s cocktail culture, where hotel bars remain central to both local and travel dining experiences.