New cocktail experience at Marcus Night Bar of the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal

We recently had the honour of being invited to try the new cocktail experience at the Marcus Night Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal, which includes an exclusive tasting of five signature creations. These cocktails, which revisit the classics with a modern, sustainable and elegant approach, are the work of bar production manager and head mixologist Jay Lawson.

A new menu all-year around

The new cocktail experience at Marcus Night Bar now offers an expanded cocktail menu featuring 12 carefully crafted creations, as well as three refined non-alcoholic options. In addition, guests can enjoy a guided cocktail tasting experience of five creations, including a welcome cocktail and a non-alcoholic option. 

Each cocktail embodies the artistic vision of mixology chef Jay Lawson, who has been with the hotel since April 2025. Mr. Lawson reinterprets classic recipes by creating refined and unexpected taste experiences that highlight artistry, flavour and sustainability.

“We drew inspiration from everything around us—the hotel’s design, its culinary philosophy and even the ingredients found within its walls. It’s about creating something beautiful, sustainable and deeply connected to the place where it is served.”

Here is a little more about the cocktails tried during the new cocktail experience at Marcus Night Bar

We had the opportunity to savour bites prepared by the executive chef, Mr. Jason Morris, which paired harmoniously with the cocktails on offer. Although these are not included in the experience, some can be ordered from the menu, while others are exclusive to the group menu or private events.

Tepache

This cocktail, inspired by a Mexican pineapple-fermented “beer,” served as a starter accompanied by nuts and olives, is a very interesting introduction. It stimulates the appetite and effectively prepares us for the dishes that follow.

Ingredients: Pineapple, spices, vermouth

Golden Square Mile Highball

To continue, a long cocktail based on light whisky, enhanced with a particularly interesting touch of spice without being overly present.

Ingredients: Glenfiddich 12, sesame oil, sake, coconut water, allspice, CO₂, and lime leaves.

Pairing: the cocktail was presented with a refined hamachi collar garnished with white fish roe. Hamachi also features on the menu in the mini sashimi dish, accompanied by bluefin tuna, salmon and kanpachi.

Clear Intentions

Now we have a more sophisticated creation: a tequila punch. This refined cocktail is well balanced, with a noticeable presence of tequila, where notes of honey and hazelnut blend harmoniously.

Ingredients: Patrón Blanco (Silver), Perfecto Amor, Grappa de Miele, lime juice, pear, chamomile, whey

Accord: This exquisite snow crab tartlet was a perfect accompaniment to the refined cocktail. 

Daybreak (sans-alcool)

To help us continue the evening and reduce our alcohol consumption, we are presented with an elegant glass containing a refined mixture that, at first glance, resembles a glass of orange juice. However, it is distinguished by its delicate bitter flavour, which awakens our senses in anticipation of the next and final cocktail in the new cocktail experience at Marcus Night Bar. 

Ingredients: Seedlip Grove (learn more about Seedlip here), alcohol-free gentian liqueur, verjuice, caper and olive brine

Pairing: An exceptional latke with Kaluga Queen caviar accompanied this cocktail, offering a perfect balance to its complexity. This bite, my favourite of the evening, is available on the regular menu. 

Savage Garden

At the conclusion of this tasting, we are pleasantly surprised by the presentation of a light cocktail, yet one composed of four distinct spirits. Freshness and herbal notes predominate in this blend. For those of you who have Omerto, a province of Québec-based tomato-based spirit, and are looking for an original use of it, I highly recommend incorporating it into your cocktails, as it offers a unique and interesting flavour dimension.

Ingredients: Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, Trois Rivières rum, dry Omerto, Cocchi Rosa vermouth, lime juice, dill, arugula, and salted absinthe.

Pairing: This dish is accompanied by succulent truffle chicken bites, a refined interpretation of this poultry dish enhanced by the exquisite flavour of truffles. If these bites make it onto the regular menu, as they are currently non-available, they will undoubtedly be a big hit with Marcus’s clientele, who, as you may know, are festive and epicurean. 

Brief introduction about Mr. Jay Lawson, the mastermind behind the new cocktail experience at the Marcus Night Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal.

Last spring, a new chapter began for the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal cocktail programme with the appointment of Mr. Jay Lawson following the departure of Mr. Jonathan Homier, who had previously introduced us to this cocktail, to Chef Laurent Dagenais’ Limousine Restaurant. Mr. Lawson, a discreet gentleman who may seem reserved at first glance, reflects his background as a chemist. However, once the conversation gets going, he invites his interlocutors to discover his creative universe, where unique concoctions, combining precision, audacity and artistry, are showcased. These creations, characterized by unexpected but delicious combinations, reflect his philosophy: “Every cocktail should be a moment in itself: surprising, refined. . . and a little magical.” 

You may have already spotted this person, whose distinctive appearance contrasts with the refined and impeccable aesthetic of the Four Seasons, in one of these iconic Montréal establishments, such as the Cloakroom (ranked 31st among the 50 best bars in North America in 2025), Le Fantôme (where Marcus’ executive chef, Jason Morris, has also left his mark) or Stillife (winner of Canada’s Best Bar of 2020). But don’t be fooled: his talent lives up to Marcus’ high standards.

As bar operations manager and head mixologist at province of Québec only Four Seasons, Mr. Lawson stands out for his innovation, fuelled by his passion for fermentation and meticulous attention to detail. Each creation by this veteran of the Montréal scene is imbued with a fascinating story whose secrets are known only to him.

Details for enjoying the new cocktail experience at the Marcus Night Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal

Would you like to enjoy this tasting experience? It is available at a price of $75 per person. The menu and tasting experience are available from Thursday to Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can make a reservation on Open Table using the link below.

Address :
Hôtel Four Seasons Montréal
1440 rue de la Montagne
Montréal, QC
H3G 1Z5

Try the tasting cocktail experience at Marcus

Reserve now