I was in Montreal last weekend and stayed as I always do at L'Hotel de la Montagne (
www.hoteldelamontagne.com (the doorman in the picture actually works M-F days!) - I booked on kayak) which is one block off of Crescent Street and has a very popular lobby bar,
Thursdays, that connects to Crescent Street (where there are lots of bars). It is just off of Ste. Catherines for shopping, about a 10-15 minute walk to Old Montreal or to Blvd. St. Laurent where there are a number of great restaurants and a $16 cab ride OW to the Casino.
Dress warmly. It was -15C with the usual breeze and I broke down and wore a winter hat for the first time in years after just one day! I was glad I didn't have to do too much walking in the humid cold.