localmontreal

10 April 2023 by

Montreal Sightseeing / Things to See in Montreal

Montreal is a beautiful place to be year round. With exceptional lookout points, mesmerizing activities, and a rich history and culture… it’s no wonder we were able to come up with 17 must-see sights this year. Take a look for yourself, your Instagram account will thank you!

If you want more ideas for your trip to Montreal, check out these Super Exciting Things to Do this Season!

17. Take a gander at Mural Fest’s art work on The Main

Source: boulevardsaintlaurent.com Picture: Daniel Esteban — Source: Daniel Esteban/boulevardsaintlaurent.com

Montreal’s annual Mural Fest adorns St-Laurent street with gorgeous murals from International talent. There are many reasons to make your way down to The Main, but these huge works of art nestld on the sides of buildings, alley ways, and surrounding nooks and crannies make it something like an art-filled treasure hunt. Summer, spring, fall, winter… this one’s a year round sight locals never get tired of.

16. Climb up the St-Joseph Oratory and take in the view

Did you know that St-Joseph’s Oratory is Canada’s largest church? Once you’ve climbed its outdoor steps pretending your Rocky Montana, whizzed your way through the Oratory’s beautiful inside, visited its in-house museum, and maybe even lit a candle for a loved one… Go up to its observatory and inhale its exceptional view of Montreal. Located on the Mont-Royal’s Westmount summit, it’s one of the city’s best views.

15. Drive up the Mont-Royal and gaze at the city’s night lights

montreal sight seeing montroyal — Source: desktopwallpapers4.me

The Mont-Royal is a darling among Montrealers for so many reasons. One of those reasons is it’s lookout East facing lookout point, a popular drive-in spot. You’ll get a view of the East side of the city, with the Olympic Stadium, downtown high rises, and the Main. It’s easy access nature and proximity to the Plateau make it a great quick sight seeing pit stop.

14. Visit Montreal’s new interactive “view” at the top of Place Ville-Marie!

sight seeing montreal villemarie — Source: ausommetplacevillemarie.com

This won’t be like any other summit view you’ve taken in before. The interactive exhibit is hosted on 55 tablets categorized by 11 Montreal specific themes (iconic locations, culture, history, etc). Each visitor will be given a bracelet on which they can register their preferences, and then complete a series of challenges, all within an of exhibit of Montreal, tailored specifically to their tastes! On the 46th floor of Place Ville Marie, and connected to a brand new Les Enfants Terribles restaurant (with all season terrasses!), this new addition to Montreal’s best sights to see is well worth the 19$. Visit here.

13. Find out what the Lachine Canal is all about

sight seeing montreal Lachine_Canal_tango7174 — Source: Tango7174

Montreal’s Lachine Canal is lined with a long bike path, old trees, historic buildings, the occasional street art, and swivels its way through multiple neighbourhoods. Locals love to picnic along its patches of grass, ride their bike in its presence, or take a stroll there as the sun sets. Join them by renting a bike at Ma Byciclette or take a jog from your hotel to get a genuine local experience. Visiting the Atwater market is another excellent way to gaze out at the Canal: fresh food vendors, a seasonal outdoor “food court” and the best ice cream in town are there to fill you up right before your Lachine Canal walking adventure. Fun fact: the Lachine Canal got its name from pioneers who thought it would lead them directly to China!

12. People watch in the Plateau and Mile End

Tiny glasses and oversize tops. Accessories from thei grandmother’s basement. Tattoos that put your local mechanic to shame. The Plateau and Mile End are known as the city’s hippest, trendiest, prettiest neighbourhoods, full of people with a story to tell. Grab yourself a cup of equally hip joe and walk around in all your people watching glory.

11. Go see the International Firework competition

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This is the largest pyrotechnic competition of its kind in the world. In Montreal competitions are expected to be held late June to early August. You can watch the spectacles for free (like on Mount Royal or on the Clock Tower Beach) or pay to see them at La Ronde right on Lac des Dauphins. Check out programming right here.

10. Heat up at Igloofest

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Igloofest is an annual outdoor music festival that takes place in the Old Port of Montreal. Attended by thousands of people, every weekend a contest is held in which contestants can show off their most unique one-piece ski suits and the pictures are posted on their website! Winners take home anything from expensive winter clothing to V.I.P tickets!

9. Spend a day at Tam-Tams

Source: Montrealcam http://www.montrealcam.com/images/photos/mr08.jpg — Source: Montrealcam.com

Every Sunday, during those warmer months, Mount Royal Park is filled with some of the city’s best sights. Trance-inducing drum circles, an electronic music gazebo, and tons more, this mini festival has become a tradition for locals. One of our favourite things is to go watch the medieval LARPing that takes pace: costumed folk battling in the field with duct taped swords!

8. Take a walking food tour of the Mile-end

Ranked as one of Trip Advisor’s top 5 activities in Montreal , this walking tour is all about touring the Mile-end and tasting its amazing food. Discover Canada’s most artsy neighbourhood while eating your way through its rich history and culture. Read about it for yourself here!

7. Observe the popular eatery lineups

sight seeing montreal schwartz — Source: schwartzsdeli.com

There are a few eateries in Montreal that are just so damn good that locals and tourists will wait outside, rain or shine, to snag a bite. There are three notable ones: Schwartz on St-Laurent (afternoons generally have the longest lineup), Beauty’s Luncheonette (the best brunch spot in town), and La Banquise at 3am after the bars close (poutine party 24/7). Come observe hungry creatures go to any lengths for delicious Montreal fare, or join em and line up.. you’ll have earned it!

6. Go see a show at Piknic Electronik

10735200_602330456555806_644984345_n — Source: @pierredahousecat

This electronic music festival takes place every Sunday during the summer, and features local and international Dj’s and producers. Wear a hip outfit, put a flower headband on, grab your drinking bucket, and get ready to dance!

5. Soak up history in the Old Port

sights to see montreal Old_Port — Source: montrealimages.com

Despite the fact that it’s Montreal’s most historic district, the Old Port’s philosophy is that “life is a party.” Skating, Igloo Fest, IMAX, and tons of other activities make it one of the city’s most entertaining attractions. But let’s not forget: gazing out at the water, watching the boats and ships, looking up at historic big stone buildings, make it one of Montreal’s most satisfying and important sights to see. Meander the cobblestone streets all day, and you’ll find something new (and something old) around every corner!

4. Soak-up the sun at the Parc Jean-Drapeau beach

Summer months at Parc Jean-Drapeau are for beaching around. Five minutes from downtown, its your easy access ticket to golden sands and clear water. For more info, visit the Parc Jean-Drapeau website.

3. Go see a show at the outdoor Montreal Jazz Festival

10499116_784510478246443_16136327_n — Source: @morganthemoon

The 2020 edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival takes place from June 25th to July 4th. One of Montreal’s largest festivals, attracting Jazz lovers and performer from all over, it’s one of the most colourful, vibrant sights the city has to offer. Whether you want to catch tons of free shows, or a few payed ones, the Jazz Fest has something for everyone. Check out their website for updates on programming.

2. Go ice skating at the Old Port

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Nothing represents Montreal more than the Old Port. Mixed with modern and ancient architecture, walk along it cobblestone paths, gaze at the waterside view, or better yet go rent a pair of skates and stretch out your legs. Open all week, musical evenings start at 6pm!

1. Drink up at Terrasses Bonsecours

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Probably one of the most charming terraces in the city, we highly recommend stopping by here for a drink. The sun is setting, your view is of the breathtaking old port, laughter and faint chatter is heard in the background, and you’ve just received the most amazing refreshing drink. Paradise, is that you? Snap a pic and enjoy the rest of the night!

11 February 2023 by

Explore the Underground City of Montreal

In french we call it le RÉSO (réseau) or La Ville Souterraine, which translates to “the network” and “the Montreal underground city.” First built during the 1960’s, it now connects shoppers to over 1,000 retailers and restaurants through a network of tunnels, corridors and plazas. This city beneath the city, is most advantageous during those long winter months, making for convenient shopping and commuting without the slush and oversized coat. Needless to say, this alternative route can seem a bit daunting at first, and I’m not going to lie to you, it is pretty confusing if you don’t know your way around. So don’t worry about it, getting lost is part of the experience! But hey, just to be safe here is the map, and below are several places that you must drop by!

For unique inspiration at any elevation, these Exciting Things to Do in Montreal should do the trick.

undergound city montreal - montreal attractions — Photo credit: fr.academic.ru

16. Shop at the Eaton Centre

This shopping mall is located at the very centre of underground Montreal; it is four stories high and home to over 100 stores, a food court, and is host to many cultural events. Connecting through the McGill metro station, it is often considered the city’s main artery!

15. Catch a movie at Cinéma du Parc

Cinema du Parc is an independent cinema that offers a variety of programmings and screenings that stem from indie flicks to artistic documentaries to great feature films. It is truly a gem for artistic minds, and of course it is accessible by the underground city!

14. Take the Old Montreal Food Tour

It’s no secret that Old Montreal is a gem to be discovered. The Old Port, the European architecture, the cobblestone streets, etc etc… but what is kind of new is its foodie scene. With more and more people moving to the area, remarkable food vendors have been opening up and are well-worth discovering. The Old Montreal Food Tour takes you on a journey to many of them, highlighting Quebec culture and history as it does.
–> Check out the Old Montreal Food Tour

–> More information about Montreal Food & Drink Tours

13. Indulge at Jeff de Bruges

Located in the Place Montreal Trust area of the tunnel, Jeff de Bruges is your one stop shop for sheer indulgence. This French brand makes decadent Belgian chocolate with only the best ingredients. Their goal is to combine quality with creativity. The chocolates are made in Brussels and are shipped out to their Montreal store every week. A 250g box goes for about 23$ and they also serve ice cream and frozen yogurt made with natural ingredients.

12. Visit the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal

This was Canada’s first museum devoted strictly to contemporary art. Displaying work by Québec, Canadian and international artists, its collections include contemporary paintings, sculptures, photographs, installation, video and works on paper. Make sure to check out their latest expositions: Now Have a Look at This Machine by Emanuel Licha, Mundos by Teresa Margolles, and For Time is the Longest Distance Between Two Places(Conveniently accessible via the underground city Montreal).

11. Catch a show at the Montreal Symphony Orchestra House

Photo credit: Photographie Pana tonic 2013

This state of the art concert house seats 2100 and can seat an orchestra of 200. It was designed for unamplified music; the acoustics in the room are something to experience. It also houses the only functioning octobass in the world and an impressive organ that has 6,489 pipes! The Montreal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by grammy winner Kent Nagano, has 92 permanent members and puts on close to 100 shows a year. The venue also hosts many international and local shows that you can checkout here.

10. Dine in the Places des Arts Square at Tavern F and Brasserie T

A good meal is well deserved after navigating the underground tunnel (all 32km of it!). If you’re checking out a show in the Places des Arts area, these two restaurants are ideal stops for a refuel. Taverne F is a tapas restaurant that serves traditional Portuguese dishes that are mostly meat and fish-based. Their glass walls allow patrons to enjoy the bustle of the Places des Arts square.

Right down the square is Brasserie T, a high end contemporary French restaurant in a sleek, bright, and glass building. The menu includes charcuterie, cheese, tartars, and various fish and meats. It’s a great stop before or after a show and they’re also open for brunch if you’re catching a matinee performance.

9. Fuel-up at The Tunnel Espresso Bar

Coffee fanatics know how to locate this place by heart, but for those who want to find it without getting lost in the burrows of city, look for the blue neon sign. This trendy espresso bar is literally a hole in the wall, and located in the tunnel between Eaten Center and Ville-Marie. The coffee here is unbelievably rich and flavourful, plus it comes with super friendly service. Make sure to fuel up here!

8. Go to the contemporary art Festival Art Souterrain

Each year this non-profit organization showcases international art institutions, artists, and the architectural and cultural heritage of downtown Montreal’s underground city. This unique festival aims at taking art and artist out of their traditional exhibition spaces. The 2017 theme is Art and Diversion and runs from March 4- 26. Last year, artists spanned through 7 km of the underground city Montreal!

7. Enjoy the view at Les Enfants Terribles’ rooftop restaurant

Forty four floors up the Place Ville Marie building is a beautiful restaurant where you can wine and dine, all while feasting your eyes on Montreal’s city skyline. Les Enfants Terribles is a high-end bistro that serves-up classic French fares. Unlike their other 3 locations, this restaurant in particular has a more festive and friendly vibe that’s also family friendly. The menu includes comfort foods like burgers, ribs, macaroni, shepherd’s pie, and, of course, classic French tartars. It’s a great place to bask in the sun for brunch and lunch, enjoy a cocktail from 5-7, or see the sunset at dinner time.

Be sure to checkout the #MTLGO exhibit one floor up. The exhibit features over 500 archived and new images that explores famous Montreal personalities like Olympic athletes Jennifer Abel and Caroline Ouellette, comedian Sugar Sammy, and many more!

6. Partake in the festival: Montréal en Lumière

Performing arts, gastronomy, free outdoor family activities, and a full night of exquisitely original discoveries await you at the festival Montréal en Lumière. As one of the largest winter festivals in the world, fans experience the joy of Montreal during wintertime! Each year the festival closes on the wildest night of the year called La Nuit Blanche! Once a year a free shuttles service is offered to locals and tourists to enjoy a variety of activities, installations, exhibitions, and parties! (From February 19 to March 1st).

5. Visit the gorgeous metro station: Station Champs-de-Mars

Champs-de-Mars metro station was designed by Adalbert Niklewicz back in 1966, and displays glasswork by Marcelle Ferron, who was one of the signatories of the manifesto Refus global, written in 1948 by painter Paul-Émile Borduas. This is the only station where sunlight reaches the train platforms, and it is gorgeous! It’s worth checking out if you’re in this area of the underground city Montreal.

4. Meet the stars at the Grévin Museum

Ever dreamt about meeting your favourite celebrity? Well now you can at the wax Grévin Museum in the Eaton Centre. The museum contains the over 120 figures including those of Queen Elizabeth II, Scarlett Johansson, Albert Einstein, Lady Gaga, Mahatma Gandhi, Marilyn Monroe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling and many more. It also depicts some of Quebec and Canada’s history, including figures like Jacques Cartier. Be sure to also checkout a Quebec favourite figure, Celine Dion!

3. Grab a Delicious Hestia Tea

If you’ve ever watched Dragon Den Quebec and wondered what they consider a good business idea, Hestia Tea is the answer. Tucked away in the Ville-Marie tunnel, this magical tea joint received the support and financial backing of those Dragons. Stay warm and cozy inside while you enjoy their unique concoctions such as a “matcha, ginger, and lime” tea, that you can sip along with one of their delicious scones. To get there, walk from the Eaton Centre towards Place Ville Marie. They’ve also got a loyalty program– one more reason to keep coming back for more! It’s a great place to relax in the underground city Montreal.

2. Go underground shopping at Les Cours Mont-Royal centre

underground city montreal les cours mont royal — Photo credit: www.laviecanadienne.com

Formerly known as the Mount Royal Hotel, this 1920’s hotel was refurbished into an upscale shopping centre. Its beautiful architecture and gorgeous interior still holds reminisces of the hotel, like the luxurious ceiling of the big entrance lobby. Decked out with a spectacular chandelier from the Monte Carlo casino and six bird-human sculptures under the main skylight by the Inuit artist David Ruben, this high-end shopping centre is one of Montreal’s underground gems.

1. Skate indoors at Atrium Le 1000

Atrium underground city — Photo credit: Philippe Renault

Ice skating is one of the most classic activities you can do in Montreal. At Atrium Le 1000, you can do it year round! That’s one of the many pros of having an underground city. Located on the main floor of Quebec’s tallest building, Le 1000 De La Gauchetière, it’s easily accessible by the underground city Montreal. Make your way there from Monday, from 11:30am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday, from 11:30am to 9pm, Saturday from 12:30pm to 9pm and Sunday from 12:30pm to 9pm. Happy skating!

BONUS:

Don’t forget to check out Canadian photographer Andrew Emond’s photo blog Montreal Underground, documenting the City of Montreal’s sewers and other underground infrastructures.

4 February 2022 by

A List of the Best Coffee in Montreal

My favorite coffee spot? You’ve probably never heard of it. This list of best coffee in Montreal is in no particular order, because it was too hard to deduce a fair sequence without being shunned by the Coffee Gods.

14. Café Brooklyn

71 Rue Saint Viateur Est

Fresh food, good coffee, reasonable prices and a friendly ambiance. This cafe started off as a 20th century modern furniture store, but rapidly morphed into a coffee shop. While you’re there, try the coffee cake (it is baked by the owner’s aunt every day)!

13. Le Cagibi

5490 Boulevard Saint-Laurent

best coffee in montreal — Photo credit: numtl.com

This place is as cool as it gets: a vegetarian coffee shop that doubles as a concert venue. Not only can you savour excellent coffee here, but you can watch the staff prep your burritos, admire the quirky decor, and experience an authentic Montreal apartment feel as you walk on the creaky floorboards. With mismatched chairs, tables, and dishes, the veritable bohemian atmosphere is sure to imbue you and your coffee during your stay. Oh and, they don’t charge extra for soy.

12. Cafe Myriade

1432 Rue Mackay
1000 Sainte Catherine Street West
4627 Saint-Denis Street

This ever-popular coffee destination (that’s often the sustenance of Concordia students) is more than a pretty cafe. Myriade only works with quality-focused roasters–mainly from 49th Parallel Roasters in Vancouver, BC–but they also feature guest roasts from across North America and Europe. Their coffee tastes even better because it’s guilt-free: they pay the farmers above the standard Fair-Trade prices. With their seasonal menu, you’ll have a chance to taste a myriad of flavours at Myriade.

11. Club Social

180 St. Viateur Ouest Montreal

Continuing up the Mile-End’s St-Viateur, you’ll eventually encounter Olympico’s rival, Club Social. This coffee shop’s terrace makes for one of the best (but well known) summer hangout spots. Trees surround it, locals wave to each other, and (coffee) love is in the air. Ordering from here makes you feel like you’re instantly part of the neighbourhood thanks to the staff’s friendliness. Make sure you order a latte, they’re 2 bucks!

10. Pikolo Espresso Bar

3418b Park Ave

Once Marie-Eve Laroche discovered Australia’s coffee culture, she decided to bring a taste of it back to Montreal. Pikolo Espresso Bar says it all in the name: it’s a small space that serves espresso-based drinks. Laroche works with Canadian roasters Phil & Sebastian and Microtorrefacteur Saint-Henri to accentuate the flavour of each unique coffee.

9. Café Résonance

5175 Avenue du Parc

This vegan jazz-cafe is huge, very low key, and has a great ambiance! They often host reading and music events. And just in case coffee actually does keep you up at night, they’ll keep you company: open hours go until midnight every day of the week.

8. Dispatch

Dispatch was started by Chrissy Durcak who began by serving the coffee out of a truck. Her philosophy was to spend time cultivating a relationship with the farmers they get their coffee from. Having now removed the training wheels, Dispatch serves up a tasty cup of coffee in three different locations around Montreal. The coffee shops’ ultra-minimalist decor doesn’t reflect their coffee–those beans are packed with flavour–because Dispatch is riding the third wave of coffee hard.

267 Rue Saint Zotique O
3480 University St
4021 St Laurent Blvd

7. Cafe Odessa

65 rue Beaubien East

Best coffee in motnreal — Photo credit: Cafe Odessa

From the owners of Le Vieux Vélo popular brunch eatery in Rosemont comes Odessa, an industrial-style cafe with a nautical theme based the eponymous port city in the Ukraine. This third wave coffee shop gets their beans from Pilot Coffee Roasters who try and directly source every bean roasted. Baristas are particularly friendly here and easy to have a little chat with as you sip on your drink of choice.

6. Arts Café

201 Avenue Fairmount Ouest

The service here is amazing: you are always greeted with a smile! They have generous portions, quality coffee, rustic decor and oh- did I mention the great service?

5. Olympico

124 Rue St-Viateur Ouest

They have legendary coffee; it’s fantastic and you will not be disappointed. It can get very crowded though- so maybe you shouldn’t come here… It’s not even that great. (To many people know about the goodness that this place can offer!!!)

4. Café Falco

5605 Avenue de Gaspé

Best coffee shops in Montreal — Photo credit: Café le Falco

The layers of flavour to be found in Falco’s various coffees are gastronomical. The place has an industrial feeling to it but has a great ambiance and vibe. They offer a variety of food that have a Japanese twist to them. Come here for lunch!

3. Melinas Phyllo Bar

5733 du Parc

Melina’s is a cute, little shop that serves delicious Greek coffee and Greek pastries. The staff here is super friendly and chatty which makes you want to come back.

2. Le Dépanneur Café

206 Rue Bernard Ouest

Le Dépanneur Café is charming and unique, and offers delicious healthy meals and specialty drinks. They play relaxing lounge music, but always invite local artists to sign up to play live music. (Beware this place can get awfully crowded).

1. MELK Bar à Café

1206 Stanley St
5612 Monkland Ave

MELK’s tiny coffee shops are sleek and modern, but their coffee is comforting and delicious. They’ve got a good selection of scones, biscottes and other pastries. Their drink menu ranges from espresso, to tea, to matcha latte. Don’t forget to admire the latte artwork!

Adbeus Coffee

If you have run out of coffee shops to go to, or would like to discover a new one Adbeus Coffee is an app that has a list of all the independent coffee shops of Montreal. The app also allows you to keep a list your own favorites! Visit their coffee blog: http://adbeus.com/.

13 May 2015 by

Gay Montreal : 18 magical activities for 2015

We’re here, and we’re queer! …but now what? Here’s our list of the best 18 magical things you can do.

18. Let Loose at Cabaret Chez Mado

Gay montreal cabaret mado — Source: Cabaret Chez Mado

Whether it’s Karaobitch Wednesdays, Bagalicious Sundays, or to watch the Rupaul Dragrace on Mondays, Montreal icon Mado’s drag cabaret offers festive events most days of the week, making your mandatory trip down to the Gay Village that much better.

17. Explore the Mile-Ex Montreal

Officially named the Alexandra-Marconi sector, the affectionately dubbed “Mile-Ex” just won’t stop flourishing. With new restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops, it’s a great place to take a stroll in the area and be part of the buzz. Some suggestions: Le Depanneur Pickup, Brasserie Harricana, Manitoba restaurant, and the ‘’biergarten’’, Alexandraplatz.

16. Show your colours at Pride!

Gay montreal parade — Source: http://www.gaytravel4u.com/event/montreal-gay-pride/

Arguably the best parade of the city, Pride takes place on August 16th this year, and hosts many interesting events on surrounding dates. Whether you are part of the LBGQT community or are an ally, the Pride parade is definitely a party in the streets, where everyone can be themselves and show the world their true colours.

15. Dance silently in the streets…. with a group of people.

Gay montreal silent disco squad — Source: Silent Disco Squad

Have you ever seen a crowd of people dancing along the street in silence and wondered what the hell was going on? Here’s your answer: it was the Silent Disco Squad. With “The world is a dancefloor!” as its tag line, the Silent Disco Squad welcomes everyone to participate in its dance sessions. Join their Facebook events, download the mp3 to your device, and join the groundbreaking movement that even inspired a TED talk.

14. Make out with a French girl or guy.

We hear it all the time: Montreal is a really good looking city. Stop being so busy with your good looks and go use them to your advantage! Next time you’re in Parc Lafontaine having a picnic, walk over to your nearest neighbouring picnic and offer a food swap. You know, my grapes for your… kiss? Anyway, you get the point: talk to the pretty people you see and don’t be shy. It won’t be summer for long, so go get ‘em while they’re hot.

13. Join the public karaoke family

You’re in the mood to let loose and sing with abandon, but your friends aren’t exactly at that point in their life yet? Public Karaoke is to the rescue! Taking place once monthly in Portugal park on St-Laurent, the event gathers Karaoke lovers from all over the city and makes them into one big, singing family for the evening. Whether you want to participate or just witness others pour their musical hearts out, this is one summer event you won’t want to miss.

12. Take a selfie under Ste-Catherine’s “Projet Les Boules Roses”

gay montreal activities — Source: Claude Cormier

In an effort to beautify Montreal’s Gay Village and make its aesthetics reflect its vibrant night (and day) life, Ste-Catherine East’s summer sky is lined with 170 000 mysterious pink plastic balls. The effect is something like a bubble gum themed fiesta, making it the perfect spot to take an eventful late night stroll and some silly colourful selfies.

11. Gay Village bars and nightclubs

Circus Night Club Top 10 Gay Montreal Activities for Summer 2014 — Photo: Djoy Beat

The village is filled with plenty of bars and nightclubs. Here is a list of the trendiest spots to be seen at:

Apollon: One of the newest additions to the Ste-Catherine nightlife. Good music, good vibe, good people.
Sky: This place has a beautiful terrace, and exceptional outdoor patio. Saturdays are latino, hiphop, and pop.
Cabaret Mado: This is Montreal’s best drag and cabaret. Its biggest nights are Tuesdays and Saturdays. (Definitely check this one out!)
Aigle Noir/Black Eagle: If leather and bears are your thing, then look no further!
Royal Phoenix: Located in the Mile-End this place has lot’s of sexy people, excellent tunes, and a great atmosphere. (They serve a Bacon Bloody Caesar!)

10. Check out the McCord Museum’s “Camp Fires” Exhibition on Gay Identity

Montreal Gay Activities McCord Museum — Photo: Paul Mathieu – Camouflage series (E.M.), 2005

It’s not every day that a museum takes gay identity and makes it the central theme for an exhibition! The McCord Museum near McGill however, is home to the extremely provocative (and totally fun) exhibition, Camp Fires until August 15 2015. Ceramic works are used to explore Montreal Catholicism and its shaping of gay identities, as per their artists. This one of a kind collection is something people of all genders won’t want to miss.

9. Go to an Event at the Wiggle Room

The Wiggle Room may be small, but the acts it selects are always high caliber, and guaranteed high quality. Here you can find burlesque, talent shows, drag shows, variety shows, and unique events such as “The Dirty Show”. Its decor is of a fine-tuned, detailed Vaudeville taste, creating a fun atmosphere for people of all genders. http://wiggleroom.ca/events/

8. MTL Rollerderby

Known for attracting lesbians and other members of the LGBT community, roller derby is truly a fun sport to watch. Montreal’s RD scene resides mainly at the Aréna St-Louis on St-Dominique, and hosts competitions on Saturday nights where you can watch some of their five teams compete. A healthy, community-driven sport, filled with “girl power”, come watch one of their events and partake in the cheer.

7. Watch the Montreal Gay web series made by Tourism MTL

Montreal Boy – some strings attached (complete season 1) from Olivier Labonté LeMoyne on Vimeo.

When Tourism MTL makes a web series, you know something good’s cooking. The series, “Montreal Boy: Some Strings Attached” directed by Olivier Labonte Lemoyne, is cinematographically bullet proof and showcases not only the city’s pretty landscapes but also some quintessentially Montreal apartments. The subject matter? An intricate and emotionally moving gay relationship, the kind we’re all ready to see a little more of in mainstream media.

6. Hang out at Place Emilie-Gamelin

montreal gay activities emilie gamelin — Photo: Ulysse Lemerise/OSA

Place Emilie-Gamelin is a newly designed biergarten style space where you can catch a show, grab a beer, and treat your eyes to some blooming agriculture. With a local produce market, festivals, and video projections, this summercentric arrangement feels like a celebration of all things Montreal summer. It was designed with the vision of being the ultimate “urban meeting spot”. Come here, meet your peers, and show off all your colours!

5. Check out some gay icons at the Grévin Wax Museum!

Elton John, Céline Dion, and Mado have cloned themselves for your viewing pleasure, and can all be found on the fifth floor of the Eaton Center. What?! That’s right– Paris Wax Museum Le Grévin has (also) duplicated itself and come to it’s little sister city, Montreal. Come take some pictures with your childhood heroes and live out your dreams!

4. Spend a Sunday dancing at Piknic Electronik……and find it inexplicably satisfying.

Photo cred: Piknik Electronik http://piknicelectronik.com/sites/site-1/assets/MIG_PIKNIC-2012-05-21_0001-72.jpg — Photo cred: Piknik Electronik

Piknic Eletronik seeks to open up the electronic music genre by “offering an immersive social experience”, making it accessible to music lovers of all ages, and to electronic music aficionados and newcomers alike. Check out their website for programming.

3. Mile End Food Tour with us! (super gay friendly)

The Mile End Food Tour is a charming walking tour of the best food in the neighborhood. During the three hour tour you will make seven stops and savor a variety of unique, local foods, such as Kem CoBo’s melt-in-your-mouth original ice cream flavors, and Montréal’s best vegan falafels. Gay friendly and an unforgettable experience!

Visit our website: http://localmontrealtours.com/

2. Outdoor Art Festival: Festival International Montréal en Arts

Top 10 Gay Montreal Activities for summer 2014 — Photo: Bonjour Quebec

The outdoor art festival was established in order to connect local and international artists with local both local Montrealers and tourists. This event allows artists to escape the confines of their galleries and expose their art to the general public, and also allows people to come into direct contact with the artists themselves. This is Montreal’s most impressive open air-gallery. You can catch it on Ste. Catherine, from Berri to Papineau from July 1st to 5th 2015.

1. Montreal Gay Village Street Sale

Top 10 Gay Montreal Activities for summer 2014 Montreal Gay Village Street Sale — Photo: EC English

Also called la vente trottoir, this street sale offers great shopping deals, cheap food, live entertainment and activities for children. You can catch along the usual strip on Ste. Catherine, from Berri to Papineau on the following dates: July 9th to 12th, and August (dates TBD).