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Agora de la Danse
Based in the striking old Palestre National building in the Plateau, this university dance troupe with a growing reputation focuses on modern and experimental forms. Two studios are open for instruction to the public; its student and independent dance companies stage regular performances.
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Amc Forum
This may seem like just another multi-theater monster cinema, but it's worth keeping an eye on these 22 screens. They are likely to have the most recent Bollywood smash or subtitled-Québécois film hit somewhere amongst all the Hollywood blockbusters.
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Aria
This old Latin Quarter movie theater is now a refuge for sleepless party-goers, boasting three very individual floors and some of the ablest DJs in the industry including Christian Pronovost, Fred Everything and Yaz. The crowd is mixed straight, gay, and fashion victim, and exhibitions are held in the same very chilled space.
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Barfly
This dubious cheap-beer dive appeals to chair-smashing patrons but also gritty local rock and blues bands of local renown. Wedge yourself in behind a raised caféteria counter and take in the itinerant vibes, a bit like Tom Waits or Jack Kerouac in their first 15 minutes of fame. The Sunday afternoon blues jam is legendary.
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Barouf
This French watering hole is the perfect spot to stop for a drink or three while cruising the Plateau. Brews can be ordered in giant plastic towers with a tap at the bottom. More conventional vessels are available for the 25 draft beers including extra-potent brands from Belgium.
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Bell Centre
When it's not hosting matches of the Montréal Canadiens hockey team, this 21,000-seat arena in downtown hosts all the big concerts. The likes of U2 and Céline Dion usually end up here when they're in town.
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Belmont
A big draw on weekends for yuppie francophones in jeans and leather jackets who dig the laser light shows and the DJ trancemeisters. Some don't get past the pool table, cheap beer and big-screen sports in the front bar.
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Bily Kun
One of the pioneers of 'tavern chic,' Bily Kun is a favorite local hangout that also draws party-goers across town for a chilled DJ-spun evening. First-time visitors gawk at the ostrich heads that overlook the bar but soon settle into the live music groove - jazz duos and trios (Tuesday to Friday and Sunday). Upstairs is O Patro Vys, a performing-arts hall that features anything from electronic installations to Patagonian song and Haïku art.
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Bistrot á Jojo
This smoky venue is the place for down 'n' dirty blues and rock groups nightly. If you are a fan and only have one night in Montréal this is the place to come. Sit close enough to see the band members' steam, or opt for a well-worn table at the rear that take the edge off the decibels.
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Blizzart's
Virtually unmarked from the street, this cool, discreet bar/club usually has teams of local club DJs who serve up jazz, funk, hip-hop, roots and dub to a small but sophisticated crowd. It's also a good place to just down a cold one.
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Bôîte à Marius
A wickedly cool, off-the-beaten track location for classic chanson . Les Deux Pierrots is so centrally located, this one falls off people's radars (even for Montrealers) but the place is awesome.
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Bourbon Complex
This gay entertainment complex looks like a wedding cake and is big enough to get lost in. There's La Track, a popular disco-bar with a leather boutique, and the Mississippi Club for dancing, live cabaret and drag shows.
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Brutopia
This fantastic brewpub has eight varieties of suds on tap including honey beer, nut brown and the more challenging raspberry blonde. The bare brick walls and wood paneling are conducive for chats among this relaxed student crowd. Live blues bands play some evenings; pints are around C$3 until and all night Monday. Really picks up after the night classes from nearby Concordia get out.
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Cabaret Music Hall
You'll never see Québécois chanson the same way again. Right at the Musée Just for Rire this venue fits 800 people and hosts everything from DJs to comedy shows, but it's the massively popular Soirées C'est Extra nights that most Montréalers know and love it for. Taking place every second Saturday, DJs remix popular Québécois folk hits and have people dancing and singing their hearts out until the wee hours.
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Cactus
Two floors of infatuation with things Latin, the Cactus is always packed with dancers ready to strut their stuff. Salsas and meringues are performed with astonishing ease by patrons poured into sexy outfits. Many regulars are more than happy to show you the moves if your timing is off after a few cervezas .
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Café Campus
This eternally popular student club has great live acts, mostly French rock and live Québécois bands. In summer people wander in from the cafés and restaurants along rue Prince-Arthur for music and extra-cheap beer (happy hour is from to ).
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Café Chaos
This down 'n' dirty basement bar is just the place to catch the latest up-and-coming bands for a pittance in cover. Tuesdays there are two-for-one microbrews and turntable action with 80s glam rock, old pop classics and a pinch of punk. The bar is a workers' co-op that's definitely worth its weight in bong water. The downstairs Bar les Conneries runs a Wednesday oldies evening and hosts a variety of its own rock acts.
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Café des Éclusiers
This club-café is right on the water at the Old Port with great views of the locks, the cruise ships and the hulking old grain silo across the water. Fantastic atmosphere, especially Friday and Saturday nights. Happy hour is from to .
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Café La Pharmacie/L'Esperanza
This fantastic cafe regularly opens its space for performances and events. On any given night you could stumble across a book launch, a spoken word performance, a bluegrass band or an electronic music performance. Check their board for upcoming events.
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Casa del Popolo
One of Montréal's very best live venues, this place amazes with its diversity. As a café it's known for its vegetarian platters; as a funky bar for its talented DJs and great New Age and world mixes; and as an exhibition space for showing arthouse films and spoken word performances. It's associated with the tapas bar La Sala Rosa and concert venue La Sala Rossa across the street.
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Centaur Theatre
Montréal's chief English-language theater presents everything from Shakespearean classics to works by experimental Canadian playwrights. It occupies Montréal's former stock exchange (1903), a striking building with classical columns. The season runs from October to June but other groups perform during the summer.
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Cinéma Imax du Centre des Sciences de Montréal
Brings a range of specially-produced adventure, nature or historical films on oversized screens. Watch the Cirque du Soleil, dinosaurs or marine life come tumbling into your lap with the aid of 3D glasses and translation headsets.
Read more about Cinéma Imax du Centre des Sciences de Montréal
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Cinemania
Cinemania features films from French-speaking countries, all subtitled in English for non-native speakers.
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Cinémathèque Québécoise
A university-flavored venue noted for its French and Québécois avant-garde films. In the lobby there's a permanent exhibition on the history of filmmaking as well as a TV and new-media section.
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Cirque du Soleil
Over the past two decades Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) has pushed back the boundaries of traditional circus with its astounding acts of dexterity and ethereal costumes. Started by an accordion player and his buddies, this one-time troupe of stiltwalkers has grown into an international phenomenon that thrills millions of spectators the world over.
