Entertainment in Montréal
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Le St-Sulpice
This student evergreen is spread over four levels in an old Victorian stone house – a café, several terraces, disco and a sprawling back garden for drinks ‘n’ chats. The music changes with the DJ’s mood, from hip-hop and ambient to mainstream rock and jazz. It use recyclable glasses and also sells alcohol-free beer.
reviewed
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Montréal Canadiens
The Canadiens of the National Hockey League have won the Stanley Cup 24 times. Although the team has struggled in recent years, Montrealers have a soft spot for the ‘Habs’ and matches at the Bell Centre sell out routinely. Scalpers hang around the entrance on game days, and you might snag a half-price ticket after the puck drops. Bring your binoculars for the rafter seats. The center also hosts big-name concerts, boxing matches, Disney on Ice and visits by the Dalai Lama.
reviewed
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Le Club Social
Another character-filled mecca literally a block away from Olimpico. Its terrace is equally sun-kissed, its coffee as flavorful, its ambience as lively. (Most patrons split their time between these two legendary establishments.) You’re apt to spot a rock star or two bicycling down Rue St-Viateur or ordering a cappuccino after rolling out of bed at noon.
reviewed
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Mado Cabaret
Mado is a flamboyant celebrity who writes a column in Fugues, the gay entertainment mag. Her cabaret is a local institution, with drag shows featuring an assortment of hilariously sarcastic performers in eye-popping costumes. Shows take place weekend and Tuesday nights.
reviewed
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Else’s
A warm and welcoming neighborhood bar where, as the saying goes, everyone knows your name. Settle into one of the worn chairs for an order of nachos, a tasty microbrew and a big portion of chat in front of the ceiling-high windows. Late-night jazz is a joy on weekends.
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Bières & Compagnie
This relaxed pub has a great choice of European and local microbrews alongside excellent pub grub and mussels.
reviewed
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National Film Board
This cutting-edge cinema in the Quartier Latin offers regular screenings from an archive of 6000 films, documentaries and animated shorts, but the real attraction is its Cinérobothèque – make your choice and a robot housed in a huge, glass-roofed archive plucks your selection from the stacks. Then relax and settle back into individual, stereo-equipped chair units to watch your personal monitor. There is also a huge Canadian video and DVD collection available.
reviewed
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L’Escogriffe
Though you’re apt to see some dubious characters staggering into this small, dungeon-like bar, the ‘um, what?’ factor is part of L’Esco’s punk-rock charm. Over the years many amazing bands have graced its tiny stage, and the bar continues to book bands some nights. Sundays, resident DJs spin laid-back new wave, indie rock and rockabilly, making this deliciously dark hole-in-the-wall ideal for knocking a few back with friends.
reviewed
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Casino de Montréal
Based in the former French pavilion from the World’s Fair, the Montréal Casino opened in 1993 and was so popular (and earned so much money) that expansion occurred almost instantly. It remains Québec’s biggest casino. You can gather your winnings at 3000 slot machines and 120 gaming tables, but drinking isn’t allowed on the floor. Arched footbridges link the casino to the Jardin des Floralies, a rose garden that is wonderful for a stroll.
reviewed
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Ziggy’s
Walking into this European-style pub and sports bar, you’d never guess it was once the watering hole of some of Montréal’s most infamous writers and journalists (boisterous late newspaper columnist Nick Auf der Maur practically lived here). These days, Ziggy’s features imported draft beer, nine televisions and celebrity memorabilia, included a hockey jersey autographed by Habs hero Maurice ‘The Rocket’ Richard.
reviewed
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Ex-Centris Cinema
A showcase for independent films from around the world. It’s sleek and geared to provide pure movie enjoyment (popcorn and soft drinks are banned, for example, because they distract from the movie-watching experience). Besides several cinemas, this place is full of high-tech film gadgetry you have to see to believe, starting with the box-office cashier whose disembodied head speaks to you through electronic portholes when you buy your tickets.
reviewed
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Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
This internationally renowned orchestra plays to packed audiences in its Place des Arts home. Its Christmas performance of The Nutcracker is legendary. Rock-star conductor Kent Nagano, a Californian with a leonine mane and stellar credentials, is music director. Check for free concerts at the Basilique Notre-Dame, the Olympic Stadium and in municipal parks in the Montréal area.
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Sky Pub & Club
This is one of those popular Village complexes designed to suck you in for an entire Saturday night of partying. If you’re a gorgeous guy or looking for one, start the evening in the 1st-floor pickup pub before heading up to the dance floors (disco and energized house/hip-hop). The roof terrace is a perfect place to catch the Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition in summer.
reviewed
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Red Lite After Hour Discotheque
This 1850-sq-meter club has been around for decades, and the sketch factor – dark, pulsing, trippy – is through the roof. Its remote location in the French suburbs of Laval adds to the other-world feeling, and also explains its clientele, mostly people who live or work nights in Laval. With house and hip-hop rooms, it gets great DJs from around the world. A cab from the city should take about 20 minutes.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Copacabana
Referred to simply as ‘Copa’ by the scruffy writers, actors, directors, artists and wannabes who frequent the place, this Blvd St-Laurent fixture is, in actuality, a restaurant. Plastic palm trees notwithstanding, it’s more of a drinking hole for the broke and interesting. You’re apt to eavesdrop on some fascinating conversationalists, most of whom aren’t too bad to look at, either.
reviewed
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Nascar: Busch Series Event
In 2009 Nascar signed another three-year agreement with the city of Montréal to stage the race at the legendary Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Since first appearing in 2007, the event has become a major draw for Nascar lovers from all corners of North America and beyond. If all goes well, it may become a permanent fixture on Montréal’s event calendar. The race is typically held toward the end of August.
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Bily Kun
One of the pioneers of ‘tavern chic, ’ Bily Kun is a favorite local hangout for a chilled DJ-spun evening. First-time visitors usually gawk at the ostrich heads that overlook the bar but soon settle into the music groove of DJs and sometimes bands. Upstairs, O Patro Vys is a performing-arts hall that features anything from electronic installations to Patagonian song and Haïku art.
reviewed
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Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal
This Montréal modern-dance troupe has achieved international acclaim since its birth in the 1970s. Performances are full of sensual grace and physical fireworks. When it’s not out on an international tour it plays at it home stage in Place des Arts and venues like the Théâtre de Verdure in Parc LaFontaine, where it often kicks off the fall arts season.
reviewed
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Montréal Impact
Although Canadians aren’t known for doling out the soccer love, the Montréal Impact has played its heart out to earn a local following. In 2008, its labors bore fruit in the form of Stade Saputo, a brand-new 14,000-seat stadium, located east of Olympic Stadium, that was built in its honor. The Impact’s big rivals are Toronto FC and, more surprisingly, the US team the Rochester Rhinos.
reviewed
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Toi Moi & Café
It’s best known for breakfasts, but this chic Laurier café embodies Montréal’s European flair from morning to night. As you sip your café au lait on the outdoor terrace (alongside sophisticates of all ages) you’ll feel as if you’ve crossed the pond yourself. It also serves tasty lunch and dinner, and its specialty coffee, roasted on-site, is sold around town.
reviewed
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Vauvert
In Old Montréal, head to the Hotel St-Paul to hang at Vauvert The vibe is sophisticated and French, full of Old Montréal residents and hotel guests. For a more intimate but exciting scene full of interesting characters and lo-pro celebs, try Garde-Manger or L’Orignal, though both are hard to get into unless you’re a regular.
reviewed
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Gogo Lounge
The retro-kitsch decor here looks like it was copied from an Austin Powers movie: ‘60s psychedelics, flower-power motifs, glistening vinyl and teardrop chairs. Friendly, flirty staff shake martinis and dance on the bar, while regulars jump the long lineups for a guaranteed party any night of the week. Though the loud music tends to get a bit Top 40, the festive formula works.
reviewed
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Sir Winston Churchill Pub Complexe
This Rue Crescent staple is the go-to spot of the block. Winnie’s cavernous, split-level pub draws a steady crowd of tourists and students and an older Anglo crowd. In fact, the late, great author Mordecai Richler used to knock back cold ones in the bar upstairs. With multiple bars, pool tables and pulsating music, meals are served all day and happy-hour drink specials abound.
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La Croissanterie Figaro
A charming Parisian bistro popular with well-heeled locals. Located in a converted old house in a beautiful residential neighborhood, its terrace is among the city’s prettiest. Although it can be a bit of a scene, La Croissanterie is a lovely spot to nurse a coffee or cocktail all afternoon or evening. It also serves homemade croissants, salads and other goodies.
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