Entertainment in Québec City
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Québec Kebs
The city’s brand-new basketball team, the Québec Kebs play at the 5000-seat stadium of Pavillon de la Jeunesse. In the Atlantic division of the Premier Basketball League, the Kebs play from December through March. Incidentally, the logo of the Kebs (a jumping frog that goes by the name ‘Dunky’) is a still a sore spot for some locals. ‘Frog’ has long been a derogatory name the English have used for French-speaking people and some consider it racist. When the man behind bringing the franchise to Québec City, businessman Réal Bourassa, said the new team name would be either the Québec Jumping Frogs or Kebekwa (how Québécois is pronounced in English), the uproar was heard…
reviewed
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Martello Tower 2
Martello Tower 2 is open to the public only during staged events, like the Convict’s Last Drink. This lively interactive theater (in English) gives a taste of 19th-century justice. It features a mock trial of a soldier accused of a crime, and the audience will decide his fate while – and this is the important part – sampling homemade beers. Because alcohol is served, those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; reserve through the Discovery Pavilion or by phone. A French-language version (La Dernier Verre) takes place at 6:30pm daily (mid-July to early September). Other shows include an ‘1814, council-of-war-style’ feast (adult/child $35/32), during which diners must…
reviewed
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Colisée Pepsi
You are now on hallowed ground…home to the late, great Québec Nordiques. May they RIP. The Nordiques started playing here in 1972 when the venue was known as the Québec Colisée. They played their last game here in 1995, after which the team was moved to Denver, Colorado. Today this 15,000-person arena gets the likes of Iron Maiden and Metallica, and hosts games of the Remparts, from the Québec Major Junior Hockey League.
reviewed
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Le Drague
The star player on the city’s tiny gay scene, Le Drague comprises a front outdoor terrace, a two-level disco where drag shows are held, a slightly more laid-back tavern –and then there’s Base 3. The men-only Base 3 is…well…let’s just say it turns the capital’s conservative reputation on its head and has even seen-it-all Montrealers saying ‘I didn’t know they had that in Québec City.’
reviewed
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Le Sacrilège
It's been around for over 10 years, but this watering hole has taken off in a big way recently and night owls start or end their revelry here most weekends. Even on Monday night, when neighboring bars are empty, it's standing room only at this one. There's a popular terrace out back - get to it through the bar or the tiny brick alley next door. To find Le Sacrilège look for the sign with a laughing, dancing monk saucily flashing his knickers.
reviewed
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Le Clap
Located in the Ste-Foy-Sillery borough, Le Clap’s mandate is to show off the best of what’s going on in the film world. On any given afternoon, you’ll find an eclectic mix of films that could include the latest British hit, an old indie French film and probably one American blockbuster. Non-French-language films are almost always dubbed in French instead of subtitled but call ahead to double-check.
reviewed
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L’Alterno
Regulars kept telling former Le Drague employee Benoît they wished there was another gay club in town to shake up the scene a little, so finally he opened one, tucked away just inside the Porte St-Jean. It’s low-key during the day with people playing billiards, but wilder at night once the DJs come out. It’s easy to miss this place – look for the pride flag and go up the stairs.
reviewed
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Cinéma Cartier
This huge building really was a former movie theater until it was sliced up with a store on the bottom and retail space up top. The 2nd floor houses an independent video shop with a little movie theater in the back showing independent films. It’s deliciously old-world, completely pitch-black except for the screen, and set up with big comfy chairs. Subtitles in French only.
reviewed
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Palais Montcalm
This place has slowly been falling off the radar since the Grand Théâtre was built in the 1970s. It was undergoing heavy renovations at the time of research and there’s talk the new, improved model is gearing up to carve out its place on the entertainment scene. Keep your eye out, it should be open again by the time you read this.
reviewed
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Pub St-Alexandre
High ceilings and dark wood house a regular mix of tourists and loyal locals. The pub grub is fine, though generally unremarkable. It’s the atmosphere and the near encyclopedic range of suds (250 sorts!) and over three dozen types of single malt that will keep you coming back. Occasional live music (Celtic to jazz) on Friday and Saturday.
reviewed
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Les Gros Becs
Devoted to shows for children and young people, this is a brilliantly creative company. Even its website is stunning, full of animation and cartoons on how to get young people interested in live theater (unfortunately, it’s in French only). All shows listed in its schedules have labels with suggested age limits.
reviewed
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L’Oncle Antoine
Set clandestinely in the stone cave-cellar of one of the city’s oldest surviving houses (dating from 1754), this great tavern pours out excellent Québec microbrews (try the Barberie Noir stout or the strong Belgian-style Fin du Monde), several drafts (en fût) and various European beers.
reviewed
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Turf
Come in, grab a bowl and walk to the enormous peanut-filled barrel in the middle of the room. Swipe your fill from the barrel and settle in at one of the most popular pubs in the St-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood. It’s hugely popular with everyone in the 18-to-25-year-old range, from students to suits.
reviewed
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L’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec
For more than a century, this internationally recognized symphony orchestra has performed for more than 100,000 people a year! Concerts are usually broadcast on the radio by public broadcaster Radio-Canada. Led by prolific Israeli maestro Yoav Talmi, the orchestra is also active in the community.
reviewed
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Les Voûtes de Napoléon
Another jubilant boîte à chanson. Its impossible-to-find-on-your-own entrance means it will likely be just you and the locals – it’s underneath the Restaurant Bonaparte. If you can’t find the entrance, just ask a local to point you in the right direction.
reviewed
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Scanner
Ask any local between the ages of 18 and 35 to suggest a cool place for a drink and this is where they might send you. Come see if you can figure it out. Live rock bands play every Saturday from September to May. There’s a terrace outside in summer, Foosball and pool inside year-round.
reviewed
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Chez Son Père
One of the city’s best-loved boîtes à chanson, this spot boasts a great atmosphere and is probably the first place locals will send you if you’re interested in seeing this rollicking kind of French folk music. Cover charge varies; sometimes it’s free.
reviewed
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Le Boudoir
Part restaurant, part nightclub, all scene, this posh but low-key lounge in the hip St-Roch district is pretty much the place for well-heeled locals to party. On weekends, two DJs let you choose between downtempo and dancing, while games include billiards, Wii and Pac-Man!
reviewed
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Opéra de Québec
Under the artistic direction of Grégoire Legendre, this world-class company presents classics like Aida, Pagliacci, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, Carmen and more. Shows take place in the majestic Le Grand Théâtre de Québec.
reviewed
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Q
Chez Maurice
Set up in a gutted, châteaulike mansion and cheekily named after hard-ass former Québec premier Maurice Duplessis, this entertainment complex has three separate partying spaces. There’s a nightclub, and a cigar lounge with 200 sorts to choose from.
reviewed
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Espace 400
Revamped in 2008 to the tune of $24 million to create a fresh public venue for the city’s 400th-birthday festivities, this Old Port waterfront pavilion is an official Parks Canada discovery center. Concerts, shows and performances of all sorts are held here.
reviewed
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La Rotonde
This contemporary dance center presents shows from touring companies from around the world as well as local dancers, including experimental and cutting-edge works. It also offers workshops and classes, and is pivotal in keeping dance alive in Québec.
reviewed
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Aviatic Club
This elegant wine bar and restaurant is nestled in the historic Gare du Palais train station and attracts a professional crowd. A rotating list of 50 wines is served by the glass, and a vibrant terrace, featuring live DJs, is open during summer.
reviewed
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Pavillon de la Jeunesse
The city’s brand-new basketball team, the Québec Kebs play at the 5000-seat stadium of Pavillon de la Jeunesse. In the Atlantic division of the Premier Basketball League, the Kebs play from December through March.
reviewed
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Le Pape Georges
With live music at least three nights a week (more in the summer) from 10pm, this charming wine bistro located in a 300-year-old house also serves cheeses, meats and baguettes with a healthy dollop of Québécois culture.
reviewed