Entertainment in Québec
-
A
Café Olimpico
Its espresso is among the city’s best, yet this no-frills Italian café is all about atmosphere, as hipsters and unassuming local rock stars rub elbows with elderly gentlemen and quirky regulars. Spring and summer, the benches of the sunny outdoor terrace, a people-watching paradise, are jammed.
reviewed
-
B
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
-
C
Cock ‘n Bull Pub
This weird joint is part dive bar, part Irish pub and all good times for students and low-rent party seekers. Located on a semi-seedy strip of Rue Ste-Catherine, its not-so-Irish food menu is – wait for it – Chinese. But cheap beers and theme nights like karaoke and bingo attract a fun, smart crowd.
reviewed
-
D
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
-
E
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
-
F
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
-
G
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
-
H
La Petite Idée Fixe
Tucked inconspicuously among cheap apartments, swanky cafés and discount stores is your new favorite dive bar. It’s got no frills but all the essentials: affordable drinks, genial staff, dim lights, barstools, a pool table and, best of all, a jukebox (a rarity in Montréal).
reviewed
-
I
Pub St-Paul
In the heart of Old Montréal’s most touristy drag is this rock pub, a hit among students, jocks and passersby. A lunch and dinner menu of upscale pub fare (think yummy chicken wings) is served, live bands rock out weekend nights, and drink specials complete the Top 40 formula.
reviewed
-
J
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.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Exit
Exit is one of those clubs where what's exciting is the people who fill it and not the space itself. This house and R&B mainstay doesn't look like much on the inside with its sparce interior, but when the star DJs show up this place is packed - it's one of the best nightclubs around.
reviewed
-
L
Café des Éclusiers
This Old Port summertime staple is open from May to September only. Always crowded, it has a restaurant, bar, lounge, sprawling outdoor terrace and beach club of sorts. Although the scene can be a bit much, the after-work crowd adores the lounge, house music DJs and elaborate cocktails.
reviewed
-
M
Bar Salon la Porte Rouge
This historical old saloon has been fancied up into a trendy hangout. Old-fashioned decor pays tribute to the space’s illustrious past, as do drink names like Scarlett O’Hara and Pink Lady. Sunday nights, electro DJs draw a trashy-glam fashion crowd, both gay and straight.
reviewed
-
N
Terrasse 701
The rooftop terrace above the boutique Hôtel Place-d’Armes is a requisite stop on the nightlife circuit if you’re around during the summer. Nicely mixed cocktails, eclectic cuisine and a fantastic view over Old Montréal never fail to bring in the beauty crowd.
reviewed
-
O
Tribe Hyperclub
Celebrity guests like P-Diddy and Paris Hilton, house, trance and techno DJs, and sexy patrons make this very hyper nightclub the go-to spot of thousands. Don’t forget the monstrous 100,000-watt sound system. If you’re ready for bottle service, book a table in advance.
reviewed
-
P
Mad Hatter Saloon
With happy-hour specials and a kooky, anything-goes feel, this longtime Rue Crescent tavern is so uncool it’s cool. Concordia and McGill University students have been flocking here for years, and during summertime its 2nd-floor terrace is a lo-pro, affordable spot to unwind.
reviewed
-
Q
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.
reviewed
-
R
Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest
Named after its late founder, who passed away in 2007, this Montréal comedy club, based in the Pepsi Forum, remains the place to catch the hottest touring and local comedy talent, from improv to stand-up. Wednesdays are open-mic night, and the club serves dinner and a full bar.
reviewed
-
S
Nyk’s
Its artsy-chic vibe makes this warm bistro pub the preferred lunch and after-work spot of Plateau cool kids who happen to work in downtown offices. Daily happy hours and pub finger-foods are a joy to downtowners seeking an authentic experience. Sometimes it even has live jazz.
reviewed
-
T
Bluedog Motel
Next door to Blizzarts is Bluedog, painted –you guessed it – blue. With a younger but equally inebriated crowd of arty urban revelers, music varies from hip-hop to trendy post-electro and dancey beats. Sunday nights, there’s a free keg on the dance floor!
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Club Date Piano-Bar
This gay tavern knew what it was doing when it karaoke-fied the spot. A mixed crowd cheers on aspiring vocalists from all walks of life, from hilariously awful to downright star-worthy. Cheap drinks and a weird saloon vibe guarantee you a night to remember – or forget.
reviewed
-
V
Le Ballatou
This dark, smoky Afro-Caribbean nightclub draws a multi-ethnic crowd and dancers of awesome sophistication. Shows are presented on weeknights for a varied cover; on weekends the cover (around $7) includes one drink. Check out the happy dancers in the photo gallery out front.
reviewed
-
W
Bu
This elegant, Italy-inspired wine bar is where Montréal’s real wine aficionados go to drink. The 500-strong list features approximately 25 wines by the glass, and the excellent service is worth the steep price. The kitchen whips up fine Italian antipasto dishes.
reviewed
-
X
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
-
Y
Laïka
This local hot spot is a favorite haunt of the electronic-music and new-media crowds. Peering in from the huge street-level windows, you can glimpse patrons tapping away on laptops over morning espresso, lunchtime tapas or evening libations. At night, DJs play electronica.
reviewed