Visit the Biodôme de Montréal: Perhaps the most engaging attraction in the city for younger children. The Biodôme houses replications of four ecosystems: a Laurentian forest; the St. Lawrence marine system; a polar environment; and, most appealingly, a tropical rainforest. Spend a…
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Montreal Attractions
Montréal is a feast of choices, able to satisfy the desires of physically active and culturally curious visitors. Hike up the city’s mountain, Mont Royal, in the middle of the city; cycle for miles beside 19th-century warehouses and locks on the Lachine Canal; take in artworks and ephemera at more than 30 museums and as many historic buildings; attend a Canadiens hockey match; party until dawn on rue Crescent, the Main, or in Vieux-Montréal; or soak up the history of 400 years of conquest and immigration. It’s all here for the taking.
Getting from hotels to attractions is easy. Montréal has an efficient Métro system, a popular bike-share program, a logical street grid, and wide boulevards that all aid in the largely uncomplicated movement of people from place to place.
If you’re planning to check out several museums, consider buying the Montréal Museums Pass. Tip: Some museums have good restaurants or cafes. Remember, too, that most museums—though not all—are closed on Mondays.
A 20-minute drive east on rue Sherbrooke or an easy Métro ride from downtown is Olympic Park, located in a neighborhood called Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. It has four attractions: Stade Olympique (Olympic Stadium), Biodôme de Montréal, Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden), and Insectarium de Montréal. All are walking distance from each other. You could spend a day touring all four sites, and kids will especially love the Biodôme and Insectarium. Combination ticket packages are available, and the Biodôme, Jardin, and Insectarium are all included in the Montréal Museum Pass. Underground parking at the Olympic Stadium is C$12 per day, with additional parking at the Jardin Botanique and Insectarium.
Money Savers
Look for the Montréal Museums Pass. This pass grants entry to some three dozen museums and attractions, including most of those mentioned in this chapter. The C$80 pass is good for 3 consecutive days plus unlimited access to public transportation (including the airport shuttle, bus no. 747) along with the museums. Look for the pass at museums or the tourist office at 1255 rue Peel (downtown). Info is online at www.montrealmuseums.org.
Visit La Vitrine in person or online for last-minute ticket deals. Regular priced and same-day discount tickets for a huge variety of cultural events are available at La Vitrine’s high-tech ticketing center at 2 Ste-Catherine est (tel 866/924-5538 or 514/285-4545). Its website, www.lavitrine.com, lists all events, with last-minute deals indicated by a distinctive red dot.
Flash your AAA card. Members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) get the same discounts as members of its Canadian sister organization, the CAA. That includes reduced rates at many museums, hotels, and restaurants.
Visit during Montréal Museums Day. On the last Sunday in May, more than 35 museums welcome visitors for free in a citywide open house. Free shuttle buses run between the venues. Visit www.montrealmuseums.
50 Results
- Sports Venue
Atrium Le 1000
This medium-size indoor ice-skating rink in the heart of downtown offers skating year-round under a glass ceiling. Skate rentals are available, and a food court surrounds the rink. It attracts a full mix of patrons: groups of giggling teenage girls, middle-aged friends chatting and… - Show
Aura
Though it occasionally descends into bombast, Aura, a projection mapping sound–and–light show inside the Notre Dame Basilica, is quite affecting. Really, how could it not be? It uses as a backdrop one of the most magnificent spaces in North America. Sitting in a pew, while evocative… - Religious Site
Bagg Street Shul
Author Mordecai Richler set most of his books in the working-class Jewish neighborhood of St-Urbain of the 1940s and 1950s (his most famous book is The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz). The Bagg Street Shul, also called Temple Solomon or Congregation Beth Shloime, is the heart of… - Religious Site
Basilique Notre-Dame
Breathtaking in the richness of its interior furnishings and big enough to hold 4,000 worshipers, this magnificent structure was designed in 1824 by James O’Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant architect from New York—who was so profoundly moved by the experience that he converted… - Religious Site
Basilique-Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde
Montréal’s “Mary Queen of the World” cathedral is a scaled-down homage to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Bishop Ignace Bourget oversaw its construction after the first Catholic cathedral here burned to the ground in 1852. Most impressive is the 76m-high (249-ft.) dome, about a third… - Zoo/Aquarium
Biodôme de Montréal
terrifically engaging attraction for children of nearly any age, the delightful Biodôme houses replications of four ecosystems: a tropical rainforest, a Laurentian forest, the St. Lawrence marine system, and the Labrador Coast and sub-polar regions. Visitors walk through each and… - Gym/Spa
Bota Bota
Converted from a real boat, Bota Bota’s highly modern, all-season spa offers a luxurious water circuit of dry saunas, steam rooms, and three Jacuzzis, two of which are outside and offer stunning northern views of the Old Port. You can also come for relaxing body treatments in one of… - Religious Site
Cathédrale Christ Church
This Anglican cathedral stands in glorious Gothic contrast to the city's downtown skyscrapers. The building was completed in 1859. The original steeple was too heavy for the structure, so a lighter aluminum version replaced it in 1940. It's sometimes called the "floating cathedral"… - The Performing Arts
Centaur Theatre
The city's principal English-language theater is housed in a former stock-exchange building (1903). Presented here are a mix of classics, foreign adaptations, and works by Canadian playwrights. It was here that famed playwright Michel Tremblay's Forever Yours, Marie-Lou received its… - The Performing Arts
Centre Bell
Seating 21,273 for most events, Centre Bell is the home of the Montréal Canadiens hockey team and host to the biggest international rock and pop stars traveling through the city, including Montréal native Céline Dion (b. 1968), Beyoncé Knowles (b. 1981), and Coldplay, as well as…Downtown
- Museum
Centre Canadien d’Architecture
The CCA should be a destination museum for anyone interested in architecture, professional or not. The massive building also serves as a research center and is recognized internationally as a leader in public awareness, scholarship, and innovation in architecture. Exhibitions aim to… - Museum
Centre des Sciences de Montréal
The Montréal Science Centre is a family-friendly complex that’s arguably the most interactive experience a visitor will have in Montréal. Not just a museum, the CSM approaches science and technology in a hands-on way, so visitors can understand its applications in everyday life. Many… - Museum
Centre d’Histoire de Montréal
Formerly a fire station, this 1903 building at Place d’Youville is now a well-run museum chronicling the history of Montréal. It includes a permanent exhibit that covers Montréal’s beginnings in the 16th-century all the way through to the modern day. You’ll learn about the native… - Religious Site
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours/Musée Marguerite-Bourgeoys
Just to the east of Marché Bonsecours, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is called the Sailors’ Church because of the special attachment that fishermen and other mariners have to it. Their devotion is manifest in the several ship models hanging from the ceiling inside. There’s also an… - Tour
Fantomes Ghost Walks
Evenings at 8:30pm, join with other intrepid souls for a ghost walk of Vieux-Montréal. The 90-minute tour heads down back alleys to places where gruesome events occurred and actors appear as phantoms to tell about the historical crimes of the city. Because their stories include tales… - Landmark
Hôtel de Ville
City Hall, finished in 1878 (and then burned to the ground in a 1922 fire and rebuilt), is relatively young by Vieux-Montréal standards, and it’s still in use, with the mayor’s office on the main floor. The French Second Empire design makes it look as though it was imported, stone by… - The Performing Arts
Igloofest
Little sister to Piknic Electronik, Igloofest is brought to you by the same people. For 3 weekends in January (Fri-Sun), this outdoor music festival attracts hardcore partiers who come to take in electro music and drink under the night sky. Below-zero temperatures demand some serious…Outer Districts - Zoo/Aquarium
Insectarium de Montréal
The Insectarium is part of the Jardin Botanique (below) and admission is included in the (rather steep) joint ticket price for the gardens. If you are already planning a trip to the gardens, this is worth taking in; otherwise, it’s pretty small to justify a trip and a ticket on its… - Park/Garden
Jardin Botanique
Spread across 75 hectares (185 acres), Montréal’s Botanical Garden is a fragrant oasis all year round. Ten large exhibition greenhouses each have a theme: One houses orchids; another has tropical food and spice plants, including coffee, cinnamon, and ginger; another features… - The Performing Arts
L'Opéra de Montréal
Founded in 1980, this outstanding opera company (it's one of the 15 largest in North America) mounts six productions per year in Montréal, with artists from Québec and abroad participating in such shows as Mozart's The Magic Flute and Puccini's La Bohème. Video translations are…Downtown - Religious Site
L'Oratoire St-Joseph
This huge Catholic church -- dominating Mont-Royal's north slope -- is seen by some as inspiring, by others as forbidding. It's Montréal's highest point, with an enormous dome 97m (318 ft.) high. Consecrated as a basilica in 2004, it came into being through the efforts of Brother… - Landmark
La Biosphère
Not to be confused with the Biodôme at Olympic Park, this interactive science facility is housed under a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller to serve as the American Pavilion for Expo 67. A fire destroyed the sphere's acrylic skin in 1976, and for almost 20 years, it served… - Theme Park
La Ronde Amusement Park
Montréal's amusement park, opened as part of the Expo 67 World's Fair, was run for its first 34 years by the city. It was sold to the American-owned Six Flags theme-park empire in 2001. New rides have since been added, and like hot sauces, they're categorized by "thrill rating":… - Cooking Class
Labyrinth Shed 16
From mid-May to the end of October, this gigantic indoor maze at the far eastern end of Vieux-Port entices children to come and explore a mystery, which changes each year. One year, for instance, the maze was set up like the interior of a castle, with a tale of a priceless… - The Performing Arts
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
The prestigious touring company, performing both a classical and a modern repertoire, has developed a following far beyond national borders in its 50-plus years (it was founded in 1957). In the process, it has brought prominence to many gifted Canadian choreographers and composers.…Downtown - Religious Site
L’Oratoire St-Joseph
This huge Catholic church—dominating Mont Royal’s north slope—is seen by some as inspiring, by others as forbidding. It’s Montréal’s highest point, with an enormous dome 97m (318 ft.) high. Consecrated as a basilica in 2004, it came into being through the efforts of Brother André, a… - Market
Marché Bonsecours
Bonsecours Market is an imposing neoclassical building with a long facade, a colonnaded portico, and a silvery dome that can be seen from many parts of Vieux Montréal. It was built in the mid-1800s—the Doric columns of the portico were cast of iron in England—and first used as the… - The Performing Arts
Metropolis
After starting life as a skating rink in 1884, the 2,300-capacity Métropolis is now a prime showplace for traveling rock groups, especially for bands on the way up or retracing their steps down. It has recently hosted Adele, Lauryn Hill, Prince, and Polaris Prize winner Karkwa.…Downtown - Sports Venue
Montréal Canadiens Hockey
The city’s beloved hockey team plays downtown at the Centre Bell arena. The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups (the most of any team, although the most recent was in 1992–93). The season runs from October to April, with playoff games potentially continuing into June. A Hall of Fame… - Museum
Musée McCord
This museum is fresh at each visit, and it boasts two appealing new permanent exhibitions: “Montréal: Points of View,” touching on the lives of first inhabitants and the spirit of the city today, and “Wearing Our Identity: The First People’s Collection,” which presents a respectful… - Museum
Musée Redpath
Run by McGill University, this old-time museum focuses on natural history and is best known for its Egyptian collection—including mummies and a sarcophagus—and a small display of fully constructed dinosaur skeletons. It’s the kind of stuff kids love. There’s an impressive collection… - Museum
Musée des Beaux-Arts
In November of 2016, Montreal's splendid Musée des Beaux-Arts became the 12th largest museum in North America. A generous gift by locals Michal and Renata Hornstein added a handsome new building and 75 new masterworks to the collection, most notably medieval Dutch paintings. The… - Museum
Musée du Château Ramezay
Named for Claude de Ramezay, governor of Montréal from 1704 to 1724, the château was built in 1705. It served as home to Ramezay and then the city’s other governors until it was sold in the mid-1700s. It became the local headquarters to the American Continental Army in 1775 when… - Museum
Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a must for art lovers with an interest in modern-day artistic movements. The collection is primarily Québec-centric, with works by the likes of Paul-Émile Borduas, Alfred Pellan, and Jean-Paul Riopelle among others, but there are also many works by… - The Performing Arts
Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal
The orchestra performs during its regular season at Place des Arts. The 2011 schedule included 10 performances, and opened with Great Classics, such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21; an assorted program, Airs de jeunesse; and Mahler's Symphony No. 8.…Downtown - The Performing Arts
Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
Kent Nagano was brought on as conductor in 2005 and has focused this world-famous orchestra's repertoire on programs featuring works by Bach, Brahms, Mahler, and Messiaen. All is not staid: The orchestra performs at Place des Arts and the Notre-Dame Basilica and offers a few free…Downtown - Park/Garden
Parc La Fontaine
The European-style park in Plateau Mont-Royal is one of the city's oldest and most popular. Illustrating the traditional dual identities of the city's populace, half the park is landscaped in the formal French manner, the other in the more casual English style. A central lake is used… - Park/Garden
Parc du Mont-Royal
Montréal is named for this 232m (761-ft.) hill that rises at its heart -- the "Royal Mountain." Walkers, joggers, cyclists, dog owners, and in-line skaters all use this largest of the city's green spaces throughout the year. In summer, Lac des Castors (Beaver Lake) is surrounded by… - The Performing Arts
Place des Arts
Since 1992, Place des Arts has been the city's central entertainment complex, presenting performances of musical concerts, opera, dance, and theater in five halls: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (2,990 seats), where the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens…Downtown - Museum
Pointe-à-Callière (Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History)
Several Montréal museums provide a thorough history of the city, but none quite match the heft of this one. For starters, Pointe-à-Callière consists of six buildings spread out exactly where the original colonists settled in the 1640s and is a bona fide archaeological site. Permanent… - The Performing Arts
Pollack Concert Hall
In a landmark building dating from 1899 and fronted by a statue of Queen Victoria, this McGill University venue is in nearly constant use, especially during the school year, with concerts and recitals by university students and music faculty. Recordings of some concerts are available…Downtown - Museum
Rio Tinto Alcan Planétarium
The planetarium moved to Olympic Park in 2013 from its long-time location downtown. The planetarium has two theaters: one show is focused on science, and the other is focused on the poetic majesty of the stars. Most shows are in French, but nine a day were in English at last visit.… - Gym/Spa
Scandinave Les Bains
Bath complexes are common throughout Scandinavia, but less so in North America. This center brings Euro-style relaxation-through-water to Montréal’s locals and guests. Visitors check in, change into bathing suits, and then have the run of the complex for the visit. There’s a warm… - The Performing Arts
Segal Centre for Performing Arts
From about 1900 to 1930, Yiddish was Montréal's third most common language. That status has since been usurped by any number of languages, but its dominance lives on here. The Centre presents theater performed in both Yiddish and English, and is one of the few North American theaters… - Sports Venue
Stade Olympique
Montréal’s space-age Olympic Stadium, the centerpiece of the 1976 Olympic Games, looks like a giant stapler. The main event is the 165m (541-ft.) inclined tower, which leans at a 45-degree angle and does duty as an observation deck, with a funiculaire that whisks passengers to the… - Arts
The Mural District
Every June, muralists from around the world gather in Montreal to public paint massive murals on the walls of the city. Bands play, street food is consumed, and the artists toil to complete their works in a mere two weeks. Though it's exciting to watch the artists work, you don't… - The Performing Arts
Théâtre St-Denis
Refurbished in recent years, this theater complex in the heart of the Latin Quarter hosts a variety of shows by the likes of Norah Jones and Alice Cooper, as well as segments of the Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs) comedy festival in July. One hall seats 2,218, and the other fits… - The Performing Arts
Théâtre de Outremont
Opened in 1929, the Outremont started a new life in 2001, with a larger stage and terraced seating. Its calendar incorporates all manner of French-language music, comedy, theater, and film, with occasional Anglophone acts. - The Performing Arts
Théâtre de Verdure
Tango nights in July are especially popular at the open-air theater nestled in a popular park in Plateau Mont-Royal. Everything is free: music, dance, and theater, often with well-known artists and performers. Many in the audience pack picnics. Performances are held from June to… - Park/Garden
Vieux-Port
Montréal's Old Port was transformed in 1992 from a dreary commercial wharf area into a 2km-long (1 1/4-mile), 53-hectare (131-acre) promenade and public park with bicycle paths, exhibition halls, and a variety of family activities, including the Centre des Sciences de Montréal . It…
Montreal Shopping
Join in Montreal's underground economy downtown - the shopping malls are linked by a labyrinth of tunnels below rue Sainte-Catherine, the main street for big-name shops. The Plateau offers quirky boutiques like Lola & Emily on boulevard Saint-Laurent and designer threads by Philippe Dubuc on more upscale rue Saint-Denis. Shops typically open at 10am (12pm on Sunday), and close at 6pm Mon-Wed, 9pm Thu and Fri, and 5pm on weekends.
13 Results
- Housewares & Furniture
Arthur Quentin
Doling out household products of quiet taste and discernment since 1975, this St-Denis stalwart sells chic tableware, leather goods, kitchen gadgets, and home decor. That means Le Jacquard Francais French linens and Limoges china, carafes and Le Creuset casseroles, and English tea…Plateau Mont-Royal - Bookstores
Drawn & Quarterly
This Mile End bookstore is a cultural hub, with book launch parties, a graphic novel book club, and food writing workshops. It specializes in graphic novels, including those from its own publishing company, but also has children’s books, quirky notecards, and fine arts books.Mile End Fruits & Passion
Founded in Québec in 1992, this popular chain features “personal care and ambience products”—fruity lotions, bubble baths, and its Cucina line of candles, dish soaps, and more.Plateau Mont-Royal- Arts & Crafts
Galerie Le Chariot
Galleries featuring Inuit art are found throughout the city, but few are as accessible as this one, located on Place Jacques-Cartier, in the heart of Vieux-Montréal. Here, shoppers can find handmade pieces by Inuk artists from Cape Dorset, Lake Harbour, and Baffin Island—carved…Vieux-Montréal - Arts & Crafts
Galerie Zone Orange
Happy monster plush dolls, sleepy-eyed owl pillows, jewelry made from recycled inner tubes, and nifty iPhone cases with original artwork are on display at the small Zone Orange, which also has a teeny espresso bar in its center. Everything sold here is made by independent Québec…Vieux-Montréal - Fashion
Harricana
One designer taking a unique cue from the city’s long history with the fur trade is Mariouche Gagné. Her company recycles old fur into funky patchwork garments. A leader in the ecoluxe movement, Gagné’s workshop-boutique is close to the Marché Atwater and the Lionel-Groulx Métro…West of Vieux-Montréal - Bookstores
Indigo Livres Musique & Café
In a street-level space in Place Montréal Trust, this store sells music, books, magazines, and gifts, and operates a cafe upstairs.Downtown - Fashion
Kanuk
One of the top Canadian manufacturers of high-end winter jackets makes its clothes right in Montréal and has a warehouse-like factory store in the heart of Plateau Mont-Royal. Like L.L. Bean in the U.S., the first customers for Kanuk’s heavy parkas were outdoor enthusiasts. Today,…Plateau Mont Royal - Arts & Crafts
La Guilde
A well-curated collection of items is displayed in a meticulously arranged gallery setting: blown glass, tapestries, and wooden bowls. The store is particularly strong in avant-garde jewelry and Inuit sculpture. A small carving might be had for C$100 to C$300, while larger, more…Downtown - Food
Les Chocolats de Chloé
If you approach chocolate the way certain aficionados approach wine or cheese—that is, on the lookout for the best of the best—then the teeny Chocolats de Chloé will bring great delight. Perhaps a cardamom bonbon? Or a pop of “pâte de pistache” enrobed in milk chocolate?Plateau Mont-Royal - Food
Marché Jean-Talon
Gourmands will want to make a pilgrimage to the north end of Montréal to this market. It’s surrounded on all sides by the buzz and energy of the city, and is full of fresh fruits and vegetables and a host of gourmet shops. Consider a visit to spice shop Olives & Épices, which…Little Italy - Toys
Raplapla
Sweet dolls for infants made from organic cotton are the specialty of this local company. Look for the Monsieur Tsé-Tsé doll, which in addition to being adorable, has become something of an icon for the Montréal hand-craft movement.Plateau Mont-Royal - Housewares & Furniture
Zone
A Québec company with a half dozen locations, this housewares store features colorful bowls and plates, clocks and frames, furnishings, and more. Think clean lines of Ikea products, but several steps up in style and flair.Plateau Mont-Royal
More About Montreal Shopping
Montreal Nightlife
Montreal's 3am closing makes it Canada's party capital. Start off on rue Crescent for people-watching or jazz at nearby Upstairs. East of downtown, Place des Arts hosts symphonies and outdoor festivals. Old Montreal has chic new lounges like Suite 701 while the Gay Village is lined with gay bars. Head to the Plateau for hip DJ bars and Mile End for cool cocktails at L'Assommoir. The smoking ban ensures terraces are full in summer.
26 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Bar Furco
Industrial-chic Berlin meets an old Montréal fur warehouse. That's the inspiration for this downtown hotspot for cocktails and wine (the food menu kicks in after 5pm). Attractive 20- and 30-somethings gather after work and will even wait in line to soak up Furco's vintage-mod vibe. - Bars & Pubs
Big in Japan
Prohibition lasted less than a year in Montreal (it was instituted and repealed in 1919). So there likely wasn't a speakeasy culture back then, though there certainly is one now. Half a dozen hidden little bars have popped up around the city in the last decade, paying tribute to a… - Bars & Pubs
Brutopia
This pub pulls endless pints of its own microbrews, which might include maple cream or java stout on a given day. With three levels, a terrace in back, and a street-side balcony, it draws a mixed crowd, students with laptops, and old friends just hanging out. Unlike other spots on… - Bars & Pubs
Buvette Chez Simone
Simone is one of a group of friends who own this popular bar. The terrace (framed by greenery in summer) is a coveted spot in sunny weather. Stripped-down industrial chic in the interior envelops a central, oval-shaped bar. The menu has a satisfying selection of small eats, including… - Bars & Pubs
Bílý Kůň
Pronounced “Billy Coon,” this popular bar is a bit of Prague right in Montréal, from the avant-garde decor (mounted ostrich heads ring the room) to the full line of Czech beers, local microbrews, and dozen-plus scotches. Martini specials include the Absinthe Aux Pommes. Students and… Cabaret Mado
The glint of the sequins can be blinding! Inspired by 1920s cabaret, this drag theater has a dance floor, performances most nights, and is considered a premiere venue. We’re still kicking ourselves for missing the “Spice Girls Drag World Tour” show. Look for the pink-haired drag…Casa del Popolo
Set in a scruffy storefront, Casa del Popolo serves vegetarian food, operates a laid-back bar, and has a small first-floor stage. Across the street is a larger, sister performance space, La Sala Rossa (below). The two venues constitute the heart of the Montréal indie music scene.- Bars & Pubs
Champs
You like sports? Looking for a particular soccer/hockey/baseball/football game? Chances are good that it will be on here, in this three-story sports emporium. Games from around the world are fed to walls of TVs, and more than a dozen athletic events might be showing at any given… Club Soda
The long-established rock club in the old Red Light District of the Latin Quarter (and on the edge of the hotter Quartier des Spectacles) hosts AC/DC cover bands, fashion shows, and parts of the city’s music and comedy festivals.Quartier Latin- Bars & Pubs
Dieu du Ciel
There are about 20 microbreweries in Montréal, and this is our favorite. Tucked into a corner building on rue Laurier, this neighborhood artisanal brewpub offers an alternating selection of some dozen beers, including house brews and exotic imports. The place buzzes, even midweek.… - Bars & Pubs
Hurley’s Irish Pub
In front is a street-level terrace, and in back are several semi-subterranean rooms. Celtic instrumentalists perform nightly, usually starting around 9:30pm. There are 22 beers on tap and more than 50 single-malt whiskeys to choose from. La Sala Rossa
A bigger venue than its sister performance space Casa del Popolo, La Sala Rossa has a smattering calendar of interesting rock, experimental, and jazz music. The attached Sala Rosa restaurant serves up hearty Spanish food with a big card of tapas and paella—and, every Thursday, live…Le Deux Pierrots
This has traditionally been one of the best known of Montréal’s boîtes-à-chansons (song clubs), but its more visible personality these days is as a sports bar. The sports posters are what you’ll mostly see when you walk by, but look for the smaller posters of musicians. On Friday and…- Bars & Pubs
Le Jardin Nelson
In the summer, the outdoor dining options that line Place Jacques Cartier are tempting but touristy. Le Jardin Nelson has a people-watching porch adjacent to the plaza, but you’re better off tucking into its large tree-shaded garden court, which sits behind a stone building dating… Maison du Jazz
This New Orleans–style jazz venue has been on the scene for decades. Lovers of barbecued ribs and jazz arrive early to fill the room, which is decorated in mock–Art Nouveau style with tiered levels. Live music starts around 8pm most evenings. The ribs are okay, and the jazz is of the…- Bars & Pubs
Méchant Boeuf
Here, a young, stylish crowd piles into the bar of this brasserie during happy hour and doesn’t seem to leave (a DJ keeps revelers moving with nonstop techno-pop). The menu has a large selection of shareable appetizers such as fried calamari and chicken wings, but the real focus is… - Dance Clubs
Newtown
A tri-level club in the center of rue Crescent nightlife, the shmancy Newtown is an appealing spot for cinq-à-sept (5-to-7pm) drinks, especially on the rooftop terrace in the warm months. The square bar in the middle of the main barroom is a friendly place, too.Downtown - Bars & Pubs
Philémon
The look here is chalet-chic, while the crowd is urban single professional. As one blogger put it, “you can always count on its strong quick ’n’ dirty drinks, relaxed vibe, fashionable and good-looking 20–40 year old crowd . . . Oh, and being hit on.” The oysters are good and there’s… - Dance Clubs
Piknic Electronik
From late May to late September on sunny Sunday afternoons and into the evenings, it’s a dance party at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Hipster kids, families with young children, and dancing queens who just didn’t get enough on Saturday night gather and shake it outdoors under the Alexander… - Bars & Pubs
Pullman
This sleek wine bar has dozens of wines as well as aperitifs and ports by the glass and offers both 2- and 4-oz. pours, so you can sample a number of vintages. In summer, try a Coimbra, a sangria-like drink with porto blanco, tonic, and lime. A competent tapas menu with standards… - Bars & Pubs
Sir Winston Churchill Pub
The three levels of bars and cafes here are rue Crescent landmarks, and the New Orleans–style sidewalk and first-floor terraces (open in warm months) make perfect vantage points from which to check out the pedestrian traffic. With English ales on tap, the pub imitates a British… - Gay & Lesbian Bars
Sky Club & Pub
A complex that includes drag performances in the cabaret room, a pub serving dinner daily, a hip-hop room, a spacious dance floor that’s often set to house music, and a popular roof terrace, Sky is thought by many to be the city’s hottest spot for the gay, young, and fabulous. It’s… - Bars & Pubs
Suite 701
When Place d’Armes Hôtel converted its lobby and wine bar into this spiffy lounge, young professionals got the word. It’s a beautiful hotel bar in a central location (right on Place d’Armes), and it makes a point of catering to the so-called cinq-à-sept (5-to-7pm) after-work crowd,… - Bars & Pubs
Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
The Upstairs Jazz Bar, actually down a few steps from the street, has been hosting live jazz music nightly since 1995. Big names are infrequent, but the groups are more than competent. Sets begin as at 8:30pm, and there are usually three each night, 7 days a week. Food ranges from… Velvet
This cavernous nightclub cultivates the feel of an underground speakeasy, courtesy of its virtually nonexistent signage and its tunnel entrance through the bar of Auberge St-Gabriel. Even the website is hard to decipher. Some of the bartenders here are models and many of the patrons…- Bars & Pubs
Vices & Versa
This bistro au terroir has featured microbrews on draft and in cask as well as chow from the region since 2004. It's a low-key, local joint with occasional musical acts and a lovely backyard beer garden.
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More To Do in Montreal
The Best Luxury Hotels in Montreal
Hôtel Le St-James: This former 19th-century bank in Vieux-Montréal lets no detail escape its attention. From an opulent restaurant to marble-rich bathrooms to an immaculately trained staff, Hôtel Le St-James provides an experience that may well be the highlight of your visit.W…
The Best Mid-Range Hotels in Montreal
Auberge Bonaparte: Even the smallest rooms in this fashionable urban inn are gracefully presented, and taking breakfast in the elegant Bonaparte restaurant is an especially civilized way to start the day.Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites: Tidy, centrally located, and equipped…
