Nightclubs and Nightlife in Montreal
September 1st, 2009
Whether you’re just visiting or you’re a local, Montreal is a happening hot spot for nighttime party-goers. The nighttime entertainment is incredibly varied and there is probably something for just about every taste, flair, and even fetish out there. If you’re looking to paint the town red, may I suggest starting slow and mellow and then easing your way into the wild parties, that should keep you going longer and give you more of an opportunity to experience what Montreal has to offer.
And remember, partying in Montreal has some seasonal considerations, the summer season is beautiful and most locals want to take advantage of the weather as much as possible, so look for outside venues or at least a room with a view. In the spring and fall the days are much warmer than the evenings and you can either bring a cumbersome wrap along, or you can schedule the earlier hours as outdoor excursions and the later ones at toasty indoor haunts. For the most frigid nights look for an establishment with a fireplace you can cuddle up to or a crowded hot spot that will keep you warm with excitement.
If low key is the target the Baldwin Barmacie is just the place for you. It’s a quaint and cozy bar, with a peculiar pharmacy theme, where the music and drinks are the focus, yet it’s not too loud for good conversation. The drinks and the pharmacy theme work handily together as the wait staff serve you from antique syrup bottles that you can mix and pour anyway you want to get just the right concoction for your individual taste. Don’t let the laid back atmosphere of Baldwin Barmacie mislead you, this is a club that invites its patrons to be seen and that is the goal of most of the clientele. Wear your most trendy garb and plan to impress.
Swank is the word that comes to mind when one visits Balroom Bar with its inspiration coming from the grand ballroom styles of the past, this dance club knows how to do a lot more than waltz. Sit back in the plush leather booths or plop on top of a metallic art deco styled stool and take in the action or kick up your heels and head out onto the dance floor. As the evening wears on and you make more than a couple visits to the three bars you may decide to try your had on one of the many gold dancing polls that decorate the dance floor, definitely not your traditional ballroom style moves.
For a lot of party-goers when you think Montreal you think of Crescent (the party street) and you think of Thursdays (the party bar). The reputation for fun and clubbing is well deserved and earned and the club rocks with the best of them the world over. The crowd is a bit older and caters to the over 30 crowd and mainly attracts singles, in fact the locals refer to Thursdays as the biggest pick up joint around. But if you like good music, potent drinks, thumping bass and maybe a come on or two, then Thursdays simply can’t be missed.
Montreal is not the foodie town that some other big cities in Canada are, so your night on the town is probably going to be centered around drinks and dancing, but there are a few places that break that rule and Time Supper Club is one of these rule breakers. Decorated in a 1940’s art deco style with white furnishings accented by the red under-lit catwalk, Time is really a sparkling gem of a nightclub. It’s been known to draw some film stars and other glitterati so come dressed to impress. While the food is worth making the trip, the atmosphere and the dancing make Time a club worth hanging out in for a while.
If you’re not going to Crescent Street to party (and why aren’t you going to Crescent to party?) then try St. Laurent where about a mile of prime street front is dedicated to nightlife partying. Head to the corner of Rue Prince-Arthur and St. Laurent and take your pick from the many popular clubs in either direction. The parties in this area spill out from inside the clubs out onto the street and on the right night the entire region becomes one big hot spot. If you’re looking for a home base in this party central, try Vol de Nuit, where you can hang out inside and keep warm with some killer-strong drinks or squeeze onto the terrace and catch part of the street party happening around you.
And for the truly risqué in the crowd, no trip to downtown Montreal would be complete without a stop to the naked restaurant, but don’t worry, you can keep your clothes on. At Les Princesses it’s the wait staff that’s at least partially undressed. In addition to the nude themed staff, you can expect to see porn films on the television sets. As expected, the food isn’t exceptional but it’s reported to be palatable and very reasonably priced, at least you’ll walk out with a story to tell your friends.
Like most European influenced cities, Montreal sets its schedule to a different clock. Expect the majority of diners to come out around 7pm and club goers not to really hit their peak until around midnight. In some areas (like St. Laurent) the momentum doesn’t really crescendo until 3:00 am.
Be wary when going to Montreal that the locals believe strongly in their French heritage and the snobby reputation that comes with it. In most Canadian cities English is spoken or at least tolerated, this is not always the case in Montreal so if you really want to party with the locals then you’d better brush up on your French. Unlike in Paris, the people of Montreal tend to be more forgiving of those who at least make an effort and once you get to know them, Montreal natives can be the nicest people around.
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(cc: photo credit: 96dpi)
Categories: Nightlife
