Where’s the Party?

Special IssueErin Sparks — Published September 6, 2011

One of the best things about Montreal’s nightlife is that- on any given day of the week, no matter what neighbourhood you’re in, you’re bound to find something to do to get out of town. What we list here is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s available, but to start you off, here are The Link’s picks of some of the coolest places around.

• Brutopia—one of the best brewpubs found downtown, they boast ample seating, trivia games on mondays, live mic nights on sundays and tasty, seasonal beer. (1219 crescent st.)
• Crobar (1221 Crescent St.)
• Reggie’s—Run by the Concordia Student Union and conveniently located in the Hall Building, Reggie’s offers cheap beer (made even cheaper by their daily specials), which can be enjoyed meters away from where you go to class. Head down there for “Thirsty Thursdays” if you like a crowded bar scene, or any other night of the week for a more laidback feel. (1455 de Maisonneuve W.)
• Cock n’ Bull (1944 Ste-Catherine St. W.)

• Drugstore—Featuring some of the most gorgeous drag queens in the city, Drugstore is a massive club/bar with multiple floors and reasonably priced drinks. With nightly drag shows, a ladies lesbian night and friendly staff, Drugstore is an awesome place to go, regardless of your orientation. (1366 Ste-Catherine St. E.)

• Burgundy Lion (2496 Notre-Dame W.)
• Black Jacks (3814 Notre-Dame W.) (Thursday Nights)

• The Wheel Club (3373 Cavendish)
• Maz Bar (5617 Sherbrooke W.)

• Honey Martin’s—With its cozy décor and soft lighting, this snug Irish pub is the perfect winter bar. With a super friendly staff and reasonably priced Guinness, it’s a great place to relax. Plus, Wednesdays through Saturdays, you’ll also enjoy live music. (5916 Sherbrooke St. W.)

• Les Foufounes Electriques—this place is home to probably the cheapest beer in town. it’s huge, but lineups frequently stretch down the block—one line for those not willing to bribe the bouncer, and the other for those who are willing to fork over some cash to get in faster. (87 st. catherine st. e.)
• Cabaret Café Cleopatre—Stripping on the first floor and cabaret upstairs. This legendary burlesque bar has kept the gentrification of the neighbourhood in check. (1230 St Laurent)
• Midway—Where the strippers from Cleo’s go to drink after their shifts. Hilariously quétaine live music on Saturdays. (1219 St Laurent)
• Katacombs (1635 St Laurent)
• Lambi (4465 St Laurent)
• Bluedog Motel—Head into the ‘Dog on Tuesdays for some righteous disco. (3958 St Laurent)
• Korova—Every Thursday Korova holds a Motown-themed night, playing a decent mix of oldies on what is usually a packed dance floor. Saturdays and Mondays are also busy evenings—though the Monday crowd tends to be a bit McGill heavy. Proceed with caution. (3908 St Laurent)
• Snack’n Blues—Snacks and jazz in a legendary venue. (5260 St Laurent)
• The Royal Phoenix—The newest queer dance party offering open to everyone. Great vibe, great food. (5788 St Laurent)

St. Denis

• Panda Bar—Full disclosure: Our Editor-in-Chief is responsible for plying people with vodka on Wednesday nights, but this new venue is worth a perceived conflict of interest. Tall PBRs are $4, and shots are 4 for $10. (2021 St. Denis St.)
• Salon Officiel—A laidback venue featuring a decently-sized bar and dance floor, Salon Saturdays is the place to go party, usually packed with sexy French folks. It’s in a residential neighbourhood, so don’t piss off the neighbours while you’re in the alley shot gunning beers. You should also make sure to say hi to the bouncer, as there’s just the one who works year round. He’s a really nice guy. (351 Roy E.)
• La Rockette—Rock n’ roll, especially on “Deadly Mardi,” with bartenders and DJs from local bands Dutchess Says and We Are Wolves. (4479 St. Denis St.)
• Cheval Blanc—Our favourite microbrewery in town, Cheval Blanc has some of the nicest bartenders in the city. Pints will cost you around $6, which might seem like a lot for someone on a student’s budget, but it’s worth it. The beer is incredible and it changes often enough that you can try a new one every time. They also make a killer grilled cheese. (809 Ontario Ave. E.)

• Tamtams—Montreal’s weirdest outside party takes place every Sunday near the George-Étienne Cartier Monument in Mount Royal Parc. Drum circles, vendors selling things from hacky sacks to carpets and elaborately dressed LARPers (that’s right, complete with crests and coats of armor) can be found beginning in May until the end of September.
• Mont Royal Ave, in general—there are literally a hundred bars, pubs and places to crawl from St. Laurent Blvd. to Papineau worthy of checking out. Check it out.

This article originally appeared in Volume 32, Issue 02, published September 6, 2011.