www.ambiente.us MARCH | MARZO 2010
Montreal | It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than Queer Quebec
by: Jon Fairbanks, gaytravel.com
Originally named “Ville-Marie” or “City of Mary” for you Anglophone bitches, Montreal is a
sheik, sophisticated gay destination. The city is the second-largest primarily French
speaking city in the world (after Paris). That being said, most residents also speak
English and getting around is pretty manageable. With triple-peaked Mount Royal in
the background, the view of downtown Montreal is a beautiful sight to behold.
Le Village in a Nutshell
The gay village in Montreal is the largest in North America in terms of area. Luckily for
out-of-towners it’s also easy to find. If you journey down Sainte Catherine Street, the
major downtown artery, you’ll start seeing rainbow flags and gay porn shops at about
Rue Berri. The Village stretches to Rue De Lorimier, in between you’ll find a plethora of
bars, clubs, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants, all serving the local and foreign
LGBT community.
Planning Your “Autoroute”
For a city with a metro population of more than three million residents, Montreal is
pretty easy to maneuver. If you are driving, you’ll find that there is usually street parking
in The Village, but street signs are in French, so
make sure you understand what they say or you could get
ticketed or towed. If you fly to Montreal, there are taxis and
the Metro (subway system) that will take you where you need
to go. The Beaudry Metro station is located smack dab in The
Montreal | It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than Queer Quebec
by: Jon Fairbanks, gaytravel.com
Originally named “Ville-Marie” or “City of Mary” for you Anglophone bitches, Montreal is a
sheik, sophisticated gay destination. The city is the second-largest primarily French
speaking city in the world (after Paris). That being said, most residents also speak
English and getting around is pretty manageable. With triple-peaked Mount Royal in
the background, the view of downtown Montreal is a beautiful sight to behold.
Le Village in a Nutshell
The gay village in Montreal is the largest in North America in terms of area. Luckily for
out-of-towners it’s also easy to find. If you journey down Sainte Catherine Street, the
major downtown artery, you’ll start seeing rainbow flags and gay porn shops at about
Rue Berri. The Village stretches to Rue De Lorimier, in between you’ll find a plethora of
bars, clubs, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants, all serving the local and foreign
LGBT community.
Planning Your “Autoroute”
For a city with a metro population of more than three million residents, Montreal is
pretty easy to maneuver. If you are driving, you’ll find that there is usually street parking
in The Village, but street signs are in French, so
make sure you understand what they say or you could get
ticketed or towed. If you fly to Montreal, there are taxis and
the Metro (subway system) that will take you where you need
to go. The Beaudry Metro station is located smack dab in The
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French fries, topped with cheese and gravy.
This is a popular dish in Quebec. Some
restaurants put ketchup or peas on top. In
fact, peas are served on top of many dishes in
the Province, as sort of a garnish. A truly
cosmopolitan city, Montreal and specifically
The Village offers an eclectic mix of great
cuisine, including Le Bato Thai, Restaurant La
Strega (Italian) and Le Club Sandwich. More
than just a great place to grab a sub, Le Club
Sandwich is an institution, diner-style
complete with juke-boxes.
When Night Falls Sainte Catherine
Lets Her Hair Down
The biggest and most popular gay club in
Montreal is Club Unity, on Sainte Catherine
Street. There are three floors in Unity. On the
bottom floor you’ll find a bar, on the second –
two bars with a HUGE dance floor and the
third offers two more bars and another dance
floor, playing a different kind of music. True to
its name, the crowd at Unity consists of men
and women of various ages, types and
preferences.
Parking is the best dance club for just us
boys. Also located in The Village, off of Sainte
Catherine, Parking offers great music, brought
to you by the best local and international DJs.
There are two
This is a popular dish in Quebec. Some
restaurants put ketchup or peas on top. In
fact, peas are served on top of many dishes in
the Province, as sort of a garnish. A truly
cosmopolitan city, Montreal and specifically
The Village offers an eclectic mix of great
cuisine, including Le Bato Thai, Restaurant La
Strega (Italian) and Le Club Sandwich. More
than just a great place to grab a sub, Le Club
Sandwich is an institution, diner-style
complete with juke-boxes.
When Night Falls Sainte Catherine
Lets Her Hair Down
The biggest and most popular gay club in
Montreal is Club Unity, on Sainte Catherine
Street. There are three floors in Unity. On the
bottom floor you’ll find a bar, on the second –
two bars with a HUGE dance floor and the
third offers two more bars and another dance
floor, playing a different kind of music. True to
its name, the crowd at Unity consists of men
and women of various ages, types and
preferences.
Parking is the best dance club for just us
boys. Also located in The Village, off of Sainte
Catherine, Parking offers great music, brought
to you by the best local and international DJs.
There are two
Village.
Places to Stay: Great Deals in The Village
No matter what you are looking for, you’ll be able to find the right place to stay in Montreal. There are a lot of
inexpensive, quaint B&Bs or non-chain hotels to choose from. Hotel Dorion is a cozy property if you’re on a
budget. It couldn’t be any closer to all the action! Situated on Rue Dorion, you can get a standard room or
upgrade your stay with a Jacuzzi or other amenities. Hotel Maritime Plaza is more expensive and about two
miles away from The Village but it’s extremely gay-friendly and the service is always on-point!
Poutine, Peas and Resto Bars
If you like cruising with your meal, Le Drugstore is a treat for all of the senses. Part restaurant-part bar-part
boutique, it’s a huge complex that staffs hot waiters/waitresses and hosts a large LGBT clientele. There’s
a variety of menu options, but the best is a burger with a generous helping of poutine. This isn’t a
nickname for a part of the female anatomy, rather, it’s a dish made up of
Places to Stay: Great Deals in The Village
No matter what you are looking for, you’ll be able to find the right place to stay in Montreal. There are a lot of
inexpensive, quaint B&Bs or non-chain hotels to choose from. Hotel Dorion is a cozy property if you’re on a
budget. It couldn’t be any closer to all the action! Situated on Rue Dorion, you can get a standard room or
upgrade your stay with a Jacuzzi or other amenities. Hotel Maritime Plaza is more expensive and about two
miles away from The Village but it’s extremely gay-friendly and the service is always on-point!
Poutine, Peas and Resto Bars
If you like cruising with your meal, Le Drugstore is a treat for all of the senses. Part restaurant-part bar-part
boutique, it’s a huge complex that staffs hot waiters/waitresses and hosts a large LGBT clientele. There’s
a variety of menu options, but the best is a burger with a generous helping of poutine. This isn’t a
nickname for a part of the female anatomy, rather, it’s a dish made up of
dance floors, disco music is played on the main floor. Women are only allowed to join the party on
Wednesdays.
Worth a second mention, by night, Le Drugstore turns into a popular lesbian bar. Three levels of
drinking, dancing and debauchery, what’s not to love?!
If you want to see nearly naked guys do the dancing for you, take a swing by Campus and get a lap
dance from one of the hot and usually straight male dancers. Leave the fag-hags at home, women
are not allowed most nights of the week.
After the club, if you’re looking for a late night “dip,” there are a few bathhouses to choose from, all
within stumbling distance of the gay clubs. Oasis and Sauna Centre Ville are a couple of the most
popular with locals and tourists.
Beyond The Village
Of course there are BEAUCOUP things to do outside of The Village. Montreal is a city bursting at
the seams with museums, landmarks and classic architecture. Visitors who need a shopping fix
can get lost at Eaton Centre. Located on Sainte Catherine, Eaton is the largest shopping mall in
eastern Canada, serving more than one million visitors each week. Apple, Lacoste and Banana
Republic are just a few of the retailers you’ll find here.
If you’re looking for a faster but thrilling way to burn through your money, venture over to the Casino
De Montreal. Open 24 hours a day, the casino offers more than three thousand slot machine and
more than 100 gaming tables. If you end up pissing away your spending cash early, you can stay
and watch a cabaret show.
French, English and other influences fused harmoniously. If you’re looking for a uniquely Euro
experience, but don’t want to leave North America, Montreal is an ideal destination.
For more info, visit
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
Wednesdays.
Worth a second mention, by night, Le Drugstore turns into a popular lesbian bar. Three levels of
drinking, dancing and debauchery, what’s not to love?!
If you want to see nearly naked guys do the dancing for you, take a swing by Campus and get a lap
dance from one of the hot and usually straight male dancers. Leave the fag-hags at home, women
are not allowed most nights of the week.
After the club, if you’re looking for a late night “dip,” there are a few bathhouses to choose from, all
within stumbling distance of the gay clubs. Oasis and Sauna Centre Ville are a couple of the most
popular with locals and tourists.
Beyond The Village
Of course there are BEAUCOUP things to do outside of The Village. Montreal is a city bursting at
the seams with museums, landmarks and classic architecture. Visitors who need a shopping fix
can get lost at Eaton Centre. Located on Sainte Catherine, Eaton is the largest shopping mall in
eastern Canada, serving more than one million visitors each week. Apple, Lacoste and Banana
Republic are just a few of the retailers you’ll find here.
If you’re looking for a faster but thrilling way to burn through your money, venture over to the Casino
De Montreal. Open 24 hours a day, the casino offers more than three thousand slot machine and
more than 100 gaming tables. If you end up pissing away your spending cash early, you can stay
and watch a cabaret show.
French, English and other influences fused harmoniously. If you’re looking for a uniquely Euro
experience, but don’t want to leave North America, Montreal is an ideal destination.
For more info, visit
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source