This post by Daniel Baylis originally appeared on the Tourism Montreal website.
The Montréal Village is where many members of the local LGBTQcommunities congregate. But everyone with an open mind is welcome. Located directly east of downtown, the Village traditionally served as a safe-space for gays, lesbians, trans folks and “others” — to live together, to celebrate together and to support each other. As decades have passed, Montréal has become a global capital for LGBTQ people, and various queer communities are no longer confined to a specific neighborhood. (In short: every part of Montréal is a wee bit gay.)
That said, the big gay spirit lives on in the Village.
The Village Streets – Ebullient ambiance guaranteed
In the warmer months, close to 60 outdoor patios extend under a canopy of nearly two hundred thousand multicolored balls. Lounges, bars, karaoke joints, afterhours clubs and drag queens are all part of the entertainment scene. At any point during the year, it’s one of the city’s best spots for people watching. The Village also makes a great option to sip iced coffee and use the Wi-Fi network, which is free and available throughout the neighborhood.
Muted among the sparkle of drag queens and the allure of attractive locals is the sheer magnitude of the public art installations. The Village is one of the most art-infused neighborhoods of Montréal.
Aires Libres – The car-free village
The balls of the Village have become iconic. (Yes, snicker if you wish.) Designed by internationally renowned landscape architect Claude Cormier, the annual urban canopy began as a single color, one that denoted queerness and nonconformity: pink. The color spectrum, however, has evolved into an 18-tone sequence that references the rainbow flag. The installation spans the entire length of the pedestrian zone, comprising of more than 180,000 resin balls. To call it mere “decoration” would be a wrongdoing; this is one of Canada’s most important pieces of public art. This year is the last year to see the installation. So, don’t miss it.
Galerie blanc – Contemporary art on view
Galerie blanc is an outdoor gallery that enables pedestrians’ access to art — day or night, rain or shine, 365 days a year. The objective is to facilitate a merge between creativity and the public, making art accessible for everyone while simultaneously encouraging contemplation. The main gallery is located at the corner of Sainte-Catherine Street East and Wolfe Street. This year Galerie blanc has partnered with Festival Chromatic and TOILETPAPER magazine to investigate the current phenomenon of hyper consumption of images. The images are colouful, playful, and often ironic.
Eating, drinking, dancing
Montréal has an international reputation for being a great food city, and The Village is not exempt from this repute. In the past, the relatively affordable rents of the neighborhood have enabled burgeoning restaurateurs to set up shop and experiment with a receptive queer community. While the Village continues to evolve, what has remained consistent is a decent density of great food options. Since arriving on the scene, a decade ago, sophisticated French bistro O’Thym has become the frontrunner among a competitive roster of “Bring Your Own Wine” restaurants in Montréal. Saloon Bistro Bar is the Neil Patrick Harris of Montréal restaurants—loveable with a healthy dose of campiness. Fetching and self-assured, Pizzeria Magpie is one of the best places for pizza. Agrikol is an oh-so-sexy bistro and wine bar with a focus on Haitian food, drink and culture. Portions are small but shareable at Le Red Tiger (affordable southeast Asian street food), so order at least two items per person. Taste the Caribbean at Palme, which serves tropical staples with a Montréal twist. For great espresso-based coffee, try indie cafes Pourquoi Pas espresso bar or La graine brûlée.
After the sun has set, Complexe Sky is one of Montréal’s oldest and largest LGBTQ establishments, and patrons can lounge in the jacuzzi on the hugely popular rooftop patio. Though officially a club for bears, Stud on the eastern edge of the Village welcomes all types of men, and all types go. Renard is one of Montréal’s trendiest bars, popular with the artisanal-loving cocktail crowd (read: hipsters). Unity Club is another iconic disco, with international DJs, dancing and a rooftop patio that offers stunning vistas of Montréal.
Shante, you stay
You’ll know you’ve reached Cabaret Mado when you see the papier-mâché marquee of a woman in a lilac wig. (That’s Mado herself.) As the spot to watch local drag performers, Cabaret Mado offers a roster of hilarious acts and affordable drinks. Another Montréal drag legend, Madame Simone – renowned for her outrageous hats and headgear – often works as the self-proclaimed “door bitch” in summertime. In short: the cabaret is a “must” for all drag queen aficionados. At the other end of the Village, Cocktail is a red-lit lounge featuring karaoke nights, drag shows and traditional cocktails.
