Montréal's gay village: Your introductory guide

The Montréal Village is where many members of the local LGBTQ2+ communities 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 LGBTQ2+ 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 along St. Catherine Street East. Lounges, bars, karaoke joints, after hours clubs and drag queens are all part of the entertainment scene. 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 neighbourhoods of Montréal.

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. The images are colourful, 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 reputation. In the past, the relatively affordable rents of the neighbourhood 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. 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 cafés Pourquoi Pas espresso bar or La graine brûlée.

After the sun has set, Complexe Sky is one of Montréal’s oldest and largest LGBTQ2+ 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.