Hey everyone!
I am visiting Montreal at the end of the month for a few days. I haven't been there in 15 years! Does anyone have any knowledge on cool places to go to go, things to do.. good bars, cheap shopping, restaurants, etc?
I have also heard that there are some restaurants that allow patrons to bring their own wine and beer? What a refreshing change from the intense laws in Ontario!
Any idea would be really appreciated!
Thanks
theres a strip club on every corner but im guessing that doesnt interest you. IF it does may i recommend CLUB SUPER CONTACT!! (ive , uhhh, heard good things)
Carriage ride through the Old Port is fantastic at night. They cover you up with actual Beaver pelt blankets, take you for a nice tour of the most beautiful spot in Canada IMO.
Notre Dame (No relation
) Cathedral is stunning. I'm not even religious, and I'm awed by it, a pretty historically significant joint too... and it's not often on this continent that you can walk into buildings that are over 400 years old... but old Montreal is full of that.
There's a new museum and Planitarium with an Imax down on the waterfront, and Jacques Cartier Square is always full of street performers. The Casino and revamped sections of the Port will be new since your last visit as well.
The look out on top of Mount Royal, only about five minutes from Pierre Trudeau's place (The sons still own it) is a MUST see.
As for the night life and restaurants, "Les Deux Pierrots" is a pretty happenin' place in the Old Port. And "La Papillon" is a really nice, and affordable Italian bar/restaurant on the main drag of cobblestone leading out of the Square.
From there, Peel street is the spot for high end, classy bars and clubs, whereas St. Catherine street is your typical Yonge, Robson, Broadway strip: lots of dives and strip clubs.
That is very helpful Stephen- thank you! While I am not sure where we are actually staying in relation to these areas, I am sure we will figure it out!
Oh, and TragicallyMike.... don't jump to any conclusions about strip joints being of no interest...... :lol: :wink:
The Old Port is down on the banks of the St. Lawrence, South end of the city. The core of the city (Peel and Ste. Catherine) is only a five minute walk south down St. Urbaine Ave. Everything's within walking distance so you'll be cool no matter where you are... and Montreal cabbies are like NY cabbies... except a little less careful.
That gives me some kind of idea! We are staying on Rene Levesque.
Thanks again- I really appreciate your help and advice!
Oh, and I've been told to dress reeeaallly warmly- apparently it gets pretty cool... :lol:
LIVELOVEtheHIP Wrote:That gives me some kind of idea! We are staying on Rene Levesque.
Thanks again- I really appreciate your help and advice!
Oh, and I've been told to dress reeeaallly warmly- apparently it gets pretty cool... :lol:
You're right in the heart of everything.
If you get a chance, take a stroll through the Chinese Themed Holiday Inn on St. Urbaine and Rene Levesque (IIRC) You won't be able to miss it, it's got a HUGE Chinese gate over the entrance to China Town, and the whole authentic coi pond and gardens inside, complete with big freaky dragons to boot! It's a nifty tourist spot.
Oh, and in the basement of the mall on Rene Levesque (I forget what it's called) there's an unassuming food court... tucked in the very back corner is a really nice restaurant with a Piano (Complete with some guy taking requests) on top of the bar. I'm sure if you ask somebody where "the bar with the Piano on top" is, they'll point you in the right direction!
Have Fun!
I agree that you have to go to old Montreal - it is so awesome there. My Dad lives just outside of Montreal so I'm lucky I can go out there and visit every now and then. When you're in old Montreal, you don't even feel like you're in Canada anymore....cobblestone roads, artists on every corner, beautiful old buildings, cute little boutiques....almost european-like. It is definately an experience.
Another cool place I went to a few years ago is the Biodome. It's a huge building that has set ups of all the main ecosystems around the world - including some of the real wild life that live in them. My favorite was the Arctic because it had about 3 different species of penguins and I just love those things
Montreal is definately an experience - just watch of for the drivers, they are insane out there!
hock:
Montreal's a great city... just remember that it tends to be a little chillier there than most cities west of Montreal.
You should definitely check out Prince-Arthur and St-Denis for restaurants, cafes, etc. Both have a plethora of places that let you brnig your own wine and have pretty good prices for their meals. They also both have more of the old-European look that people expect from Montreal, without having to go to the less happening (in my opinion) area of Old Montreal.
There's also a really cool bar that I've been to downtown Montreal called 737 (I think). It's a bar on the 37th floor of a business building with a huge terrace. The terrace makes it a great summer spot, but it might not be as exciting in the winter. The Peel Pub's a pretty classic place, but nothing too spectacular. Metropolis and Medley's are pretty cool, not-crazy-expensive club/bars.
Anthony
LIVELOVEtheHIP Wrote:Hey everyone!
I am visiting Montreal at the end of the month for a few days. I haven't been there in 15 years! Does anyone have any knowledge on cool places to go to go, things to do.. good bars, cheap shopping, restaurants, etc?
I have also heard that there are some restaurants that allow patrons to bring their own wine and beer? What a refreshing change from the intense laws in Ontario!
Any idea would be really appreciated!
Thanks
Wow, how convenient. Im also making a trip to Montreal very soon.
This is perfect, now I can just leach off of all the good advice directed towards you.
Consider your thread leached.
One last thing: If you're into the creepy, St. Joseph's Oratory has Jean De Brebuff's head on display inside the church... Jean looks pretty good, for a guy who died three hundred years ago.
It's the big dome on top of Mount Royal, it's the first thing you'll see from the highway on the way in.
And in a Hip related note: the large tower to the left of it is Universitie de Montreal, site of the horrors which inspired "Montreal."
as mentioned above it will be cold and snowy, last year we went at around this time of year and snowed a foot an a half in the first 3 hours we were there...anyways here are a couple more things...gibby's restaurant is in old montreal, great experience, service and food, is pretty pricey though...also check out shwartz's or ruebens for some montreal smoked meat, so good...i also suggest checking out a little pattiserie near McGill called Nochochi(or something like that) it is really cool...couple jazz places are Upstairs (which is really downstairs) and the House of Jazz aka Biddles...the last thing i can suggest is to check out the OSM(Montreal Symphony Orchestra) even if you arent a classical music listener you should still check it out as this is one of the best symphonies in the world....hope you have a good time
for breakfast, theres this place right near the old forum called eggspectations. Its amazing, you MUST havea glass of orange juice from this place. Anyhoo, check it out, I promise you you'll like it. All breakfast foods.
Roy-at-tth Wrote:for breakfast, theres this place right near the old forum called eggspectations. Its amazing, you MUST havea glass of orange juice from this place. Anyhoo, check it out, I promise you you'll like it. All breakfast foods.
The only downside to that place is the puns.
If you're served in English the servers actually say things like: "That's an egg-cellent choice, egg-actly what I would have ordered."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It's like a kitchy Gap ad come to life in there.
Roy-at-tth Wrote:for breakfast, theres this place right near the old forum called eggspectations. Its amazing, you MUST havea glass of orange juice from this place. Anyhoo, check it out, I promise you you'll like it. All breakfast foods.
I totally agree - that is the best place I have ever had breakfast. I wish we had one here in the 'Peg. The last time I went there, there was a line up down the street to get into the place (so if you plan on going for Sunday brunch, go early!) And bring your appetite with you, you get huge portions. If memory serves me correctly, you get french toast with almost everything you order. Yummy :thumb: