The Gay Village, nestled within Amherst, St-Catherine East, Ontario and Papineau streets, is the place to be for dance-parties, dining fine and casual and, well, being out and proud! The Village isn't just for gays and lesbians though - it's one of those places in the city that truly boasts acceptance for people of all orientations and origins.
From the 1950s until the 1980s, the gay community was scattered across town with bars and clubs in sporadic downtown areas and many remain as testaments of this community, such as Le Mystique on Stanley and Sainte-Catherine. The mid-1970s changed the face of the gay community in Montreal as gay and lesbian venues began popping up in the Village area, and couples began leasing and buying property.
A generation later, the Village is rife with pride, and celebrations of this attitude take place alongside the dynamic festival season Montreal offers up each summer. Pride Week (Divers/Cité), festivities take place in the first week of August and free concerts and parties on the streets are the flavour of the week - you can expect drag queen performances, disco nights and gay films under the stars.
Le Cabaret Mâdo is a must for those interested in entertainment in the form of fabulously campy drag shows with tongue-in-cheek comedic interludes between performances. Get there early for the best seats and to avoid lineups.
Establishments like Greek restaurant, Ella Grill, and the Parking nightclub are village mainstays that are known to attract a large non-gay clientele.
Those looking for a more Zen-like experience in the village should be sure to visit Serge et Réal, the sole gay, lesbian and transgender bookstore in the city owned and run by none other than Serge and Réal.
The "lesbian haircut" may have gotten a bad rap over the years, but Révolution Montréal, the bicycle repair shop/lesbian haircut salon is currently enjoying underground success with its 'haircuts for anyone' concept.
Don't forget to stop into the clothing boutique that reportedly has designers from the television program The L Word requesting custom tailored outfits for their cast members. In fact, that's what Mad-Âme, specializes in - anything you desire in their shop can be fit to size!
And, finally, local architecture in the Village is a treat for people who prefer quiet residential strolls. And who knows, you might make a new friend or two - in the Village, strangers are only friends you haven't met yet.
The mid-1970s changed the face of the gay community in Montreal as gay and lesbian venues began popping up in the Village area, and couples began leasing and buying property.
Most of the fine dining in the Village caters to an Italian palate, but Canadian and Chinese fare is also available. A quirky seafood joint serves lobster with all the trimmings for under $20. The best part is that most of the restaurants are beautiful heritage sites in their own right. Bellisimo, for example, was the village school from 1880 to 1912.
However, jumping over to the northern side of the highway doesn't immediately put you in No Man's Land. Golf Dorval is a great spot for travelers and locals alike, with 18 holes, a lit driving range, putting greens and a bar.
It's easy to see why the Sulpicians made Dorval their summer retreat; the original authenticity of the area's heritage has been preserved with charming results, and an evening dinner and stroll in the village brings history to life.
If you go
Boutique Mad-Âme
1276, rue Amherst
Tel: (514) 396-7000
Restaurant Le Saloon Bistro Bar
1333, rue Ste-Catherine E.
Tel: (514) 522-1313
Restaurant Ella Grill
1237, rue Amherst
(514) 523-5553
Bookstore SergetRéal
1455, rue Amherst
(514): 527-7759 |
Club Sky Pub
1474, rue Ste-Catherine E.
Tel: (514) 529-6969
Nightclub Parking
1296, rue Amherst (corner of Ste-Catherine)
Révolution Montreal,
757, rue Amherst
Tel: (514) 313-7521
Le Cabaret Mâdo
1115, rue Ste-Catherine E.
(514): 525-7566 |
| For more information on festivities, including outdoor concerts, various workshops and family activities in the Village, visit Centre-Sud Parks. |
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