Fast Times in Montreal

The city is so diverse and so opening that you can go anywhere and have a great time. Having crepes for dinner and walking around the old city- you would swear you were in France. Then go to a pub and listen to some blues and jazz-- did someone say New Orleans or Chicago???

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Many of the sites and smells are best experienced on foot. The city is very clean. And the underground metro is also cheap, clean and effecient to take you to the areas just outside the downtown.

A 1920's art deco hotel in the middle of it all. Located in the heart of the Latin District, Hotel St Denis is blocks away from everything. The quaint rooms have private baths, tv and air conditioning. There is even a nice adjoining bistro (with great brunch). But if you want other food, simply walk out the hotel and pick a direction. The waterfront is a mere 4 blocks, downtown is 6 blocks, the Village is 4 blocks, and a metro stop is one block away.

Sky is a nice place. The main floor is a beautiful pub with two wood finished bars, and plenty of tables. The second floor yeilds an open space which becomes the dance floor, with some couches off to the side to recreate a small lounge area. Adjacent to the lounge is another room- a go-go strip bar. A large room, well lit, plenty of seating, and in the center is a small elevated circular platform where the boys do their thing. No poles or furtniture on stage, just fully naked men. Just sit down and waiter will serve you. It seemed to me the normal routine is for a guy to dance to a song, then leave the stage. There appeared to be 4 men working that night, simply rotating turns.

But the entire complex was free of charge with totally resonable drinks prices. A must see...

After checking out the Sky bar complex, a local told me that Unity was another good bet (he said the two share the same crowd, so one is usually more hopping on any given night).

Inside the plain facade is a multi-level club with a lively crowd. A main dance floor and multiple bars don the first level. Overlooking that is a balcony area, full of looker-ons and new romantics. Above that is a series of smaller rooms with retro-80s and 70s music pumping out hits. Thankfully I was there in August, so the rooftop was open. It was filled with mostly men getting their drink on and enjoying the georgeous summer nights of Montreal.

A short metro ride will take you to the botantical gardens complex. Located directly across the street from the Olympic Stadium and two blocks from a metro stop, the botanical gardens is a great way to spend the afternoon in the outdoors.

A sprawling complex, the gardens are the third largest in the world. With sections of roses, trees, food plants, Japanese gardens and even a butterfly house, the list of what to see is endless.

Next time I go back, I will definitely bring a blanket and picnic basket!