Fun and entertainment Canada

A well known bar in Toronto, particularly busy on weekends, which presents excellent jazz and blues shows at low cost. Sometimes the place also offers early afternoon shows (see website). That said, there are at least sixty shows presented there each month! It is possible to eat there and there is also a hotel in the same building. Another classic of the neighborhood!

Located in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, this mythical venue, still known to many as Métropolis (the name was changed in May 2017), welcomes a crowd of 2,300 who can sway to their hearts' content in the pit and balcony. Big names such as David Bowie, The Wailers, Ben Harper, Manu Chao, Les Rita Mitsouko, INXS, Lady Gaga, Jon Batiste and Björk have performed here. The venue also hosts a number of major concerts at festivals such as Les Francos de Montréal.

Le Trou du Diable is a broue-pub with a reputation that extends beyond the country's borders. In addition to its in-house nectars (many of which are matured in barrels), this worker cooperative offers tasty bistro cuisine featuring products from local or in-house artisans (homemade charcuterie, Quebec cheeses, game and meats from breeders, etc.). Don't miss the Boozy Brunch (dates on Facebook). Le Trou du Diable has a second address in town, on rue de la Station (microbrewery, boutique and tasting room on site).

Want to feel at home while getting some stress-free work done? L'Anticafé is for you! You can even invite friends, but only if everyone (including yourself) pays the small fee for use of the premises. You can work, read, study, socialize, play board games and even sleep if you like. Coffee, tea and cookies are available free of charge, and several cultural events are held here each week. A café like no other!

The Bell Centre is the largest complex in the greater Montreal area with a total capacity of 21,000 seats for field hockey and 15,000 for shows. It is the place to be for mass gatherings during Montreal Canadiens field hockey games, but also for large-scale shows, rock and pop star tours, various circuses or ballets on ice, boxing galas, etc. For the adventurous, it is always possible to get last minute tickets at the door from scalpers.

Housed in the former Co-op premises and clad entirely in wood, the Pit Caribou pub delights the taste buds of visitors to the region and locals alike. Acting as a tasting room, the premises also offer local and seafood nibbles, as well as a great program. For the more curious, the microbrewery where their divine nectars are brewed is only a few minutes' drive away, in L'Anse-à-Beaufils. Also worth a visit: Auberge Chez Pit (lodging, boutique, light meals, terrace).

It is stated bluntly: it is one of the best addresses in Montreal for electronic music. International DJs sometimes perform there, but residents are also very familiar with their business. All in a relaxed atmosphere and a rather surprising decoration, a mix of modernity and kitsch, completely faithful to their former address in the Plateau. The programme of events and guest artists is available on the Facebook page of the Daomé Salon (interesting promotions on some evenings, including free admission).

You can't miss the beautiful wood-clad front. A little British air in the heart of Hochelaga! You come here to have a drink with friends at the end of the day, to watch a game on one of the HD screens, or to party until the wee hours. Hop lovers of all kinds of hops will be delighted here with over 100 varieties of beer (a fine selection from Quebec) and more than 70 whiskies and scotches. Céad míle fáilte (Welcome a hundred thousand times!) !

Divided into distinct zones on three half-storeys, the place is breathtaking: a veritable oasis of greenery with over 400 plants everywhere, lounge areas, an open kitchen in the center, a large glass roof at the front, a garden terrace at the back, and so on. The decor is by Amlyne Phillips, renowned for her superb bar and restaurant designs. We come here for the house cocktails, the Asian cuisine and the ambience of what becomes a dance club later in the evening. A must-see!

With its vintage and trendy look, Harricana brings back the good old days of brasseries in a bistro version and a friendly bar. The menu reflects the image of the place: eclectic, mixing the great brewery classics, family cuisine and bistro dishes. To top it all off, the place also brews its own beers on the spot, including matured or barrel-aged editions, as well as versions resulting from a blend or a technique out of the ordinary, because creativity is the order of the day here. To be discovered without hesitation!

The largest cultural complex in the city. Place des Arts has several venues: Théâtre Maisonneuve (large theatre), Salle Claude-Léveillée (small theatre), Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (huge hall that houses the great names in music, among others), Théâtre Jean-Duceppe (large theatre), Cinquième Salle (smaller hall with emerging shows) and Maison symphonique (residence of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal). Restaurants, bars and shops, outdoor area (Esplanade de la Place des Arts).

Part craft brewery, part beer bar, part gastropub, Le Saint-Bock is routinely packed. Between the beers brewed on site, those of other Quebec microbreweries and private imports, there are dozens of beers on the menu, so it might take you a while to decide... For those with cravings, the menu ranges from burgers to nachos and other gourmet dishes that rhyme with beer. And the kitchen stays open every night until 2am. In short, a classic to try!

Ras L'Bock is a superb pub with a rustic decor, facing the marina and the river, offering local beers including classics such as Bitumineuse (American Stout) and Blanche d'Haberville (Hefeweizen), as well as ephemerals such as Dieu Soleil (NEIPA) and L'Essentiel (Sweet'n Sour raspberry and aronia). There's also a boutique in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, as well as a brasserie-boutique and refreshment bar in La Pocatière. If you're feeling peckish, the Bistro OK is located under the pub, where you'll find a selection of Ras L'Bock beers on tap.

The Microbrewery Broadway is attended by an eclectic clientele that breaks down the crust, drinks a pint of good homemade beer among friends, or makes a game of billiards or follow the sports game of the day. An address to be used for those crossing the Mauricie.

The beers are brewed in small volumes and are inspired by English and American Ales as well as Belgian Saisons (some are available in bottles to take away). New beers are regularly created according to the seasons and the availability of products, especially fruits and forest products. The brewery also offers sausages, smoked fish rillettes and grilled sandwiches. A list of alcohols and spirits, including several from Quebec, is also available.

This authentic English pub is one of the warmest places in the old town. The mahogany woodwork, the old mirrors and the bar, which is about twelve metres long, give it a hushed atmosphere. Its alcohol menu will delight lovers of imported beers and single malt scotch. Belgium looks good with a superb selection of private imports, ranging from Trappist beers to gueuzes. Serve with one of their famous homemade sausages or a grill, and you will quickly understand why this place is so popular.