Montreal: Queer Tips for the Perfect Summer Weekend

If you’re looking for a last-minute, LGBTQ+-friendly destination to visit before the summer is over, you may want to consider a quick weekend trip to Montreal. In June, July, and August, the city becomes more vibrant as locals and tourists take advantage of the dozens of fun festivals, and Rue Sainte Catherine, in the Village gayborhood, transforms into a pedestrian thoroughfare. 

Here are a few of our queer-friendly recommendations for things to do and see if you’re planning your first summer trip to Montreal. 

Stay at the Bed & Breakfast du Village

Located on Rue Montcalm, the Bed & Breakfast du Village (BBV), is conveniently located in the gayborhood and just a block away from all the action on Rue Sainte Catherine. LGBTQ+ owners Philippe, Nicolas, Sylvian, and Darren keep the B&B running and give it that “home-away-home” vibe. Regular room, Senior Suite, Budget Room, Budget Suite, and a Cottage are the various accommodations available to guests. A continental breakfast is served in the communal kitchen every morning starting at 9 am, and there’s also a gluten-free breakfast option. BBV has secure indoor parking for $15 (+taxes) per night. 

Other gay-owned B&Bs in the area include Le Cartier Bed and Breakfast and La Loggia Art B&B. However, queer travelers looking for more traditional hotels will find most of them about a 15-minute walk away from The Village in downtown Montreal.  A few options include the W Montreal, Le Méridien Versailles, and Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal. 

Indulge in a Decadent Brunch at Cacao 70

If you miss the breakfast at Bed & Breakfast du Village, then you’re only a short walk away from Cacao 70, a restaurant that serves decedent chocolate-laced fare. As with most restaurants along Rue Saint-Catherine, you should take advantage of the al fresco seating and enjoy chocolate-infused items like the Illegal Chocolate Waffle, the Black & White Waffle, the Chocolate Hazelnut Pizza, and the Cocoa and the Nutella and Fruit Crepe. And even if you don’t want a sweet breakfast or brunch, you can stick to the usual suspects, including crepes, grilled sandwiches, frittatas, or my favorite, the Lazy Breakfast with scrambled eggs, country-style ham, sausage, bacon, potatoes, baked beans, and fresh fruit drizzled with melted chocolate. (The Cacao on Saint Catherine is temporarily closed, but you can also visit the Avenue du Parc and Marché Central locations.

Stroll or Jog Through Mont-Royal/Parc du Mont-Royal

Enjoy the beautiful summer weather and head to Parc du Mont-Royal, one of Montreal’s largest green spaces. Frederick Law Olmstead – who also co-designed New York’s Central Park – designed this park that sits on a hill west of downtown Montreal. Relax and commune with nature as well as dozens of bikers, joggers, birdwatchers, and tourists along a few multi-purpose paths. Walk to Chalet du Mont-Royal and pass the semicircle plaza – usually occupied by skateboarders – to get an amazing panoramic view of downtown Montreal from the Kondiaronk Belvedere Lookout. Explore the trails, grab a bite to eat at Maison Smith, and on Sundays, experience Tam Tams, a fun hand drum jam session. It’s not uncommon to catch the smell of marijuana wafting in the air during these fun summer gatherings. 

Explore Old Montreal

Walk the cobblestone streets and appreciate the distinctive architecture of Old Montreal. In addition to City Hall, the Basilica of Notre Dame, and a few museums, tourists can also explore dozens of small shops, restaurants, and vendors including more than half a dozen local artists willing to draw a caricature in your likeness on Place Jacques-Cartier.

Summer is the perfect time to stroll along Montreal’s Old Port, a historic waterfront that stretches over a mile along the St. Lawrence River. Head to Parc du Bassin Bonsecours for a fun picnic with family and or friends, pick a park bench for a prime spot for people watching, sip on a cocktail under palm trees at Scena restaurant’s large terrace or rent a paddle boat to see Old Port by water.

Brave Adrenaline-Pumping Fun at La Ronde

Bring out your inner child and spend a fun-filled day at Six Flags Theme Park, La Ronde, the largest amusement park in Quebec. Located on the eastern tip of Saint Helen’s Island, the 146-acre park has dozens of rides, including the water ride Aqua Twist, a top-spin ride called Demon, and 10 roller coasters. Ride Le Monstre, a 131-foot wooden, double-tracked roller coaster. It’s also the perfect place for LGBTQ+ families!

Open from mid-May to late October, La Ronde has hosted L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec (Montreal Fireworks Festival) over Dolphin Lake since 1985. Each summer, 8 or 9 pyrotechnical companies from different countries present a 30-minute pyro-musical show to compete for gold, silver, and bronze trophies. And even if you don’t make it to see the fireworks at La Ronde, you can catch a glimpse of the show from key vantage points around the city, like Jacques Cartier Bridge.

Party at Piknic Électronik

Pack your cooler with food, grab your friends, and end every weekend on Parc Jean-Drapeau for Piknic Électronik. This weekly electronic music festival – featuring local and international DJs and producers – takes place every Sunday on Île Notre-Dame from mid-May to early October. This summer dance party for all ages runs from 2 pm to 9:30 pm and costs $25 per person, but you can save five bucks if you buy your tickets at the pre-sale price of $20. Cocktails and buckets of beer (straight from the tap) are served in designated areas. No outside alcohol is permitted.

Enjoy the City’s Diverse Summer Festival Season

Summer in Montreal also marks the start of the festival season for the city. From the Montreal Chamber Music Festival in June to the Montreal International Jazz Festival in July to the Montreal International Black Film Festival in September, there’s always something going on in Quebec’s Metropolis. If you’re visiting in August, you can’t miss the Fierté Montreal, the city’s Pride Festival which runs the first week of the month with featured events such as a Beach Volleyball Tournament, Art-Stravaganza, Drag Superstars Show, Pride Parade, Pup MTL Contest, Closing T-Dance, and so much more! 

One festival I’d recommend is the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, the largest international comedy festival in the world. Featured queer comedians and performers include Trixie Mattel, Katya Zamolodchikova, Brian Bahe, Sam Jay, Matteo Lane, Fortune Feimster Solomon Georgio, and ALOK, an international trans comedian and activist. The 2022 festival will also have special performances and appearances by A-listers like Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, Issa Rae, and John Mulaney. This festival is usually scheduled in mid-July for about two weeks and is located just a few blocks between The Village and downtown Montreal. If comedy isn’t your thing, try something like the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a festival that features music and popular musicians from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. It’s usually held in mid-July for almost two weeks.

Sample the Cruise at Le Steak Frites San-Antoine

Rue Saint Catherine is lined with several, diverse restaurant options. Les Rotisseries St-Hubert Restaurant and the 24-Hour A&W are just a few choices, but my favorite spot is  Le Steak Frites. Unfortunately, the Saint-Catherine location has closed, but there is one downtown on Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest. Enjoy a tender filet mignon with your choice of three types of sauces, a side of steamed vegetables, and all the French fries you can eat. Just make sure you remember to bring a bottle of wine or your preferred choice of spirits. Le Steak Frites does not serve alcohol, but the chic décor and buzzing atmosphere will be worth the dining experience.  

Experience Montreal’s Gay Nightlife

Grab a beer or cocktail on Rue Sainte Catherine – it’s a great way to mingle, make new friends and pick up great tips on where queer locals go to hang out. Watch an entertaining drag show and then dance the night away at Apollon Club Bar or grab a cocktail and see male strippers shake their money makers and more at Campus and Stock Bar (website NSFW). Beware of the strippers’ subtle charm and good looks. You may be easily talked into an expensive lap dance in a backroom. You’re probably better off taking a stroll to one of the nearby gay bathhouses such as Oasis or G.I. Joe, a multi-leveled complex with hot tubs, a sauna, playrooms, and outdoor deck for nude sunbathers.

Start the night out (around 10 pm) by hanging out and chatting with scruffy locals at the always-crowded L’Aigle Noir (Black Eagle). Summers are great for drinking spirits on the bar’s outdoor deck. After a couple of hours, walk a few blocks to Le Stud, where patrons can play pool, try their luck at video poker, and dance until the early morning. Just remember that bartenders in Canada give measured pours; so, ask for a double if you’re looking for a cocktail with more bite.