Gay and Away Top 10 - Montreal

 

10. Eaton Centre
In the need of some retail therapy? Head to Montreal’s largest mall. Have your pick of more than 170 stores and a plethora of amazing restaurants. Eaton Centre is also connected to the McGill University Metro and it’s centrally located on Sainte Catherine Street.

9. Jazz Fest
The world’s largest jazz festival attracts hundreds of thousands visitors each year and offers more than 650 concerts for music lovers to enjoy. The event is held at the end of June, so enjoy the great weather, catch the incredible live performances, then stroll to the gay village for a great meal or evening cocktail.

8. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Get your culture on at Montreal’s largest and oldest art institution. The museum houses more than 36,000 pieces and admission to the collection is free at all times, making it an economic thing to do on any day.

7. Underground City
No trip to Montreal would be complete without checking out the Underground City. It’s more than 20 miles of tunnels containing entrances to shopping malls, apartment buildings, hotels and seven metro stations. In the winter, an estimated half million residents and tourists use the tunnels in the Underground City to escape the frigid Quebecois weather.

6. Le Drugstore
Just what the doctor ordered! Three levels of queer dancing, food and entertainment in the heart of Montreal’s gay village. The complex also has a terrace, allowing patrons to enjoy the city view on a beautiful spring or summer day.

5. Cabaret Mado
A legendary venue named in honor of its legendary owner, popular drag queen Mado. This Sainte Catherine Street hotspot is a great place to dance and catch some terrific cabaret. Queen Mado also takes the stage each Tuesday.

4. Black and Blue
The world’s largest gay benefit dance festival takes place on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, attracting nearly 100,000 partygoers from Canada, the United States and other countries. The event, organized by Bad Boy Club Montreal, is a blast and a great fundraiser for HIV/AIDS and the gay community.

3. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal
One of the most shining examples Montreal’s Gothic architecture, the Notre-Dame Basilica features stained glass windows showcasing scenes from the city’s religious history and it’s filled with hundreds of detailed wooden carvings and statues. The church also houses a Casavant Frères pipe organ created in 1891.

2. Club Unity
Drag shows, go-go boys and the world’s hottest DJs, OH MY! Club Unity is the city’s most popular gay bar offering two dance floors and a rooftop terrace. No trip to the gay village would be complete without checking out this legendary queer venue.

1. Divers/Cite
This ultimate LGBT art and music festival drapes a big rainbow duvet over Montreal’s downtown and gay village every July. Programming includes eclectic outdoor performances, outdoor cinemas and dance parties. Many of the events are free of charge. One of the most popular recurring events is Mascara, a drag event created by Mado.

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