The Village

Montreal

Gay Village featuring outdoor eating, street scenes and cafe lifestyle
Gay Village showing signage, outdoor eating and street scenes
Gay Village featuring signage, street scenes and outdoor eating
The Village
Photo by Convex

Eat, drink and party in this lively centre of Montréal’s cuisine and nightlife. See why the city’s gay district is thought to be one of the largest in the world.

Also known as the Gay Village, this area north of the Quartier Latin is so LGBT-friendly that even its metro station has rainbow pillars. Although the Village is the epicentre of Montreal’s gay scene, just about anyone would enjoy the festive atmosphere. Due to low rents, a young population and a high density of cafés, restaurants, bars and clubs, the Village is one of Montréal’s most exciting areas.

The Village is centred on St. Catherine Street. From June through September, this street is closed to traffic, so the whole neighbourhood feels like a vast plaza. Walk along St. Catherine Street and notice the professional street art lining the façades. On a sunny day, sit out on one of the many restaurant terraces for a cup of coffee and watch the fashionable crowds.

There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from in the Village, each of those varying in uniqueness and popularity. You can get anything from a cheap dinner, in a bistro with in-house DJ, to a pricier meal based on the nouveau-French cuisine in an elegant décor.

Most locals hit the bars at just before midnight, which is a good time to hop around between the many different nightlife options. Catch a cabaret show performed by the Village’s most flamboyant drag queens. If you rather have a chat over a cocktail, visit one of the many gay bars in the area. And, if you are enjoying yourself, party until the next morning at a late-night dance club.

The best time to visit the Village is during one of its famous week-long parties. Divers/Cité is the neighbourhood’s spectacular annual festival, which lasts a week between July and August. It culminates with the gay pride parade. Watch Mascara, the world’s largest drag show, which takes place during this festival. Black and Blue is a week-long series of big techno parties during Canadian Thanksgiving throughout various venues in both the Village and other parts of Montreal. Get tickets for these festivals in advance, because they are world-renowned, and fill up fast.


Popular places to visit

Things to do



Other neighbourhoods around The Village

Default Image

Ville-Marie

2/5(1 area review)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning cathedral and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Ville-Marie. Top attractions like Old Port of Montreal and Notre Dame Basilica are major draws. Catch the metro at Champ-de-Mars Station or Jean-Drapeau Station to see more of the city.

Ville-Marie
Default Image

Chinatown

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Chinatown, you might enjoy attractions like The Underground City and Saint Laurent Boulevard. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Place d'Armes Station to see more of the city.

Chinatown
Latin Quarter showing street scenes, a city and signage

Quartier des Spectacles

4/5(13 area reviews)

Cosy cafes, live music and vibrant jazz clubs are just a few top things to explore in Quartier des Spectacles. A visit to Complexe Desjardins or Place des Arts might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Place des Arts Station or Saint Laurent Station to get around town.

Quartier des Spectacles
Plateau Mont Royal showing street scenes, signage and shopping

Plateau Mont-Royal

4/5(10 area reviews)

Noted for its art galleries and cafes, there's plenty to explore in Plateau Mont-Royal. Top attractions like Saint Denis Street and Laurier Avenue are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Mont Royal Station or Laurier Station to see more of the city.

Plateau Mont-Royal
Notre Dame Basilica which includes interior views, a church or cathedral and religious aspects

Old Montreal

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

A bustling port renowned art and top sights from Old Port of Montreal to Notre Dame Basilica – discover Old Montreal, a destination also famous for its historic sites.

Old Montreal
Default Image

Milton Park

While visiting Milton Park, you might make a stop by sights like Rue Prince-Arthur Street and Saint Laurent Boulevard.

Milton Park


The Village