Montreal Nightlife Tips by drei

Nightlife Spot: Go-go Lounge

60’s retro lounge, one of the most happening places at the moment, lots of pretty girls, good musical selection and the mixed drinks are actually nice and stiff. Velvet rope is enforced on most nights, so come early if you can.

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Theme: People Watching
Dress Code: dress hip, cool, but don't try too hard
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/541597/

Nightlife Spot: Copacabana

Come here to chill out for a nice pint of Boreale Rousse (THE MTL beer) and to yell remarks about Pasternak and Nietzsche to the art-fags next at the next table. Intellectual posturing at times, but overall a very friendly, relaxed environment of a theme bar (the theme is so understated I can't even recall what it is exactly) in the currently very popular Plateau part of St. Laurent boulevard.

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Theme: People Watching
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/484528/

Nightlife Spot: Laika

This is a café during the day, not a very good one, I might add, but at night it turns into a fairly chic lounge, with good "intelligent dance music" DJs. The interesting décor comes out better in the dim lighting as well. After you're done getting your pre-partying on at Copa (see my other tips), roll up the street half a block and enjoy the beats being served here. A nice place to go to with a few friends. Mostly young professionals, DJ's/wannabes, and artsy females.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: None, but people do give approving glances if you're wearing vintage addidas apparel or can otherwise be seen as a hipster.
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/558270/

Nightlife Spot: Miami

This is a dive if I’ve ever seen one. Looks terrible from the outside, not much better on the inside, but this IS one of the most classic MTL hangouts and the reason I fell in love with the place is the back patio (this is on the second floor, so you get a good view of downtown MTL). Wonderful place to come and relax outside over yet another pint of Boreale Rousse, or some ganja if you got it. No one will mind if you're not stupid about it.

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Theme: Other
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/559158/

Nightlife Spot: Bily Kun

This must be one of the coolest places in MTL right now. The same people who go to Copa come here to enjoy the dim lighting, listen to techno, wear black and get ***faced. Gets nice and packed around 10:30 on most nights, and the minimalist décor is refreshing. Come here if you want to meet some people (same goes for Copa) and put a major dent in your sobriety.

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Theme: Other
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/492970/

Nightlife Spot: Zaz Bar

This is a pretty crazy place. Great straight-up bar atmosphere. Get here early and try to get a seat inside the Volkswagon van that’s parked in the main seating area; in general, gets very packed, but a very good time that is worth the wait. And the French girls... Well, you know what I mean.

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Theme: Other
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/551332/

Nightlife Spot: Foufounes Electriques

It is rumoured that when Bowie comes to town, this is his favorite spot. Used to be trashy and dangerous, now it’s become stylized and tame. This place is a multi-level bar with a lot going on, and many interesting characters to look at. The music varies from night to night, so you don't really know what to expect from the Fouf.

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Theme: Live Music
Address: hhttp://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/523466/

Nightlife Spot: Luba Lounge

Although slightly removed from the rest of the nightlife action on the St. Laurent strip, Luba is a great place to seriously chiiiillll and hear some good hip hop. The couches are nice and comfy and the predominantly red interior keeps feeling more soothing drink after drink. In the summer, you can also hang out on the back terrace.

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Theme: People Watching
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/537006/

Nightlife Spot: Le Pistol

Pistol is the new hip place on the Main, a Bond theme bar with decent food. I liked it for the music - my friend Dave and I agreed that cute platinum blonde girl DJs spinning eclectic sets in 1960's-inspired outfits are usually a good thing. Try to get a seat up front, the back is too hot because of the kitchen.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Just be your stylish, debonair, cool self, tiger.
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/812227/
Directions: Corner St. Laurent and Pine.

Nightlife Spot: Club Exit

Exit is a fairly new addition to the "below-Prince Arthur" club scene on St. Laurent. The DJs have been excellent both times I've been there, and drinks surprisingly strong by MTL standards. There are two levels with different music and the interior of the club is nice and slick. Try to come around 11:30, the line usually starts just before 12 and gets pretty massive. Clientele is more or less hot, rich and trendy, so dress nicely.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: No baseball hats and sneakers.
Address: http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/711649/
Directions: St. Laurent, between Sherbrooke and Prince Arthur.