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Nightlife

Once the sun sets, the city's joie de vivre turns to delirium and the streets become filled with revel-seekers, looking to dance, drink, and bar-hop into the wee hours. A typical night on the town might kick off with a live show, a late dinner, or drinks at a local bar, and boogie on until last call at 3am – the latest in the country. Wherever your evening takes you, you'll easily see why the city lives up to its reputation as Canada's party capital.

Live Music
Much attention has been paid of late to Montréal's thriving alternative music scene, and rightly so; it's original and it's gaining in global renown, as orchestral rock bands like The Stars, The Dears, and Arcade Fire become critical darlings in the US and abroad. Still, there's a lot more to Montreal's music scene than alt rock: On any given night, you can catch everything from jazz to pop to French rock at a multitude of venues. Check local listings like the Mirror (www.montrealmirror.com) or Hour (www.hour.ca) to see what's on.

Cabaret-style The Spectrum (318 rue Ste-Catherine Street O; www.spectrumdemontreal.ca) became legendary for booking performers like The Police, Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis and David Bowie who went on to become legends themselves; the venue, which has long held a soft spot in the heart of Montrealers, is a favorite stage for guests of the Montréal International Jazz Festival, and has been graced in recent days by the likes of Cat Power, Keane, and The Bell Orchestre (an Arcade Fire side project). Another homegrown institution, House of Jazz (2060 rue Aylmer; www.houseofjazz.ca), is, as its name suggests, a jazz venue; at just 120 seats, the place has an intimate vibe and great acoustics. More jazz still is served at the mellower Upstairs (1254 rue Mackay; www.upstairsjazz.com) where top-notch acts can be enjoyed while supping on haute cuisine. Cool kids of the Plateau and Mile end favor Sala Rossa (4848 boul St-Laurent; www.casadelpopolo.com), an inviting venue of hardwood floors and velvet curtains; you never quite know what to expect at this joint, which has booked everything from reggae to jazz to pop, alternative rock, and even flamenco dancing.

Bars & Clubs
Montréal's bar scene justly earns the city its reputation as Canada's nightlife capital. Whether you want to sample microbrewed ale at a local watering hole or sip Kir Royal at a chic lounge, you'll be able to do both here – in one night. While out-of-town visitors often head downtown to rue Crescent for mainstream, touristy fun – people in the know head to the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, where a bounty of options offer the greatest variety for your loonie, and Old Montreal, where posh hotel bars attract a sophisticated, well-dressed crowd.

For one-stop bar-hopping, it's hard to beat boulevard St-Laurent, especially the stretch between rue Sherbrooke and avenue Mont-Royal. Whether it's the 'scene to be seen' at slick resto-clubs like Globe (3455 boul St-Laurent; 514/284-3823) and Buena Notte (3518 boul St-Laurent; 514/848-0644) or the dive of all dives, Le Bifteck (3702 boul St-Laurent; 514/844-6211), there's something for everyone along this strip. It may be cheesy, but it's hard not to have a good time at Gogo Lounge (3682 boul St-Laurent; 514/286-0882), where day-glo decor, non-stop ‘70s and ‘80s music, and martinis that match your astrological sign are just some of the highlights. Or, head further north and either slide into the round booths at retro-inspired Blizzarts (3956A boul St-Laurent; 514/843-4860) or soak up the latest sounds from local DJs at sleek and sexy Laika (4040 boul St-Laurent; 514/842-8088; www.laikamontreal.com).

Microbreweries are popular in Montreal and two Plateau-area bars pull excellent local beers: Réservoir (9 Duluth E.; 514/849-7779), a dark inconspicuous saloon with an Eastern European flavor, and relaxed-but-cool Bily Kun (354 av Mont-Royal E.; www.bilykun.com), which matches a great selection of microbrews with live jazz and a good-looking, unpretentious crowd; get there early if you want a seat.

Further north, on the edge of the Mile End, is Baldwin Barmacie, (115 rue Laurier O.; 514/276-4282) a tiny unpretentious club that caters to an upwardly-mobile thirty-something crowd with a beautiful white-and-gold design, sunken bar, and barrel chairs. But for the utmost in refined drinking, make a reservation at hisky Café (5800 boul St-Laurent; www.whiskycafe.com), a high-end cocktail lounge with high ceilings, leather armchairs, an extensive drink list, and a cigar lounge.

You can also leave the Plateau far behind and head to Old Montreal to mingle with beautiful people in swank hotel bars; our favorites this far south are the W Hotel's ultra-modern Wunderbar (901 Square Victoria; www.starwoodhotels.com) and the slick Suite 701 (701 cote Place d'Armes; www.hotelplacedarmes.com) in the Hotel Place d'Armes; the latter's smashing rooftop terrace makes putting up with a bit of attitude worth your while.

See Montreal Travel Guide