Montreal Gay

Located at the heart of Montreal’s charming and lively Gay Village, this quaint yet contemporary B&B set in a restored 1875 building is the perfect antidote to a big night out. Décor is warm and stylish, with original art by local artists on the exposed-brick walls, while a generous three-course gourmet breakfast is sure to satisfy and prepare you for the day. Among the three rooms (yes, just three), the basic one has a shared bathroom but a private balcony, while the 2,000-square-footer with the king-size bed has a private bath and shared balcony. Free WiFi is available in all rooms.

Yes, Montrealers love their complexes, but this one is the mother of them all. Billed as the biggest gay complex in the world, it features a modest 37-room hotel, glitzy discotheque, sauna, and chapel that hosts gay weddings. If you’re looking to get hitched, be sure to book at least one month ahead.

This Village institution is home base for drag queen extraordinaire Mado Lamotte. Regular live shows incorporate improv and impersonations by Mado and her friends, including Miss Vicky, Sophie Stickée, and Tracy Trash. Expect audience participation. Karaoke and open mic nights are held weekly.

This six-floor complex opened in the late 1980s and has been a Village mainstay ever since. With a capacity of about 1,000, it features two dance floors, lounges, terraces, pool tables, karaoke machine, jukebox, drag show stage, and even a hair salon. The crowd can be diverse, but it’s considered a lesbian stomping ground.

What was once an oil-stained auto repair shop is now one of the hottest gay clubs in the city. Downstairs, the Tunnel room is for men only, while upstairs DJs spin electro, house, and hip-hop for a mixed crowd. Open Thursday through Monday, Le Parking welcomes guest DJs from around the world.

This three-floor haven for partying and relaxation serves up pub fare on the main floor, drag shows and the Nirvana male strip club on the second floor, and dancing on the top floor. And if that’s not enough, a pool and spa are open daily on the roof. Don’t miss weekend brunch on the pub floor.

Dating to 1851, this landmark church hosts the Chapel of Hope, the first chapel in the world dedicated to victims of AIDS. It welcomes worshippers from all walks of life, and also has a program called The Power of Art that promotes local up-and-coming artists.

This mixed (gay and straight) men’s-only health club and sauna has housed Canada’s only natural stone steam system since 1914. The 500-pound stones are heated daily, and guests simply throw water on them to create steam. A high-pressure wet steam room is also available, as are massages, a whirlpool, and a sun deck.