The Village Travel Guide

Montreal

Gay Village featuring outdoor eating, café scenes and street scenes
Gay Village showing outdoor eating, street scenes and signage
Gay Village which includes outdoor eating, street scenes and signage
The Village
Photo by Convex

Eat, drink and party in this lively center 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 epicenter 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


Top hotels in The Village

Hotel St André

Hotel St André

2.5 out of 5
1285 Rue St-Andre, Montreal, QC
Stay at this hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Old Port of Montreal and Notre Dame Basilica are ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Very convenient location. Room was clean and quiet. Good value for the price. After reading some reviews, I was worried about the deposit. They returned my deposit so that was great!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Hotel St André
Hotel Bonaventure Montreal

Hotel Bonaventure Montreal

4 out of 5
900 rue De La Gauchetiere West, Montreal, QC
The price is ₹14,834 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹14,834
₹19,067 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, hot springs on-site and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,467 reviews)
"Great hotel clean and great amenities"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa

Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa

3.5 out of 5
1240 Drummond Street, Montreal, QC
The price is ₹9,958 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹9,958
₹11,850 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,039 reviews)
"While the room was small it was perfect for a weekend girls trip. The staff were very friendly and even went out of their way to assist! Would recommend to anyone looking for a place on a budget near the Bell Centre."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa
Hotel Le Cantlie Suites

Hotel Le Cantlie Suites

3.5 out of 5
1110, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC
The price is ₹12,360 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
₹12,360
₹14,709 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,367 reviews)
Very satisfied!
"The room was very tidy and nice. It seems newly renovated but the buildings give a bit of an older feel especially the elevators. There are no freebies like breakfast or parking but this is expected being in such a convenient location downtown. There is a full kitchenette with stove, oven, fridge ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Hotel Le Cantlie Suites
Hotel Chrome Montreal

Hotel Chrome Montreal

3 out of 5
215 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Montreal, QC
The price is ₹6,029 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹6,029
₹7,175 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.8/10 (3,117 reviews)
"Nice and clean Reception was very kind and attentive"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Hotel Chrome Montreal
Hotel Monville

Hotel Monville

4 out of 5
Montreal, QC
The price is ₹14,318 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹14,318
₹17,038 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury aparthotel in Montreal. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,565 reviews)
"Very hot room; A/C would not go lower than 20C and it was 92 outside so hard to get comfortable to sleep… we called the front desk and we were told they couldn’t lower it. Was also charged a double amount for deposit but they told me to monitor it and see if it would drop so hopefully it will…"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Hotel Monville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 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 featuring a city, street scenes 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 featuring a city, outdoor art and signage

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 Saint Laurent Boulevard 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 religious aspects, a church or cathedral and interior views

Old Montreal

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

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

Old Montreal
Downtown Montreal showing a monument, outdoor art and a city

Downtown Montreal

4/5(100 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Montreal. Check out top attractions like Bell Centre and McCord Stewart Museum, and jump on the metro at McGill Station or Peel Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Montreal


The Village Travel Guide