TripOut Gay Travel:
Montreal

Buzz, buzz… Yep, that subtle yet insistent encouraging noise you’re hearing is the sound of savvy travelers’ gushing slyly about Montréal, the welcoming Quebecois city invitingly nestled on an island in the St. Lawrence River just north of New England. Those who know and love Montréal (and it may seem like at least half of your friends have recently made weekend trips there, and have raved about it, right?) tend to talk about its cool vibe, its affable charm, and the fact that it feels like you’re suddenly are experiencing a bit of Europe just hours away (or less, depending on where you’re coming from) from the U.S.

And I’d agree; Montréal’s a great city. But to me it feels not European, but distinctly Canadian, or the epitome of culturally hip and welcoming Quebec. Think of the outdoorsy, intelligent and liberally aware vibe of Portland (Oregon) blended with the artsy smarts and urbane style of New York, then infused with the culinary seasoning and richness of a medium-sized French city (a hybrid of Lyon and Marseilles, maybe). There’s a lot going on in that description, but it fits. Montréal’s a robust city.

This vibrancy comes across in many of the city’s rock bands which have spiced up the rock world in the last couple of years. Montréal-based musicians The Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade play melodic rock with a gift for cinematic drama, and a cabaret-like understanding of jolty theatrics. Their sounds, while different, both are wry, driving and emotional, but also with an underlying casual lightness that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Rufus Wainwright grew up here, and his flair for drama, romanticism and kicky wit is characteristic of the city, too.

This fun kaleidoscope of appealing elements makes for a city that’s got a lot to offer. There’s Old Montreal’s postcard-ready cobblestoned streets, there’s the Plateau neighborhood’s groovy, leafy college-town-like atmosphere (with a mix of corner bistros, ethnic eateries, buzzing bars and local merchants) and there’s the kitschy besotted fun of the Gay Village which tarts up St. Catherine Street with party boys, drag queens and fun-seeking locals. Devour memorable French-inspired cuisine, nosh on distinctive bagels from a Jewish bakery, sip on one of hundreds of local beers–then work it off twirling on a happily manic gay dance floor.

And yes, as gay matters go, Montréal may be just the most welcoming city in North America. Same-sex unions are legal, the civic officials promote the city’s gay culture ceaselessly and gay folks are celebrated and valued as major contributors to the thriving nature of the city.

So for once, you can trust the buzz.

Need recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and other points of interest?

See All Montreal Recommendations

• Top 7 Travel Videos of 2009: From Ptown to Zurich and Beyond! Drag queens in Provincetown. Naked houseboys in Palm Springs. Nightlife in Zurich, and tasty meat in Buenos Aires. Get a load of some of the best gay travel video clips of 2009!
• Montreal to Crown “Queer of the Year.” Could It Be You? Tourisme Montreal is launching a contest to crown "Queer of the Year" and the winner could become a big gay star! Got what it takes? Read on!
• Vote for Best Global Destination in the 2010 TripOut Gay Travel Awards Are you ready for this??? Sound off and vote for your favorite gay hotspot on the planet!