1. The French cultural background nurtures an apprecication for the pleasures of the flesh (the other nine reasons all follow from this one).
Whether we are talking about food, booze, music, sex or anything else that makes the body feel good, the people of Montreal are not embarrassed to indulge themselves. And they indulge themselves in a way that would make any abstentious Protestant type gasp in horror (and a bit of jealousy).
2. Montreal’s gay and bisexual men like to have sex… a lot of sex.
It’s not uncommon to overhear visitors to Montreal commenting on how horny the guys are and how open minded they are. Particularly in reference to the “straight” guys. It has been said to many a gay traveller: “If you can’t get laid in Montreal, you can’t get laid.”
3. Montreal has a large gay village.
The Village, as it is called, covers 12 city blocks (depending on where you measure from) along the Montreal’s main street. Shops, bars, cafe’s, salons, saunas, strip clubs, porn shops, and community centres are all there and it’s all for us. Oh sure, straight people are allowed to wander in but their minority status leaves them vulnerable. On nice summer days the one can sit and take in the scenery for hours.
4. Multiple bath houses/Saunas
I guess most cities have some gay bath houses, but Montreal is FULL of them. I count six in the village but I probably missed some, and then there are plenty more all over town. These are very popular, well attended institutions. On some long weekends in the summer I have seen lineups that extend out the front door, down the sidewalk and around the corner.
5. Gay Marriage
Ok, so you are tired of the bath house scene and want to settle down? Since March, 2004 the province of Quebec has recognized same sex marriage, a clear reflection of the “live and let live” approach to sexuality that the people of Quebec have, especially in Montreal. And in spite of the passing of the same- sex marriage legislature, society has not yet crumbled.
6. The drinking age is 18.
For all you gay boys from regions where the drinking age is 21 or 19, you can come to Montreal and enjoy a measure of freedom you can’t have at home. And thats also good for those of you who enjoy the company of young men between the ages of 18 and 21. You will find them in abundance at some of the more popular discos (and on the sidewalks barfing their guts out).
7. Last call is not until 3am.
While bars in many places on the continent are kicking customers out around 2am or even 1am, the party is just getting started in Montreal. You would think this would mean that Montrealers party an extra few hours than they do in these more restricted places. But in fact all it means is that Montrealers just show up to the clubs a few hours later. Midnight is about the time the fashionable crowd starts to show up.
8. Four gay strip clubs right in the village.
Montreal is a city of only 3 million people but has four gay strip clubs. Now this may not sound like a lot compared to the straight strip clubs, Montreal has hundreds of them. But it takes a lot of gay people to support 4 strip clubs and Montreal’s strip clubs are thriving and together they employ hundreds of dancers of all shapes and sizes
9. Strip clubs offer full nude stage shows (with erection whenever possible).
Now we know that in some less enlightened parts of the world, male strippers are required to keep their G-Strings on at all times. But not in Montreal. When a dancer goes on stage for his “slow” song he takes ALL of his clothes off. And if he has the necessary physical ability, he comes out fully erect.
10. They speak French – the language of love!
