OT: Potential Autumn Visit to QC - Advice Sought!

[Walrus26]

I'm jealous man, enjoy!

I've been putting off a trip to Montreal for a few years now until the habs are a better on ice product, as my trip will be mainly focused around our team. (and food)

Not sure how much longer I can hold out. Your post isn't helping.

The fact you're getting to do it solo has me doubly envious. As much as I love my wife, she's just not into hockey. But her coming is the only way I'm getting her to allow me to open the purse strings. (She's never been to a live NHL game)

It won't be cheap.

Sorry that I'm not helping / glad to be pushing you closer to going for it (delete as applicable)

We took my kids to Corfu in May and Mrs Walrus wants a autumn week on the beach (back to Corfu as we loved it) - but I've done the beach thing this year and need more adventure. So, she gets a solo week sans me and my kids (who live with their mum) and I get my bucket list trip to Montreal. Win win! It also helps that I'm treating her / us to a weekend in a posh country house hotel with Michelin star restuarant in nearby Suffolk for her birthday this month.

Whilst I have the luxury of time AND money available together for once, I'm going for it.

 

[Walrus26]

I'm from QC and lived in MTL for my studies, and yes, I'd say the public transit links between the two are reasonable. I personally always took a bus, they leave from near Berri-UQAM and take you to Gare du Palais in Quebec City.

As stated before, public transit here isn't what it is in Montreal. If you're staying around the downtown area mostly, there are some buses and the whole place is quite "walkable". There's a bus that takes you directly from downtown to Chutes Montmorency if that's a place you want to visit.

That's a top tip about the bus to the Chutes, as that's a place I wanted to get to whilst out that way, thanks

I continue to appreciate folks' input!

 

[HabbyGuy]

Sorry that I'm not helping / glad to be pushing you closer to going for it (delete as applicable)

We took my kids to Corfu in May and Mrs Walrus wants a autumn week on the beach (back to Corfu as we loved it) - but I've done the beach thing this year and need more adventure. So, she gets a solo week sans me and my kids (who live with their mum) and I get my bucket list trip to Montreal. Win win! It also helps that I'm treating her / us to a weekend in a posh country house hotel with Michelin star restuarant in nearby Suffolk for her birthday this month.

Whilst I have the luxury of time AND money available together for once, I'm going for it.

Livin' the dream!

 

[Walrus26]

1. In terms of music, please specify what genre of music you are into. I'm sure this forum will be able to recommend you some joints pertaining to your musical tastes. Currently, I'm listening to Billy Joel at work (coworker actually in control of the music) and I'm enjoying it. However, my background is in classical music (played violin and sang in choirs), which then, with the help of external influences, grew into my passion for electronic music (mainly trance, melodic/tech-house or techno). So, for electronic music, I could be of help

2. Lots and lots of Quebec craft beers to choose from. You'll only have time to dip your feet into the local craft beer scene.

3. Do you follow any Premier League club, just curious here. I'm a Mancunian at heart (Red Devils for life).

I was a serious early 90's raver (think UK breakbeat, Detroit techno, hard Euro acid techno) and love atmospheric D&B and soulful deep house on top of that. I used to play out, but that was 30 years ago.......

As a South(east) Londoner, I'm Palace through and through although only from a distance these days as football has become a very uninspiring "product"....note how stats are now counting "chances" as opposed to attempts on goal, with the totals still in single figures per side! Dull, dull, dull.

We do an annual trip to North West Belgium to stock up on quality beer for the year at a great specialist shop near Veurne and directly from the Westvletern monastery. I accept the challenge of getting stuck into the beer scene; one has to make sacrifices in the pursuit of knowledge ;-)

 

[PhysicX]

I was a serious early 90's raver (think UK breakbeat, Detroit techno, hard Euro acid techno) and love atmospheric D&B and soulful deep house on top of that. I used to play out, but that was 30 years ago.......

As a South(east) Londoner, I'm Palace through and through although only from a distance these days as football has become a very uninspiring "product"....note how stats are now counting "chances" as opposed to attempts on goal, with the totals still in single figures per side! Dull, dull, dull.

We do an annual trip to North West Belgium to stock up on quality beer for the year at a great specialist shop near Veurne and directly from the Westvletern monastery. I accept the challenge of getting stuck into the beer scene; one has to make sacrifices in the pursuit of knowledge ;-)

Man, the above-mentioned is awesome. I'm very envious that you got to experience the emergence of the rave scene in the 90's.

I'll list you a few places you could stop by to grab a few local beers.

Home - Dieu du ciel!

dieuduciel.com

1. Brasserie Dieu du Ciel! - Brouepub Montréal
Great selection of local beers, not far from the Laurier metro station. Neighborhood is great, and it's located between Sir Wilfried-Laurier Park & Mount-Royal Park.

Pub Montreal - Pit Caribou

pitcaribou.com

2. Pub Pit Caribou
Located in Le Plateau, near the Lafontaine Park, between metro stations Laurier & Sherbrooke. It is seconds away from La Banquise, which is famous for its various selections of poutines. The microbrewery itself is located near the Gaspé Peninsula, close to Percé.

Poutine La Banquise

Poutine La Banquise à Montréal, ouvert 24h | Découvrez la meilleure poutine au Québec. Plus de 28 sortes de poutines à déguster avec des bières de microbrasserie.

labanquise.com

L'Espace Public – Brasseurs de quartier

www.lespacepublic.ca

3. L'Espace Public - Brasseurs de Quartier / Brewpub
Groovy music, great selection of beers and had a friend working there, which always helped with service. Not far from the metro station Joliette.

Microbrasserie Mutoïde | Montreal QC

Microbrasserie Mutoïde, Montreal. Gefällt 3.635 Mal · 77 Personen sprechen darüber · 473 waren hier. Broüepub/Taproom dans Hochelaga À côté du métro Préfontaine Bières artisanales et musique lourde

www.facebook.com

4. Mutoïde
Microbrewery with a heavy metal/viking vibe a minute away from the metro (subway) station Prefontaine.

Microbrasserie Kahnawake Brewing Company | Microbrasserie Kahnawake Brewing Co.

The first Native-owned brewery on a First Nations territory in Canada serving Montreal, south shore, and Indigenous communities

kahnawakebrewing.square.site

5. Kahnawake Brewing Company
The first Native-owned brewery on a First Nations territory in Canada serving Montreal, south shore, and Indigenous communities. Not sure if reachable by public transit, since it is off the island (south shore). My brother-in-law as myself always wanted to go there and try some beers, could be an opportunity to meet up.

 

[Habs13]

Thanks a lot everyone.

I've taken the advice of @Team_Spirit and will be spending my post-flight night at the Bonaventure before hauling over to Quebec City for a couple. I'm back in MTL for 5 nights Fri-Tues around the first hockey weekend, with a (forlorn?) hope of getting a ticket for the Minny game on the Tuesday. I will also be checking the Laval schedule to see if I can squeeze a Rocket game in.

I will most certainly be exploring from my base of operations, the Le Square Phillips Suites and thanks for the tips

Loose change noted - sounds little different to central London in that respect!

@Habs13 - I will definitely be in touch! I'm originally from SE London (Greenwich / Blackheath) so your manor is just down the metaphorical road....were you a Kentish Man or a Man Of Kent? (Even in Kent there is river-based tribalism, just like London)

Actually born in Peckham and raised in Sidcup, by way of Croydon and Orpington.

 

[Habs13]

I was a serious early 90's raver (think UK breakbeat, Detroit techno, hard Euro acid techno) and love atmospheric D&B and soulful deep house on top of that. I used to play out, but that was 30 years ago.......

As a South(east) Londoner, I'm Palace through and through although only from a distance these days as football has become a very uninspiring "product"....note how stats are now counting "chances" as opposed to attempts on goal, with the totals still in single figures per side! Dull, dull, dull.

We do an annual trip to North West Belgium to stock up on quality beer for the year at a great specialist shop near Veurne and directly from the Westvletern monastery. I accept the challenge of getting stuck into the beer scene; one has to make sacrifices in the pursuit of knowledge ;-)

Crystal Palace!?! Ohhh we're going to bang heads then! Miiiiillllwwwaaaallllll!!!!

 

[Walrus26]

Man, the above-mentioned is awesome. I'm very envious that you got to experience the emergence of the rave scene in the 90's.

I'll list you a few places you could stop by to grab a few local beers.

Home - Dieu du ciel!

dieuduciel.com

1. Brasserie Dieu du Ciel! - Brouepub Montréal
Great selection of local beers, not far from the Laurier metro station. Neighborhood is great, and it's located between Sir Wilfried-Laurier Park & Mount-Royal Park.

Pub Montreal - Pit Caribou

pitcaribou.com

2. Pub Pit Caribou
Located in Le Plateau, near the Lafontaine Park, between metro stations Laurier & Sherbrooke. It is seconds away from La Banquise, which is famous for its various selections of poutines. The microbrewery itself is located near the Gaspé Peninsula, close to Percé.

Poutine La Banquise

Poutine La Banquise à Montréal, ouvert 24h | Découvrez la meilleure poutine au Québec. Plus de 28 sortes de poutines à déguster avec des bières de microbrasserie.

labanquise.com

L'Espace Public – Brasseurs de quartier

www.lespacepublic.ca

3. L'Espace Public - Brasseurs de Quartier / Brewpub
Groovy music, great selection of beers and had a friend working there, which always helped with service. Not far from the metro station Joliette.

Microbrasserie Mutoïde | Montreal QC

Microbrasserie Mutoïde, Montreal. Gefällt 3.635 Mal · 77 Personen sprechen darüber · 473 waren hier. Broüepub/Taproom dans Hochelaga À côté du métro Préfontaine Bières artisanales et musique lourde

www.facebook.com

4. Mutoïde
Microbrewery with a heavy metal/viking vibe a minute away from the metro (subway) station Prefontaine.

Microbrasserie Kahnawake Brewing Company | Microbrasserie Kahnawake Brewing Co.

The first Native-owned brewery on a First Nations territory in Canada serving Montreal, south shore, and Indigenous communities

kahnawakebrewing.square.site

5. Kahnawake Brewing Company
The first Native-owned brewery on a First Nations territory in Canada serving Montreal, south shore, and Indigenous communities. Not sure if reachable by public transit, since it is off the island (south shore). My brother-in-law as myself always wanted to go there and try some beers, could be an opportunity to meet up.

Just......wow. Yes please to everything on this list apart from the Viking metallers ;-)

I will PM out my phone / email details nearer the time!

Crystal Palace!?! Ohhh we're going to bang heads then! Miiiiillllwwwaaaallllll!!!!

A Palace fan and a Millwall fan are sat on the tube, both reading the sports page of the bloke in the opposite seat's paper.

As they pull into the station, they both scan down to the league tables.

"Mind the gap".

 

[Naslundforever]

So, I have a confirmed domestic green light for a week's solo trip to La Belle Province to a) explore Montreal, b) take in some hockey in Laval and / or a Habs game watched from a good bar (not the Bell Centre, there's only so much slack in the budget) and c) spend a couple of days in Quebec City.

I would be grateful for any and all top tips! I don't need to stay in 5 star downtown luxury but would like to know what neighbourhoods to avoid when looking for either hotels or apartments.

Is public transport decent in the greater MTL area and are train links to Quebec City reasonable? Ideally I don't want to hire a car.

Of course, any options revolving around meeting up with folks for beverages would be given priority consideration

Thanks in advance!

Hello! If in Montreal I’d say go smack downtown, you don’t want to drive around and the rest I feel takes time/timing/local friends to discover. Metro (the tube) will take you anywhere you want to visit on the island (s) if there are events or anything you feel like hopping around…

For the rest it’s a huge territory; Qc city is pretty, I imagine gaspésie would remind you somewhat of driving through the Throssacs after a 6 hour drive from Mtl… a bit much I’d say haha… We have a crappy train system, nothing high speed to cover the ground between the cool spots. I’d take the train from right next to the Bell center into Quebec city.

edit - maybe avoid the Berri metro area, been run down a bit lately and the area needs help.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

That's a top tip about the bus to the Chutes, as that's a place I wanted to get to whilst out that way, thanks

I continue to appreciate folks' input!

Np!

The bus # is 800. It's what we call a "Métrobus" which are those extended bus with higher frequency. About every 10-15 minutes depending on the time of the day. It's about a ~40-45 minutes bus ride each way from downtown though.

 

[Habs13]

Just......wow. Yes please to everything on this list apart from the Viking metallers ;-)

I will PM out my phone / email details nearer the time!


A Palace fan and a Millwall fan are sat on the tube, both reading the sports page of the bloke in the opposite seat's paper.

As they pull into the station, they both scan down to the league tables.

"Mind the gap".

Finished one point outside the playoffs last year... of course, we ended the season with three straight losses. Typical. Lol.

 

[peate]

1000 LaGauchetiere, very close to where you'll be staying. They have an indoor skating rink that's very popular and open year round.

Atrium Le 1000

Atrium Le 1000 This impressive interior skating rink is located in the heart of Montreal. Open year-round, the Atrium Le 1000 is an original, lively and ideal activity for families and friends.

www.le1000.com

 

[Walrus26]

Apologies for the bump.

I have acquired a ticket for the Minny game on Tues 17th Oct and will try and get a ticket to the Rocket game at 3pm on Sat 14th with a view to hitting a (dis?)reputable bar somewhere in town afterwards to watch the Habs home opener on TV. Still very much up for catching up with anyone who thinks they can make conversation with a middle aged expat Londoner with a sizeable daily word quota who is unafraid of talking hockey, beer, dance music and beyond.

 

[Scriptor]

Advice:

Aruba, Jamaica, ...

 

[PhysicX]

I reserved for 8 people (max allowed under one name) at MVP Sports Bar for 18:30pm on Saturday, to watch Habs vs. Blackhawks and enjoy some alcoholic beverages and Mary J.

Besides myself and @Walrus26, any other HF posters interested? As of this minute, a few of my buddies should be attending as well. I promise my group of friends is all chill and respectful.

 

[Runner77]

Here’s a restaurant that I suspect @Walrus26 may not want to sample:



Enjoy your stay among us buddy. You’ll be in good hands with @PhysicX. Here’s hoping you have an amazing experience!

 

[Walrus26]

Here’s a restaurant that I suspect @Walrus26 may not want to sample:



Enjoy your stay among us buddy. You’ll be in good hands with @PhysicX. Here’s hoping you have an amazing experience!

Hah, I've already noted all the worthy-looking spots along that part of McGill and around Place D'Youville.....oddly enough, I laughed to myself when walking past Brit & Chips

I had a pretty good value plate at TzaTziQui tonight, although a lot of the Greek standbys such as Kleftiko, Stifado and Soutzoykakia weren't on the menu. They must have a grill chef, not a stew chef!

So many options, so little time. Walking up Mont Real itself Saturday morning, weather permitting, before going to to watch the Rocket in the afternoon.

Still, as a Londoner I must say that strolling around central Montreal is a much more pleasant experience than fighting the crowds and overall oppression of Leicester Square / Picadilly / Trafalgar Square / Regent Street / Oxford Street.

 

[Andrei79]

I reserved for 8 people (max allowed under one name) at MVP Sports Bar for 18:30pm on Saturday, to watch Habs vs. Blackhawks and enjoy some alcoholic beverages and Mary J.

Besides myself and @Walrus26, any other HF posters interested? As of this minute, a few of my buddies should be attending as well. I promise my group of friends is all chill and respectful.

No. No real world socializing allowed on the internet. It might humanize you and what happens when you say something I slightly disagree with ? How am I supposed to be mean and condescending then ?

 

[ZUKI]

First to provide useful tips wins this magnificent set of scented candles!

I provide this ;

Stay at your place, go away, we don't want to see you here !!!