The Bulletin: When you're lucky enough to be Irish in Montreal [Issue #68]

The Bulletin is a collection of what's happened, what’s happening, and what’s to come in and around Montreal.

The Main

March 14, 2024- Read time: 8 min

There's a lot of talk about the uncertain future of festivals both in Montreal and across the country, but we're thinking nothing—and we mean nothing—is going to get in way of a Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal (except for maybe those two years when the world shut down).

We're come so far: This year's edition on Sunday marks the 199th parade overall, and more than 200,000 spectators are expected to line the route what is Canada's longest-running parade (FYI the event starts at noon at de Maisonneuve Blvd. and Fort St., running eastward along de Maisonneuve to Jeanne-Mance St. next to Place des Arts). There will be 95 groups participating this year, including 10 marching bands, 20 floats and more than 2,500 participants.

Whether you plan on getting out and bringing the kids, or you're going out to an event so festive that you'll be calling in sick to work the next day, it's going to be a good time.

Surprise, surprise: There's also lots to do all weekend long before Sunday's parade as well. Drink up, dig in, enjoy.

A family of Irish birth will argue and fight, but let a shout come from without, and see them all unite!

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

As seen on HBO Canada, Just For Laughs and a fan favourite on CBC’s The Debaters, Derek Seguin is going to be on stage at the Comedy Nest.
From March 14 to 17, the Canadian Barista Championships are taking place across Canada. Here's where you'll catch competitors in Montreal vying for the top spot.

Friday

Director Thibaut Sève and the Obvious collective will be screening Obvious, hackers de l'art, a film on AI and the future of artistic creation at the Phi Centre.
Unleash your angsty teenage spirit Foufounes Electriques with the 15th edition of their Emo Night.

Saturday

Transforming and enhancing Montreal’s underground network through art, the Art Souterrain Festival's highlighting of the contemporary art world begins.
FIFA, the Festival des films sur l’art, returns to celebrate films about arts, culture, and new media through shorts and feature films until March 24.

Sunday

You didn't read the intro to this newsletter, did you? Get on out to the 199th Saint Patrick's Day parade!
Go enjoy a short, easy pace run followed by some delicious adult beverages at the new Ciele Athletics location on Notre-Dame.⁠

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WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

Saint Patrick's Day will always bring with it a bunch of options for going out for drinks, and we're not just talking about green beers: Check out the drink deals at Bon Délire, Hurley's, Grumpy's, every single Ye Olde Orchard location, Brutopia, Pub Saint Pierre, the whole week's worth of festivities at Burgundy Lion... you know what? Just go to pub. Have fun.
The Hélicoptère team's launched a new hidden bar concept called Copilote, a spot focused on drinks but with all the delicious bites of its forebearers.
Happening Gourmand runs until March 30th, an event where Old Montreal's grand collection of bistros, steakhouses, sushi spots, and more serve up table d'hotes ranging from $39 to $59.
Nevski is celebrating Maslenitsa, an Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday also known as Crêpe Week, with savory and sweet stuffed crêpes.
Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine is bringing its smash burger operation to Time Out Market Montréal.
Loyd Von Rose from Netflix's season 1 of Drink Masters is opening up a whole new spot, La Gargamelle, and this time it ain't just about cocktails.
Here today, gone tomorrow: Line Michel Bistro's short life in Verdun has come to an end—here's a statement from the restaurant.

A visual tour of a landmark deli

"Snowdon Deli is more than just a place to eat; it's a second home, a community center where memories are made and shared," writes @cravingcurator on a landmark delicatessen that's transformed not only how we eat in the city, but how we connect through what we eat. (The Main)

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

Art as pure and unabashed joy (and dark jokes)

Montreal is a graffiti city, according to Lost Claws, and they told us how their work forms just a part—albeit an enigmatic part—of a part of the world with an overwhelming amount of graffiti "It’s a wave of paint—everywhere,” Lost Claws told us, and well as why they do what they do. (The Main)

Stop, stop, we're blushing

According to the Global Destination Sustainability Index, Montréal is North America’s most sustainable city. But while the Québec metropolis has a strong eco bent, it’s seldom without a playful edge. (The Telegraph)

How Montréal made sustainability cool

Quebec’s biggest city is a place of endless festivals, cultural regeneration and eco-friendly tourism

The TelegraphSarah Baxter

Letting the green alleys stay that way

The alleys of Montreal have become green meeting places occupying an important role in the social lives of many people, but one author asks: Does the beautification of our streets contribute to the gentrification of certain neighborhoods of the metropolis? (Le Devoir)

Meet Sexxxy Eddy, the oiled up brawler

Montreal's International Wrestling Syndicate recently celebrated 25 years in the business at Olympia Theatre downtown, making it one of the longest-running promotions in North America. Here's how it went from putting on shows in parking lots to launching the careers of two World Wrestling Entertainment champions. (The Rover)

Where music is the theatre

Making the contemporary music scene more accessible is something that drives Le Vivier — an umbrella organization that promotes new music events in Montreal, and in Quebec more broadly. The group runs the Semaine du Neuf music festival, currently in its second (and last) week of programming for the year. (CBC Montreal)

Now THAT is funny.

Just for Laughs Montreal festival has been cancelled amid financial troubles this year, so one Montreal comedian launched a website, www.mtlcomedy.ca to bridge the gap between the public and local comedians. (CityNews Montreal)

And now it's Plaza Saint-Hubert's turn

First Verdun, now Villeray: Following a $50-million cash injection from the city and two years of construction ending in 2020, Plaza Saint-Hubert has made Time Out Magazine's list of the 30 coolest streets in the world. (Time Out)

Keep fighting for a Montreal worth living in

"Here in Montreal, we’ve been shaken awake after the province passed Bill 31 last month, which, among other measures, effectively eliminated the lease transfer – one of the last things protecting our city’s stock of affordable housing, more or less by accident." (Globe & Mail)

And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.

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