Montreal stands out as one of the world’s top LGBTQ+ destinations, where queer bars and clubs define the city’s vibrant nightlife. Home to one of North America’s largest Gay Villages, Montreal’s inclusive spirit extends far beyond, with queer-friendly venues and events across the city. For 2025, the 19th edition of the one-kilometre-long summer pedestrian mall on Saint-Catherine Street transforms the Village into a lively hub of some 40 terrasses. Discover our ultimate guide to Montreal’s best LGBTQ+ and queer-friendly spots, from rooftop bars and karaoke to unforgettable drag shows.
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Named for beloved Montreal drag icon Mado Lamotte, Cabaret Mado has been packing them in since it opened in 2002. The club is so well-known you can spot visiting celebrities, such as Charlize Theron, Jean-Paul Gaultier and the Pet Shop Boys. Mostly local, but also some national and international drag artists headline shows and sketch comedy nightly.
One of the biggest gay clubs in Canada, Complexe Sky boasts three floors of entertainment topped by a popular summertime rooftop terrasse complete with outdoor pool and jacuzzi. Or enjoy a pitcher of ice-cold sangria on the street-level terrasse which is great for people-watching. Friday Heels show with co-hosts Lulu Shade and Esirina and guests every Friday at 10 pm.
Bar Renard is popular with LGBTQ+ and straight young hipsters and has a wide selection of wines, microbrews and cocktails—plus a popular terrasse.
Queer icon Lady Gaga and her entourage partied at District Vidéo Lounge when it opened in 2017. Patrons can also select music videos on the indoor screens.
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Montréal’s Black Eagle is called Aigle Noir, an old-school neighbourhood gay bar in the heart of the Village. While it serves the leather and denim communities, it is also popular with bears and the athletic crowd, young and older alike. Cheap drinks, happy hour specials and a cruisy summertime terrasse.
Club Unity is one of the biggest nightclubs in the city, with two dance floors, a VIP lounge and legendary summertime rooftop terrasse with great views of the city.
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A Village institution since 1981, friendly sports bar Le Normandie on Atateken Street is a terrific local watering hole with cheap drinks and karaoke. Le Normandie also has two of the nicest summer terrasses in the Village.
The friendly and comfortable vibe of legendary Montreal female impersonator Michel Dorion’s Bar Le Cocktail has made the drag bar a popular Village hangout, with live shows by many of the best drag artists in the city, including Dorion.
There are karaoke bars and then there is Club Date, a classic neighbourhood bar in the Village whose regulars could give Tom Jones and Barbra Streisand a run for their money! The song list features “hundreds of thousands” of titles, including Elvis tunes, 80s ballads and Québécois classics. Patrons can also download a high-definition MP4 digital video document of their performance.
Le Stud’s motto is, “Stud is a men’s bar, where men love men.” Open since 1995, the labyrinthine nightclub is popular with the bear and leather communities, but has a diverse clientele. Couple dancefloors, nightly DJs, pool tables, video poker, two summertime terrasses, and theme events ranging from bear nights to leather kink.
Opened in Spring 2025, the cabaret-style restaurant entertains patrons with cabaret, burlesque and variety shows, as well as their popular Drag Brunch on Sundays.
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Montreal is famous for its gay male strip joints and none is bigger than Stock Bar in the Village.
This gay male strip joint is a Montreal institution in the heart of the Village. Many celebrities have been spotted here over the years. While Campus caters to a male crowd, women are welcome.
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Bright and comfortable venue with a pool table and a busy summertime terrasse.
Popular performance and event venue for those who love Post-Punk, New Wave, Alternative, Cold Wave and Dark Wave.
Opened in 2023 by the team behind Bar Renard and Tendresse, Motel Motel presents local DJs.
Opened in June 2025, Le Weiser is a sports pub located in the heart of the Village.
Outside the Village, Café Cleopatre, whose building on The Main has been a showbar since the 1890s, is the last remnant of Montreal’s fabled red-light district. There is a female strip joint downstairs, while the upstairs cabaret is an historically queer-friendly space.
Rosemont neighbourhood bar NDQ is a legendary LGBTQ+ hangout outside the Village. An inclusive and safe space for all, NDQ regularly programs queer-themed events and parties, and is also home to a miniature bowling alley!
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Located just outside the Village, Taverne Marion was opened in 2022 by the team behind Taverne Midway on The Main. With its white-washed brick walls and large garage-style windows, the bright and cheery Taverne Marion has become a trendy hangout.
Located on the Main, Champs Sports Bar is the place to watch sports, including the PWHL Montreal women’s hockey, alongside such queer-themed nights as Queer Line Dancing, Dyke Night, and drag shows.
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There are many LGBTQ+ nights hosted by queer-friendly establishments, such as the uber-queer MPU nights (formerly called Mec Plus Ultra) at Le Belmont nightclub in the Plateau district; and The L Nights, Queen & Queer dance parties and Homopop events are held at various venues.
Here are the best Montreal karaoke bars for your next singsong night out on the town, from private rooms to dive bars. We’ve minced our way around the microphone cords, paid our dues in the rotation and boiled down what’s the best in the city.
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