Visiting Montréal this Weekend, Tips or Advice?

http://www.northstarpinball.com/

Greetings friends from Canada! Myself, my fiancé, and two of my closest friends are taking a road trip up to Montréal this weekend. We've never been, and we'd like to know if anyone could share any advice as to what to look for or where to go. We're staying at an AirBNB on Rue de Bullion. We're leaving Saturday, and only really have the evening Saturday, all day Sunday, and we leave Monday. So time is limited, and we're kinda on a budget.

We're just looking for some cool stuff to do that won't break the bank. Does anyone have any restaurant recommendations, or things to do to avoid tourist traps? Another thing, how's the language barrier? I can probably fudge my way through french at an elementary school level if I HAVE to, but is there anything we should know to avoid any social gaffs?

Thanks so much!

#2 6 years ago

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ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,358 268 14

The Biodome was nice--I'd recommend seeing that if you have time.

Most French Canadians I encountered were bi-lingual, so it wasn't a problem. However, parking signs are in French, so you will need to be familiar with the wording on those in order to tell which side of the street you can or can't park on particular days/times.

#3 6 years ago

PPD

Boat

CPRepair

Calgary, AB

7y 107K 1,473 4 92 1

Fine dining in Montreal is amazing but on a budget go check out some top rated poutine places.

We went to Poutineville and it was excellent.

As a Canadian, shamefully, on our trip I almost never tried to speak French. Every restaurant we went to had English speaking staff to help out, you will be fine.

Apparently Schwartz's has really good Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. Never been but heard good things. (I think you are really close to there)

We went to Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History in old Montreal. Not sure if you are into museums. Alberta has almost no history IMO so Montreal was awesome for me that. If you are american I'm not sure how cool it would be. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is ok too.

Edit: To clarify I think America has awesome history and would say Canada's isn't as cool, topic for debate I guess.

#4 6 years ago

KOZ

KozMckPinball

Pinside member

7y 85,300 4,082 3

Use your credit card exclusively to get the best exchange rate.

#5 6 years ago

RED

Redketchup

Pinside member

Laval, QC

12y 73,050 1,018 10 13

in front of Schwartz's you have the North star, machine piastre... nice bar with 10 pinball playing perfectly!

#6 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

http://www.chezsuzette.ca/

Quoted from Boat:
To clarify I think America has awesome history

Ehhhh, I wouldn't say "awesome" what with all the slavery, Japanese internment camps, and other things that would never happen in a country that's truly the "land of the free." But I know what you're saying. Different topic indeed

But alas! I do appreciate your input. I'm no stranger to Canada. I've spent a lot of time in Alberta's beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park, and it's surrounding areas, and I've been to Vancouver, and got lost driving back into the States. This is the first time I've been to an area that's predominately not english speaking, and I want to be able to respect the city by not trouncing in like some no-nothing American.

Fine dining is definitely not in the budget, but some wallet friendly poutine definitely is! And I love me some smoked meats. We'll definitely check that place out.

Museums are a win, for sure. I think we were talking about the Notre-Dame Basilica was well. My buddy loves Archaeology, so I'll pass that idea over to him.

Quoted from Redketchup:
nice bar with 10 pinball playing perfectly!

Ohhh man... I promised my friends I wouldn't seek out any pinball places, but I might have to sneak in and check it out.

Thank guys for the recommendations so far!

#7 6 years ago

CPI

cait001

Pinside member

10y 114K 4,847 37

NORTH STAR IS THE BEST!

Great drinks and snacks, wonderful ambience, and all of the machines play really well. It is a great place to hang out if your crew likes so drinks, AND they have both Dialed In and a 60s Williams Pitch + Bat.

Highly recommend checking Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal http://macm.org/en/ if your group is in to art.

#8 6 years ago

Darcy

Pinside member

Leduc, AB

11y 124K 6,360 17

If you run into communication problems with an individual, just let them know you are a tourist from New Jersey, their English will show up right away.

#9 6 years ago

GUY

flashinstinct

Pinball Invasion

Orleans, ON

12y 136K 7,264 12

If you like Smoke meat then "yes 100%" to Schwartz's. And if you need some help with the french lingo just watch this hehehe

#10 6 years ago

-V-

EchoVictor

Pinside member

12y 88,800 1,789 39

If you like crepes, go here;

Great little place. My wife loved it.

Later,
EV

#11 6 years ago

GUY

flashinstinct

Pinball Invasion

Orleans, ON

12y 136K 7,264 12

And if you really want to know what french atmosphere and music is all about.. go here... but you wont understand what the hell they are signing about *hehehe
https://2pierrots.com/

#12 6 years ago

RED

Redketchup

Pinside member

Laval, QC

12y 73,050 1,018 10 13

you can also try this... very nice micro brewery with 36 beer on tap and snack

http://mabrasserie.com/

#13 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

Quoted from Redketchup:
you can also try this... very nice micro brewery with 36 beer on tap and snack

We'll definitely have to check out the local beer scene for sure! Hopefully time allows us to catch everything.

We were thinking of getting a ticket to one of those "hop on, hop off" busses. Is that necessary, or is this an easy city to navigate on foot? How is street parking?

#14 6 years ago

RED

Redketchup

Pinside member

Laval, QC

12y 73,050 1,018 10 13

Hop on Hop off is always a good way to see the city... there is a lot of road construction right now in montreal, so it can be difficult to park. Metro work pretty well also.

The northstar is really fun, and it's also fun if your friend don't like pinball... there is an old juke box, they spin vinyl, music is good and beer is cold

#15 6 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,931 22 1

Chez Paree. Couples welcome. No language barrier....

#16 6 years ago

CPB

LitzDoc

Pinside member

Location, NH

11y 55,050 1,365 3 9

I was in Montreal a few weeks ago. I agree that the Biodome is a great exhibit.

#17 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

What's the tipping situation like? Is gratuity figured into the food cost and bill like they do in Europe (thus not expected), or is it still standard 20% cash on table or added on the card?

#18 6 years ago

EPS

ZeldaOoT

Inactive member

8y 35,700 197 3

I recommend hiking up Mount Royal while you’re there, and second going to the Biodome where the olympics were formerly held.

As for the payment with card piece, that’s only true if your card doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee which many do. Surprisingly, I ran into a lot of cash only areas.

Have fun! Montreal is a blast.

#19 6 years ago

GUY

flashinstinct

Pinball Invasion

Orleans, ON

12y 136K 7,264 12

OP
Quoted from mbaumle:
What's the tipping situation like? Is gratuity figured into the food cost and bill like they do in Europe (thus not expected), or is it still standard 20% cash on table or added on the card?

Tipping is not included on the bill. 20% seems high to me but i kight just be a cheap bastard. I usually give 15%

#20 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

Quoted from flashinstinct:
20% seems high to me but i kight just be a cheap bastard. I usually give 15%

Haha, I worked my way through college as a server at Denny's. 15% is definitely considered standard, but I understand the plight of the server, so I try to make it 20% whenever it's reasonable.

#21 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

Thanks for the suggestions!

We did a grande tour of the city today. We went to the Biodome, explored the Olympic village and stadium, took an Uber up to Mont-Royal, walked to Notre-Dame Basillica, and ended with a trip to North Star.

North Star was amazing. The pinball machines are impeccable, and the staff was super ultra friendly. Definitely recommend it. Also, the “D. Gottlieb and Co.” sign behind the bar was the original sign that was on the factory, I was told. Super cool.

Biodome was such a cool place as well. People were nice all around, and my rather poor French skills weren’t needed.

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#22 6 years ago

BLY

MrBally

Pinside member

Paradise, NV

12y 141K 13,931 22 1

Glad you had a nice time in Montreal and the area. Olympic Stadium is a cool structure.

I've wondered what happened to the Gottlieb sign from the Northlake plant & offices. That's definitely it as I've seen it on the building in the '70's & early '80's. They should simulate the original Orange neon with Orange LED's instead of white. But pretty cool to see that it lives on.

#23 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member

Thanks! It’s a great little city. Very friendly people, immersive French, but 100% English when it’s important. It kinda reminds me of philly, as it’s a little smaller and quieter than larger cities.

I wish I had taken more photos of the inside of the bar, but I wasn’t really thinking. The white backlighting definitely goes along with the decor more than a red/orange would, but red would be classic Gottlieb. Ah well. It’s just nice to see such an icon of Pinball alive and well in what’s definitely the coolest bar in the city.

#24 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

Haha..i am doing this exact same trip Nov 9th-16th.!! We only have one planned stop so far...Swartz deli for a smoked meat sandwich.. and now definitely hitting up the North star.. pinball, vinyl, cold beer..heaven! We are even staying at an air b&b..haha..cant wait!

#25 6 years ago

RED

redman822

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 66,300 448 25

OP
Quoted from mbaumle:
Ehhhh, I wouldn't say "awesome" what with all the slavery, Japanese internment camps, and other things that would never happen in a country that's truly the "land of the free." But I know what you're saying. Different topic indeed

Well, Canada had Japanese Interment camps, too.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Canadian_internment
...And Slavery... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Canadian_internment
...In fact, slavery was done worldwide... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery
(Note, I am not condoning slavery, just pointing out that America is not the only place where it took place.)

#26 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

https://montreal.eater.com/maps/meilleure-best-poutine-montreal

Seriously...where is the best poutine place downtown Montreal?!?

#27 6 years ago

RED

redman822

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 66,300 448 25

Quoted from Dee-Bow:
Seriously...where is the best poutine place downtown Montreal?!?

A couple good lists to start from...

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g155032-zfd10930-Montreal_Quebec-Poutine.html

1 month later

#28 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

Love this town

#29 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

This is where we stayed! 19th floor!

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#30 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

Schwartz Deli!

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#31 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

La Brasserie le Pois Penche

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#32 6 years ago

DAV

Archon9000

Pinside member

Montreal, QC

8y 50,300 183 7

Quoted from Dee-Bow:
Seriously...where is the best poutine place downtown Montreal?!?

Strictly my opinion as a Montrealer :

La Banquise
http://labanquise.com

Chien Chaud Victoire
https://g.co/kgs/V16QxD

Enjoy!!

#33 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

We just ate at Ruebens and it wasn't bad either! But we will definitely try your poutine recommendation tonite!! 24hrs @ Labanquise!! Wooot. Brazillian bbq tomorrow nite yet too!

#34 6 years ago

DIO

Dee-Bow

Pinside member

Merci

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#35 6 years ago

MAX

mbaumle

Pinside member