Queer Frontier: Montreal's Number One Hot Spot
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Montreal's Le Village is located on Ste-Catherine Street East roughly between Berri-UQAM and Papineau metro stations. Le Village's area covers two kilometres and is considered one of the largest North American gay-themed neighborhoods.
Le Village was not always considered the hip place to be. It is part of Montreal's ever-changing urban tapestry. It comes from a past where it used to accept not only gay people but also those marginalized from society. Under the iron fist rule of the Duplessis government, many gay-friendly businesses were expulsed from Montreal's West End where they and their customers flocked to this particular region of Montreal which was initially a poor working-class city borough. A change in attitudes occurred in the community, one from intolerance to acceptance towards gay people, which helped this neighborhood's budding success. It was originally known as Le Village de l'Est in part due to its geographical location. Le Village's success, however, meant the eradication of gay-friendly businesses in Montreal's West end.
Today, Le Village receives major investments from various levels of government and is promoted as a viable Montreal tourist attraction. On official city maps, both printed and digital versions, name this area as Le Village. It is sandwiched between the Latin Quarter-UQAM student ghetto and Montreal's east end. And, almost every gay business is located within Le Village's limits.
Le Village's motto is Vivre la divercité and they certainly walk the talk. They offer a diversified choice for consumers whether it be in shops, eateries, cafes, clubs or restaurants. And just like the various culinary choices, the prices vary in this eastern downtown district. The prices range from the very cheap to overly expensive. It is, in my opinion, a microcosm of the Montreal city itself. It is an ideal location for student populations, tourists, and resident Montrealers.
However, Le Village is not for everyone and the neighborhood's saunas, leather bars, and drag shows may deter some from visiting the area but the overall attitude in Montreal's village is "to each their own". And make no mistake, with its many pharmacies, banks and retail stores, Le Village is not just about buying kinky outfits even though they cater to that particular clientele. This type of scene does not dissuade big name franchises (Chez Cora, McDonald's, Rotisserie St-Hubert, Starbucks's) to set up businesses there. Moreover, there are non-franchised businesses located in Le Village as well: Le Club Sandwich, Cafe Europeen, and Food bar and lounge.
It is such a step forward in our society to see how the growing acceptance of gay people in our community. Future plans include: a new western neighbor, Montreal's burgeoning Quartier des Spectacles (once construction ends), and the construction of a community complex at Le Village's centre (http://www.fondation-mario-racine.qc.ca/).
Le Village is one of Montreal's best and well-known cachets of the city's ever-changing attraction-tapestry and a treat for anyone willing to visit!
Le Village was not always considered the hip place to be. It is part of Montreal's ever-changing urban tapestry. It comes from a past where it used to accept not only gay people but also those marginalized from society. Under the iron fist rule of the Duplessis government, many gay-friendly businesses were expulsed from Montreal's West End where they and their customers flocked to this particular region of Montreal which was initially a poor working-class city borough. A change in attitudes occurred in the community, one from intolerance to acceptance towards gay people, which helped this neighborhood's budding success. It was originally known as Le Village de l'Est in part due to its geographical location. Le Village's success, however, meant the eradication of gay-friendly businesses in Montreal's West end.
Today, Le Village receives major investments from various levels of government and is promoted as a viable Montreal tourist attraction. On official city maps, both printed and digital versions, name this area as Le Village. It is sandwiched between the Latin Quarter-UQAM student ghetto and Montreal's east end. And, almost every gay business is located within Le Village's limits.
Le Village's motto is Vivre la divercité and they certainly walk the talk. They offer a diversified choice for consumers whether it be in shops, eateries, cafes, clubs or restaurants. And just like the various culinary choices, the prices vary in this eastern downtown district. The prices range from the very cheap to overly expensive. It is, in my opinion, a microcosm of the Montreal city itself. It is an ideal location for student populations, tourists, and resident Montrealers.
However, Le Village is not for everyone and the neighborhood's saunas, leather bars, and drag shows may deter some from visiting the area but the overall attitude in Montreal's village is "to each their own". And make no mistake, with its many pharmacies, banks and retail stores, Le Village is not just about buying kinky outfits even though they cater to that particular clientele. This type of scene does not dissuade big name franchises (Chez Cora, McDonald's, Rotisserie St-Hubert, Starbucks's) to set up businesses there. Moreover, there are non-franchised businesses located in Le Village as well: Le Club Sandwich, Cafe Europeen, and Food bar and lounge.
It is such a step forward in our society to see how the growing acceptance of gay people in our community. Future plans include: a new western neighbor, Montreal's burgeoning Quartier des Spectacles (once construction ends), and the construction of a community complex at Le Village's centre (http://www.fondation-mario-racine.qc.ca/).
Le Village is one of Montreal's best and well-known cachets of the city's ever-changing attraction-tapestry and a treat for anyone willing to visit!
