nightlife

A statement in French on a website announces the closure of La Tulipe, a local entertainment venue.

Montreal is making changes to prevent venue closures — are they enough?

September 26, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

A popular music venue in a century-old theatre has been forced to close its doors. Now, the City of Montreal says they’re trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Management of La Tulipe announced its temporary closure in a statement to their website on Tuesday as a result of a lawsuit over noise. A Court of Appeal judgment is holding them to Article 9 of the Plateau-Mont-Royal’s noise bylaws. This means no amplified sound should be heard outside a venue, including in adjoining buildings.

In response, the Plateau-Mont-Royal is changing Article 9 to exempt bars, restaurants, venues. The City is also making funding for soundproofing available to venues with a capacity of 400 or more. The funding was previously reserved for smaller venues.

Critics in nightlife and Ensemble Montreal say the City doesn’t go far enough. They’d like to see an agent of change strategy, which would put the onus of soundproofing on whoever moves into a neighbourhood last.

Two performers stand on stage on a sunny day. There are two large pink tents behind them.

Montreal’s underground nightlife scene on display with new CTRL+ALT festival

July 23, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

Last weekend was the first edition of the CTRL+ALT festival. Organized by Studio ZX and funded in part by the City of Montreal, the festival platforms queer and racialized collectives.

Founder Vicky B. Ouellette says these collectives are a crucial part of Montreal’s underground nightlife scene, but don’t always get the funding or mainstream recognition commensurate with their impact.

CKUT caught up with Ouellette and others at the festival’s launch on Friday, in the heart of Montreal’s Village.

Elgin Street and the corner of MacLaren's late at night. People are walking around near MacLarens pool bar.

New Nightlife Commissioner appointed for City of Ottawa

June 12, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced on June 11 that the role of Ottawa’s nightlife commissioner has been filled.

Mathieu Grondin, a night-time economic strategist born and raised in Montreal, was appointed to the role and he hopes not to disappoint, stating that “Ottawa will be the city fun’s going to remember.”

To hear more about what Mathieu Grondin has to say about the role and stories from the Ottawa region, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT news brief.

A group of people gather and dance outside of Montreal's city hall at night. There is a lighted building in the background.

All of Montreal needs an agent of change policy, not just nightlife zones: FANTOM

May 13, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

After a string of venue closures and high-profile noise complaints, Montrealers have raised the alarm about the future of Montreal’s nightlife. And over the past few months, they’ve been able to make their voices heard in a series of public consultations the city’s been holding to craft a new nightlife policy.

CKUT spoke to FANTOM’s Oliver Anthony about what recommendations came out of the consultation process, and what we can expect going forward. FANTOM is a non-profit collective created by and for queer, trans, BIPOC and allies working and performing in the underground nightlife scene.

CKUT did not immediately receive a response upon contacting Coun. Ericka Alneus, the councillor responsible for nightlife, for an interview.

24-hour zones are not the answer, nightlife workers say

February 8, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

Montreal has released its draft nightlife policy, and so far there’s one big takeaway: new 24-hour zones for nightlife.

While the Latin Quarter has been floated by city officials, they say these zones could go beyond downtown, depending on what individual boroughs decide.

So far, though, the city has yet to commit to the “agent of change” approach they teased last fall. It’s an approach that would put the onus on newcomers to adapt to the neighbourhood they join.

Turbo Haüs’ Sergio Da Silva and FANTOM’s Oliver Anthony join CKUT to discuss that approach, the new policy, and the changes they’d like to see in how the city handles nightlife.

Ravers rally to save nightlife group Montreal 24/24

January 24, 2024 by Jules Bugiel

For the past three years, Montreal 24/24 has worked with the City as a local hub for research, engagement and events about Montreal’s nightlife.

The future of that work may now be up in the air: last week, the City declined to renew that funding after announcing their new nightlife plan for Montreal’s Latin Quarter, according to Montreal 24/24.

On a snowy night in the Old Port, supporters of the organization DJ’ed and danced outside of Monday’s city council session. Inside, Mayor Valerie Plante chose not to answer questions about her priorities in the sector, with Executive Committee President Luc Rabouin taking the floor instead.

CKUT contacted the mayor’s office for comment on this story but did not receive a response.

A band is playing at the front of a bar with the front door right next to them and the neon open sign visible above the door.

Toronto ‘modernizes’ night life with new changes to ‘boost night economy’

December 21, 2023 by Owen Thompson

Toronto City Council has approved three staff reports to update the night economy and life of the city.

The night economy plays a big part in Toronto through jobs in the space and culture in the city. The City describes the night economy as “the social, cultural, and economic activities that take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Toronto.” This includes entertainment, bars, music venues and places to eat.

At a Toronto City Council meeting on Dec. 15, they put together a plan to have all the necessary bylaw changes to implemented by Jan 1. 2025.

A Toronto Night Economy Town Hall will be held on Jan. 17, 2024 to provide more detail on the changes and programs. They will also be going over what changes will be made to meet the 2025 deadline.

An old-timey diving helmet sits atop a dimly lit bar.

Diving Bell Social Club will have its last dance Saturday due to noise complaints

December 12, 2023 by Jules Bugiel

Montreal’s Diving Bell Social Club is shuttering its doors this weekend. The owners of the indie nightlife venue say the threat of fines from repeated noise complaints played a major role in their decision.

Their closure comes soon after Turbo Haüs took to social media to share their own struggles with noise complaints. Both venues, on St Laurent and St Denis streets respectively, are in major nightlife zones in the city. The City of Montreal is reported to be considering an “agent of change” approach to complaints going forward, which would take some of the load off of venue owners.

The Diving Bell team joined CKUT in studio to discuss what they’d like to see change and to give the venue a final sendoff.