jerryskater

Was in Montreal a few weeks ago. No problems with politics at all. Hotel, restaurant and bar staff very friendly. Although the weather was just as hot as the NYC area.

Has anyone used the elevator at Campus? How do you get it to work? Do you need to call? Any info would be greatly appreciated. My knees are giving out and the stairs might be too much.

Don't have a specific good weekend. A few years ago my husband and I were in Montreal on Pride weekend and found that there was a lack of dancers in the stripper bars. Probably because they were out partying. Also experienced some bad service in restaurants. So we skip Pride weekend. This year Pride is July 31 to August 10. On the other hand you may enjoy some of the many events of that week and the Village should be packed. People go to Montreal for various reasons so I realize other members will have very different experiences. Whenever you go have a great time.

Absolutely awful. The premise of two ballet companies switching star dancers and choreographers is ridiculous. The idea that a Koch like billionaire is behind this is interesting but very heavily over written. As is the French ballerina role. And I know I'm nit picking but I've never, in over 50 years of ballet going seen in person, on film or video a choreographer working while wearing head phones. There is only one reason I will watch other episodes and that is to spot beloved New York City Ballet dancers in minor roles (Tiler Peck was in the first) and with the hope that there will be more dancing and music.

Agree. Was one of the reasons I stopped subscriping to Roundabout.

I'd love to hear more. What was the Village like (homeless, etc.) Did you feel safe in the streets? Where did you stay? Thanks.

Hi Vin Marco, Your post led me to this Je Te Veux on guitar. I'm a classical guitar fan and love this. Watch his left hand it's beautiful.

It is so sad what has happened to Ste. Catherine Street. Montreal like other cities has a very serious homeless problem not only on Ste. Catherine. For example, on the weekend of August 16/17/18 the area around the Metro stop for the Museum of Fine Arts was filled with homeless. They didn't seem to be bothering anyone but it does make it uncomfortable particularly if you are looking for a place to sit for a few minutes. Even saw a man lying on a busy corner of Place Jacques Cartier. He looked like he could have been dead. Police came and as far as I could tell took him away.

I agree and would also add the Pointe-à-Callière museum in Old Montreal. We've been there many times over the years and they always have something interesting. There is also a nice view of Old Montreal on the tower.

Sorry guys. Can only report on what I did. No Campus or Stock this trip.

Montreal July 11-14 Ste. Catherine Street was marginally busier this year than last. They have painted dreary rainbow lines on the roadway and here and there disco balls and one large moose all left over from last year. In my opinion, they need to bring back something like the “Shades of Gay” overhead which made the Village feel festive and special. Restaurants and bars seemed to be doing good business in the evenings. Still many shops and restaurants closed. Homelessness is still a problem but we were not accosted by anyone. Thursday at Taboo there were 5 or six dancers all “twinkie”. Spent some time with Arturo, Atlas and a tall guy (Sam?). who when asked if he was straight said “I’m open minded”. They were all OK in the back. Nothing special. Atlas cute, slim and fit was really my type. I’m sure he was of legal age but his aura was so young it was a bit of a turn off. Friday went to Diamond Rouge (formerly Adonis, J P’s, Expose) as Taboo, our usual, was having some kind of drag show. Writing this I realize we hadn’t been there since it was Adonis. There were about 10 dancers only one (Leo) was what I’d call a twink. The others were more muscular but not bulky. All attractive and worth the climb up the stairs for lap dancers. At my age it is quite an effort. Sorry, I don’t remember names. The guys were fun and good upstairs. One anglophone even liked classical music and art and even know a little about dance. A few women in the bar. All in all, a nice night. Saturday back to Taboo. There were about 10 dancers. Arturo, Atlas and Sam, Cesear, Damien, Leon and others. Damien is a sweet kid from Chile. Nice lap dances. Leon from Toronto a very handsome guy with what used to be called a swimmers build. Great personality. One of the best lap dances I’ve ever had. Sadly, he was going back to Toronto the next day and he didn’t think he’d be back in August when I plan to return to Montreal. It was a very good night. Sunday had a late dinner and didn’t go to any bars. Based on past experience they are dead on Sunday. Stayed at the Hyatt Place on St. Hubert which is clean and pleasant enough. Breakfast crowded and food just OK. We find it convenient not to have to go outside in the AM. Never saw so many children though. Sure, it’s not the Montreal it once was but my husband and I had a fun weekend.

Thanks for your reports Ichabod. I appreciate all the info.

I am having the same issue using a PC and Windows 10. Started a week or so ago.

Stock, Campus and Taboo have private spaces. I think Expose does too but I haven't been there in many years. The going rate per dance is $20 dollars Canadian. per song. As mentioned on other threads be very careful about the number of songs so you don't get ripped off. I say to the dancer when we first go back something like "Just two songs" then if I want to continue after that I will say "Let's do one more". Do a search on this site for "Montreal" and read the threads there is a lot of useful infomration about private dances and all things Montreal.

This year I finally realized I am too. My husband and I will be rethinking how we get around.

Montreal 8/18/23 – 8/21/23 This post is way past due – Sorry. Hyatt Place (formerly The Gouverneur) My husband and I have stayed here and its predecessor for many years. The current incarnation is clean with modern somewhat cold décor. I don’t think we will be staying there again because the room design flaws got on our nerves this time. See https://www.companyofmen.org/topic/142770-hotels-montreal/?do=findComment&comment=2129974 Breakfast room very crowded and lots of children. Only one station to get coffee which creates a line. Food just OK. Homeless situation Homelessness is a problem in many cities in the U.S, and Canada so it is no shock to see it in Montreal. Not only in the Village but in the old town as well. We didn’t see many homeless around the hotel. The bank on the corner now has a guard which keeps them from sitting on the steps. The city over the last few years has reconfigured the park across the street to make it more inviting to passersby. Fewer homeless are gathering there. Don’t know why. Perhaps increased police presence. We did encounter homeless on St. Catherine Street but no one bothered us. Still, it is a real problem. The media reported in late July that several establishments closed their “terrasses” because patrons were harassed and afraid to eat outside. The mayor held a news conference and promised more police and social services so they reopened them. https://montreal.citynews.ca/2023/06/22/village-issues-mayor-plan/ Report of attack on shop owner September 2,2023 https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/restaurant-owner-says-she-and-her-husband-were-attacked-on-their-terrace-in-montreal-s-village-1.6546254 We did not see an increased police presence. If anything, it seemed like fewer police then in past years. We did not feel safe walking St. Catherine Street particularly the blocks just before Taboo and along the park next to it. There is no easy answer. The Village The Village has not recovered from the disaster of Covid-19. We found conditions have not improved in the year since our last visit. Many restaurants and stores have not reopened. Here’s an article from the Dawson College Newsletter I found touching because we used to east in Mozza a lot: https://www.theplantnews.com/post/the-gay-village-no-longer-gay Something that I think would restore some of the joy would be the replacement of the overhead “18 Shades of Gay”. Lots of tourists of all persuasions visited to take selfies. There were plans for a replacement but I don’t know what happened. Probably lack of funds. The Bars We went to Taboo every night because we enjoy twink types. There were 10-12 dancers Thursday-Saturday. Sunday was absolutely dead only one dancer and maybe six patrons including us. Dancers were OK. Some a little heavier than ideal. One blonde from Nova Scotia (I think) was spectacular. He danced fully nude. The trend continues that the majority of dancers DID NOT dance fully nude. All that we chose for private lap dances were great. Stopped by Campus twice in the afternoon and there were no dancers each time and few patrons. I wonder how it is worth their while to open in the afternoon. Tried once at around 7 PM and there were still no dancers. One we met outside was just arriving and said things got started around 8 PM. Will we be returning? Probably, unless reports get worse. We have been going every summer since 1989 and have so many good memories of places, restaurants, and yes, dancers. I hope that the Village will once again return to its vibrant self.

Does anyone know if the elevator at Campus is working? It's getting to be a touch climb with my aging knees.

Weight matter on helicopters too. Many years ago my partner and I took a helicopter to Heron Island in Australlia. We were only allowed one piece of luggage and the luggage as well as both of us were weighed one at a time but not on a baggage scale. There were lockers available for extra luggage so you could pick it up when returning.

Agree that the Hyatt is a lot more expensive.

The Hotel Gouverneur is now the Hyatt Place Downtown. My partner and I stayed there last July and September. I has been totally renovated. Will be staying there again this year. Here's some comments I posted at that time. The overall décor is modern and I found it cold but not unpleasant. The mezzanine is very nice. Excellent free computers and printer so it was a snap to check in with the airline and print boarding passes. The breakfast area is the same as the old Gouveneur. Buffet breakfast is good with lots of options and free. We had booked a king bed on a high floor. The room was unfinished. Closet unfinished, no safe. Requested a change of room. Got a two queen bed on the 20th floor. It was good. Certainly much better than the Gouveneur when it was on its last legs. At check in requested daily service so we could get fresh towels daily. Service was very good. Design flaws: Light in the bathroom is around the mirror and it is impossible to see to shave. If the designer is male he should be forced to try to shave in it and if female should be forced to try to but on makeup. The handle that turns on the shower regulates both the flow and the hot water so when you get in you need to stay out of the way until you can turn the handle to warm. Water pressure is very good. The safe is set so low in the closet you have to get down on you knees the access it. Door to the closet and bathroom is a sliding door and you need to be careful that when your coming out of the bathroom you don't slide the door into you partner who is accessing the closet.

OMG I remember very fondly those years as well. It's been a long time but I remember particularly Pierre-Luc and Francis. Time marches on and things change but they were good times.

Yes St Catherine Street will be closed to auto traffic this summer. Last year they had no overhead decorations which I missed a lot. I'm hoping that will change this year. Good point. I've been going to Montreal for many years, We would usually go to Campus around 7 PM for a pre dinner drink and while the number of dancers varied from year to year it was always slow even at that hour.

12is12 Thanks for your reports. Sounds like Montreal is kind of dead. I hope things improve this summer when I'll be there.

When I was in Montreal last year spent my time at Taboo. If I remember correctly most of the dancers did not get fully naked for their second song. I was thinking the same as azdr0710 that nudity requirments were relaxed to attract new talent since there were fewer dancers than in years past.

Sorry they're calling it Daddy's Corner. Here's the link: daddy’s corner – Bar Campus CAMPUSMTL.COM Hope I pasted the link correctly.