STOCK ALERT!

[marc anthony]

>>It would be interesting to know if liquor rules out over the

>>dancers.

>

>It makes no difference to me if Le Stock were serving liquor

>or not. I go to see the dancers and enjoy the show. Would

>anyone not go because they didn't serve liquor?

>

 

Unfortunately, it is not going to matter if people go that decides if liquor rules out over dancers. What is going to decide it is whether the club can pay its bills not serving liquor. Unlike the Gaiety, the Montreal bars don't have a cover charge. If people only buy one soda or one water for an entire evening, I doubt Stock Bar will stay open much longer until they get their liquor license back... regardless of how many customers actually come to see the dancers. Stock has some motivation to stay open (unlike Taboo when they had their license suspended for a while) because they have an internet show to put on. But if the suspension goes on and on and on, and there is no liquor to pay the rent... bad news.

[krutoy]

just got back from Montreal, went to Stock on Wed. when they still served liquer, there were plenty of dancers, most were complaining that it's ladies night and they're not making money. The no liquer policy definately affected stock, a friend of mine went on thursday and friday and told me it was kind of dead. i went to West Side and most of the dancers from Stock were sent to dance there. It was pretty good, sure stock is more convenient and is set up better but I think for the next 3 weeks West Side will be the place to go on weekends. I stayed for the White Party on Sunday night and i have never seen so many beautiful men in one place in my life! The white party is once a year so if anyone has a chance to go next year i highly recomend it. sorry this is not very detailed, i just got back 2 hours ago.

[Cooper]

"What is going to decide it is whether the club can pay its bills not serving liquor. I doubt Stock Bar will stay open much longer

until they get their liquor license back.

 

Marc, When the news about Stock first broke I was at the bar and the dancers had just returned from a meeting. The original reports were that the bar would be closed Mon-Wed and open from Thurs-Sun. My thinking at the time was that business was slow M-W nights and it wouldn't be worth it to remain open. Also, they promised to provide transportation to West Side Bar where there would be a stock of dancers and liquor... Since that first report, the bar has stayed open every night. The penalty is supposed to last 3 weeks and then revert to business as usual... You raised a good point regarding their live webcam shows. Perhaps that played a big part in staying open during this dry period. Hopefully, things will work out and the loss of business will be made up with the quality of dancers.

[Cooper]

Krutoy, Thanks for filling us in on the lastest at Stock, West Side, and the White Party. Hope you had a good time in Montreal. Keep me posted on the next time you go. With the G now closed I'll be heading North more frequently.

 

Btw, do you know if the Stock Bar informs it's customers as to which dancers are performing at West Side Bar? That certainly would be helpful before stepping onto the shuttle bus to head over to Beaver Hall. From what I'm hearing, some Stock dancers are performing at the Stock and others at the West Side.

 

When you have more time, please fill us in on the who, what, when, and where's of the "White Party". Sounds like you had a blast.

 

Hope to see more posts from you. WELCOME BACK!

[bigguyinpasadena]

Of course the upside of all of this is it will make many more folks aware of the location of the WestSide!

[Cooper]

If anyone is looking for the address or information on the West Side Bar, there is a FAQ posted in the Strip Club Forum. When I was there last week, the bar didn't open till 7pm.

[abc123]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

Guys, I have a slightly different question regarding Montreal. I go there a few times per year and on my last trip I was talking with a fellow American who said that he has been having problems at the Canadian immigration. He said that the inspectors have recently been asking him many questions about why he is coming to Montreal so much (he goes about once per month), why he is travelling there alone in the middle of winter and other probing questions. On that particular trip he was even taken into a side room for questioning. He has never been denied entrance, but this was starting to worry him. He also said that a friend of his was denied entrance after he got a DUI in the States because Canada considers a DUI a felony. Anyone here ever have any problems getting into Montreal when they are going there for a little fun?

[bigguyinpasadena]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

I know of two people who have been denied entrance.

One was because of a DUI(considered a felony in Canada)One because he was listed as a"registered sex ofender"-remember it was not so long ago that gay men were busted and meant to regester as"sex ofenders"Both were allowed 24 #### to exit Canada or a warrent would be issued for arrest and expullsion.

[+ Hoover42]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

Hmmm, interesting.

 

This happened to me last November, and I didn't like it at all (I mentioned it in a prior post about Customs). As a result of this unfriendly welcome, I canceled a planned Feb trip.

 

I thought at first that I had been singled-out for some reason, but apparently Canadian customs inspectors have become a lot more paranoid.

 

...Hoover

[abc123]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

Hoover, not to pry, but what did the customs officers do. Ask a ton a questions? Keep you there for a long time? Were you finally allowed to enter the country or were you turned back? I haven't ever heard of anyone being turned back from any country if they do not have a record of some sort and I hope Canada doesn't start to hassle us just for visiting their country often. Thanks for sharing!

[Luv2play]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

I know of two Americans who, in the last couple of years, have left the country and are not likely to come back. Both had apartments here and spent considerable amounts of time here every year. The first was arrested and taken to the local jail for a couple of weeks. His name was on a list of sex offenders (apparently underage sex) and he had slipped into the country without being detected. When he got out of jail, he was escorted to the border. His friend disposed of all his furniture and closed out his apartment.

 

Last year this friend also left the country in great speed and without any warning to anyone else. He cleaned out his apartment and was last heard of visiting Thailand. There were stories about him having problems with the local police but all hearsay.

 

I think that if men are coming to Canada interested in having sex with young boys, then they are courting trouble. If they are merely interested in having a good time including visiting the stripper bars, I don't see why Customs would be interested in them. There is no law against viewing strippers or homosexuality, for that matter. We have a strong business lobby that favours gay tourism and the city itself and province of Quebec go out of their way to promote gay tourism.

 

I don't think you should misinterpret or be paranoid about being questioned by Customs UNLESS your motives for visiting are suspect. Is it possible you are suspected of carrying on a business in Canada? In the post 911 environment one has to look at all aspects and be more sensitive to what may be concerning the authorities. God forbid you should have a middle eastern appearance (and I'm only half kidding)!

[Guest CTguy]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

I have a different twist regarding the immigration issue. A couple of months ago I had a friend, who is a canadian citizen, coming down to visit me in the US. He had a one-way bus ticket to the U.S. and I was planning on driving him back to Montreal. When he got to the border they questioned him quite a bit and they even called me at home to verify his story. After all that they refused to let him into the U.S. As I understand it the main reason they refused him is he really could not prove his current address. Although he did have his passport but that had his old address. I also think the fact he had a one-way ticket did not help the situation. Anybody else have similar experiences?

 

Regarding U.S citizens visiting Canada, I think as long as you don't have and type of "record" you shouldn't have too much of a problem. I just tell them I'm going up for a weekend vacation and that seems to suffice. I've had my car searched once but I really didn't think that was a big deal. I think if you go up frequently eventually you might get "hassled" or questioned more than usual but I think thats immigration just doing their job x(

[krutoy]

>Btw, do you know if the Stock Bar informs it's customers as to

>which dancers are performing at West Side Bar? That certainly

>would be helpful before stepping onto the shuttle bus to head

>over to Beaver Hall. From what I'm hearing, some Stock dancers

>are performing at the Stock and others at the West Side.

>

I'm sure you can find out who is dancing at West Side before you go some of the dancers start at stock and then move to West Side later on at night, friday night it was Nick, Rene, Gab, Ghyslain, 2 more guys whose names i can't remember i think they started dancing recently.

 

The "White Party" took place at the convention center, there were about 15,000 people, it started at 9pm and went on till 12:30pm next day, it was full of really hot topless guys wearing tight white pants or just underwear, dancing, hooking up.... it was mixed but more gay.

even if it's not a kind of party you would go to it's worth it just to watch. i saw some of the guys from stock, campus, and gaiety there.

[Luv2play]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

I have known this to happen before with one way tickets. No-one should travel to the USA (or probably anywhere else) on a one way ticket as it immediately raises suspicians about the intentions of the traveler. I don't know how old your friend was but an aquaintance of mine was traveling with a 20 year old on a one way ticket several years ago and was turned back at the airport in Montreal. He then tried to enter the US on a bus and was taken off at the border and returned to Montreal. His name was then put on a list of banned people for 5 years, I understand. After that, who knows?

[beefeater]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

>I know of two people who have been denied entrance.

>One was because of a DUI(considered a felony in Canada)

 

Regarding DUI: Do you know if there is a time frame on that? For example, after 3 or 5 years can you then enter Canada?

[Samai139]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

It's not clear to me whether those reporting problems at Canadian Customs are driving or flying or going by bus. IF you go to Montreal on a regular basis by car and you have a background which can stand up to careful scrutiny---by BOTH governments---then you might want to look into to applying for a Nexus Pass. If you are not familiar with it, it is a special pass which allows you, once you have been cleared and paid $50(US), to go through a "dedicated" lane at customs at the Champlain crossing. There is a website and if anyone is interested, I'll be glad to provide it.

A friend of mine and I both have it and have found it very useful and time-saving. One difficulty with it, is that if you have a carful of people or even two, both or all of you have to have the Pass or you will be asking for trouble.

[+ Hoover42]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

After the questioning, which was actually not that invasive (they didn't search me or my bag), I was allowed to enter the country.

 

I can't imagine why they would want to keep me, in particular, out of the country, since except for a speeding ticket last year (my first ever, and only 9 miles over the limit), my record is completely clean.

 

However, it was my third visit in as many months, so perhaps they were nervous about the frequent visits...who knows.

 

...Hoover

[LustinGuy]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

I've also been subject to the extensive questioning about my frequent solo visits to Montreal. I usually respond with some flattery about how love the city and the culture. I have yet to be pulled in for further questioning but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens. I'm headed up there tomorrow... with fingers crossed.

[Cooper]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

This topic of Canadian immigration interests/concers me very much. I travel to Montreal about once a month and the only questions I've ever been asked are:

 

What is the purpose of your trip?

How long are you staying?

Where are you staying?

Are you visiting anyone?

Are you carrying any fruits or vegetables?

 

Which border is more concerned about your frequent travels to Canada? USA or Canada?

[+ deej]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

>This topic of Canadian immigration interests/concers me very

>much. I travel to Montreal about once a month and the only

>questions I've ever been asked are:

>

>What is the purpose of your trip?

>How long are you staying?

>Where are you staying?

>Are you visiting anyone?

>Are you carrying any fruits or vegetables?

>

>Which border is more concerned about your frequent travels to

>Canada? USA or Canada?

 

If you've never had a problem, you likely never will.

 

If, however, you're like me and have had (completely innocent) run-ins with Canadian immigration, you're marked for life and every border crossing will be a MINIMUM two-hour ordeal, once they get you into the interrogation room. It's why I refuse to "do" Canada. There's actually a conference in Montreal I'd like to attend but I won't because it's in Canada.

 

But don't feel persecuted. Canadians hassle their own too. I know a guy who had trouble returning home because of his sidearm. (Yes, a holstered gun.)

 

He's RCMP (and quite senior), and they grilled him up one side and down the other. He got revenge, though. The immigration officer who hassled him so much got assigned to him at his next command. I hear the toilets had never been so clean. }(

[OneFinger]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

Deej,

 

Any suggestions of avoid "completely innocent run-ins" with immigration? Is there anything you'd do different when initially stopped?

 

I haven't been to Canada since 2000 and will be staying there in late April. Any "dos or don'ts" so I don't have problems? (BTW, I'm leaving the gun at home but, since I have a gun permit, will that make them more cautious about me?)

[shy]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

cooper wrote:

>This topic of Canadian immigration interests/concers me very much. I travel to Montreal about once a month and the only questions I've ever been asked are:

 

What is the purpose of your trip?

How long are you staying?

 

after the expense and trouble traveling to get there, i like to stay 6 nights. several times i've had eyebrows raised by customs officers about this. typically get questioned about what i'm going to be doing this long in canada. my response has been, meeting up with friends from other cities from u.s., etc; but, this line of questioning always makes me nervous, though so far the answer has satisfied them. i always wonder, later, what would happen if i just stated "i enjoy your strip club entertainment"?

[+ deej]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

>Any suggestions of avoid "completely innocent run-ins" with

>immigration? Is there anything you'd do different when

>initially stopped?

 

My first trip to Canada was a business trip, and the office said to tell them I was on vacation because it was a last-minute booking and there wasn't time to make work visa arrangements. But it was a last-minute booking so we couldn't ship the manuals. I didn't think it sounded right telling them I was going on vacation with 15 copies of a computer programming manual under my arm. ;-)

 

After two hours at immigration, I was handed an official-looking piece of paper denying me entry to the country. Then I was offered a "once in a lifetime" exemption, which cost exactly the same as a work visa would have.

 

Next time I went, truly on vacation this time, Canadian immigration looked into the computer and said "it says here you had a little problem last time...." and two hours later waved me through. That's been the pattern for the last 10 years. I've been fingered as one of those dangerous NERDS. ;-)

 

>(BTW, I'm leaving the gun at home but, since I have a gun

>permit, will that make them more cautious about me?)

 

Leave the heat at home, yes. Personal firearms are illegal in Canada.

[marc anthony]

RE: Canadian Immigration

 

i always wonder,

>later, what would happen if i just stated "i enjoy your strip

>club entertainment"?

>

 

I actually did get stopped and searched once...

 

In the preliminary screening I always just say I am a tourist, I like your city, etc.

 

In the secondary screen, the guy told me, "You come here so often, why is that?" And I replied with exactly what you said up there...you have the best strip clubs in North America, and I love them.

 

I have never been stopped at the border since.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

Caesar's Wife Must Be Beyond Reproach

 

> I didn't think it sounded right telling them

>I was going on vacation with 15 copies of a computer

>programming manual under my arm. ;-)

>

 

It wasn't right and your company fucked you over!! Not Canadian Customs and Immigration.

 

Several years ago I showed up at Canadian Customs with a 100 copies of a tech paper I was giving at a conference in BC. I saw that I had tripped a flag when I responded affirmatively to the question "Was I there on business?" I explained that it was attendance at a conference. Fortunately, the tech papers had the name of the conference, location and dates on the front page and my air ticket dates and destination coincided. After ten minutes or so I was waived through, presumably because I wasn't their on an income producing venture.

 

>After two hours at immigration, I was handed an

>official-looking piece of paper denying me entry to the

>country. Then I was offered a "once in a lifetime" exemption,

>which cost exactly the same as a work visa would have.

>

 

So was cost an issue all along?

 

>Next time I went, truly on vacation this time, Canadian

>immigration looked into the computer and said "it says here

>you had a little problem last time...." and two hours later

>waved me through. That's been the pattern for the last 10

>years. I've been fingered as one of those dangerous NERDS.

>;-)

>

 

It just points up that fucking with Customs, US or Canadian, is foolish and has a price and they have long memories -- both sides.

 

>Personal firearms are illegal in Canada.

 

I was shocked to learn that this is NOT true. A couple of farm boys, come to Montreal to make their fortune dancing, informed me that Canadians love their guns and are not shy about having them. Although I didn't have reason to pursue details, I suspect the issue up there is probably handguns, registration, and concealment. Cities may be more restrictive. However the country boys do have their firearms.

 

One thing is quite definite though... don't show up at the border with guns, knives, mace or stun guns. I vaguely recall seeing on the Canadian Customs and Immigration website something about filing forms for bringing a weapon into the country. I suspect that one needs a VERY good reason and that probably isn't enough.