Springtime in Montreal

[+ newatthis]

I’ve now visited Montreal and its clubs in every season (last visit was near the end of May; the MC freeze held up this posting). Conclusion: neither the season nor the weather (this time mostly chilly and overcast with light rain) matters – it just gets better and better. Club summary: Campus was a little slow, but still a lot of fun; Taboo was really rockin’, the first time in all my visits it’s taken first place.

 

CAMPUS

There wasn’t a big selection of dancers on weekday afternoons. Sunday and Monday were particularly dead, despite the better than average number of customers (Monday was a holiday –journée nationale des patriotes in Québec; Victoria Day in the rest of Canada). A nice surprise on Sunday: Phil was working to make up for leaving early the previous Thursday. There was at least one notable newcomer, Bruce, whose backroom work I can recommend. Another, Eddie, looked promising (though I didn’t get around to doing a test drive).

 

The big surprise was Paul, classically handsome, with an attractive swimmer’s physique. I haven’t mentioned him previously because of an unpleasant episode last March. Tuesday he began dancing just as I took a place beside the stage. As he came close, I mouthed "are you still mad?" and he whispered "I'll talk to you after.” After his set, he sat down and apologized, with a credible (and embarrassing for him) excuse for his manners in March. We ended up spending a lot of time together over my last few days (as well as doing a bunch of sizzling dances in the back). His physical magnetism alone would earn the “new” seal of approval; once he gets to know you, his conversation is a bonus.

 

Antwan the waiter’s repeated entreaties to “see the energy" on ladies' night at Campus finally persuaded me to stop by on Sunday evening. He was absolutely right – the place was filled to the brim with a mixed crowd, about 20% women, including lots of younger gay guys and gay couples. The place was really jumping, but it was a little too crowded for my taste, and I prefer guys who are less heavily muscled than the ones allowed to dance for the ladies on Sunday nights.

 

ADONIS

I stopped in two or three times on the walk between Campus and Taboo, mostly to look for a dancer who caught my fancy last visit. Alas, he never showed up, and no one else made me want to remain more than a few minutes. (Kenny, Ralph, and Pierre are still there, but I don’t buy from those vendors any more. Devin has moved to Taboo.)

 

TABOO

The high point of this visit was Taboo – I’ve finally cracked the code there. In large part this was due to the extraordinary warmth and generosity of the guy known as “a local source”, whom I had met on my previous trip. Before I left for Montreal, he sent the names of 2 Taboo dancers to look up and arranged an invitation (even though he himself was out of town) to a BBQ whose guest list included quite a few others.

 

The range of dancers at Taboo was considerably wider than on previous visits – still no gym bunnies, but an assortment that extended well beyond the barely pubescent. Helmuth – a real sweetie with a remarkable combination of exotic looks and a hard, yet not overly muscled, body – has been joined by a bevy of equally exotic and pleasant Latinos (Mexican Eden; Colombian Jose). Among the other standouts I would include Mathieu, Jean-Sebastian, Steve, Jonathan, Francesco, Jérome, Samy, Jesy, and Malik.

 

All were attractive, warm and affectionate, and willing to spend time with patrons at the tables. I’ve complained vociferously in the past about Taboo dancers congregating in herds and ignoring the customers; all these guys (and, indeed, most of the Taboo dancers this visit) “got it”. I didn’t do dances with all of them (partly money; mostly because I fell hard for a particular dancer), but those I did take to the back were ingenious at outwitting the Gorgons who guard their virtue. I did get admonished once by a Gorgon for inappropriate touching (I mistook him for a customer when he came into the back room); I and the dancer I was with were lucky he hadn’t shown up a minute earlier!

 

Taboo was hopping every night. Monday night, dancers who showed up at 8 pm weren’t allowed to work because the quota of 25 had already been reached. The customer base was large every night, including a contingent of Montreal Boys Live subscribers.

 

MISCELLANEOUS STUFF

I got some insight into the culture of guys my age (more or less) who help support dancers in one way or another, financially and/or psychologically. One part-time resident has a dancer live in to take care of his Montreal house and has a close relationship with that dancer’s boyfriend as well. Over the course of several days I saw other dancers approach him for advice, to unload their problems, and, sometimes, to ask for a loan.

 

Another local worries about the dancers’ welfare and looks out for them with no quid pro quo expected. One dancer told me how this guy took him aside when he first began dancing to give him useful guidance – how to safeguard his money, how to relate to other dancers, the management, the clients, etc.

 

TRAVEL NOTES

1. After a midday landing, it took me less than 30 minutes to pass through immigration and customs, raid the departures level ATM, buy an aerobus ticket, and get seated on the bus.

 

2. The aforementioned aerobus ($22.75 RT) has become a viable cheap alternative to a taxi ($31 plus tip one way). It now runs every 20 minutes, with stops at many of the downtown hotels; non-rush hour time to the first stop is about 15 minutes. Even if your hotel is not one of the stops, there’s likely to be a stop at another hotel only a couple of minutes’ walk away.

 

3. A part-time Montreal resident told me that the ATMs of the Caisses Desjardins give a better exchange rate than other banks. I didn’t check this out personally, since I prefer the ATM opposite L’Adonis that dispenses $50 bills.

[Karl-G]

Glad to hear you had such a great time.

 

I'm not sure of your age, but if you qualify as a senior, the bus RT is only $20.

 

The RBC (? Royal Bank of Canada), which has branches all over downtown and Ste. Catherine, gives a high rate of exchange and does not charge for an ATM transaction or to exchange money. If you change at their window with a teller, there is no fee of any kind. Be sure and check with your bank at home, but for me, that means at their ATMs, no charge of any kind at either end and a very good exchange rate and great convenience. Look for the RBC logo on buildings.

 

Did you try any privates at your hotel? Any more news on what happened to Hot Boys Agency?

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

Thanks for the update.

 

You mentioned Malik dancing at taboo. Is that he black guy who danced there a year or more ago or someone new?

 

>

>3. A part-time Montreal resident told me that the ATMs of the

>Caisses Desjardins give a better exchange rate than other

>banks. I didn’t check this out personally, since I prefer the

>ATM opposite L’Adonis that dispenses $50 bills.

>

 

Still not sure I understand this. I know we had this discussion before and I learned that ATM card rates were different from VISA cc rates and presumably Visa Check Card rates. And I know that ATM machines in bars and clubs are horrendous. But I assume that this is due to a surcharge not the 'exchange' rate.

 

My understanding is that the exchange rate is determined by the bank issuing the funds as opposed to dispensing the funds. Thus the American bank sets the exchange. The Canadian bank gives you the requested amount in Canadian funds and submits the bill to your home bank. Of course there are interbanking fees exchanged in the background but that is between the banks. The Candian ATM may charge the user a 'fee' although I have never encountered one at a bank. If they do then I suspect that they would have to put it on the withdrawal slip. I'm really confused. Is the Quebecois banking system as mysterious as its judicial system is? ;(

[+ newatthis]

RE: Springtime in Montreal-responses to questions

 

>I'm not sure of your age, but if you qualify as a senior, the

>bus RT is only $20.

 

I think senior means >= 65 in Montreal, at least on the (regular) buses and metro.

 

>The RBC (? Royal Bank of Canada), which has branches all over

>downtown and Ste. Catherine, gives a high rate of exchange and

>does not charge for an ATM transaction or to exchange money.

>If you change at their window with a teller, there is no fee

>of any kind. Be sure and check with your bank at home, but

>for me, that means at their ATMs, no charge of any kind at

>either end and a very good exchange rate and great

>convenience. Look for the RBC logo on buildings.

 

It's actually very hard to find a bank ATM in Montreal that charges a transaction fee at the Montreal end. Harder to find a US bank that doesn't charge a fee for transactions at a "foreign" ATM (i.e. not one of their own).

 

The business about the exchange rate at ATMs is addressed by Tampa Yankee in his post.

 

> Any more news on what happened to Hot Boys Agency?

 

Several people mentioned they were out of business. No ads in Fugues.

[+ newatthis]

RE: Springtime in Montreal- Malik; bank ATMs

 

>You mentioned Malik dancing at taboo. Is that he black guy who

>danced there a year or more ago or someone new?

 

Quebecois. Not black. Not sure how new he is. Slim and lithe, a little facial hair, on the tall side for Taboo (but not in absolute terms). Very nice guy all the way around.

 

>>3. A part-time Montreal resident told me that the ATMs of the

>>Caisses Desjardins give a better exchange rate than other

>>banks. I didn’t check this out personally, since I prefer the

>>ATM opposite L’Adonis that dispenses $50 bills.

>>

>

>Still not sure I understand this. ...

 

>

>My understanding is that the exchange rate is determined by

>the bank issuing the funds as opposed to dispensing the funds.

>Thus the American bank sets the exchange. The Canadian bank

>gives you the requested amount in Canadian funds and submits

>the bill to your home bank. Of course there are interbanking

>fees exchanged in the background but that is between the

>banks....

 

You've gone beyond my depth on this one. Does anyone else know if TY's understanding is correct? It might be an interesting experiment (were I not too cheap to incur 2 transaction fees from my home bank) to withdraw CDN$200 within the same 10 minute period from the ATMs of 2 different Montreal banks and compare the rates used.

[Karl-G]

Rates of Exchange

 

You could do it that way, or you might just take a piece of paper and pen and look at the rate boards outside a few exchange offices and banks; they all post the rates being used at that time. Even the bank lobbies with ATM machines (such as the one on Ste. Catherine) post the rates in the window. You can see quite clearly that different places offer different rates, sometimes fairly significant. In addition, all Change Bureaus and many banks charge 4% or 5% as a fee for changing. Many U.S. credit card issuers (Bank of America, for example) charge a $5 fee on the home end of an ATM transaction involving foreign currency, and maybe an additional "minimum finance fee." I think all ATM machines in Montreal have to notify you as you log in if there will be a fee for using the machine, and there often is. Most people seem to rush through the screens of information to get their money, so I'm not sure most people even notice.

[Samai139]

RE: Rates of Exchange

 

If you have a bank or credit union debit card which is accepted at ATMs in Montreal, I would suggest you use it. I discovered that my credit union debit card can be used at the ATMs in the ubiquitous convenient store--Cache-Tarde??? which are located in several places near my hotel. The exchange rate is determined by my Credit Union and there is NO charge for the transaction. I wouldn't suggest the Currency Exchange shops or the Bus Station, near the new library--their transactions fees are $4-$6.

[+ Lucky]

It is interesting to note how different people react to Montreal. Thaks for the report. You didn't mention the spring pollen though!

 

I do agree on Helmuth...(He says hi, Marc). Taboo seemed to be the place with the most energy this last weekend. But Raphael is a pretty good-looking guy at Campus in the afternoon. Jonathan, a new guy at Stock works hard for the money. My opinion of Adonis never changes...boring!

 

BTW, Montreal, in my opinion, is best seen with good friends!

[+ SundayZip]

Thanks for the great posting. I sooo miss Montreal. Its been a year since my last trip, but I'll be there soon - the weekend of June 17. Can't wait!

[Boston Guy]

Sorry I missed you there. I was in Montreal the previous weekend.

 

I found Guillaume at Stock to be particularly fun.

 

BG

[Cooper]

Speaking of "Spring time", there was some Spring cleaning taking place at Stock this past week. More than 10 dancers were fired among them Gabriel, Mickey, and Raphael. Several new dancers were hired.

 

Lucky, good seeing you and other board members in Montreal. Did you mention Matteo at Taboo? As for me, Mikael and Alexander did the trick. Both joined Taboo in the past 2 months.

 

Other things to do and see in Montreal: Cirque du Soleil and the Edwin Holgate exhibit at the Fine Arts Musuem.

[+ Lucky]

Gosh, Cooper, how could I have forgotten Alexander at Taboo????

The highlight of the show at Taboo was when one of the dancers was hoisted by large ballons, floating over the bar as people kept him bobbing along with their hands...was that Matteo?

 

(Sorry, inside joke, guys! That was actually a scene from Corteo, the new Cirque Soleil show..really good first half, and a stunning opener after the intermission, but it did not keep bobbing along as expected.)

 

 

Did I mention that I had a really good time in Montreal? I noticed that thunderstorms are on every day this week, so the pollen should clear out for awhile.

[+ newatthis]

RE: Springtime in Montreal - cirque du soleil

 

>(Sorry, inside joke, guys! That was actually a scene from

>Corteo, the new Cirque Soleil show..really good first half,

>and a stunning opener after the intermission, but it did not

>keep bobbing along as expected.)

 

Forgot to mention that I saw this show. While I enjoyed it, it was a pale shadow of the early CdS shows. Much more reliance on costumes and "plot", much less in the way of breathtaking juggling, contortionists, and acrobatics. And the precision that I remember from the first CdS show I saw was gone -- jugglers dropped things, tumblers missed their landings, etc.

[+ newatthis]

RE: Rates of Exchange

 

>...you might just take a piece of

>paper and pen and look at the rate boards outside a few

>exchange offices and banks; they all post the rates being used

>at that time. Even the bank lobbies with ATM machines (such

>as the one on Ste. Catherine) post the rates in the window.

 

Of course if TY is correct, those local posted rates have nothing to do with the rate we're getting from the ATM machine, which is determined by our bank back home that's supplying the funds. Those posted rates are presumably what you get if you sidle up to the window, (US) dollar bills in hand.

[+ newatthis]

>You didn't mention the spring pollen though!

 

Good genes from my parents -- wasn't even aware of it.

 

>...But Raphael is a pretty good-looking guy at Campus in the afternoon.

 

Saw him only once, and I was otherwise occupied. He is cute. Can you comment on his backroom work?

[+ newatthis]

>Did you mention Matteo at Taboo? As for me, Mikael and

>Alexander did the trick. Both joined Taboo in the past 2

>months.

 

All 3 of them were working when I was there. Matteo got a lot of advance hype, but didn't ring any bells for me and didn't seek me out. Mikael was on my (very long) short list, but never got to him; he never sought me out either. Alexander hung around my table, and was notable for dancing in the aisles while others were dancing on stage. A report I got from someone who went in the back with him discouraged me from doing the same.

[+ Lucky]

Whoever warned you off of Alexander's lap dance was mistaken...he is quite the performer. I especially liked the way he took advantage of the curtains...

 

Raphael at Campus has a great looking California surfer boy look. His lap dance was fun, but so was his stage show. So casual and sexy. He likes his rap music!

[Cooper]

I agree with Lucky about Alexander's lap dance, he's quite good. I found his lap dance to be very sensual and satisfying.

 

Over at Stock there were 2 stage shows that stood out.

 

1. Fred "the lumberjack". He enters stage dressed like a mountainman and carries with him a chainsaw and a log. His act simulates cutting the log and the music provides the sounds. He kept the audience fixed on his every move... For his 2nd song he enters dressed in a black robe with a hood, almost looking like a monk. Then, he disrobes and shows of an amazing, well defined, muscular body.

 

2. Marquis also puts on a captivating show. He enters with 4 bananas and a yogurt... Can anyone figure out what he does with them? :-) It was a fun routine ending with his rock hard cock being dipped into the yogurt.

[+ newatthis]

>Whoever warned you off of Alexander's lap dance was

>mistaken...he is quite the performer. I especially liked the

>way he took advantage of the curtains...

 

Duly noted for my next visit. *This* is one reason I missed the MC when it was down!

[Cooper]

RE: Spring-cleaning in Montreal

 

"Speaking of "Spring time", there was some Spring cleaning

taking place at Stock this past week. More than 10 dancers were fired among them Gabriel, Mickey, and Raphael. Several new dancers were hired."

 

Another Stock dancer to get the boot was Ghyslain.

[noviceny]

RE: Spring-cleaning in Montreal

 

>"Speaking of "Spring time", there was some Spring

>cleaning

>taking place at Stock this past week. More than 10 dancers

>were fired among them Gabriel, Mickey, and Raphael. Several

>new dancers were hired."

>

 

Gabriel was let go and now he is dancing evenings at Campus. He is one of the very few guys that really really does it for me...

 

Had a private with him at Campus that was cool but didnt like the fact that he gave me the price list of Stock...very hustler like and if it was anyone else I might have walked...fortunately his lap dance was great

 

Came back on another night (just left Stock for a minute, but wound up leaving 2 friends there are didnt get a chance to say good bye) and he was all over me the second I came in the bar..after the best lap dance ever (actually second best : ) I asked him to come back to my hotel. I had never been that turned on, but he was great and we waited for his shift to be over and then we went back to the hotel.

 

We waited approximately 30 minutes at Campus and just bullshitted about life and stuff...very cool to talk to...besides the body the face is really handsome too

 

Anyway, back to the hotel and he spent more than the hour with me...I dont engage in anything heavy so if you guys want to give him a try make sure you ask him what he will do...hes straight but very nice and was very honest with me...

 

Would do it again in a heartbeat and he let me name my price ($200) but Im sure that its what he expected. We definitely clicked...have never gone to the same escort twice, but would with him.

[noviceny]

RE: Spring-cleaning in Montreal

 

Oh yeah,

 

As coop well knows, I must mention my vote for least favorite and most slimy....Max at Stock...had two dances with him, one two months ago and another one this past week...each time he stayed on the stool and closed the curtain (making the fee $20) and I got the honor of touching his body..I think he may have touched my hands

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[noviceny]

RE: Spring-cleaning in Montreal

 

Cant remember the name of one of my favorites but maybe Coop can help...guy at Stock...very nice and very all American kind of look...he approached our table when I met yall the first night...shit, can remember his name !!! great smile and fairly innocent look, muscular not not overly so...brown hair

[Cooper]

RE: Spring-cleaning in Montreal

 

"Cant remember the name of one of my favorites but maybe Coop can help...

 

Novice: Good seeing you in Montreal again... I think the dancer you're referring to is Jonathan, he's one of the new additions to Stock... I agree, great looking guy with a big warm smile.

[noviceny]

RE: Spring-cleaning in Montreal

 

Nope, I dont think that was him...it was a guy that we met the first time I went to Stock and the first time I met you in Montreal.

 

He was actually already sitting with your group when I first got to Stock in April...gonna check the site now

 

ahhhh found him...his name is Shawn..very nice and cool to talk to without the immediate pressure of going in the back

 

forgot one more guy who was also a "stool stander/non toucher" - Alex...up there with one of the worst dances in my experience...I would rather take college entrance exams again than give it another go with him