22 things to do in Montreal this weekend: May 25 to 27

May 25 2018, 2:14 am

Short weeks are awesome.

It’s suddenly already the weekend and we’ve got a long list featuring a variety of different events for you to check out from May 25 to 27. Even if the weather doesn’t hold up, there’s a steady dose of indoor and outdoor activities – enjoy!

Celina Wolfe at Honey Martin Pub

Celina Wolfe is a well-respected musician in Montreal and deservedly so – she has a stunning voice and an impressive musical repertoire. Catch her at Honey Martin Pub starting at 10 pm. Head in for a pint of Murphy’s and stay for the music.

When: Friday, May 25

Where: 5916 Rue Sherbrooke

Time: Honey Martin is open from 3 pm – 3 am. Celine starts at 10 pm – 2:30 am

Admission: Free

La Ronde

If the weather holds up, check out Quebec’s only amusement park. La Ronde opened for the 2018 season last weekend and it was a blast. Test your bravery on the Goliath, Le Monstre, Ednör or Le Demon. Check out this season’s newly expanded Splash area and the new ride, Le Tourbillon. Forget lunch and supper, fill up on popcorn and cotton candy – it’s cheat day.

When: May 25, 26

Time: 10:30 am – 8 pm

Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald

Admission: Available online or at the box office

21 Swings

Montreal’s beloved 21 Swings (or 21 Balancoires) has returned to Promenade des Artistes this spring. Participate in a collective, outdoor musical production in which every single swing set off a different note and several create a melody.

When: Every day until May 27

Time: 10 am – 11 pm

Where: Promenade des Artistes

Particles of Existence

The Phi Centre is hosting an out-of-this-world exhibit that you definitely do not want to miss.

Particles of Existence explores new dimensions of how science and technology have brought us closer to understanding our universe and beyond.

When: Now until August 12, 2018

Time: Various time slots. Check website for details.

Where: 407 Rue Saint-Pierre

Admission: Available online

Bar Loïc

Loïc is an über cool wine bar located in St. Henri. The decor is gorgeous (it’s located in an old bank) and the food is tasty enough to question if wine really is their specialty. They also make very tempting cocktails.

Okay fine, Loïc is doing a lot of things right. If the weather is treating you well, head out to Loïc’s terrace, it’s green, gorgeous and right in the middle of the St. Henri buzz. Grab some wine, try their mouthwatering cheeseburger, and enjoy the sun.

When: Loïc’s terrace is open from 5 pm to 11 pm

Where: 5001 Rue Notre Dame Ouest

may 25 to 27

@bar_loic/Instagram

Montreal Digital Spring

Quartier des Spectacles is hosting a unique digital art festival all season long. Throughout the months of March, April, May, and June, Quartier des Spectacles will see all sorts of events pertaining to the digital arts. These include a media lab, live musical performances, and sculptures.

When: From now to June 21

Where: Quartier des Spectacles

Rage: Axe Throwing

Blow off some steam (or prepare for a zombie apocalypse) by tossing some axes. The indoor range has 11 lanes where you can comfortably throw a variety of axes monitored by supervisors and instructors. The facility can host up to 60 people so bring your friends, a lot of them. You get an hour worth of axe throwing so make sure to stretch beforehand!

When: May 25, 26 and 27

Time: 10am – 11:30pm

Where: 1436 Rue Amherst

Admission: $40-$55 per target, per hour. Tickets available online.

Coup Sûr

With baseball and softball season is in full swing, why not take a couple cuts at the batting cage? Coup Sûr has six pitching machines all throwing at various speeds and each machine throws either baseballs or softballs. They have a closed off radar section too if you want to practice pitching. They supply bats and helmets and boast an impressive Baseball Town store if you’re looking for some gear. If this weekend’s ball games get cancelled, no sweat – Coup Sûr is here.

When: Open year round

Where: 3835 Boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval

Tim: 9 am – 10 pm

Admission: 1 token (20 pitches): $5.75/ 5 token special (100 pitches): $23.00

Musée Grévin Montreal

You may not be able to sneak off to Hollywood or New York City to see your favourite celebrities, athletes, and artists this weekend, but you can still see them, in wax form. If the rain’s too much today, check out Montreal’s only wax museum. The figurines are displayed beautifully through the 4-floor museum and it admittedly gets kind of creepy staring into Elvis’ eyes.

When: Open year round

Time: 10am-6pm

Where: 705 Rue Saint Catherine (4th floor of the Eaton Centre)

Admission: $19.50 for adult, $13.50 for children, $15.50 for youth and students and $18 for seniors available online and at the door.

Parc Safari Zoo

Get your animal fix by heading to Parc Safari, an easy 40-minute drive off the island. The park opened last weekend and offers an optional Safari Adventure upon entering where you can drive up and see a variety of exotic animals from your car including zebras, ostriches, buffalo, llamas, and camels. Inside the park, take a walk down the Forest Trail where you have an amazing vantage point view of monkeys, cheetahs, hyenas, and bears. Don’t forget the lions, but we didn’t have to tell you that.

When: From now until October 8

Time: 10 am – 5 pm

Where: 280 Rang Roxham, Hemmingford

Admission: Prices vary depending on age. Tickets available at the entrance or online

may 25 to 27

@curlykay77

Amaze Escape Room

You already escaped work on today – now try your luck at escaping from a prison, a military facility, a lost temple, or a laboratory. Make a reservation, choose your adventure and then you have anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get out of any respective room. Each mission is reserved solely for your group and you’re given a walkie-talkie in case you need hints/get scared.

When: Amaze is open year round

Time: 2pm – 10:30pm

Where: 3550 Rue St. Jacques

Admission: $15-$30 depending on your chosen mission (per person). Make your reservation first online.

Encore Books & Records

Encore Books & Records is a cozy, family-run bookshop that sells and buys used books and records. The store is crammed with books from the floor-to-ceiling and their prices are just as good as their selection. Head into Encore and grab yourself a cheap book, find a nice park (Girouard Park is right out front of the shop) or patio and get lost in a little bit of literature.

When: Encore Books is open year round

Time: 11 am to 9 pm

Where: 5670 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

Comedy At The Art Loft

Comedy At The Art Loft is the hottest underground show in Montreal. It’s the city’s only weekly bilingual show and is run out of a private loft on Rue Saint Laurent and always packed with people. It feels like a college party, except a comedian is speaking into a microphone and making you laugh. This week’s show, the 75th edition, is headlined by the very funny Quinn McMorrow and is hosted by Walter J. Lyng. The show features a bunch of funny local comedians. There’s also a DJ and snacks. BYOB and 420 friendly. Very 420 friendly.

When: Friday, May 25

Doors open at 9 pm, show starts at 10:30 pm

Where: 4152 Boulevard Saint Laurent

Admission: 10$ at the door (cash only)

iSaute Kirkland

Take your kids to iSaute Kirkland and pretend it’s for them when it’s really for you. iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing, and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do, and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Jump around a bit today and forget about the rainy weather!

When: iSaute is open year round
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 am
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Admission: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the door.

Pablo Picasso Exhibition

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts latest exhibit explores Pablo Picasso’s influences in African art with “From Africa to the Americas: Picasso Face-to-Face, Past and Present.” The major exhibition offers a new perspective and an interesting rereading of modern art history. The exhibition features still life, paintings, portraits and structural pieces. Keep this exhibit in mind if the weather on Saturday and Sunday isn’t in your favour.

When: From now until September 16

Time: 10 am-5 pm

Where: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke

Admission: Available at the door and online

Lobster Clam Jam

Lobster Clam Jam is an award-winning seafood festival that happens once a year on the Lachine canal. Last year’s edition showcased over 35 restaurants and welcomed more than 6,600 attendees. Expect similar savoury results this time around. There’s food trucks from a bunch of Montreal’s well-known restaurants, mixologists, beer, activities and they even have their own currency. Don’t miss out on this one, folks.

When: Sunday, May 27

Time: 12 pm – 9 pm

Where: Rue Saint-Patrick and Rue Pitt

Admission: Available online – Children under 12 are granted free admission. Admission + 5 Clams: $40. Admission + 15 Clams: $65

lobster clam jam

@michou.ca/Instagram

Drawing & Sketching Techniques at the Montreal Art Centre

Dip into your creative side this weekend. The Montreal Art Centre is offering a four-week course (meeting every Saturday) on drawing and sketching by a trained teacher and artist. Special attention is given to quality and tone, perspective, observation skills and composition for new artists and experienced drawers.

When: Every Saturday for four weeks starting May 26

Time: 1:30 pm – 4 pm

Where: 1844 Rue William

Admission: $150 for the four-week course, payable online.

Foonzo Arcade Bar

Foonzo is a retro arcade bar that features hundreds of old school games and consoles. This nostalgic little basement bar will make you feel like you’re jamming out in a buddy’s basement in the 90s, except with booze. Everything is free to play too. Grab a drink and beat your friends at a variety of classics on everything from N64, Playstation, Super Nintendo, Sega, and Xbox. Duck Hunt and a rum and coke anyone?

When: Foonzo is open year round

Time: 5 pm – 3 am

Where: 1245 Rue Drummond

Admission: It’s free to enter and free to play (they hold your credit card)

Aura Basilique Montreal

The Notre Dame Basilica has teamed up with Moment Factory’s Multimedia & Entertainment Studio to light up the historic building in Montreal until the end of the year. The immersive showcase features lights and sounds to showcase one of Montreal’s most oft viewed pieces of architecture.

When: From now until December 29

Time: Varying times between 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm depending on the day

Where: 110 Rue Notre Dame Ouest

Price: Adults: $24.50, Seniors: $22.20, Kids:$14.80, Students: $18.75

Old Port Summer Activities $10 Deal

Montreal’s Old Port celebrates the arrival of summer with a variety of deals for both water and land activities. Choose from a variety of activities including paddle boarding, jet skis, ziplining, canal tours, the SOS labyrinth and much more – all for $10.

When: Saturday, May 26

Time: 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 333 Rue de la Commune Ouest

Admission: $10 per activity

Restaurant Chez Grégoire

Take a drive this weekend and get the best poutine Montreal has to offer – it’s just not in Montreal. It’s an easy 30-minute drive from the island and is worth every second. Grégoire’s has been dishing out poutines for decades; the casse-croute uses shredded cheese curds and an in-house gravy to make sure every bite of the poutine is as decadent as the last.

When: Grégoire’s is open year round

Time: 8 am to 11 pm

Where: 975 Boulevard Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Mercier 

Tam Tams

Sundays in Montreal in the summer is synonymous with Tam Tams. It’s a giant outdoor party with dancers, sports and drummers all gathered around the Sir George-Etienne Cartier monument. If the weather is nice on Sunday (still worth it even if it’s raining) head over to the mountain and enjoy a longstanding Montreal tradition and vibe. 420 friendly.

When: Sundays until September 30

Time: Noon

Where: Mont Royal Park

Andre Nantel/Shutterstock

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