Gay Montreal Canada & Out Games 2006

Out Games review video

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Gay Montreal Canada & Out Games (August 2006)

Other Montreal reviews: • Black & Blue 2003

Recognized as one of North America's most cosmopolitan cities and is the largest French speaking city in the world after Paris. Montreal is renowned worldwide for being a gay-friendly place and has become a preferred destination of choice for gay travel and gay vacations. Located in the Province of Quebec, where same sex partners are legally afforded the same status as heterosexual partners, Montreal is home to a thriving gay and lesbian community that is estimated to represent 15% of the city's population of more than 3 million. With-in Montréal and much of Québec, you will find a special spirit of openness and tolerance, between the general public and the whole gay community.

The 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 was a major athletic and cultural event that brought together gay people from all over the world. With more than 18,500 participants from more than 120 countries, along with 500,000 visitors, flock to the city. Based on the principles of Participation and Celebration, Respect and Fairness, Innovation, Diversity and Empowerment (PRIDE), the games welcome everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, age, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, physical challenge, political beliefs, physical ability, athletic/artistic skills or HIV/ health status. www.glisa.org

The Montréal 2006 sports programme is an exciting display of athletic achievement, catering to all levels of ability. Competitions were spread over seven days with thousands of participants from around the world displaying their skills in 35 sports such as Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, Wrestling, Swimming, Marathon, Diving, Waterpolo, Synchronized Swimming, and many, many more.

The Out Games week co-in sided with the same week of Montreal’s Gay Pride festival (Divers/cite), so there was twice as much fun and entertainment to enjoy. Here are 7 galleries of photos and 2 videos from our time there:

After experiencing the Out Games it could be seen that the actual sporting side of the event was less attended than the social/partying side. This may have been because a very similar event called the Gay Games was held in the USA just a few weeks before and took away a lot of the American athletes. So why were two massive events, that are so similar, held so close to each other?... The Gay Games (which has been running for 20 years, holding events every 4 years) had originally chosen Montreal to be its next destination in 2006. Unfortunately the organisers apparently fell out over finances. The Gay Games committee then pulled out of Montreal and held its event back in its home city of Chicago, USA. Meanwhile because Montreal had put so much effort into organizing the planned event they went ahead and held their own, calling it the Out Games. Montreal held the Olympics back in 1976, exactly 30 years on 2006 was the year for the 1^st World Out Games.

The next “Out Games” is planned for Copenhagen in 2009: web site: www.copenhagen2009.org or www.glisa.org

The next “Gay Games” is planned for Cologne in 2010: web site: www.games-cologne.com or www.gaygames.com

Unfortunately neither the Gay Games, nor Out Games have Rugby as a sport. Please organisers: try and include it in your next event; there are a lot of boys who will attend/play, it’s a very popular sport especially here in Europe. There are gay rugby teams all around the world. Here in London I play for the Kings Cross Steelers.

Montreal Gay Village

The Village is one of the largest gay and lesbian neighbourhoods in the world. Beaudry Metro Station, bearing the colours of the gay community, is located at the core of the Village, upon exiting Beaudry station, the Village extends before you from west to east, and from south to north, centering around St. Catherine Street. Here you will find café’s, bistros, boutiques, restaurants and several erotic nude male lap dancing clubs such as Stockbar, Campus and Adonis. What makes them unique to other male lap dancing clubs around the world is that these boys dance with full blown erections to everyone in the bar. The village, one of Montreal's most colourful neighbourhoods is renowned for its wild nightlife and the diversity of the people. With its reputation for open-mindness, good taste, great hospitality, you're sure to find something to please you, no matter what your taste requests.

Recommended Montreal web sites:

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Old Montreal www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca South of rue Saint-Antoine between rue McGill and rue Berri. Old Montreal's cobblestone streets lined with buildings dating from the 17th through 19th centuries make it a scenic and popular tourist attraction. Easiest to explore on foot, visit the city's most spectacular church Notre Dame Basilica, which is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the world; several museums; . Place Jacques Cartier is filled with street artists and musicians, and there are numerous fine restaurants and private art galleries nearby. An area devoted to tourists, it is not the place to see the flavors of the locals.
The Old Port www.oldportofmontreal.com is a large waterfront green space with attractions such as Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal Science Center, the Labyrinth, the Clock Tower, and a large outdoor audio-visual stage which is the site for the Canada Day fireworks.
Jardin Botanique, 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/jardin.h... Huge and stunning botanical garden, featuring numerous themed gardens. This west-end park is one of the truly relaxing pieces of green space that make Montreal such a wonderful place to live. The gardens on site include the shady arboretum, which features willows and chestnuts among hundreds of other species. Numerous enormous greenhouses display a further 12,000 species, while the Medicinal Plant Garden offers a fascinating glimpse into the curative powers of the plant world. Admission is about $8, but after 5 PM the indoor section closes and the outdoor part is free until it closes at sundown. During winter only the greenhouses are open to visitors.
Olympic Stadium, www.rio.gouv.qc.ca 4141 avenue Pierre de Coubertin. 9AM-5PM every day. Built for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, this amazing and controversial building's tower (from which the roof is suspended) is the world's tallest leaning structure. The roof, which could originally be raised, has been replaced numerous times and is the source of great local controversy. You can take a funicular to the top of the Olympic Tower for an incredible view of the city.
Parc Jean-Drapeau, www.parcjeandrapeau.com. Part of the site of the 1967 World's Fair, now devoted to green spaces and a large outdoor concert venue. The Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit, home of the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix, an artificial beach, a huge outdoors pool complex and the Montreal Casino are also located on or around the parc.
Phillips SquareSte-Catherine St at Union Avenue, Montreal, QC, Canada an often overlooked square in the heart of downtown, just south of Ste-Catherine Street, this splash of colourful flowers and green grass is an oasis in the middle of an always-crowded area. The monument in the centre is to King Edward VII.
Biosphere biosphere.ec.gc.ca/ 160 Tour-de-l'Île Road, Montreal. This museum and exhibition hall is dedicated to raising environmental and ecological awareness among its visitors.
Biodôme de Montreal www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/bdm.ht... 4777 Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue. A museum of the environment like nowhere else on Earth. The Biodome. Or ‘House of Life,’ is a zoo, an aquarium, a botanical garden and much more, besides. In a setting combining, a wide variety of landscape, plants, animals and climates. Here you will find a lush Tropical Forest, the temperate Laurentian Forest, the St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem and the Polar worlds of the Arctic and Antarctic. Admission: CAD10 Adults; CAD7.50 Seniors and Students; CAD5 Children 5-17; free Children under 5.
La Ronde www.laronde.com Theme Park with massive rollercoaster’s and thrill rides.
Laser Quest www.laserquest.com/ 1226 Ste-Catherine St W, (Near de la Montagne). After all the shopping is done and you are tired of visiting museums, live action laser tag might be a good way to get the heart beating faster while harmlessly getting rid of your aggressions. There is a maze, fog, darkness, dim neon lighting, ramps, catwalks, music and Twilight Zone sound effects for an experience that is escapism at its best. Many different games are available, and extra late hours on weekends make it a good way to start a night out.
Underground City 800 de La Gauchetière St W. www.stm.info The world's largest underground pedestrian network shelters Montrealers from both the scorching heat of summer and the frigid winter winds. More than 30 kilometres of passageways link the stations of Montreal's Metro and contain (at last count) 1,600 boutiques, 200 restaurants, 34 cinemas and 1,600 apartments. Some 500,000 people use it every day. Although the area stays open as long as the Metro stations themselves, the best time to visit is between 9am-11am and 2pm-4pm, when it is least crowded.
Black & Blue www.BBCM.org an annual gay event held in October with 4 massive circuit parties and great entertainment for 1 week.

GAY BARS AND CLUB’s

ADONIS MONTREAL

1681 Rue Ste Catherine E, Montreal

TYPE: Adult Club - Gay Club

Located on Montreal's Rue Ste Catherine this nude club features private dances, gay male dancers, $10 dances, a full bar, as well as lunch and dinner menus. Minimum age is 18, Cover Charge is $5. Adonis does not enforce a dress code, everyone is welcome, and is open daily 3pm to 3am

BAR LE TUBE MONTREAL

1592, Ste-Catherine east, Montreal

REGION: Downtown

TYPE: Gay Club

Discotheque located in the heart of the gay village. Music from '80 and '90, huge two level dance floor and state of the art sound, light & video systems. Mixte crowd. Presenting shows occasionnaly. Generally no cover charge except on special events

BAR TABOO (GAY) MONTREAL

1950 Boul de Maisonneuve E, Montreal

TYPE: Adult Club - Gay Club

Bar Taboo is a men only nude stripclub that features young gay male dancers. Treat yourself to a table dance, a $10 dance, or full bar drinks are only $5. Minimum age at Bar Taboo is 18, there is no dress code, and no cover is the rule. Open from 7pm to 3am.

CAMPUS MONTREAL

1111 Rue Ste Catherine E, Montreal

TYPE: Adult Club - Gay Club

At the center of all the action in Montreal's Gay Village for the last 20 years it is dedicated to relaxation in the warm glow of erotic illusions. We offer a variety of dancers but in the main our afternoon dancers (3pm to 9pm) are young, natural and very friendly. The evening (9pm to 3am) features more buffed bodybuilder type of dancers, also very pleasant and friendly, all of whom are here to please your eyes wether on the stage or with a personal dancer in the private salon. We have two bars, with clear views on the stage. A large raised central bar directly in front of the stage with a smaller shooter bar off to the side for those in a festive mood. Our friendly staff will do their best to meet all your needs (Well, maybe not ALL your needs). Not wanting to deprive the ladies, we have a ladies' night every Sunday starting at 8pm (don't forget gentlemen are also welcome). For your convenience we have elevator access for those who wish to or need to use it. For your pleasure and enjoyment we open our doors at 3pm and close at 3am, Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3am on week-ends. The service of our friendly staff and the FEAST FOR YOUR EYES of our beautiful dancers are waiting for you here in Montreal. What are you waiting for? Come visit us and enjoy THE CAMPUS EXPERIENCE.

CLUB BOLO MONTREAL

960 rue Amherst, Montreal

TYPE: Gay Club

Club Bolo Danse Country Montréal is a non-profit organization which predominantly aims to promote country dancing activities in the Montreal's gay community. Our courses are offered at different level four times weekly. Since we are one of the only gay country & western dance clubs with its own permanent facilities in North America, open dancing is easily accessible to both members and non-members on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Club Bolo is also dedicated to helping non-profit and charitable organizations either by way of donations, by providing access to our facilities or by having its Demo Group perform at fund raiser events.

INFERNO CLUBMIX MONTREAL

1592, Ste-Catherine est, Montreal

TYPE: Gay Club - Live Music Venue – Nightclub

Located in the heart of the Gay village, this club is featuring disco music from the '70 to now and presenting live shows occasionally

LE DRUGSTORE MONTREAL robertsavignac@formagay.com

Web: www.formagay.com/drugstore

1366, Ste-Catherine East, Montreal

TYPE: Gay Club

Huge multilevel complex, 3 outdoor terraces, two pool rooms restaurant and dance floor

SALOON CAFÉ MONTREAL

1333, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montreal

TYPE: Gay Club – Restaurant

SKY PUB CLUB MONTREAL

1474 Ste Catherine E, Montreal

TYPE: Gay Club - Nightclub – Pub

STOCK BAR MONTREAL www.stockbar.ca

1278 Rue Saint-André, Montreal

TYPE: Adult Club - Gay Club

Best male strip gay bar in Canada.

STUD BAR MONTREAL www.studbar.com

1812 Saint Catherine East, Montreal

TYPE: Gay Club

Gay club located in Montreal's gay district

UNITY II MONTREAL www.clubunitymontreal.com

1171, Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montreal

REGION: Downtown

TYPE: Gay Club – Nightclub

On three levels, Unity II is the biggest gay club in Montreal. Unity II has 2 rooms with 2 different kind of music and also a huge terrasse on the roof, which is excellent during the hot and humid summer nights :) The crowd in there is young and energetic, prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is crazy!

The club is open from 10pm to 3am, four nights a week : Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There are always different activities to entertain you every night, such as Drag shows, dancers, karaoke, guest djs, etc.

GAY FRIENDLY ACCOMODATION

Hotel Lord Berri

1199, Berri Street
Montreal, QC H2L 4C6
Phone: (514) 845-9236
www.lordberri.com

HOTEL LORD BERRI offers quality and value far beyond that expected of such affordably priced accommodations.

Conveniently located on Berri Street between St-Catherine street and René-Lévesque boulevard, HOTEL LORD BERRI occupies the most colourful and most celebrated quarter of the Island of Montreal!

W Montreal

901 Victoria Square
Montreal, PQ H2Z 1R1
Phone: 514-395-3100
www.WMontreal.com

Welcome to W Montréal, winner of the Condé Nast Traveller UK 2005 Hot List Award for the Best New Hotel Worldwide and of the Gold Key Award for Best Suites by the Interior Design and Hotels magazines.Tucked away in the heart of the unique, up-and-coming Quartier International District, close to downtown and Old Montréal in the most European of North American cities, the W Montréal is a celebration of the senses. The perfect marriage of authentic service and modern style. Where one's dreams come to life. Transforming the city's classic Banque du Canada building into a rich, modern tapestry, inspired by the earth's natural elements, W Montréal is the perfect place for work, play or simply to get away.

Why not get swept away? Come, check in, and discover a world of stylish design, sensual comfort, and sublime service.

Le Cartier B&B

1219 Rue Cartier
Montreal, QC H2K 4C4
Phone: (514) 917-1829

Situated in Montreal downtown / Gay Village, B&B is at walking distance to main city attractions (Downtown,Fireworks, Old Montreal, China Town, Universities, Mount Royal, Cycling Path) and surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, night clubs, theatres, etc.

Loews Vogue Hotel

1425 rue de la Montagne
Montreal, QC H3G 1Z3
Phone: (514) 285-5555
www.loewsMontreal.com

Imagine a place where Late Empire style and Old-World European charm mingle with fresh, chic urbanity. Boulangeries neighbor trendy boutiques. Fashionable, modern buildings blend with medieval-like stone structures. It's the Paris you've always dreamed about. Right here in Montrèal.Tree-lined boulevards with world-class shopping, restaurants, nightlife, museums, and sights wait just outside our lobby door. This is Montréal's Golden Square Mile - the epicenter of the downtown hustle and bustle. If what you want to see or do isn't immediately within sight, then it's just around the corner.

Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel

1201 Boulevard Rene-Levesque West
Montreal, QC H3B 2L7
Phone: 514-878-2000
www.Sheraton.com

Featuring 825 deluxe guest rooms of which 158 have been specifically designed to meet the needs of today's business traveler.Le Centre Sheraton is located in the heart of downtown Montreal, within walking distance of fabulous shopping as well as the city's business and entertainment districts and the gay-village.The hotel's impeccable guest rooms include a coffee maker with free coffee and tea, complimentary newspaper, in-room movies, data port, cable television and much more. With 41,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, 23 meeting rooms, 34 suites and a fully equipped business centre, Le Centre Sheraton is ideal for meetings and business travelers.

Amenities
Internet Service Provided in All Guest Rooms (Charge) The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed Bathrobes Cable Channels Club Level Room Internet Service Provided in Business Center (Charge) 24-Hour Front Desk 24-Hour Room Service Wake-up Service Available Express Check-Out

SHOPPING

Priape, www.priape.com The best sex shop in right in the heart of Gay Village with lots to see on three. This legendary gay shop, now in major Canadian cities, sells the best in DVD & videos, tons of magazines, books, clothes, jeans, cards and a vast selection of leather articles in the basement too. A must to visit !

Northbound Leather A Toronto institution, now in Montréal with a fine selection of handcrafted gear for the leather community. www.northbound.com

Renaud-Bray Bookstore, 1155 Ste-Catherine E. (514) 527-4477. Books / gay section Wega Video, 930 Ste-Catherine E. (514) 987-5993. Large selection of the latest video views with a sit-down cinema for a lazy afternoon visit.

Un Autre Monde, 1302 Ste-Catherine E. (514) 521-0101. Men's clothes

Osez, 1320 Wolfe, A new gay shop to visit in the village / mention article.

Mâle-Rave, 1314 Ste-Catherine E. (514) 890-6543. Huge gay men's shop.

Cours Mont-Royal1455 Peel Street, (At Ste-Catherine), Montreal, QC, Canada Montreal's most visually appealing downtown shopping centre is also its most upscale. The exterior is an attractive blend of old-fashioned stone skyscraper with modern touches, while the interior is centred around a giant, clasically decorated lobby. Shoppers will find Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY, among many other international designers, along with the more universal appeal of Club Monaco and Juan & Juanita. The SAQ Signature focuses on high-end wine from around the world, while numerous cafes and restaurants provide respite from a day's shopping.

SAUNAS AND SPA

The city is also very well known for it's numerous popular saunas that are all over the city and well equipped. Plus for most of them always open 24 hours a day and very well attained

456 Spa, 456 de laGauchetière O. (514) 871-8341 www.le456.caWith 130 rooms, three levels. Very spacious, swimming pool, dry/steam saunas, hot tub, snack bar, gym and videos. Attracts men 25 and 45. Open 24 hours.

5018 Sauna, 5018 St-Laurent (514) 277-3555 www.le5018.comThis sauna offers dry sauna, steam, hot tub, showers) four levels. Open 24 hours.

Bronx, 1166 Ste-Catherine E. (514) 528-3326 Mostly leather crowd. Equipped showers, hot tub, snack bar, dry/wet saunas. Open 24 hours.

Centre-Ville, 1465 Ste-Catherine E. (514) 524-3486 Situated in the gay village. Sixty rooms on two floors / popular weekends. Open 24 hours.

Colonial, 3963 Colonial. A very mixed crowd of regulars / some parking.

Oasis, 1390 Ste-Catehrine E. (514) 521-0785 www.thebestspa.com Heart of village, popular young and some one hundred rooms. Open 24 hours.

Plateau, 961 Rachel E. (514) 528-1679 www.saunaduplateau.com Close to Lafontaine Park. On four levels, terrace, modern. Open 24 hours.

Saint-Hubert, 6527 St-Hubert. (514) 277-0176 Small /call before you go.

Verdun, 5785 Verdun (514) 769-6034. Small / mixed /call before you go.

GAY GYM

Club LaCité (3535 Avenue du Parc; 514/288-8221; C$12/day) in the LaCité Shopping Center, is gay popular and also features an all year round heated outdoor pool, where you can swim in the winter while the snowflakes drop on your head, or sunbathe in the summer.

Gym Centre Sud (2093 rue de la Visitation; 514/527-2427) offers Gayrobics and all the usual gym facilities.

Pro-Gym (S. Moreau), 4500 Hochelaga (514) 252-8704. One of the biggest gym in the world, boutique, snack bar and lots of hot clients (a police station across the street !!!). Very gay-friendly / call for their open hour / some days its 24 hrs.

OTHER BARS AND CLUBS

West Side

1071 côte du Beaver Hall

Montreal, QU

(514) 866-4963

Zone

1594, rue Sainte-Catherine

Montreal, QU

Parking Montréal

1296 Amherst

Montreal, QU

(514) 282-1199

Groove Society

1288 Amherst

Montreal, QU

(514) 284-1999

Club Back Track

1592 Sainte-Catherine

Montreal, QU

(514) 523-4679

Vox Pub

1295 Amherst

Montreal, QU

(514) 522-2766

Sky Pub/Nirvana

1474 rue Sainte Catherine

Montreal, QU

(514) 529-6969

La Relaxe

1309 Sainte-Catherine

Montreal, QU

(514) 523-0576

Q Zone

1401, rue Mackay

Montreal, QU

Oasis Oxygen

4059 St. Laurent Blvd

Montreal, QU

(514) 284-1196

www.ChrisGeary.com

Bad Boy Club Montreal	Gay Tourism Montreal	Stock Bar	Fugues magazine	Q Northeast magazine
Sky Complex	Montreal2006.org	Montreal Pride	Reunion Afterhours	Priape
Sauna Stecath	Sauna St Hubert	Bain Colonial	Sauna Centre Ville	Le 456 Sauna
Mado.qc.ca	Backroom Montreal	Stud Bar	Campus	Taboo
Leatherland	Aigle Noir	Parc Jean Drapeau	Physotech	Red Lite
Stereo Nightclub	Outlooks magazine	Inferno Club	Parking Nightclub	G.L.I.S.A.