A Guide to Visting Canada's Sin City

It’s exam season, and winter break is just around the corner. How are you going to relax once this is all over? “I’ve worked so hard for the past few weeks. I deserve an opportunity to travel over the break and develop some new cultural insights.” This is a line I recommend feeding your parents as an excuse to visit Canada’s Sin City (Montreal).

This post is a concise guide to Montreal, specifically to the nightlife and food. I’ve been there over ten times and I want to share my knowledge about the city that I’ve grown to love.  My parents put me in French immersion as a kid, and I would use this as an excuse to visit the city every year to “improve my language skills.”

You have to try a Montreal smoked meat sandwich if you’re in the city. I recommend Schwartz’s or Reuben’s Deli. My favorite place to go when I have a meat craving is Reuben’s Deli for the “Big Bang”. The name speaks for itself; it’s a pound of smoked meat on rye bread and a hulking portion of fries.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet and a little different you should try Léché Desserts. At Léché’s you can choose from a variety of gourmet donuts, from classics like Boston Cream or if you feel daring try the Maple bacon donut. A side effect of the Boston Cream is that it may ruin Tim Hortons donuts forever.

Let’s not forget about poutine. Nothing is better than a bed of crispy fries, with brown gravy and a handful of cheese curds. Canada’s gift to mankind, in hopes we can be forgiven for Justin Bieber. My go-to spot is the Orange Julep, which is open until 3 am every night that serves heart-stopping poutine and it’s famous “Orange Drank.” It is the ultimate drunk snack coming home from the bars.

The city seems designed for the morning after with an abundance of brunch places. Here is a list of the top 30 Montreal brunch restaurants: http://www.mtlblog.com/2014/05/top-30-montreal-boozy-brunch-restaurants/. My favorite brunch spot is the Eggspectation; there are multiple locations across the city. They have a majestic menu that offers everything from eggs benedict to burgers. I always go for the “Eggsuberant.” Two eggs, two pancakes, bacon, and potatoes served with a cup of coffee to get me back on my feet and ready for the day.

How do you get the hangover in the first place? Montreal has a bumping nightlife every single day of the week. It’s especially busy around the holiday season when students migrate to the city to celebrate New Years. My personal recommendation is to visit New City Gas, especially if you like Electric Dance Music (EDM). The venue is massive and there’s always a great DJ playing. Here is a site to help you get your night started: http://www.go-montreal.com/night.htm#.VGj0fr405-U. The best part about Montreal is it’s a guaranteed good time no matter where you go. Although it’s extremely cold, so don’t forget your jacket.