Gallop on over to Montréal’s western scene
Leisure activities Bars and nightclubs Festivals and events
Did you know? Montréal has got its own country and western scene, despite being miles away from the closest ranch. Don’t be surprised if you see a growing crowd of rootin’, tootin’, cowboy-boot wearin’ scenesters out there: the city is growing a bona fide western subculture with festivals, bars, parties and more, and we’re here for it all, y’all.
Montréal’s Western roots
The nearly 60-year-old Festival Western de St-Tite proves it: Québec has a longtime love affair with all things country and western. But other than the perennial favourite Wheel Club, in NDG (a historical, one-of-a-kind, not-for-profit club that’s still a go-to for live bands, line dancing and the Monday night Hillbilly Night, the longest-running open mic night in Montréal), the country scene didn’t really rise to the top of Montréal’s social life until just a few years ago.
A festival at the forefront
One game changer in the city’s country and western scene was the launch of the LASSO Montréal festival in Parc Jean-Drapeau by the founders of OSHEAGA and ÎLESONIC. Montréal is now the second-strongest market in Canada for country consumption, just behind Toronto.
Bars and theme nights
For a western experience on any ordinary non-festival day of the year, head to these rollicking bars and clubs:
- The Wheel Club has theme nights and plentiful bluegrass atmosphere all year round
- A rippin’ good time awaits at Spaghetti Western, a bar on Plaza St-Hubert where spaghetti-western flicks play on TV screens and you can accompany your bourbon cocktails with a heaping plate o’ spaghetti in their cozy saloon-style booths
- Barfly, on the Plateau, will regularly have live bands playing bluegrass and country sounds
- Promenade Masson boasts the 26-56 Saloon, a country bar that puts on open mic nights, line dancing and offers bucket of Pabst Blue Ribbons to share with friends
- For dancing aficionados, Club Bolo is a not-for-profit LGBTQ+ dance club and school that offers one and all line dancing classes, both for beginners and more advanced two-steppers
- Get footloose at one of the @spursnight line dancing nights, an inclusive theme night that happens at various locations throughout the city, both open-air and indoors
- Jack Saloon has a location on Crescent, the busiest street in downtown Montréal, and features a twist on a western resto-bar with a yummy Tex-Mex menu (try the pulled pork nachos)
- The first country and western club in Old Montréal is Bobby McGee, which draws crowds with its country music, blues nights and smokehouse eats all inspired by American roadhouses
Dressing the part
Check shirts, kerchiefs and a slick pair of boots aren’t de rigueur, but they sure do help get you in the mood. Or go for the candyfloss Pink Pony Girl look!
- You’ll find all the gear you can dream of at Montréal’s many awesome vintage stores, especially these:
At Hadio on Avenue du Mont-Royal, there are more pairs of perfectly aged Levis that you can shake a pitchfork at - The internationally recognized Harricana par Mariouche is comprised exclusively of clothing and objects made in Québec, including Fedora hats that can double as cowgirl garb
- Boutique Indiana is a close contender if you prefer your jeans, boots, hats and other western wear new
- Boulet Boots is THE place for top-notch, hand-stitched cowboy boots
- It’s worth the trip to Laval to see the incredible selection of boots and more at Boutique Village Western
- For bespoke cowboy hats made according to the quality of tradition at Montréal’s oldest hat-maker’s, head to Henri Henri
Whether you’re a Sunday cowgirl or a dedicated country bumpkin, you’ll find your bliss here.
Welcome to Montrey’all!
Isa Tousignant
Isa Tousignant is an editor and storyteller with a curiosity that runs deeper than most. She has chatted life philosophies with celebrity chefs, gemologists, arena rockers and furries. (All were transformative.) Her favourite things include discovering new flavours and celebrating the creativity that defines her hometown, Montréal.