If you’re here for Mutek, Jazz Fest or Just for Laughs, expect to spend most of your time downtown. Montréal festival season brings out thousands of locals and visitors who converge on the incredible (and often free) outdoor shows and the packed-with-life terrasses (or patios) that are bustling from morning to night. In short, Montréal in the summer is a city that lives outside. And while there’s no shortage of things to do downtown, it’s sometimes nice to grab a quick breather before heading back into the crowds.
A couple blocks north, located in the beautiful Opus Hotel, is Koko, a swanky sprawling terrace with gorgeous martinis and even more attractive patrons. If you’d like to climb even higher, try La Terasse Magnetic, located on the roof of the Hotel de la Montagne, a sky-locked marvel featuring a pool, nightly DJ and one of the best views in the city. While Montréal is famous for its high levels of swank, its real appeal is in mixing the chic with the less stuffy. So, if you want a quick bite while on St-Laurent, try the locally beloved Euro-deli or the smoked meat emporiums of The Main and Schwartz. If you’re looking for something more substantial, the legendary Moishe’s steakhouse is nearby: the steaks are life-changing, the pickles divine, the coleslaw sublime. Step outside and you’re right back in the action.
