Get to know Montréal's electronic music scene
Music
A North American dance and music capital since the 1960s, Montréal boasts more DJs and dance floors than you can count. To help you plan your next electronic dance marathon, here’s a roundup of the city’s top bars, festivals, and go-to spots for unforgettable electronic music experiences.
Here's everything to know about Montréal’s electro scene.
A bit of background history
Nicknamed disco’s second city, Montréal quickly developed its own distinctive house and electronic sound, thanks to its unique position at the conflux of European and American musical influences. By the early ’90s, as American house music made waves in the city’s gay clubs, Eurodance and the French Touch took over the airwaves, while rave culture arrived from the UK, fueling the rise of an underground techno scene. As electronic music gained momentum, several iconic clubs and after-hours venues emerged, including Stereo, co-founded by Angel Moraes, a former DJ at New York’s legendary Paradise Garage. Stereo soon became a global nightlife destination, known for its unparalleled sound system and loyal following of dance music lovers from around the world. The ’90s also marked the birth of massive electronic music festivals that has kept Montréal dancing for nearly three decades, including Black & Blue (1991) and Bal en Blanc (1995). The 2000s ushered in a new wave of outdoor electronic happenings that continue to energize the city year-round, like Piknic Électronik (2003) and Igloofest (2007). With its rich musical history, Montréal holds a special place for electronic music at the heart of its nightlife and event calendar.
Dance in Montréal, anywhere, anytime
At -30°C in January or +30°C in July, electronic music lovers can always find a reason – and a place - to dance in Montréal. In the heart of winter, crowds flock to the Old Port for Igloofest, the world’s coldest (and coolest!) music festival. Proof that outdoor dancing isn’t just a summer sport, Igloofest has hosted global headliners like Claptone, Diplo and Tiësto on its wintry stages. Winter wraps up with the unparalleled Nuit blanche Montréal All-Nighter, a city-wide celebration that features an eclectic mix of underground dance events ‘til the morning light.
Every weekend from May to October, electronic music fans head to Piknic Électronik for exhilarating afternoon sets under the sun. A global phenomenon, the event regularly features world-renowned DJs the likes of Armand van Helden, Armin van Buuren, Bob Sinclar, Boys Noize, Carl Cox and Purple Disco Machine. From June to September, Village au Pied-du-Courant hosts beach party vibes three days a week, where you can sample creations from some of Montréal’s top food trucks while dancing to sets by a wide range of local DJs, all with a stunning view of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
Among the city’s major summer festivals, Osheaga energizes Parc Jean-Drapeau early August with an electro beat. A few weeks later, ÎleSoniq takes over the same park with a full-on electronic dance experience. Fierté Montréal wraps up its weeklong celebration of diversity with the iconic Méga T-Dance, held at the legendary Montréal Olympic Park Esplanade. And just as summer begins to fade, MUTEK infuses the city with a jolt of forward-thinking electronic music in a festival featuring a mix of local and international talent. New to the city’s festival lineup, Palomosa kicks off the fall with an all-out dance celebration on Labour Day weekend. International students this is the party you don’t want to miss to mark the start of the school year!
Sousbois
Eat and dance to an electro beat
Before hitting Montréal’s top clubs, why not start out in foodie mode? Time Out Market brings together some of the city’s best restaurants and hottest DJs under one roof. From Thursday to Saturday, high-energy sets get the vibe going—perfect for warming up before a night of clubbing. On Plaza St-Hubert, Système pairs vinyl and tapas in a “business in the front, party in the back” setting. Over in the Village, Le Renard is a go-to for elevated bites, craft cocktails and electro-house beats that’ll keep you going all night. Tucked next door, Motel Motel offers a mysterious and intimate speakeasy-style experience. For the ultimate supper club scene, check out Sousbois downtown or La Voûte in Old Montréal. To take in stunning sunset views, head to Terrasse Belvu at the Marriott Château Champlain hotel for gourmet eats and sets from some of the city’s top DJs against a breathtaking skyline backdrop.
Let loose in Montréal’s best nightclubs
Montréal boasts an endless list of nightclubs for those who love to dance until the wee hours. Big-name electro-dance artists take the stage at New City Gas, a former industrial complex turned state-of-the-art venue. In Old Montréal, Velvet Speakeasy delivers a stylish lounge vibe with top DJs and a beautiful crowd. On Saint-Laurent, Vino Disco draws Nu Disco fans and vinyl lovers with its perfect blend of classic and contemporary grooves. For cutting-edge sounds, you’ll find forward-thinking producers spinning almost nightly at Newspeak, Salon Daomé and Datcha. To keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening, watch for special events at Société des arts technologiques (SAT), Belmont, Cabaret Berlin, Ausgang Plaza and Bar Le Ritz.
Original article in French by Steven Ross, adapted into English by Dawn Bessey-Gans.
Let’s party!
Steven Ross
Steven Ross has been penning since the age of 17. A communicator specializing in tourism and entertainment, he’s travelled the world as a senior publicist for Cirque du Soleil and worked for several festivals and video game studios. Passionate about travel, languages and history, it is to the rhythm of house music that his heart beats the strongest.