20 Montréal musts for geeks and gamers

Annual Events

Montréal Comiccon (annually in July)

Going strong for over 15 years, Montréal Comiccon unites thousands of pop culture, comic, and superhero fans every summer. Featuring an extensive programming line-up that includes a massive exhibition hall, workshops, panels, film screenings, costume contests, and more, this is your chance to dress up as your alter ego, load up on merch, and meet some of the biggest stars of the genre.

Comic Arts Festival (annually in May)

A celebration of all things comics and comic arts, every May this free street festival turns a swath of Saint Denis Street into a geeky block party. Bringing together an international crowd of publishers, comic creators and comic appreciators through exhibitions, panels, drawing and reading workshops, book signings, and more, the Comic Arts Festival is the largest of its kind in Canada, having attracted 80, 000 attendees in 2023! With a mission to democratize comics while building bridges between the local and international comics scenes, this outdoor fest is an opportunity to geek-out over your favourite comics while also discovering something new. 

Otakuthon, Anime Convention (annually in August)

As Montréal’s biggest anime convention, and the second largest anime convention in Canada — having boasted an impressive 35, 309 attendees in 2023 — Otakuthon brings together anime and manga-lovers from all over the world. Never tried cosplay before? After this magical and beautifully run event, you’ll be smitten.

Fantasia International Film Festival (annually in July)

Founded in 1996, the Fantasia International Film Festival is an internationally acclaimed genre film-fest, where “B movies” are elevated and celebrated in their own right by an audience made up of fans and professionals from across the film industry. Known for generating buzz around lesser-known, low-budget commercial films in the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror genres, Fantasia also showcases the imaginative cinema of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Come for the zombies, vampires, and aliens, and stay for the fun atmosphere and panels and Q&A’s with some of genre film’s biggest stars. You never know — you might be one of the first to see the next breakthrough horror film!

Lan ETS (annually in June)

Organized by students from Montréal’s École de technologie supérieure, Lan ETS is the biggest Lan Party of North America's east coast featuring cosplay, scavenger hunts, exhibitions, and multi-genre gaming tournaments. Each year more than 1000 gamers compete for over $30,000 in prize money.

Year Round

Comics and manga

O-Taku Manga Lounge

Boasting one of the largest selections of manga in North America, O-Taku Manga Lounge offers visitors the choice of borrowing a manga on site or buying one for the road from the huge O-Taku Manga Lounge bookstore. The perfect spot to unwind with a good book while sipping on unlimited complimentary tea, the café also offers bubble tea and a variety of specialty Japanese snacks to savour. 

Bookstore tour

Can’t get enough comics? For new and old collectors alike, Montréal is proud home to a number of long-standing, independent brick and mortar comic shops, the oldest of which have been around for more than 30 years. Conveniently located around the city, no comic book store tour of Montréal would be complete without stops at 100000 Comix, Capitaine Québec, Comic Hunter, Crossover Comics, Drawn and Quarterly, Komico, Millenium Comics, and Planète BD, to name a few.

Stores

3 Wizards Shop

Open the door to 3 Wizards Shop and step into the magical world of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts sagas. With a selection of official products, this Mile End shop offers an unforgettable experience for both long-time Harry Potter fans and those new to the wizarding world. The first of its kind in Montréal and the second in Québec, it offers personalized advice to help you in your discovery of all things Potter.

Geek & Co. 

Canadian gaming and geek online store, Geek & Co’s only brick and mortar location can be found in Montréal’s Cote-St-Luc neighbourhood. Specializing in Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading card games, they also sell sports cards and a large selection of manga, comics, collectibles and geeky gifts.

Geeky stores with in-person events

Looking to stock up on TCG’s (trading card games), while also enjoying some live action play with the locals? Game Keeper Verdun, Chez Geeks, and Face to Face Games all host daily and weekly meet-ups where you can play Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, Dragonball, Commander, and much more.

Board Games

Randolph Gaming Pub Rosemont

Whether it’s an evening out as a group or date night, Randolph Gaming Pub has got you covered with its selection of over 1, 500 games and fun, social atmosphere. Nestled in Montréal’s trendy Rosemont borough, this 18+ neighbourhood mainstay serves up comfort food, microbrews, and cocktails, all alongside its perfect mix of classic and contemporary board games. A small fee not only grants you access to unlimited games but also to the expertise of Randolph’s Gaming Hosts who’ll both give you personalized game recommendations and explain the rules — no reading required. Whatever the game, you really can’t lose with Randolph.

L'Adversaire - Pub Ludique

With a huge selection of board games to play while nibbling on nachos and sipping a microbrew, an evening out at L'Adversaire is guaranteed fun. And, with its wide variety of retro video games and controllers, you’ll soon find yourself awash with nostalgia. 

Colonel Moutarde 

Located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal, Colonel Moutarde caters to foodies and cocktail aficionados who like their artisanal mac ‘n’ cheese paired with a side of Clue. With over 500 games to choose from, regular quiz nights, and gaming advisors known as ‘gaming sommeliers,’ this cozy spot is hard to beat. 

Arcades

ARcade 

ARcade, a multiplayer, augmented reality experience at the Casino de Montréal uses projections and motion detection to transform two dance floors into interactive game boards where players use their bodies as the controllers. With no screens or headsets required, this immersive 18+ group activity is perfect for a fun night out with friends. Featuring a bar and more than 20 additional games, spectators can cheer on the players as they await their turn on the floor, and players can quench their thirst post-match with cocktails from a specialty menu, all while enjoying music sets from local DJs. Get ready to party: ARcade is open late during the week and until 3 am Friday and Saturday nights.

Playbox Centre 

Conveniently located in Downtown Montréal’s Centre Eaton, the Playbox Centre hosts a smorgasbord of popular crane, arcade, and skill games, as well as VR attractions. Set in a fun atmosphere, Playbox Centre provides endless hours of entertainment for the whole family only minutes away from some of the best shopping the city has to offer.

Arcade MTL

The first Montréal bar devoted exclusively to gaming, Arcade MTL hosts frequent tournaments with games like Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart. With a great selection of retro arcades from Galaga to Marvel vs. Capcom, the bar also crafts themed cocktails such as the Princess Peach and Donkey Cogne.

Amusement 2000 Plus

Step into the authentic arcade ambiance of Amusement 2000 Plus and relive your childhood. With tons of games to choose from, including classics like Dance Dance Revolution, as well as more recent selections, you might not notice the time flying by, but who cares? This all-ages arcade is open into the wee hours of the morning.

Esports

Meltdown ESports bar

Located in the heart of the Quartier Latin, Meltdown ESports bar brings the party by offering a little something for everyone in a lively atmosphere: esport matches on TVs, Gaming PCs, console games, weekly events and competitions and signature gaming-themed cocktails. Come to meet your favourite streamer and stay for a friendly Mario Kart or Street Fighter battle. You can even take part in tournaments with other Meltdown bars around the world.

VR

The Horizon of Khufu

An immersive VR expedition that takes you on a journey back in time to ancient Egypt, The Horizon of Khufu is a fun, educational activity suitable for 8 and up, located in Montréal’s Old Port. Strap on your headset and you’ll soon be travelling through time and space to experience one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as you uncover the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza and witness the funeral rites of an Egyptian king. Designed to allow players to physically move and interact with a shared virtual reality space, history buffs travelling in groups of two or more will have their headsets synced so they can share the experience together in real time. A unique way to learn about one of history’s most fascinating time periods, The Horizon of Khufu will leave you feeling as if you were truly there 4, 500 years ago. 

Zero Latency 

Located not far from Plaza St-Hubert and Jean Talon Market in Montréal’s Petite-Patrie neighbourhood, Zero Latency will take your VR experience to the next level with its 200 square-meter space designed to allow players to move freely while immersed in an ultra-realistic virtual environment. With a library of 6 award-winning games to choose from, you and your friends can work together to fight zombies, challenge the laws of physics, or fight in a post-apocalyptic battle — the choice is yours.