A Montreal Bachelorette Party City Guide for the Cultured Group
The province of Quebec, Canada, is home to the island of Montreal, a city that gives visitors a peek into France without the long flight across the Atlantic. With adorable cobblestone neighborhoods and beautiful European-style architecture, a Montreal bachelorette is an incredible idea, and it's not all that far away from the East Coast of the US.
Beyond its postcard-worthy neighborhoods, Montreal delivers on culture, nightlife and food (beyond poutine) in a big way. This is a city where you can start your day with a delicious croissant, spend the afternoon exploring art galleries or parks, then dance until dawn in one of its trendy clubs. If you're looking for bachelorette party cities that offer culture and exquisite culinary experiences, this destination along the Saint Lawrence River should be highly considered. Have a look at our guide below for the best Montreal bachelorette party ideas and start planning your adventure, stat.
In this article:
- Montreal Bachelorette Party Ideas and Themes
- Montreal Bachelorette Party Itinerary and Activities
- Places to Stay in Montreal for a Bachelorette Party
- Montreal Bachelorette Party Nightlife
- Expert Montreal Travel Tips
Montreal Bachelorette Party Ideas and Themes
There are many activities in Montreal to suit every type of interest. If the bach party group is overrun by foodies looking to explore all of the local markets or there's a deep appreciation for art, there are endless things to do during a Montreal bachelorette party.
Explore the exceptional culinary scene
For food lovers, Montreal is an amazing place to visit. It has a terrific culinary scene that matches the height of culture. Montreal has a selection of markets like the Jean-Talon Market established in the early 1930s. Located just south of downtown Montreal, simply look for the clock tower and you'll find a market with plenty of butchers and vendors selling everything from fresh flowers to produce. Explore the area with an inside source through the Local Montreal Food Tours.
Experience the arts
If you're into art, there may be no better place to see some stunning, Canadian pieces than in Montreal. You can browse through Graffiti Alley on Duluth Ave W., behind St-Laurent. Explore the murals in Montreal, sprinkled all over the city. If the group is looking for a fine arts gallery, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a worthy choice.
Get outside
If your besties prefer being active and spending time outdoors, Montreal has a lot of great things to do. With it being an island, you can kayak nearby with La Route de Champlain on the Rivière-des-Prairies. There's plenty of hiking nearby, a welcome escape from the city for natural immersion. You can also hike up Mont Royal (the "mountain" Montreal is actually named after) for gorgeous views of the city.
Try something new and exciting
An enthralling experience to consider is signing up for circus classes at Trapezium - Le Château De Cirque. Bold groups will learn how to navigate the flying trapeze. For others, the Sports de Combats has a variety of activities like combat archery, and even a "rage-cage" room where you and your besties can smash and wreck things. (An instant stress reliever when planning your wedding!)
For the Young at Heart
For the young at heart, the La Ronde Amusement Park, open seasonally, has rides for you and your girls to enjoy while in Quebec. The group can also spend time at the Montreal Action 500 Karting and Paintball, a spacious indoor arena with paintball fields, kart tracks and laser tag.
Montreal Bachelorette Party Itinerary and Activities
When planning out your Montreal bachelorette activities, sprinkle in a little bit of everything. Enjoy the local culinary culture, take in stunning street murals, experience nightlife and maybe even work in a trapeze class. (All are great for social media.) Here's a sample Montreal bachelorette party itinerary for a memorable celebration you'll all love.
Day 1
Morning: Begin your day with coffee from your hotel or local coffee shop. Then head over to the Jean-Talon Market on Henri-Julien Street. Established back in the early 1930s, the market is labeled one of the most sizable and oldest open air markets in North America. Settled in the Little Italy neighborhood, you will find fresh seafood, pastries, chocolates, produce, spices, cheeses, meats, flowers and so much more.
Afternoon: Just about a three minute walk from the Jean-Talon Market is the Trapezium - Le Château De Cirque. Before indulging in all the treats you just bought at the market, try a new activity like a flying trapeze class under the guidance of helpful instructors. The entire crew can even sign up for a private class. After the class, look through Graffiti Alley along Duluth Ave W to take in the vibrant art scene locally. Explore murals throughout the city by talented artists like Chris Dyer, Zïlon and Kevin Ledo to name a few.
Evening: Venture back to your hotel or rental to get ready for an evening out. Dinner tonight is at Jellyfish Montreal, the perfect ending (or start) to the evening. Enjoy plenty of fresh seafood like ceviche and crudo while taking in the ambiance and high ceilings. Toast to a successful first day of your Montreal bachelorette party.
Day 2
Morning: If you're hungry, start the day at the Atwater Market near the Lachine Canal. The Atwater Market is centrally located for cheesemongers–because if cheese is a priority for your group, this is where you'll want to stock up for your evening pregame.
Afternoon: After indulging in the market, take the group and their sneakers for a hike up Mont Royal. Though less strenuous than some of the other hikes across the city, it's a great bonding activity and accomplishment for a bach party.
Evening: After showering and relaxing at your hotel, get ready for dinner with wine and an impressive charcuterie board (ahem, cheese please!) from Atwater. Once everyone is set to go, dinner is at Restaurant Bonaparte. The gourmet French restaurant is an incredible way to deep dive into the cultural scene in Montreal. Enjoy unique dishes like seafood flavored with vanilla, rabbit confit wrapped in a phyllo pastry puff with red wine sauce, and more. End the evening with a night on the town with the crew at a fun dance spot like Le Système (their sound setup is 10/10).
Day 3
Morning: If you plan to stay an extra night, the group should sleep in to prepare for the day ahead. Start with an indulgent brunch by taking the group on a whirlwind experience with the Local Montreal Food Tour. This walking tour will help you and your group discover special places within various neighborhoods in the city. It's a great way to try a few things across a multitude of establishments.
Afternoon: After the tour, stop at the Sports de Combats for some unique games. You can check out the smash room or engage in a Nerf battle if your group loves to laugh.
Evening: After the excitement, head home to get ready for a night out with Montreal Nitelife Tours. Hiring this company means no cover charges, no lines, VIP access and more perks at some of the city's finest restaurants, lounges and nightclubs. They have the inside scoop, and can plan out an epic night for you and your girls, so you don't have to stress about it.
Places to Stay in Montreal for a Bachelorette Party
There are some truly beautiful places to stay during a Montreal bachelorette. When picking your hotel, Vrbo or Airbnb, there are plenty of options across the city that can cater to every type of group.
Best Montreal Bachelorette Party Hotels
W Montreal: The W Montreal has a variety of room types, from suites to standard options for guests. In addition to the hotel's affordability, there's a spa, fitness center, three different bars within the hotel and they even hire DJs regularly. It's also within walking distance to entertainment options and restaurants in Montreal.
The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal: The Ritz is always a good idea. You know you're going to get incredible service, plus there are quality amenities for guests like a spa, afternoon tea service and an indoor saltwater pool with beautiful views of the Montreal skyline.
Le Mount Stephen: Le Mount Stephen is a boutique hotel in Montreal with luxury rooms and amenities. There are floor to ceiling windows, specially designed beds and rainfall showers to make guests comfortable. There's a spa, in addition to their own restaurant, with British influences called Bar George.
Hotel William Gray: This stunning boutique hotel is a fab option for bach groups who want to be in Old Montreal, where the streets are cobblestone and you really get a taste of Europe. With a restaurant, two rooftops terraces, a luxury spa and more, you'll have more than enough for a luxurious weekend stay.
Best Montreal Bachelorette Party Vacation Rentals
Villa Dante By Denstays: Just a three minute walk from Jean-Talon Market, this gorgeous stay can accommodate up to eight guests. It's located in Little Italy, which has a ton of restaurants, cafes and bars to explore during your Montreal bachelorette.
Plateau Apartment: With enough space to sleep up to 12 guests, this apartment in Montreal is located in the hip 'n' happening Plateau neighborhood. Fairmont Bagels (arguably one of Montreal's best bagel spots) and Lafontaine Park (which you should definitely stroll through) are just short walks away.
Luxury Old Port Apartment: If you'd rather stay in the picturesque, cobble-stoned streets of Old Port, consider this luxurious apartment. It can sleep up to eight guests, with plenty more room for entertaining.
Montreal Bachelorette Party Nightlife
Montreal is full of delicious restaurants and booming nightlife, suitable for any kind of personality. Maybe strip clubs aren't your thing, but you're looking for a fun night out with bottle service. Perhaps you'd like to avoid chain restaurants, and you want to deep dive into the culinary culture in the city.
Best Montreal Bachelorette Party Restaurants
Restaurant Bonaparte: The gourmet French restaurant is known for its exquisite dishes. Mushroom Ravioli perfumed with fresh sage, pear and tarragon sorbet, breast of duck flavored with maple syrup and wild berries, and roasted rack of lamb and port wine jus are just a few that come to mind.
Jellyfish Montreal: With high ceilings and creative dishes with a European and Asian flair, Jellyfish is a highly rated option for a nice night out. Enjoy light dishes like tuna or scallop crudo followed by a seafood ceviche, among other dishes.
L'Express: This little Parisian-themed bistro is perfect for a quick bite. The café is Parisian-inspired. Take in the setting while the group snacks on beat salads, smoked herring, bone marrow, pate, confit duck leg and more.
Perché: With a solid five-star rating on TripAdvisor, Perché is in Old Montreal, on the fourth floor of a building with views of Place Jacques-Cartier. The menu is a mix—gourmet Mediterranean and Asian with ultra-fresh, premium ingredients. What makes this place cool is that it's a giant terrace you can hang out on even if it's raining (it's equipped with a retractable cover and heating), so no contingency plan required.
Best Montreal Bachelorette Party Bars
La Voûte: If you're looking for a good spot with beautiful high ceilings and great nightlife, check out this 1920s bank vault, now filled with DJs playing music you can dance to. Open on the weekends, check out The Night Cabaret La Voûte which includes plenty of shows and performances, some quite unusual and different.
Bord'Elle Boutique Bar & Eatery: This Asian and French fusion restaurant offers some truly delicious cuisine. After dinner, you can enjoy some elegant cocktails or fine wines. Look into their Nightclub Reservation with bottle service if your group wants to live it up like VIPs for the evening.
Montreal Nitelife Tours: If you're looking for a way to avoid having to plan anything and take the stress away from your night out for your bachelorette party, Montreal Nitelife Tours can put together a really epic package for you and your group. They not only plan out a perfect night depending on your needs, involving anything from strip clubs and restaurants to night clubs and VIP treatment, but that also takes away any cover charges and lineups, getting you some of the best tables and hosts available.
Le Système: Le Système is the type of place you can grab delicious dinner at, then carry on through into the late night for a proper dance party. They have live DJs and a killer sound system, so if you want a quintessential Montreal night out, go to this spot. It's closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Expert Montreal Travel Tips
Traveling to Montreal for a bachelorette doesn't have to be difficult. There are plenty of airlines with direct or connecting flights into the city, in addition to other options.
Best Airlines Flying to Montreal
A lot of major airlines fly into Montreal including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, United, Porter and more. Air Canada offers direct, nonstop flights from New York City that are about 90 minutes in air. Flights from Los Angeles are a little over five hours. Financially savvy groups will be pleased to find they can apply credit card points to certain airline carriers.
Flying isn't the only option: those based across the New York metropolitan region may want to look into the Adirondack Line on Amtrak. This train travels through the scenic Hudson Valley into Montreal.
How to Get Around
If you can drive into the city and your hotel or Airbnb has parking, then you should be able to easily access everything across the city. Otherwise, Montreal is like every major city. You can easily experience various neighborhoods by foot or via public transportation like the Montreal Metro and bus transportation. Uber and other rideshare programs are also great options for groups.
Other Considerations
Before traveling, request Canadian notes from your bank as you'll want to keep the exchange rate in mind. Currently, every Canadian dollar is worth $0.73 USD. Unlike some other countries, where the US dollar is favored, many places won't accept US cash. That being said, most shops and restaurants accept debit and credit cards, so you don't need to take too much money out—just enough for picking up little things at artisan markets, food stands and cover for certain night clubs.
Brittany Barber contributed to this article.