Montreal Weekender: March 9 through 11, 2012

We are expecting a warm and sunny weekend in Montreal, so we wanted to get you walking outdoors and enjoying all that our city has to offer. The theme this weekend is celebrating Montreal as a cosmopolitan hub with lots of places to explore, linger, and experience. So for young professionals looking to get out and celebrate the city they live in, this weekender goes out to you.

Start on Friday night with after-work drinks in the lobby bar of the W Hotel. This continues to be the place to be when it comes to attractice wait staff, cool patrons, and a sleek modern atmosphere. Afterwards, gather up a bunch of friends, your favourite wine, and head by foot to Steak Frites on St. Antoine, one of the best-bring your-own-wine French restaurants in the city. This spot is hot for big parties, and the food is excellent as well. We recommend going simply for the steak and frites; after, you will be heading out again by foot to Cherry Bar on St. Pierre in the old port for a night full of dancing and continued beverage indulgence.

Saturday, sleep in a bit and head to Dilallo Burger in St. Henri for the ultimate hangover cure – a Dilallo Burger. Famous for their amazing burgers and fries, this is where you will find cool St. Henri locals nursing their (potential) hangovers as well.  From here, head to the downtown core for an afternoon of art at Musee des Beaux-Arts, the city’s most important fine arts museum.

From there grab a coffee at Cafe Myriade and then head home for a nap. For dinner on Saturday night, go for some classic Montreal ribs at Baton Rouge, quite possibly serving the best ribs in the city, if not the province. Be prepared to get a little dirty but fear not, it’s worth it. For the rest of the evening, nestle in at Vauvert in the St. Paul Hotel for some lounge-style fun, great cocktails, and a cool crowd.

Hit up brunch Sunday in Old Montreal at Le Cartet, but expect to wait a little. Spend some time walking it off along the waterfront, taking in the sun and newfound warmth. For a mid-afternoon snack, grab a detox smoothie at Liquid Nutrition on Guy and Maisonneuve and then grab a late afternoon flick at the Scotiabank Theatre on St. Catherine.

Photo courtesy Le Cartet