The idea of extending the legal sales hours of alcohol for on-site consumption in certain sectors of Montreal raises reservations among artists and bar owners.
If some people wonder if it is really worth keeping their establishment open all night, others wonder how much it will cost them or if such a policy will not oust revelers from the famous underground parties of the Metropolis.
In March, the City of Montreal held public consultations on a draft nightlife policy whose objective is to attract tourists and reinvigorate the local economy. Thus, the municipal authorities wish to “allow the adaptation of the opening hours of businesses to optimize the commercial offer and stimulate economic activity in lively neighborhoods at night”.
“There’s not much good that happens after 5 a.m.,” agrees Sergio Da Silva, owner of the popular Turbo Haus bar, located in Montreal’s entertainment district.
In recent years, the city has sometimes allowed Turbo Haus and other bars to sell alcohol beyond 3 a.m. With each opportunity, the establishment and its employees made more money. Being able to stay open after 3 a.m. is a fun way to extend the night “when the timing is right,” Da Silva says.
He doesn’t want his establishment to still be open after 3 a.m. because by that time, customers have already done what they need to do. “They are too intoxicated or too drunk. It’s a good time for everyone to go home. »
In recent years, Montreal sometimes allowed businesses to stay open all night, notably during the annual Nuit Blanche.
For example, Casa del Popolo, an establishment located on Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, closed at 5 a.m. during the last Nuit Blanche in February. Owner Mauro Pezzente says he didn’t make much money, but it was easier for him to close his business because everyone was ready to leave.
“No one was loitering. Nobody was complaining. No one asked for an extra drink,” says Mr. Pezzente.
The famous underground Montreal parties, illegal and often inexpensive, have existed for several decades. It’s even an open secret.
Da Silva worries that if alcohol sales are permitted for 24 hours more often and in more locations, it could eliminate these underground parties.
“When money is involved, we start calling the police to deal with the troublemakers,” he says. When you invest in an event, you don’t want to organize one of those nice, authentic underground parties. We want people to come to his sponsored rave. »
Tara Halkiw, a 19-year-old turntable player, says many young people don’t go out because they don’t have enough money. If nighttime events are affordable and accessible, demand will be high.
But if the event is sanctioned by municipal authorities, it will not be affordable.
Tara Halkiw, DJ
In 2020, MTL 24/24 published a report comparing Montreal and two other cities famous for their nightlife, Berlin and Amsterdam. The brief predicted that if the percentage of tourists coming to the Quebec metropolis increased from 22%, as was the case in 2019, to 33%, this would inject up to 676 million into the local economy,
Liz Houle, of the Montreal promotion/production group KickDrum, says the number of theaters is lower than demand. So, if a place presents two concerts on the same evening, it is difficult to attract people for the first show when it starts around 6 p.m., she mentions.
“If nightlife could expand a little, a concert could end at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. We could present two groups on the same evening in a more sensible way,” underlines Mme Swell.
A spokesperson for the Plante administration indicated that the report on the public consultations should be published in June, as planned. According to him, all participants will be satisfied.