Live Music

Even in gaps between the big festivals like Osheaga and Jazz Fest, Montreal is still an excellent city for seeing music. In Mile End, La Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent Blvd.; 514-844-4227; lasalarossa.com) fits 250 for shows that range from reggae to flamenco, with the odd screening and poetry reading thrown in for good measure. Its sister venue, Casa Del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent Blvd.; 514-284-0122; casadelpopolo.com), is a free-spirited cafe-performance venue hybrid, where you can, say, get a vege-pâté sandwich and hear some spoken word. Theatre Fairmount (5240 Ave. du Parc; 514-563-1395; theatrefairmount.ca) is a historic venue that brings national/international acts like Hot Chip to Montreal, and also hosts local stars, like Rufus Wainright. In Little Italy, Bar Le Ritz (179 Jean-Talon O.; 514-274-7676; barleritzpdb.com) is the go-to spot for homegrown acts, DJs, and dancing.