Downtown Montreal bars fighting noise complaints; city offers $2.1 million plan
With summer-like weather making an early arrival and the easing of public health restrictions, the music is ringing out again at Brutopia Bew Pub on Crescent Street.
And so are the noise complaints.
The small venue is caught in an ongoing battle between people who want to party and nearby neighbours who want to sleep.
"We literally run around at 11 p.m., close all the doors and windows and shush people outside and just cross our fingers that Brutopia can keep offering great entertainment," said the pub's general manager, Jeff Picard.
"They're super miserable, the police hate it. We're just doing what we're supposed to do exactly where we're supposed to do it."
The City of Montreal is trying to find a solution with a new $2.1-million roadmap that to strengthen the nightlife scene. As part of the plan, the Valerie Plante administration is setting aside $1.4 million for a subsidy program to help some music venues soundproof their halls.
"We want people to be able to sleep but we also want to support small venues, which are part of Montreal's nightlife," Mayor Plante said at a news conference Monday.
It's an industry the city is now focused on reviving in the hopes of helping Montreal reclaim its place as a party destination.
"It's part of the DNA of Montreal for years. Before the pandemic, it was the case ... and we want to convince people to come here," said Luc Rabouin, mayor of Plateau-Mont Royal.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: How’s Montreal’s nightlife scene doing now that most restrictions are gone?
More than 20 per cent of tourists who come to Montreal come for the nightlife.
Part of the City of Montreal's plan to revitalize the nightlife industry is a first-of-its-kind event at the Society for Arts and Technology where there will be no last call this weekend. The bar will stay open for 29 hours straight.
Mathieu Grondin, event producer, DJ and co-founder of MTL 24/24, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of nightlife in Montréal, said organizers will have safety measures in place and first responders on site for the special event.
If all goes smoothly, the city says there could be more overnight events like it.
Meanwhile, Picard said he doesn't want the 3 a.m. last call to change for venues like his and would rather see changes when it comes to zoning.
"Stop building small condo developments on top of big venues or noisy businesses," he said, hoping that his message is heard loud and clear.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.