This story is adapted from an original article from March 2, 2026 in URBANIA, an online magazine based in Quebec focused on pop culture and society.
Wedged between a seemingly endless stretch of wedding dress boutiques, one storefront stands out on Plaza Saint-Hubert.
Billed as "the first independentist citizen-café in Quebec" by posters plastered across its window and inspired by Catalan independence resistance networks, Club Pays comes from the Organisations unies pour l'indépendance (OUI Québec), a non-partisan organization. The café was conceived as a "third space" for sovereigntists, somewhere to nurture grand ideas for a province they hope to one day see become a country.
A standard café by day, the space hosts all manner of independentist events come evening: shows, open mics, reading circles, and lectures. Profits will be reinvested into the organization's activities.
Finish “The Separatist Cafe Where All Are Welcome”
The Main is Montreal's city magazine. We write the stories about this city nobody else is telling.
We're independent and reader-supported. Your support keeps us going.
Your email costs you nothing and opens the rest of this story now. It also means the next one reaches you on a Thursday, instead of disappearing into a feed.
No password. No payment. Opens instantly.
Already a member? Sign in















Comments
Welcome to The Main's comments section!
Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.
No comments yet. Be the first!