The Bulletin: A beer garden thrift market, too many DJs, and race weekend at an art gallery? [Issue #133]

It’s F1 weekend in Montreal, which means two things: traffic’s a nightmare, and the party invites won’t stop: Velvet ropes and rooftop bottle service for some, and events happening elsewhere across the city for others—think textile art in a century-old sewing shop, an all-vinyl radio fundraiser, and a scent club deep-diving into the world of tea.

You’ve also got queer circus confessions, techno behind a gallery, zine launches, open-air concerts, block parties, and yes, more DJ sets than any one human can reasonably handle. Whether you’re all for espresso martini or Carib beer, there’s something on the calendar that’s going to make you stay out too late.

Also this week: the city clamps down on noise and Airbnbs, garbage is messy, and Montreal makes the case (again) for why we’re more than just a good time.

Scroll down for food pop-ups, cultural deep cuts, and every excuse you need to be out of office until Monday.

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Thursday

📻 n10.as radio hosts a free-entry house party station fundraiser at Système, featuring an all-vinyl line up of non-stop house music.

🎧 Pied-du-Courant turns up the heat as La Rama Records takes over the decks for a night of underground electronic grooves by the waterfront.

🎪 Le Monastere presents “Confessions,” a four-part benefit performance in collaboration with Circus X inspired by intimate confessions of queer transformation, desire, and doubt.

🎥 The Korean Film Festival Canada hosts a groundbreaking retrospective of Gina Kim’s “Comfortless” Trilogy, blending VR, cinema, and sound to confront silenced histories of militarized gender violence.

📷 Maison Keï Akai opens “Damier,” an entirely black-and-white exhibition inspired by the checkered Grand Prix race flag featuring contemporary artists, photographers, and designers.

Friday

🎉 The McCord Museum turns its alley into an after-hours celebration of Montreal’s urban life at “Reclaim the Street,” featuring street dance workshops, DJ sets, art unveilings, and access to four exhibitions.

🎊 Festival sur le Canal brings live music, great food, and family-friendly fun to the banks of the Lachine Canal for a weekend-long local festival.

🎶 DJ Twitch is up next at DJ Night at Le Central, a series keeping energy high every Friday in June with dance floor-ready sets by local legends.

🖼️ Florence Rivest takes over Livart’s courtyard for a dreamy, nature-inspired exhibition entitled “Are We There Yet?”.

🎟️ Tickets for Mai/son’s Something Fest, a community-led venue crawl music festival featuring local artists happening in July, drop at midnight.

💕 Club Unity launches Lesbians on the Roof, a 7-10 p.m. rooftop soirée exclusively for lesbian and queer women before the club opens its doors as usual for the night.

Saturday

🇭🇹 Kamuy throws Chef Paul Toussaint’s a high-energy birthday party in true Caribbean style, complete with DJ beats, dancing, and community celebration.

🏎️ DJs, dogs, beer, and beats await as FOIL Gallery’s AM:PLIFIED block party returns for an F1 weekend edition. 

⚽ GOAL x VDMSL’s Jersey Party offers a celebratory lineup of food, drinks, and a live match screening in support of local youth initiatives.

🌸 Chimie invites fragrance lovers to explore the world of tea through scent and taste at a Scent Club community session blending olfactory play and storytelling.

🪴 L’Îlot presents a sun-soaked garden dance party behind Le Peacock, offering DJs, drinks, BBQ, and 15% off plants with ticket purchase.

🧢 Messorem turns up the volume with a stacked DJ lineup alongside a pop-up thrift market featuring local vintage gems.

🌌 Suoni Per il Popolo celebrates 25 years with a free open-air concert under the stars at Théâtre de Verdure, featuring Black Ox Orkestar, Matana Roberts, and more boundary-breaking artists.

🎂 Drop by The Page’s garden launch party at Osmo x Marusan for cake, music, and nostalgia in abundance.

✏️ Livart hosts a rooftop drawing and meditation workshop with Florence Rivest, inviting participants to reconnect with nature, the self, and others through mindful observation.

Sunday

🎲 Celebrate Father’s Day with an all-ages game day by Halte Ludique at Brasserie Harricana, offering everything from fast-paced cards to strategic board games.

🦋 Monk en fleurs transforms Monk Boulevard into a neighbourhood party with family-friendly activities, ecological kiosks, and a magical butterfly release.

🥳 Bonne Famille wraps up MURAL Festival with a free open-air block party featuring a 7-DJ lineup on the Saint-Laurent Stage.

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WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

Moût Vins brings a second edition of Buvette Express to Haute Saison, pouring standout cuvées by the glass alongside a buvette menu on June 12.

Sip and sway at June Buvette’s jazz night on June 12, offering smooth live sets and $6 rosé.

Champagne, caviar, and vinyl: this “tastefully intimate 5à7” on June 12 by Opulant Affair at Salon Badin offers a custom cocktail menu and 5 rare Persian caviar tasting bites set to a warm selection of vinyl.

Cup offers all you can eat pad thai on Thursdays as of June 12, starting at only $25.

A bold URBANIA x Zab strawberry co-fermented coffee collab featuring notes of strawberry jam, iced tea, and lemon is now available for purchase.

Pasta Pooks is throwing a throwback-style block party on June 15, popping up in their own restaurant with real-deal Italian poutine, raspados by @ariadnacontreras, and a few surprises—Coach can’t wait to kick it with everyone.

Muni kicks off Grand Prix Weekend with a race-themed, no-cover hangout on June 13 featuring 5 à tard cocktails and $10 happy hour specials.

Café Mosa orchestrates a MURAL Fest takeover on June 13 with free coffee and culture sessions on Belmont Terasse, featuring specialty coffees, live performances, and DJ sets.

Savsav brings Beigne Habitude’s cult-favourite donuts to Saint-Henri, now available in the café on weekends.

Vinorama hosts a Lebanese wine discovery night in collaboration with Sienna Wines, featuring a pairing menu of classic Lebanese dishes by Lulu Epicerie for a celebratory exploration of Lebanese flavors on June 13.

Bar Mamie celebrates 5 years with a weekend-long program of music, food, and wine galore for a festive and family-friendly birthday party running from June 13 to 15.

India Rosa spices up F1 weekend with a limited-edition discovery menu served across locations on June 13 to 15, blending bold flavors and refined textures for an elevated dining experience.

A race-weekend brunch party at Auberge Saint-Gabriel offers a luxurious pop-up meal on June 14 with a menu by Bagatelle Miami, plus the option to keep your table post-brunch for bottle service.

FRNDLY RMNDRS and Palomino team up for a free-entry pizza party on June 14, soundtracked by local DJs and stacked with slices, drinks, and afternoon heat.

New Italian spot Balboa has opened in Old Port, serving up wood-fired organic sourdough pizza in a warm, contemporary atmosphere.

Pumpui hosts a back-patio fish n’ chips pop-up by The Byrd Family for a Newfoundland-style comfort meal of fried fish, onion rings, and beer floats on June 14.

An afternoon barbeque of lamb chops, mushroom skewers, and burgers–plus cake–awaits at Nolan on June 15 to celebrate three years in business.

Maneki announces its closure on June 15, inviting loyal customers to swing by for one last bite while supplies last.

Enjoy brunch with a side of dance at Espace Yambae’s Brunch Salsero on June 15, featuring a free salsa workshop alongside a delicious meal.

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

June in Montreal is stacked with festivals, food events, and riverside parties—from street art on Saint-Laurent to open-air jazz and pierogi picnics in the park. Read more.

After 100 years in business, H. Fisher & Fils reopens as a museum on Saint-Laurent, preserving Montreal’s garment legacy through stories, artefacts, and art. Read more.

Club Balattou has been the heart of African music in Montreal since 1985—more than a venue, it’s a launchpad, a refuge, and a global institution. Read more.

Renzo opens in the Mile End with 14 sandwiches, retro design, and a mission to become a neighbourhood fixture—not just a passing trend. Read more.

Momiji brings elevated sushi and yakitori to Royalmount, blending bold flavours, sleek design, and a dining experience built to win over skeptics. Read more.

After last year’s F1 fiacsco, Montreal must prove itself as a host city, with officials planning to improve amenities, operational efficiency, and regulatory policies for this weekend’s race. Read more.

The Plateau is proposing new noise rules to balance nightlife and resident concerns, but critics say enforcement power still rests too heavily with police. Read more.

Police are cracking down on rising bar and restaurant extortion, arresting 13 suspects after a wave of violent attacks linked to protection rackets. Read more.

The city's fallen short of waste diversion targets, with nearly half of landfill-bound trash still compostable or recyclable, despite growing participation in green bin programs. Read more.

Montreal’s new urban plan could double building heights in central neighbourhoods, allowing four-storey buildings on streets lined with duplexes. Read more.

Are we surprised? Locally and nationally, nearly half of our elected officials own rental properties, raising concerns that housing policies reflect investor interests more than tenant needs. Read more.

Artists vs. AI: Quebec artists call for regulations on artificial intelligence, arguing measures must be taken to protect human creativity and ensure fair compensation. Read more.

Expect ongoing disruptions to your commute as the STM continues negotiations over the strike, though more details regarding service have been provided. Read more.

Time to embrace taller, denser developments across the island, as towers up to 28 storeys are planned in outlying areas like Langelier and Saint-Léonard. Read more.

New bylaws are here to limit short-term rentals to summer months only, aiming to crack down on illegal listings and ease housing pressure. Read more.

Future Simple Studio challenges the limits of architecture with designs rooted in essential forms, elemental materials, and a refreshingly multidisciplinary edge. Read more.

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And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

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👋 Masthead: Philip Tabah, Founder & Head of Creative / Daniel Bromberg, Co-Founder & Head of Operations / Jean-Philippe Lauzon, Co-Founder & Head of Tech / JP Karwacki, Managing Editor / Amber Spector, Social Media Manager / Anahi Pellathy, Editorial Intern