The Bulletin: Jazz fest, sexy-ed cinema, secret speakeasies, and one very important RSVP [Issue #135]

Before we get into this weekend’s chaos, some very important news about the next one: The Main is throwing its first-ever block party—and you are invited.

Yes, you. If you’re reading this, it means you’ve been following our work, and we want you to be among the first to know.

It’s our way of saying thanks—for reading, supporting, sharing, and showing up. So we’re bringing together some of our favourite people we’ve met along the way: Bar WILLS, La Spada, DJ HIDI (Hideyuki Imaizumi), and DJ JoJo Flores.

Also on the guest list? A full cast of characters from stories past, present, and future alongside friends, family, and our favourite dogs.

Come out, say hi, grab a drink and a bite, and party with us!

RSVP here—and save the date: July 20.

And now, back to our regular scheduled programming.

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

Thursday

🎷 The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal kicks off, taking over the city with 10 days of shows and over 350 performances–many of them free!

📖 Saint-Henri Books sets up shop at Le Plongeoir for a book bar hang complete with curated summer reads, a bookish crowd, and a literary-themed cocktail on deck.

🎛️ L’Afterjazz Vinyl Jams takes over the second floor of the Maison du Festival nightly during Jazz Fest, with top local DJs spinning jazz, house, hip-hop and more until 3am.

💋 Club Sexu teams up with Cinéma du Musée for a “Coming of age”-themed edition of CinéClub Sexu, a monthly mystery film night exploring sex and intimacy, followed by conversation and cocktails.

🎬 Cinéma sous les étoiles returns for the first of nearly 40 free outdoor doc screenings across 18 Montréal parks, mixing social and political cinema with post-film conversations.

Friday

🎸 AMPLIFIED takes over Oasis Immersion with a 360° audiovisual tribute to musical legends from Bowie to Aretha, pairing rare footage with surround sound for an unforgettable immersive experience.

🇰🇷 La Semaine Coréenne returns with a Jeju Island theme, featuring traditional games, K-pop performances, and authentic eats at Bassin Peel through the weekend.

Saturday

👠 GABA collective presents SubCouture 02, a bold underground fashion show spotlighting emerging Montreal designers with the industrial backdrop of Espace Transmission.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga, Pilates & Sun kicks off at Parc Arthur-Therrien for the first open-air workout of the season with mats provided, good music, and all levels welcome.

Sunday

🔥 The first edition of Beats n BBQ offers a full afternoon of hip-hop, R&B, funk, and soul DJ sets, plus on-site BBQ by Dobe & Andy at the Abreuvoir terrace.

👟 The Museum of Jewish Montreal presents Pioneers of the Picket Line, a walking tour led by expert Melanie Leavitt that traces the radical history of women in Montreal’s garment industry.

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From custom campaigns to sharp, story-driven features, we collaborate to make sure your message lands—with the right people, in the right way.

Want to work together? Contact partnerships@themain.com

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.

Vignoble L'Ardennais hosts a lively 5 à 8 with Comptoir Moutarde on June 26, complete with outstanding tacos, delicious wines, and a festive, dog-friendly atmosphere.

TAVA and Birbante team up for a night of food, art, and music on June 26 featuring live painting, a special menu, DJ set, and limited-edition merch—no reservations required.

Sample Quebec’s top cider offerings at Soif de Cidre, running June 27 to 29 with crowd favourites, fresh releases, and ciders ranging from funky and natural to sparkling and sweet.

Lecavalier Petrone hosts a strawberry-themed pop-up on June 28 with an all-strawberry dessert menu of donuts, pavlovas, tarts, lemonade, and more.

Le Boulevardier welcomes Top Chef France alum Jeremie Barroco on June 27 for a one-night-only five-course dinner, blending bold tradition with modern finesse for a refined culinary experience.

Sans Taverne throws a 7th birthday bash on June 27 with two fresh collab brews, BBQ on site, and a night of dancing, games, and good chaos.

Plant-based Jamaican pop-up CocoYam takes over Star Bar on June 28 with signature doubles, green plantain chips, and a house-made lime & moringa tonic.

La Finca debuts a summer drink menu featuring a sparkling mango matcha and house-brewed iced tea infused with jasmine, blueberry, ginger, and lemon for the perfect seasonal refreshments.

Péché Glacé throws a full-blown block party on June 28, celebrating its 20th anniversary and new Jean-Talon location with free mini cones, music, sunshine, and sweet summer energy.

Le Dépanneur Comptoir celebrates two years on June 29 with an afternoon of wine and friends featuring grillades, new cuvées from Lieux Communs, and all the good vibes—drop by Duluth from 2PM for an afternoon of wine and friends.

Kanien'kehá:ka culinary project Iawekon pops up in Little Italy Park on June 29, serving Mohawk burgers from 1pm until they’re gone.

Felix Boutique and Bossa host a courtyard block party on June 29—expect sandwiches, cocktails, a live DJ set, and a surprise merch drop.

Lou’s hosts a pop-up dinner with Café Gentile on June 30, offering West Islanders a first taste of the soon-to-open Gentile location with a special set menu.

Satay Brothers welcomes Chef Anderson Lee for SatayPalooza at Marché Atwater on June 30, with guest chefs, outdoor eats, and great music continuing every Monday night through the summer.

New Plateau spot Café Tere has opened its doors, offering coffee, smoothie bowls, and fresh pastries in a cozy, sunlit space from the team behind Innocere Yoga.

Beloved Japanese spot Nozy reveals a new location after 10 years, inviting fans to stop by before doors close at its Saint-Henri location on July 13.

Street Monkeys celebrates its 8th birthday on June 30 with $8 daiquiris, a new summer menu drop, and lots of festive energy.

A secret new cave-themed speakeasy is coming soon: Mona Loa has “no address, just a vibe” and recently celebrated a soft opening.

A taco competition is heating up across Montreal from June 30 to July 6: Da Best Tacos Festival invites you to visit, taste, and vote for best taco out of 15 participating spots—post and tag them for a chance to win 100 tacos!

After 15 sweet years, Rhubarb closes its Laurier shop on July 13 and reopens this fall as a catering-focused atelier near Atwater Market.

Beignes Frost’d lands in the West Island with a new location serving up fresh, fluffy donuts.

Île Flottante now offers live music and a full à la carte menu on Tuesdays for a new weekly series, Tuesdays Unplugged.

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

The Rialto Theatre has dodged developers, disco balls, and decay to become one of Montreal’s last great movie palaces—still standing, still glowing, still full of life. Read more.

Montreal’s coffee scene is brewing with personality—these 28 new cafés prove it’s not just about caffeine anymore. Read more.

An old upholstery shop on Parc Avenue becomes a quiet stage for tattoos, tradition, and one man’s fight to rebuild his life—stitch by stitch. Read more.

Montreal rents have jumped nearly 71% since 2019—StatsCan says we’re leading the country, but not in a good way. Read more.

Denis Villeneuve (!) is officially directing the next James Bond film. After reinventing sci-fi with Dune and Blade Runner 2049, he’s now set to shake (not stir) the spy genre. Read more.

You can belt out karaoke at a dep—Dépanneur AJ+ is doubling as a mic-dropping hangout on the Main. Read more.

Montreal’s old NFB HQ is set for a revival—with 700 housing units (half non-market), green space, and art studios—but critics say affordability and access may still fall short. Read more.

Montreal’s Canada Day Parade is cancelled for the second year running—organizers blame city strikes and red tape, while the city says no permit was even filed. Read more.

Montreal artists held a funeral march for shuttered music venues—saying noise bylaws and gentrification aren’t just killing shows, they’re killing culture. Read more.

Montréal’s $300K self-cleaning toilets were supposed to modernize downtown sanitation—instead, nearly all are out of order as summer crowds roll in. Read more.

Volunteerism is slipping—Canada’s giving less time and fewer hands, with inflation and burnout to blame, but Montreal groups say the spirit’s still alive. Read more.

Russell Crowe’s been eating his way through Montreal—shouting out tacos at Frida, Thai on St-Denis, and a hidden Italian terrasse downtown. 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.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.

👋 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