The Bulletin: There's only one place you need to be this weekend [Issue #138]

We’re not saying skip the Vietnamese night market. Or the lock-and-paddle canal takeover. Or the rooftop fight screening, queer clothing swap, guided Mile End tour, or museum anniversary party.

You should absolutely do all of that.

But on Sunday? There’s only one party that matters: Our block party.

We might sound like a broken record, but good things are worth repeating: We’re teaming up with Bar WILLS, La Spada, DJ HIDI (Hideyuki Imaizumi), and DJ JoJo Flores to say thank you—for reading, sharing, showing up, and helping this whole thing grow.

It’s friends, family, familiar faces, good drinks, great food, and a few surprises. Dogs welcome. Vibes essential.

RSVP here. Come find us.

Now here’s the rest of what’s happening this weekend.

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

Thursday

🏛️ The MEM celebrates the first anniversary of its permanent Montréal exhibition with free museum entry all day—come explore the city’s story.

🌙 Place Publique returns to Old Port with the first in a program of “bodies at play”-themed festive Thursday shows: expect outdoor performances, book launches, DJs, food, and drinks. (CHANGED TO FRIDAY DUE TO RAIN)

😂 Just For Laughs is back with two weeks of comedy, big names, hidden gems, and festive, funny nights all over Montreal.

🎶 Shows de Ruelle Hochelaga brings music, beer, street food, and neighbours together in Parc Morgan for its 8th summer edition.

🍜 Bassin Peel lights up this weekend for Chợ Đêm MTL, an open-air Vietnamese night market complete with street food, shopping, and cultural activities—for some festival highlights, check out our guide.

Friday

🎧 Zmagrya takes over Bar Pamplemousse for a free late-night party featuring North African DJs spinning Maghrebi house, pop, raï, chaabi, afrobeat, amapiano, and more.

📚 Scatterbrain Magazine hosts a free reading party in Parc La Fontaine from 3–7 p.m. Chill, read, and soak up the summer vibes with fellow literary and zine lovers.

🗺️ Explore the history of Saint-Laurent Boulevard with a 90 minute pay-what-you-can guided walking tour by Mémoire du Mile End. 

🎸 Truck Violence plays a free, all ages outdoor evening show on Ave Van Horne alongside Tachyon and Mellonella.

🎭 Kick at the Rialto Theatre dives into the chaos of adolescence with raw energy and biting humour, performed by a passionate collective of emerging Montreal artists. 

🌳 Favourite Library presents Common Ground, an outdoor evening of live music, meditation, and community.

Saturday

👗 Spiked Theatre hosts a queer clothing swap at Bar Champs: Bring 10 funky pieces, take 10, and only $2 at the door. 

🎨 The Global Art League kicks off at the Montreal Art Center, showcasing works from international artists in a juried competition

🚣‍♀️ Lock and Paddle returns—paddle out in your brightest gear at the Lachine Canal for this free canoeing and kayaking event.

🥊 Honey Martin Pub hosts The Greatest Fight Extravaganza, screening the Usyk vs. Dubois heavyweight championship on the terrasse projector with BBQ bites from NDG Luncheonette, tunes by Penelope Ponytail, and a Shane Murphy Band afterparty.

🎤 Bar de Courcelle throws down a Battle of the Bands featuring Wave and Wire, whatcolor, Photobomb, and 2Badd—audience crowns the winner.

Sunday

🚨 With all due respect to everything else that's happening in the city on Sunday, there is only ONE PARTY you should be going to: Our block party.

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.

Industry night hits the Burgundy Lion on July 17 and every second Thursday, with DJs, happy hour prices, and a lively atmosphere.

Restaurant Paloma chefs pop-up at Pinôt Boutique Hôtel on July 20 for Cin Cin, an evening of summer classics and wine pairings—guests can opt for dinner only or stay overnight at the hotel. 

Vinorama hosts Gringo Bingo on July 17: Dress in tropical vacation wear for four rounds of bingo, prizes, special wines by the glass, and bottle discounts.

Dispatch Coffee and the Canadian Centre for Architecture offers a guided visit to the Centre’s summer exhibit on July 19, with a film on architect Carla Juaçaba, a Brazilian coffee tasting, and a discussion led by Dispatch’s founder.

Porte à Côté opens on Promenade Masson, offering a relaxed café-buvette experience with a seasonal menu built around shareable plates.

Bad Bones Beer celebrates the opening of its new taproom on July 19, pouring fresh beers, serving pizza, and welcoming guests into the new space.

Foil Gallery throws its first summer BBQ on July 19 with burgers by Lebicar, music by Charles Cozy, and beers from Wills.

Le Kikid and Bona Fide team up for a Baos & Beer pop-up on July 20, serving 300 fluffy baos alongside beers and wine. First come, first serve!

Mellon Brasserie hosts a funky neighbourhood BBQ on July 20, with DJs, dancing, merch, ice cream, and lemonade at Grillades & Grouillades.

Verdun Beach turns five on July 20 with morning yoga on the street, then an early afternoon block party: natural wine, shrimp rolls, $2 oysters, alcohol-free drinks, DJs, and plenty of good vibes.

Entre Deux teams up with La Pica Chilenita to serve empanadas and margaritas on July 20, raising funds for Goal Initiative.

Auberge Saint-Mathieu and Le Mousso join forces on July 21 for a one night only collab menu: two teams, eight courses, $150, in Saint-Mathieu.

Satay Palooza continues at Atwater Market with a Buboy x Chops Wunda pop-up on July 21: Filipino eats, halo-halo, drinks from Satay Brothers, plus a DJ on deck.

Le Grand PoutineFest returns to Old Port from July 16 to August 3, with food trucks and restaurants dishing out everything from duck confit to mac ’n’ cheese poutines alongside live music.

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

Burnout culture worships speed—meet the Montreal pasta chef who swapped inbox overload for slow dough, and found rebellion, rest, and real connection in the process. Read more.

Saint-Léonard’s Fringale food fest is back—20 restaurants, $8 plates, and a flavour tour that’s more community story than foodie stunt. Read more.

The social enterprise built by Syrian refugee women Les Filles Fattoush now has a permanent boutique at Jean-Talon Market. Read more.

More than 3,000 people danced under the sun at ROYALMOUNT for Croissound, proving Montreal’s party scene is changing fast—and early. Read more.

Denis Villeneuve reflects on Dune: Part II, directing Chalamet and Zendaya, and making blockbusters feel intimate. Read more.

Montreal wants to build dense, walkable neighbourhoods instead of heat islands and sprawl—but rising costs, red tape, and developer resistance could stall the dream. Read more.

After nearly 20 years on St-Laurent, Blue Dog is closing July 19—becoming the second venue on the block to shut down following persistent noise complaints from a single neighbour. Read more.

Montrealers may be the most demanding diners in Canada, but they also tip better—just don’t give them cold food or a rude server. Read more.

Last weekend’s flash floods exposed the growing strain on Montreal’s storm infrastructure—and why basement living may be the city’s biggest vulnerability. Read more.

Montreal’s YKK factory, the only one in Canada, produces every part of a zipper from scratch—serving clients from Hermès to Hydro-Québec with high-performance fasteners built for luxury and extreme conditions. Read more.

Eugenie Bouchard will retire from tennis at this year’s National Bank Open in Montreal, closing a trailblazing career that redefined Canadian women’s tennis. 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