The Bulletin: Divan Orange Returns, Oktoberfest Comes Early, Antiquarian Books, and a Party in the Wing Noodles Parking Lot [Issue #200]

Morning, Montreal.

And what a morning it is: I’ll try not to gush too much, but it’s hard to believe we’ve reached the milestone of 200 issues of the Bulletin.

One of the weird (and slightly masochistic) points of pride we have about the Bulletin is that we have published this newsletter every week without fail. Really. Whether it’s a slow week, or a holiday, no snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night kept us from sending this out.

That’s 1,393 days, or roughly 45 and a half months, or just shy of 3 years and 10 months, of publishing our newsletter and sending it out to Montrealers direct.

And it has grown: On behalf of everyone at The Main, I want to thank the readers that have been with us for the whole ride, the readers who hopped aboard along the way, and the readers who have just joined us. You are the reason why we do this.

Now, let’s celebrate! Maybe you saw the reason why we kept asking readers to save the date for October 1: We’re holding our second-ever party by and for Montrealers and launching a special edition magazine, The Last Good Weeks. This book of the harvest features farmers, chefs, Italian canning traditions, argicultural history, a seasonal eating guide to Quebec, and more.

We’re excited to see you there.

Come join us, say hi, eat, drink, and grab a copy of our special edition magazine.

Thanks again for being here with us. Lots more to come.

— JP Karwacki, Managing Editor

In Partnership with SAT

Making Time Makes Its Return: October 3

Philly’s iconic music festival hits Montreal for the third time, with Olof Dreijer (The Knife), Dopplereffekt, and more, spanning two rooms. The experience, co-curated by founder Dave P. and SAT’s Alexandre Auché, aims to immerse its audience in an environment of audiovisual art.

The Editors' Picks

The places our editors keep coming back to. Every one has earned an editorial badge.

From wine bar to deli, we’re recommending a range of eateries and watering holes. Some pair smoked meat with coffee, others vintage bottles with small plates, or tea with a side of hookah. If you want to fit in some movement between each spot, we’ve also included a padel club and pilates studio.

Discover these spots and more of our favourites in our mapped Directory.

If you think somewhere in Montreal deserves a closer look, we want to hear from you! Send an email to hello@themain.com. We read everything you send.

In Partnership with MAPP_MTL

The city is MAPP_MTL’s canvas, and we are the artists. This fall, MAPP_MTL celebrates the 10th anniversary of its International Projection Mapping Festival, taking place from September 29 to October 4. From installations downtown and in Old Montreal to a three-day block party and chances to project your own creations, the event unites art, community, and the city.

We've put together a complete guide to this year's events, so you know exactly what to do, where to go, and when to be there.

One Story to Read This Week

Across Vancouver, Central America, and Taiwan, Kevin Ledo embarked on an artistic Odyssey that concluded back home in Montreal. In this article, the artist behind some of the city’s most iconic murals including Leonard Cohen downtown explains his relationship to public art and discusses what’s shifting in Montreal’s creative ecosystem: How do rising rents and displaced communities impact creativity and art? What does it mean for Montreal, a place so rich in culture?

Thursday

🎤 POP Montréal, a not-for-profit international indie music festival, is taking over music venues across the city, reviving iconic spots like Divan Orange for a limited time. Get tickets here.

📖 The International Literature Festival continues, featuring concerts, performances, lectures, screenings, and more.

🛋️ The new Cozey store is hosting its official opening, with sandwiches from Renzo’s, beer from Messorem, cocktails, music, and more.

🚲 Starting today, during the UCI Road World Championships, three Montreal organizations collaborate for four days of group rides, coffee, pastries, and celebration.

🖼️ “Wing’s Block” comes to the MEM, with a panel discussion discussing the collective vision to transform the “Wing’s Block” into a Chinatown cultural anchor, and a launch party in the Wing Noodles’ parking lot.

🎤 Shaboozey comes to Place Bell to perform his Outlaws Never Die Tour, with BigxthaPlug and Noeline Hofmann. Tickets here.

🎞️ Catch Cinéma Public’s screening of Nostos: Il Ritorno, a re-interpretation of the myth of Ulysses.

🀄 Chinatown Youth Montreal is throwing its second of eight autumn Mahjong nights, with snacks and drinks provided.

Friday

🧑‍🎨 Culture for All’s three-day-long Journées de la culture kick off, celebrating culture in its many forms through thousands of activities organized by professional artists, craftspeople, teachers, cultural workers, and more.

🎪 The Cabaret All Stars unites the artists and acts that have had the most impact on Le Monastèr, with a contemporary circus show.

🖍️ MAPP Montreal brings The Station of the Future, a digital creation station, to the park, allowing visitors to create their own animations and drawings that are then projected on neighbourhood buildings at night.

🥁 Native Montreal is hosting a drum circle to celebrate the fall equinox, with a home-cooked feast.

🖼️ Stop by “Draft,” an exhibition inspired by the UCI Road World Championships, by Lucas Lajoie and LeBicar.

🚲 Strap on your helmet for a group ride with Zwift, cycling the streets of Montreal with a special guest.

Saturday

🏒 The Montreal Canadiens’ preseason continues with games against Ottawa.

🧑‍🎨 Collectif Créatif MTL throws the first weekend of its Autumn Market, with over 100 different artisans across food, art, jewelry, candles, ceramics, and more.

🖼️ PASSEPORT is back for its 9th edition as part of Journées de la culture. The event roams through Saint-Henri and Little Burgundy, with artists at various stops creating a work of art in each visitor’s blank passport.

📸 Filipinos of Montreal and photographer Jono Ruddy Terrie are hosting a Photowalk. Bring a photo-taking receptacle and yourself—no experience needed.

🪩 Ferias is having its first-ever FERIAS TIL SUNSET, with a party until 11 p.m. made for everyone, featuring DJs from New York, Detroit, Chicago, and of course Montreal.

🎈 Quartiers des Spectacles is throwing a neighbourhood party, with food, music, activities, and more, for the whole family.

🎈 Bâtiment 7 throws a festive day dedicated to community, creativity, and craftsmanship, featuring art exhibitions and installations, workshops, tours, screenings, markets, and more.

🖼️ The Museum of Fine Arts presents Rémanences, an audiovisual performance set within two installations, following a discussion with the artists.

🌱 Hamidou Horticulture and Grand Potager celebrate a decade with a full day of festivities, including workshops, walks, a cinq à sept, and a moon circle.

🎈Duluth Avenue is throwing a block party, with second-hand shopping, sales, plants, books, food, and music.

Sunday

👠 Montreal Fashion Week wraps up with a clothing swap, an exhibition, a forum, and a closing-night celebration.

📖 The Montreal Antiquarian Book Fair is coming to Concordia University, with more than 25 booksellers from Quebec and Ontario offering rare books, first editions, and other great finds.

🥮 Nirvana Montreal is celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with mahjong workshops, music, food and drinks, art, and more.

🚲 The final race of the UCI Road World Championships will take place throughout the city, with the Men’s Elite division competing for gold.

🎤 La Vie Run Club brings the culture to Pas des Probleme, in collaboration with MIC’D UP MTL, for a 5k run and open mic.

🎈 Coco Disco Club is throwing a birthday block party with BBQ by ikigai, wine, and cocktails.

🖼️ Galerie Fais Moi L’art is showing The Courage to be Yourself, an exhibition by artist and Batik Boutik designer Maya Amoah, as part of Montreal Fashion Week.

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Presented by Climate Hearth

Build resilience, find community, and turn your eco-anxiety into action at this weekend of events. IMMERSION is a free, bilingual, kid-friendly, weekend-long event dedicated to exploring eco-anxiety, meeting others who feel the same way, learning supportive tools for coping, and feeling empowered to fight for our future.

Hosted by Climate Hearth | Foyer pour le climat, a registered non-profit organization, IMMERSION is jam-packed with enriching discussions, an eco-arts workshop, an urban biodiversity walk, a policy brainstorm, presentations, workshops, activities for kids, and more.

Register and learn more.

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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.

Head to Bar Darling for its Oktoberfest, featuring special beer selections, now until Sunday, October 4.

Bar Suzanne turns 9 years old, and to celebrate, it’s having an outdoor BBQ and bar during the Duluth Ave. trade fair. Thursday, September 24, starting at 5 p.m.

Plaza Wunderbar is throwing its first-ever Oktoberfest, from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 4, with live music from the group VIEUX MUZICH.

Mano Cornuto is in collaboration with cycling brand Colnago for an aperitivo event at the Piazza di Mano on September 25, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Frangos Montreal is serving up beats and bites on September 25, with $5 drumsticks, $5 ribs, and $5 poutine.

Maisonneuve Market gets festive for Oktoberfest, with two days of local beer, good food, music, and activities. Saturday, September 26 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., to Sunday, September 27

Oktoberfest Montreal is hosting the second weekend of its inaugural edition at Parc Jean-Drapeau from September 25 to 27.

The Invasion Cocktail Festival returns to Montreal with a cocktail-filled lineup, including a workshop, bar crawl, and lots of tastings. The event runs until September 26.

Le Petit Italian is throwing a pasta party as a sendoff to its original owners, before new owners take over. September 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Drink and draw at Supernat, with an evening of local vintages, hosted by Le Vin dans Les Voiles. September 26 from 6 p.m.

Brasserie Reservoir throws a party for its 24th year. A new bottled beer, collaborations, and more… September 26 from noon to midnight.

Frozen bucks, icy martinis, fun daiquries, and more. On September 26, Prince Pub is collaborating with Loaded for a night of surprises.

As part of Negroni Week, Restaurant Bruce is making a special Botanist Negroni, celebrating the classic cocktail and raising funds for charity. Available until September 27.

Burger Fiancé will shutter its doors on September 27, serving its vegan burgers, cocktails, mocktails, and desserts for the last time.

La Panzeria and Icehouse are coming together for an end-of-summer bash, with focaccia and brisket. September 27, from 5 p.m. ‘til sold out.

Coco Disco Club turns one! Celebrate with a five-course dinner, featuring four guest chefs from some of Montreal’s favourite restaurants. Sunday, September 27, first service: 5:45 p.m.; second service: 8:45 p.m.

Jiao Dim Sum Bar celebrates 8 years with booze, brunch, & hip hop. September 27, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mon Lapin heads to sister restaurant Rôtisserie La Lune as the first stop on its Northeast cookbook tour on September 27.

Espace Old Mill x Frankies, of Burlington, VT, collaborate on a locally sourced dinner, breaking down borders. Friday, October 2. Book your spot here.

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Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of our stories from the past week, plus the latest local news.

Don’t forget: The Main is marking the peak of harvest season with a party and a new special-edition zine to pick up while you’re there. Get all the details here.

Among 30 national finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2026, Montreal has four. It’s a more modest showing than last year’s nine, but exhibits range nonetheless, from Haitian-Texan barbecue to a yakitori counter. Read more.

Independent perfumeries are having a renaissance here in Montreal. Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen an uptick in artisan perfume houses, fragrance festivals, and a commitment to scent as art. Read more.

For three of the city’s Dominican restaurants, cooking for homesick compatriots is only half the job. Read more.

Café Cadence brings Japanese baking and ‘80s design into Chinatown, with sandos, matcha, and seasonal lunches on the menu. Read more.

What’s after run clubs? Group dancing. From queer line dancing to beginner ballet, these spaces offer an alternate way in to the world of fitness. Read more.

Eleven years into running their Villeray café, the founders of Ferlucci talk through what’s kept it going and what’s coming next. Read more.

After Shein’s Montreal pop-up in August, Renaissance’s CEO has a pointed question for shoppers: once ultra-fast fashion falls apart or goes out of style, who bears the cost of disposal? Read more.

Downtown Montreal still has almost no street food, thanks to a 2015 by-law. New York’s simpler, higher-volume system illustrates the difference. 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 / Whitney Domingo, Community Manager / Anahi Pellathy, Producer / AnnaClare Sung, Junior Staff Writer / Saskia Wodarczak, Editorial Operations Coordinator