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P’tit Ours and La Toscadura bring new blood to Montreal's live music and social scenes

With affordable booking and DIY ethos, the latest venues in the city are giving local artists something rare: a place to play.

Gladys Bonyad

Gladys Bonyad

April 1, 2025- Read time: 6 min
P’tit Ours and La Toscadura bring new blood to Montreal's live music and social scenesPhotograph: Francisco Cuto Reed / @cutoreedgallery

Places featured in this article:

Casa Del PopoloLa Sala RossaLa SottereneaLa ToscaduraP'tit Ours

Casa del Popolo, along with its sister venues La Sala Rossa and La Sotterranea, have been mainstays of Montreal’s independent art and music scene since the early 2000s. Hosting both established and emerging talents from an array of subcultures and genres, each venue provides its own no-frills, hassle-free and energy-packed space that’s been integral in shaping the Plateau as the local indie hub it is today.

In response to the growing demand for music venues in the city following closures over the last few years, the Casa del Popolo family has taken two new venues under their wing: La Toscadura on Boulevard St-Laurent, and P’tit Ours reviving local musician Martha Wainwright’s venue Ursa on Parc Avenue with a new name.

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