Ryan Battistuzzi's Favourite Things in Montreal

For over 20 years, Studio Economik has been the go-to spot for Montreal’s pro-audio community, catering to home producers, major studios, and concert halls alike. Specializing in high-end recording gear, they’ve built a reputation not just for top-tier equipment, but for unmatched expertise and service—the kind that turns first-time buyers into lifelong customers.

Unlike big-box retailers, Studio Economik doesn’t push hype or upsell unnecessary gear. Their team of specialists knows the industry inside out, offering honest recommendations and hands-on support to help you find exactly what you need—whether it’s a vintage channel strip or a cutting-edge audio interface. With competitive pricing, fast shipping, and a no-BS approach to quality, it’s no wonder this shop is trusted by engineers, producers, and institutions worldwide.

For over 50 years, Diplomate Musique has been Montreal’s go-to shop for guitarists who actually care about what they play. Tucked into Little Italy, this family-run boutique is the city’s only Fender Custom Shop Showcase Dealer, and the only spot in Quebec with a dedicated Taylor Guitar Room.

Founded in 1972, Diplomate has evolved with the times, trading mass-market inventory for a high-end, carefully curated selection of instruments. The shop is staffed by working musicians and luthiers, meaning you’ll get expert advice, top-tier service, and no pressure to buy. Whether you’re after a custom Fender, a Gibson with history, or just a solid setup from their in-house luthier, Diplomate is a shop that treats every musician—beginner or pro—with respect.

Few venues in Montreal have as much heart—and as much sweat—as L’Escogriffe. Known to regulars as L’Esco, this low-lit Plateau haunt has gone from a country bar to a rock ‘n’ roll institution, hosting garage, punk, and underground rock acts that often play to packed, beer-soaked crowds.

The space is intimate, loud, and built for bands who can actually play—if they can sound good here, they can sound good anywhere. The drink prices are solid, the terrace is a hidden gem, and the vibe? Unfiltered Montreal grit, the kind that’s getting harder to find. Catch a show here while you still can.

Turbo Haüs offers Montrealers a vibrant DIY venue for musicians and community to collide. Evolving from its earlier incarnations, this place balances its own edgy charm with inclusivity, with features including cheap food and drinks alongside a reliable performance space.

It’s also a hub for eclectic events—think live performances, trivia nights, and comedy shows—all curated to appeal to a broad audience. Whether you’re a punk fan, a local student, or someone exploring the city’s cultural offerings, Turbo Haüs provides a welcoming environment for connection and creativity.

Tucked beneath La Sala Rossa, La Sotterenea is the most underground of Montreal’s underground venues—literally. Opened in 2018 by Kiva Stimac and Mauro Pezzente, the minds behind Casa del Popolo and La Sala Rossa, this low-lit basement space leans into its DIY ethos with couches, a pool table, and a floor-level stage that keeps the energy raw and immediate. It’s a room built for discovery, hosting emerging acts and cult favourites like Thelma and Moonface. The building itself has a long history as a gathering place, originally built in 1932 by the Workmen’s Circle, a Jewish socialist organization, and later becoming home to the Club Espagnol de Québec upstairs. In a city where venues are constantly under threat, La Sotterenea keeps the spirit of independent music alive—unpolished, unpretentious, and just loud enough.

Le National is, in a word, a survivor.

Opened in 1900 as North America’s first professional Francophone theatre, it quickly became the city’s go-to for grand productions and razor-sharp musical revues, mixing burlesque, melodrama, and a little political bite. The likes of Rose Ouellette, Juliette Pétrie, and Grimaldi made their names here, solidifying its place in Quebec’s entertainment history.

As TV took over in the ’50s, Le National struggled, cycling through stints as a neighborhood cinema, a Chinese movie house, and even a gay theatre. But in 1997, it found new life under the Larivée Cabot Champagne banner, becoming the venue locals know and love today where indie darlings, rock icons, and festival favourites—think Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, and Cœur de Pirate—share the stage. With a capacity of 575 seated or 757 standing, it’s an intimate yet electric space that hosts Just for Laughs, Nuits d’Afrique, and POP Montreal.

Whether it’s concerts, comedy, or live tapings, Le National remains a cornerstone of Montreal’s live arts scene—proof that a century of history doesn’t mean slowing down.

There’s something about flipping through crates at Death of Vinyl that makes time irrelevant. Maybe it’s the unmistakable musk of old cardboard sleeves or the thrill of stumbling onto a long-lost pressing you didn’t even know you needed. Open since 2007, this Little Italy staple of a record store is a haven for those who still believe music sounds better with a bit of surface noise.

Stocking everything from rare jazz cuts to obscure Italo-disco, local punk relics to 12-inch dance classics, Death of Vinyl caters to both the casual collector and the kind of obsessive who can name every pressing of Blue Train off the top of their head. Their approach? No gatekeeping, no snobbery—just a deep love for vinyl and the people who spin it.

Beyond the bins, the space fosters a community where recommendations flow as easily as the needle drops. With listening stations, staff who actually know their stuff, and an ethos that values discovery over exclusivity, Death of Vinyl remains a rare breed in the city’s record scene. Whether you’re digging for hidden gems or just soaking in the atmosphere, you’ll leave with something—if not a record, then at least a conversation that sticks.

In Little Italy, Pizzeria Napoletana has been serving Montrealers more than just pizza since 1948—it’s been a cornerstone of community, tradition, and memory. Once a humble café for billiards and card games, it became a sanctuary for Italian immigrants, offering a taste of home in an unfamiliar land. Over decades, this family-run spot has transformed into one of Montreal’s most beloved BYOB institutions, preserving the warmth of shared meals and the simplicity of Italian cooking.

The menu stays rooted in tradition, with recipes that haven’t strayed far from their origins. You’ll find garlic knots, meatballs honouring nonna Girolamo, and Rocco’s homemade sausages, alongside a lineup of pizzas and pastas that cater to classic tastes. Whether you’re going for the signature Margherita or venturing into antipasti like burrata with artichoke cream, the flavours are grounded in the kind of nostalgia only family recipes can bring.

Once the industrial artery that fueled Montreal’s rise, the Lachine Canal is now where the city slows down—at least for a few kilometers. Cutting through Griffintown, Saint-Henri, and LaSalle, this stretch of water was once jammed with cargo ships and lined with factories, but today, it’s where cyclists, joggers, and kayakers carve their own routes through the city.

The bike path is legendary—one of the best urban rides in North America, leading straight from Old Montreal to Lachine’s waterfront parks. In the summer, it’s a parade of picnics, rollerblades, and boats drifting past converted red-brick warehouses that now house cafés, breweries, and lofts. Winters are quieter, with frozen-over stretches that locals use for skating or simply walking along in crisp solitude.

It’s a place where the city meets the water, where Montreal’s industrial past still lingers in rusted rail bridges and old silos, but where the energy has shifted—from hard work to leisure, from production to play. Whether you’re paddling, pedaling, or just sitting by the locks with a beer and a bagel, the Lachine Canal is where Montreal catches its breath.

Perched on the banks of the Lachine Canal, Terrasse St-Ambroise showcases McAuslan Brewery’s finest creations. This laid-back beer garden is a favored spot for locals and visitors seeking a refreshing break; the ambiance is relaxed, and the laid-back vibe is enhanced by views of the canal and the Canada Malting factory. Complemented by classic bar food and wood-fired pizza available from Thursday to Sunday, Terrasse St-Ambroise is a perfect summer retreat for beer enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.