What to Do on a Rainy Day in Montreal

It’s hard to beat the excitement of watching a movie in a packed theatre, which is an experience that feels increasingly rare. But duck into the cinema on a rainy afternoon, and you can get pretty close.

For a selection of indie and international films in both French and English, Cinéma du Parc and Cinéma Public are both well-loved destinations for cinephiles. If you’re craving some nostalgia and looking to catch some old classics on the big screen, La Cinémathèque québécoise offers a new program every month full of cult favorites and deep cuts. Founded by a group of cinephiles and film producers in the 60s, its devotion to preserving cinema can still be felt today through its curated gallery.

Kitsch à l’Os has eight rooms full of vintage trinkets and retro-inspired items, each with its own distinctive vibe. Merchandise hangs from the ceiling, and sits inside kitchen hutches. Whether you’re looking to shop or simply admire the displays, Kitsch à l’Os is the place for the perpetually curious.

Le Magasin General du Vieux Montreal located in Old Montreal may come off as a tourist-y spot given its location, but has two floors packed full of kitschy items, from embroidery kits to socks, that you risk knocking over with your bag. Walk three minutes around the corner and you’ll find Kuriosity, another shop to get lost in, with its fair share of souvenirs, but also vintage rotary phones, license plates, and antique cameras.

Four guys came together in 2012 to found Randolph Gaming Pub, with the namesake of their pub being Alex Randolph, considered the father of modern game design. At Randolph Pub Ludique, the concept is simple: you tell the host what kind of board game you’re looking for, and let them surprise you with recommendations from the pub's extensive collection. They can provide you with a simple deck of cards or special edition of Azul.

If good food is an important factor for you, then try Café Yvonne, serving unique desserts and sandwiches. For a more intimate ambiance, check out Le Colonel Moutarde’s, whose brick walls and warm lightning make it an inviting place to spend a rainy day.

There’s something truly unbeatable about enjoying a good book while it rains outside. But if you’re tired of sitting around the house, then it might be time to bring that book someplace else.

La Grande Bibliothèque is the city’s most popular library, and for good reason: five floors, located in the heart of downtown, offering a vast selection of reads and library cards for all residents of Quebec. For a more scenic experience, Boisé Library, located near Marcel Laurin Park in Saint-Laurent, has large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the trees. The Westmount Public Library is one of the oldest in the country, which is made evident through its beautiful architecture designed by Canadian architect Robert Findlay. It even has a greenhouse attached, letting you experience a bit of the outdoors while staying dry inside.

The Underground City lets you bounce from shops, restaurants, and museums spanning over 33 kilometers without ever once stepping foot outside. The pedestrian system, which keeps growing since its conception in 1962, connects 10 different metro stations from Place-des-Arts to Lucien-L’Allier, making it accessible from wherever you may be looking for refuge.

The Underground City’s tunnels take you from Place Montreal Trust to the Eaton Centre, Les Cours Mont-Royal, and Complexe Desjardins. From there, visit the Musée d’art Contemporain de Montréal, play a round of bowling at PLAYBOX Center, or watch a movie at Cineplex Scotiaband Theatre. There truly is no better place to get lost in.

Café Aunja is an Iranian cafe and tea house near Concordia, whose menu offers both classic and reimagined herbal teas and tisanes, along with Iranian breakfasts and omelettes. Its lower-level location on Sherbrooke Street, string lights, and dark wood features wrap you in for the ultimate comforting escape from the rain. Café Orr in Rosemont also serves as a nod to the laid-back, living-room style cafe that feels increasingly rare, and sometimes offers film screenings.

Another spot worth visiting is Crew Collective & Café, whose bright lights and expansive layout contrast the cozy atmosphere of Café Aunja. Located in Old Port’s Royal Bank Tower built in the 1920s, its breathtaking architecture and hearty brunch options make it the perfect spot to kill a few hours.

If the Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts has not been crossed off your list yet, now is your chance. In addition to their permanent collection, the MMFA’s curations and program are constantly evolving, with workshops, film screenings, and family-friendly activities. If your rainy day just so happens to land on the first Sunday of the month, entrance for Quebec residents is free.

For those who grew up around here, you may remember visiting Pointe-À-Callière on an elementary school trip, but it remains a staple for archaeology and history enthusiasts out there. And for those into science, the Montreal Science Centre, which offers creative and interactive exhibitions for kids and IMAX film screenings, is just a 5-minute walk away.

Listening bars make enjoying and discovering new music the main act of the evening, bringing together the average daily music listener with seasoned DJs and sound curators. Spend some time in one, and you’ll certainly leave with at least one new song added to your playlist. Le Vinyl Bar located in the W Montreal Hotel features a collection of over 3,000 vinyls in a dark and moody atmosphere, perfect for the analog lover.

For a daytime option, check out Cafe Gotsoul, founded by Montreal-based DJ Jojo Flores. Cafe Gotsoul is an audiophile's dream: an impressive collection of rare and vintage soundsystems line the walls and thousands of vinyls are set atop tables and tucked into crates. Its menu also warrants the visit, blending your usual staple beverages like espressos and lattes, with snacks like Italian biscottis and Portuguese natas.

Nouilles de Lan Zhou in Chinatown doesn’t complicate things, but you’re left feeling satisfied every time. You can choose from seven types of noodles, a range of warm broths, and side salads – there is no wrong option. It is a must-visit for quality, hand-pulled noodles, and is always worth the wait. For a comforting bowl of Vietnamese soup, Restaurant I AM Pho or Pho Anni have got you covered with their flavourful pho.

If you need a little extra heat, Bawarchi Indian Cuisine and Rendez-Vous Bistro serve both mild and spicy curries to suit every spice tolerance. Or, on a completely different note, maybe what you need instead is fondue at La Fondue Du Prince in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

What better way to escape the bad weather than with an actual escape room? Échappe-Toi specializes in scenarios inspired by Montreal’s rich culture and over 350 year old history. Expect challenges bearing the names of The Cursed Lovers of Saint-Laurent, The Cursed Treasure of Hochelaga, and of course, The Fantom of the Forum.

Prison Island offers a different take on escape rooms with over 30 smaller cells to escape, and for fantasy fans, Vortex Montréal’s rooms pull inspiration from blockbuster favourites such as Fantastic Beasts and Stranger Things.

The Saint Michel Flea Market has been an institution for decades. Open only Fridays through Sundays, the market brings together over 150 vendors selling all kinds of treasures. There’s no saying whether you’ll be walking out with a 1920s antique Tiffany Lamp or a Bart Simpson collectible figurine from the ‘90s.

If you’ve got lots of time and patience, and are looking for a real bargain, the Renaissance Kilo Ferrier might be more your speed. True to its name, you pay by the weight, hunting through bins overflowing with people’s unwanted stuff – and while gloves are not required, they are strongly encouraged.

Mosaic Art Studio was founded by artist Musa and partner Ibrahim, with the goal of sharing the craft of Turkish mosaic art. Today, the project has expanded worldwide, with a Montreal location right in the heart of Côte-des-Neiges. Book a reservation and leave with a unique mosaic lamp or candle holder. To create something you can sport every day, The Silver Studio lets you make customized jewelry with silver clay and gemstones, where not one finished piece will look exactly the same. For a project that will add some coziness to your space, try your hand at tufting at Beyond Fun Ateliers.

While most of these places require reservations, if you’re lucky, you just might be able to snag a walk-in.

Montreal’s skate scene never sleeps, even when the weather forces Montrealers indoors. Le TAZ in Saint-Michel is open to wheel riders of all kinds, whether you’re using a scooter, rollerblades, bike, or a skateboard. Complete with a cafe, pro shop, and areas to sit and spectate, it holds the title of the largest indoor skate park in Canada.

For the younger crowd, the JM Court in the Plateau is a non-profit organization dedicated to its mission of creating a safe and welcoming environment for beginner skateboarders to practice: boards and helmets are available, along with a modest entrance fee.

It’s always a good time to stop by a bookstore and pick out a new book, whether it becomes your next read or ends up sitting on your shelf for the next couple months (or years). Sporting a bright blue storefront, Encore Books & Records is a haven for pre-loved books. Their floor-to-ceiling shelves are full of great finds, from philosophical criticisms to gritty vintage thrillers.

1000000 Comix has been giving comic book fans the same rush since 1989 with their expansive selection of graphic novels and collectible cards. If you’re near Mile End, Librairie Drawn & Quarterly is also worth visiting for the latest releases.

With the resurgence of arcades in recent years, you no longer have to resort to the run down spot inside your local bowling alley with an out-of-order air hockey table.

North Star Pinball was founded by Adam Kiesler, self-proclaimed pinball obsessive and competitor. The bar offers an impressive selection of both old and new pinball machines, with a jukebox to complete the vintage vibe. Arcade MTL is your place for a classic arcade experience, with Pac-Man, Street Fighter, and other vintage games. To entertain a group of all ages with a wide range of interests, Les Trois Monkeys has an arcade, bowling, mini-putt, and resto-bar, making it an easy way to fill up your entire afternoon.

The city is bursting with art, lining the metro stations and sprinkled in parks. When the weather doesn’t permit you to admire art from the outdoors, check out one of the following indoor art galleries, each with a stamp of approval from artists and curators.

Arsenal Art Contemporain Montréal and Art Mûr are staples in the city for art enthusiasts and amateurs alike. If you’re near Old Montreal, head on over to PHI, which, in addition to being an art gallery, also includes a theatre and performance space. Not too far from the PHI is The Sacred Fire Productions Cultural Space, highlighting Indigenous artists and their crafts. A final shoutout goes to USINE 106U, known for its quirky and eclectic collection of art.

The Quartier des Spectacles is a hub for theatres presenting a variety of shows, which means there’s no shortage of new plays and unique live performances to discover. Most famously, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is the place for performances ranging from musicals and comedy sets, to ballets and cine-concerts. Nearby, Théâtre St-Denis hosts musical comedies and French adaptations of English Broadway musicals.

Catch a show at Maison Théâtre or Théâtre du Rideau Vert, both specializing in local Quebecois theatre. And for something even more local, the Centaur Theatre puts a strong emphasis on Montreal’s culture.

Open every day from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Piranha Bar is a staple downtown, whether you’re looking to be enveloped by a big crowd full of rowdy singers, or simply play a game of pool. Resto-Bar La Maisonnée has got you covered for those wanting a full meal and chance at singing in front of a crowd in the same spot. And for a place dedicated solely to the art of karaoke, 3 Minots boasts an impressive list of songs to choose from its laminated binders and an elevated stage for the full effect.