Be there, do that

Eight new Montreal nightlife locales to check out

by LORRAINE CARPENTER, SCOTT C and RAF KATIGBAK

L'Ambassade
361 Emery, 842-1418
With its dark and organic feel, this minuscule corridor of a pub has become one of the best places to grab a relaxing brew and soak in the sounds of some of Montreal's top and up-and-coming DJs. Since opening in July, the owners (of Refuge Electronik fame) sought to offer an oasis of electronic music in the Quartier Latin and have so far succeeded. Fridays with the Autist are always crazy and the Electronic Tuning nights on Sundays are for the more sonically adventurous. If you like the backlit Italian stained-glass alcove tucked away in the back, you'll love the loungey second-floor expansion coming this fall. (LC)

Le Chill
6511-A St-Laurent, 274-2659
Every weekend since its opening in January, this Mile-End recording studio has transformed into a "weekend space for the creation and diffusion of various artistic expressions using new technology in a multidisciplinary manner under all its guises." Which means, among other things, a place to throw crazy techno dance parties. With a legal capacity of 100 and a no-alcohol bar policy, this not-for-profit, artist-run afterhours stays open from Friday night to Sunday morning non-stop. With its intimate atmosphere, ever-changing décor and fully equipped DJ/VJ booth, if you're looking to host a private event or your own all-night rave party, look no further. (RF)

The Electric Tractor
6674 Esplanade, 270-8208
Indie bands, get your motor running to a new venue. Last April, five neat guys from Sarnia moved into an old Esplanade electric company on the corner of St-Zotique and set up a screenprinting business, a printing press, a recording studio and a darkroom. Despite their hefty homework, they've found the time (and, no doubt, the monetary motivation) to book and promote shows for local and touring bands, averaging about a show a week since June. The 120-capacity space has hosted the likes of les Georges Leningrad and the Gossip. (LC)

Kafeïn
1429 Bishop, 904-6969
Concordia hangout by day, lounge bar by night, this is one of the rare downtown nightspots that serves food (and offers hookahs) late - paninis and salads are available on the second-floor café from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays, noon to 3 a.m. on weekends. Local art adorns the walls on the second floor, and the space is sometimes reserved for vernissages and Concordia-related events. The comfortable, intimate downstairs bar, designed and developed within the past year, features modern lounge music, mild-mannered trance (Thursday) and wide-ranging electronic sounds (Fridays). (LC)

Kunta Lounge
2021 St-Denis, 842-9223
Blessed with the ambiance of a high school party located in the perfect basement, the charm and allure of Kunta Lounge lies not only in its ‘grotto-appeal,' but in the welcoming comfort of this warm, downstairs find. For starters, everything sounds good in here, because this cozy little spot isn't too big to begin with. Whether you're chillin' on one of the many comfortable chairs and couches, or making use of the user-friendly dancefloor, you're probably coming back. Funk, soul, hip hop, brokenbeat, jazz, dancehall, roots, old-school, deep house, zouk and konpa can be found here every week, so check it out. (SC)

Lounge Eleven
4445 St-Laurent, 886-6752
Located in the old Academy Club near Mont-Royal (dance classes will continue on weekdays), this R&B and hip hop spot is open to local DJs and music lovers every Saturday. As of mid-November, the newly renovated, 300-capacity joint will open up a second room and a second night (Friday). (LC)

The Nest
3673 St-Dominique
Far from being just another nightclub off the Main, the Nest carries on the grand old Montreal tradition of the multifaceted artist space. Simply put, it's not a club at all, but you might find yourself dancing there while checking out a band or a DJ, just the same way you might wander into a dance performance or the all-important vernissage on the right night. Know that a collective of creative minds are at work finding new ways to utilize this beautiful space. Recent functions have included Heavyweight Art Installations' Politically Minded opening and the Dears live. Who said "lofty" ideals were unrealistic? (SC)

Wunderbar
901 Victoria Square, 395-3196
Those of you familiar with the scope and grandeur of the world famous W Hotels should know that this is no small affair. Located at St-Antoine and Square Victoria, this new kid on the block has nothing to be ashamed of. The super-stush Wunderbar, designed by Miguel Martins and Aaron Richter, boasts ebony floors and a sunken VIP for you Access Hollywood types, while up in the mezzanine you can lounge in the Plateau, a fine-lined bar looking up into the 10-storey atrium. As part of the current Old Montreal boom that accentuates "the finer things," Wunderbar should turn some heads and see some stars before long. (SC)

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