Montreal to Follow Recommendations from Creative Footprint, Launch 24-Hour Nightlife Districts Aiming to Boost Safety and Attract Talent

Photo: Vivien Gaumand

Montreal is gearing up to introduce a 24-hour nightlife district, as revealed by Luc Rabouin, chair of the city’s Executive Committee, earlier this year. The district, planned to be located near downtown, will be governed by new bylaws, including changes to music and noise regulations, which are expected to be released in early 2024. Currently, venues in Toronto must close by 2 AM, while in Vancouver and Montreal, they can stay open until 3 AM.

The new regulations will extend operating hours for bars in certain areas of the city, and a specially designated 24-hour nightlife district will be created. These changes are reportedly expected to be rolled out later this year.

It is expected to improve safety and alleviate some of the pressure on the police. Closing all venues at the same time often leads to chaos, as large crowds spill into the streets simultaneously. Additionally, 3 AM is often a time when people are not yet ready to stop drinking but are already tipsy enough to cause problems. “But if you expand the hours, there are fewer problems and less demand for security,” said Michel Lavallée, owner of L’ile Noire, in an interview with the NY Post.

Beyond safety concerns, there are other benefits to extended nightlife. As Lutz Leichsenring, co-founder of VibeLab told the BBC, “One of the strongest arguments for nightlife is that it attracts talented and skilled workers. It’s a very important factor why people would relocate to a city or would like to stay in a city and not move away.”

Expanding time and space for nightlife via later hours, transit access, and access to new, affordable spaces was one of the recommendations our Creative Footprint Montreal report came up with in 2023. If you would like to know more about CFP and recommendations for Montreal here.