Montréal Pride

For years I’ve suggested to men that Montréal is a ‘must visit’ destination for cruisers. I guess someone must have noticed because recently I got an e-mail invitation to go on a press junket to Montréal and nearby Mont Tremblant. Can you imagine the tourism boards of Atlanta or Denver inviting the Cruisemaster to an all-expense paid trip to report on the dick in those respective cities? Well, both Tourisme Montréal and Tourisme Québec don’t seem to have a problem acknowledging a primary reason men might come to their city and province – the men who await them there.

It was gay pride week in Montréal when the 27 press members and another 27 travel agents starting arriving for a long weekend. We stayed at Hôtel du Fort whose head of sales has recently been named the president of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. From here we went on excursions, meals at local restaurants (the highlight being Area, 1429, rue Amherst, which was exceptional), and of course most of us ventured into the local sex scene.

Montréal has always been a favorite of mine because it is so reliable for sex. Additionally, the food is good, at any given time some notable exhibit is worth seeing, and if you’re American, the exchange rate is so good you’ll be smiling all the way to the ATM machine. Throw in that it is an interesting mix of European and North American sensibility and you’ll surely enjoy yourself.

The sex scene centers around baths and there are over a dozen in the city and surrounding suburbs. It isn’t a town for bookstore sex or backroom fun, but some park action happens in warmer weather and a few strip clubs can provide fun if you tip well, but baths are definitely the prime way to fuck in Montréal.

I hadn’t been in town one hour before I was headed for the 456 (456, La Gauchetierre ouest), one of the oldest baths in town and located downtown. I only had 90 minutes to get some dick, but I knew that would not be a problem in this town. Within 20 minutes of opening my private room door I was servicing a standard Montréaler: a tall, naturally fit young man, dark hair, but light complexion, with a rock-hard cock. There are certainly all the usual buffed men in Montréal – this town plays host to one of the largest circuit parties, Black and Blue Ball in October, so the people of Montréal have been very exposed to American ‘standards’ of steroids and overstated masculinity. In spite of this, the average Montréaler doesn’t pump iron, but maintains fitness through perhaps a good diet. Who’s to know? I don’t exactly talk diet regimen as they plow my ass.

By the way, the 456 is to be recommended, but timing is important. Being located downtown, it is a great stop for the rush hour crowd from about 4 pm onwards weekdays. Weekends can be busy, but 456 has the distinction of being huge and unless there really is an amazing influx of bodies, you feel the place is always somewhat empty. There are several floors, each getting progressively darker until you reach the top floor where the wild things happens. I actually never made it beyond the second floor this trip since my time was limited. 456 isn’t a particularly special bathhouse, though the truth is I’ve never been in a Montréal bath that would qualify as anything near the quality of many American baths. The reason to go is not the décor, but the men. The average Montréaler appears to wish to play more quickly and be less discriminating. If you speak only English you might wish to establish rather quickly that you are not English-Canadian. (That could be to your advantage if you want to experience a political fuck by some Québec nationalist – not the worst thing to happen to you!)

I also highly recommend the gay pride celebration if you like such things. I don’t attend them these days, but the celebration in Montréal is refreshingly less commercial and on a smaller scale compared to the mega events in San Francisco, LA, or Toronto. Those of us on this press junket, along with the travel agents, were hosted at a local restaurant where we could sit on the balcony and watch the parade go by. I, and several others, spent more time watching the waiters go by than the drag queens and floats. In fact, I have it on good authority that a couple travel agents managed to talk one of the waiters into a visit to the toilet where the especially handsome blond Montréaler was paid handsomely to strip naked. Apparently the travel agents wrapped several $20 bills around the rock-hard cock of this naked waiter.

So there you have it: my totally bought-off endorsement of Montréal. But actually since I’ve written the praises on Montréal long before Tourisme Montréal and Tourisme Québec took notice, you can safely assume it is a very sincere suggestion that anyone cruising for sex will enjoy themselves in Montréal.

[Cruisemaster note: These journal entries are normally placed online weekends. I make no promises, however, about getting them posted regularly. This is a real road trip and sometimes my 'field research' gets in the way of writing down what I discover along the road.]

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Cruisemaster
cruisingforsex.com

[This message has been edited by Keith (edited August 08, 2000).]

Was I right or was I right?
I'm glad my city afforded you such a great time. My tax dollars in action (litterally!)!
Hope to see you soon!
Now I'm going out to admire the afterglow...

Randy

And a special thanks to Randy in Montreal and GT in Toronto, both who were so kind to take me around their towns and show me a great time. I hope you'll let me return the favor in New Orleans someday.

Keith

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Cruisemaster
cruisingforsex.com

I can join the Cruisemaster's recommendation of Sauna 456 in Montreal after a couple visits there last November. I'm an older bearded hefty bear, quite unlike our Cruisemaster, but all types of guys can have a good time there. Its about 3 blocks out the back door of Central Station/Queen Elizabeth.
1st visit, things got lively when word got out that the bear up in the glory holes was worth checking out. 2nd visit, the smiling French Canadien attendant gave me a room across the hall from those glory holes-without my asking for it! Great place!