Montreal's Sin City Era & Golden Age Walking Tour by MTL Detours

While prohibition and the temperance movement put a damper on the early 20th century in the United States and elsewhere in Canada, the booze kept flowing freely in Montreal and it quickly became known as “Sin City” and “Paris of the North”. Visitors flocked here to indulge in the notorious nightlife and raucous times. Whatever the vice or pleasure, it could be found in Montreal. Our cabarets and jazz clubs attracted talented musicians the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, amongst others. This history walking tour will enthrall you with stories about local institutions and the cast of characters that frequented them. Performers, mobsters, street workers, bookies, gamblers, and cops all rubbed elbows in the old Red Light District. Hear about the transformation of the district into the Quartier des Spectacles: home to Montreal’s world-famous International Jazz Festival and other events. Join MTL Detours to learn about this entertaining era in the unique city of Montreal!

Meeting point

MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises, 1210 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2X 2S5, Canada

Meet your guide inside on the 2nd floor, near the "dépanneur". Please arrive 10 minutes in advance. Note that the tour starts on time and we don't wait for latecomers.

End point

Quartier Latin, Quartier Latin, Montreal, QC, Canada

Tour ends near Quartier Latin area, in the vicinity of rue Saint-Denis Street.