Montreal is once again preparing to shift into high gear with the return of the Canadian Grand Prix from May 20 to 24. For a few electrifying days, the entire city transforms into a sprawling playground where restaurants, terraces, hotels, and nightlife venues go all out to host some of the most anticipated festivities of the spring season.
Between extravagant dinners, lively brunches, international DJs, luxury cars, and parties that carry on well into the early hours of the morning, Grand Prix weekend extends far beyond the race track itself. It's a full-scale social marathon where glamour, gastronomy, and nightlife completely take over Montreal.
Whether you're a Formula 1 enthusiast, a passionate foodie, or simply looking for the best places to go out during one of the city's most iconic weekends, here are some events and experiences worth checking out this year.
L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel
426 Rue St-Gabriel, Montreal, H2Y 2Z9
Read also:
Best Terraces in Montréal, Laval, the South Shore and the West Island
In Old Montreal, Auberge Saint-Gabriel will host a full weekend dedicated to gastronomy and celebration. Its $195 Race Weekend menu will spotlight luxurious ingredients such as burrata and caviar, sea bass carpaccio, aged rib steak with morel sauce, and lobster served with lemon butter. On Saturday, May 23, the venue will also host a Bagatelle Pop-Up Event in the form of a festive brunch running from noon to 8 p.m., complete with DJs, cocktails, and a special menu featuring lobster rolls, black truffle ravioli, and tuna tartare. The celebrations will continue into the evening with several special events including Gudfella on May 21 and ABGE on Sunday, May 24, featuring performances by Purple, The Neighbors, The Izzys, and Hilal.
Bazart
969 Rue Wellington, Montreal, H3C 1T9
In Griffintown, Bazart will welcome guests from May 21 to 24 with a program designed for both food lovers and nightlife enthusiasts. On its terrace, the restaurant will offer a Mediterranean-inspired sharing menu priced at $175 per person, featuring dishes such as burrata with heirloom tomatoes and pistachios, muhammara, ricotta and truffle ravioli, filet mignon, and tiger shrimp. As the evening unfolds, the popular "Nuits Bazart" will take over with late-night DJ sets running into the early morning hours. On Friday, May 22, PAUZA, Laura Scavo, and Eviatar will be behind the decks.
ROYALMOUNT
From May 14 to 24, ROYALMOUNT will transform into a Formula 1-inspired playground with the return of Concours ROYALMOUNT. This free programming will feature an impressive display of luxury cars, supercars, and hypercars showcased throughout the shopping destination. Visitors will also be able to try a TUDOR-sponsored F1 racing simulator, watch a live art performance by Jean-René Douville Tessier, and enjoy the popular Cars & Coffee gathering. Families can also take part in the festivities thanks to the Junior Race Circuit, an immersive activity where children can drive miniature electric cars inspired by iconic racetracks.
New City Gas
950 Rue Ottawa, Montreal, H3C 1S4
As it does every year, New City Gas will once again serve as one of the weekend's major nightlife hubs with a series of events featuring some of the biggest names in electronic music.Kaytranada, James Hype, and Timmy Trumpet are among the most anticipated artists of the 2026 edition, alongside Nico De Andrea, Maesic, PAUZA, and TWINSICK. A lineup tailored for night owls looking to keep the celebrations going long after the races end.
India Rosa
Multiple locations
This year, India Rosa will introduce a special culinary experience called "Spice Circuit," available from May 21 to 24 at its Plateau, Griffintown, and DIX30 locations. Designed to be shared between two guests, the $180 per person menu will feature several house specialties including a bottle of Pol Roger champagne, Indian-style oysters, an elaborate surf-and-turf platter with Quebec lamb, octopus, lobster, and shrimp, as well as desserts inspired by modern Indian flavours. In Griffintown, the experience will become even more festive with a full lineup of special events throughout the weekend, including a Thursday launch party, DJ Mr. Raven on Friday, a celebratory brunch with DJ SAP on Saturday, and an evening hosted by DJ Anthony Dylon.
Yoko Luna
1234 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, H3G 1Z1
At Yoko Luna, Grand Prix weekend will take on the feel of an immersive Neo-Tokyo celebration. Nikkei cuisine, elevated cocktails, spectacular performances, and signature bottle service will come together in the high-energy atmosphere that has made the venue a staple of Montreal nightlife. From May 21 to 24, guests can expect some especially vibrant evenings inside one of the city's most extravagant nightlife destinations.
Bord'Elle Boutique Bar & Restaurant
390 Rue St-Jacques O., Montreal, H2Y 1S1
Over in Old Montreal, Bord'Elle will lean into a glamorous Gatsby-inspired cabaret atmosphere. Behind its velvet doors, guests can enjoy refined cocktails, elegant cuisine, burlesque performances, and DJ sets in a theatrical setting perfectly suited to the excitement of Grand Prix weekend.
Hang Bar
686 Rue Notre Dame O, Montreal, H3C 1J2
For those seeking something a little more intimate, Hang will offer a more understated yet equally lively alternative. The restaurant will spotlight its upscale Vietnamese cuisine in an elegant setting complete with cocktails, music, and bottle service throughout the evening.
Le Pois Penché
1230 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montreal, H3G 1M2
For years, Le Pois Penché has remained one of downtown Montreal's classic Grand Prix destinations. Thanks to its terrace located at the corner of De Maisonneuve West and Drummond Street, the restaurant offers front-row views of both the exotic cars cruising through the city and the buzzing street atmosphere. On the menu, guests will find seafood platters, oysters, onion soup, escargots, and other timeless French brasserie classics, alongside impressive cuts of meat like Canadian Prime rib steak and Miyazaki A5 wagyu.
La Voûte
360 Rue St-Jacques, Montreal, H2Y 1P5
For four consecutive nights, La Voûte will transform its iconic former bank vault in Old Montreal into a luxurious nightlife destination inspired by party capitals like Monaco, Miami, and Saint-Tropez. Blending Japanese gastronomy, guest DJs, immersive performances, and extravagant bottle service, the experience promises unforgettable evenings inside one of the city's most impressive venues. Dinner service, starting at $160, includes chef's sashimi, salmon oshizushi, signature maki rolls, and Geisha salad. Guests can also elevate the experience with luxury add-ons such as Osietra caviar, wagyu, tomahawk steak, and lavish sharing platters. Altogether, it promises to be a truly festive feast.
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival
For its 25th edition, the Festival Grand Prix sur Crescent will once again transform downtown Montreal into one giant playground from May 21 to 24. Entirely free to attend, the festival will feature live music, sports cars, racing simulators, interactive challenges, and numerous outdoor activations. The crowd-favourite Pit Stop Challenge will give visitors the chance to test their speed in Formula 1-style tire changes, while DJs, tribute bands, and live performances take over the main stage throughout the weekend. Festivalgoers will also discover immersive gaming zones, automotive experiences, and gourmet tastings offered on-site.
Le Cathcart bar
1 place Monseigneur Charbonneau, Montreal, H3B 4M7
On Saturday, May 23, Le Cathcart and La Voûte will join forces to present "The Grid," a daytime event inspired by the world of Formula 1 in the heart of downtown Montreal. From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the venue will host Swiss electronic duo Mont Rouge alongside local artists Aaron Hyper, Andrew Pololos, Markos, and Ghostie. A lineup created for those looking to dive into the Grand Prix atmosphere well before nightfall.
PALMA
100 Rue Peel, Montreal, H3C 0L8
Palma will unofficially kick off the festivities with the return of Fashion Circuit on Wednesday, May 20. After a successful debut last year, this fashion-meets-nightlife event will once again take over Griffintown in a glamorous atmosphere inspired by major international party capitals. For the occasion, designer Charles Olivier Pilon of Maison Godefroi will present a runway show featuring several Quebec personalities including Geneviève Borne, Jonas Tomalty, Kim Rusk, and Luc Poirier. Ève Salvail, along with DJs Yo-C and Dallea, will also help set the tone for the evening.
Les Enfants Terribles
3 Place Ville Marie, Montreal, H3B 4W8
At its Sous l'Anneau brasserie, Les Enfants Terribles will fully embrace the Grand Prix excitement with a lively atmosphere from May 22 to 24. The restaurant will offer a special menu created for the occasion alongside signature cocktails and sharing-style dishes such as lobster, seafood platters, surf & turf, and tomahawk steak.
Eaton Centre
From May 20 to 24, Eaton Centre will once again embrace Grand Prix fever with the return of L'arrêt aux puits, a free immersive experience open to everyone in the heart of downtown Montreal. In collaboration with Time Out Market Montrealand Le 9e, this year's edition will feature an even more festive lineup combining entertainment, technology, and culinary experiences.
Visitors will be able to try Formula 1 simulators, test their reflexes on an interactive digital wall, enjoy an AI-powered photobooth, and compete in remote-controlled car races with friends. The Playbox Centre will also host Augmented Games, an immersive interactive experience created by Montreal-based studio Moment Factory. A pop-up boutique celebrating the legacy of Gilles Villeneuve will also be on site from May 14 to 31, adding a nostalgic touch to this now-essential Grand Prix weekend stop in Montreal.
Le 9e - Restaurant Île de France
1500 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Montreal, H3A 3S8
Grand Prix weekend will also bring a large-scale dining experience to Le 9e with 1931, an immersive evening presented in collaboration with Menu Extra on May 23 starting at 6 p.m. Hosted inside the iconic Grande Salle on the 9th floor of the Centre Eaton de Montréal, the event draws inspiration from the elegance and glamour of early motor racing.
Developed alongside Zach Macklovitch and Andrew Whibley, the experience will feature a refined three-course tasting menu by chef Francis Blais, highlighting French culinary traditions and seasonal Canadian ingredients. Wine pairings, Piper-Heidsieck champagne, immersive scenography, and a late-night DJ afterparty will round out what promises to be one of the most exclusive culinary events of Montreal's F1 weekend.
