Canada trip help

[The Geek Vault]

Hey guys
I have a favor to ask of you guys at the hype, esp those from Canada or experienced travelers. So my friends and I are planning a trip up to Canada for April vacation. Now I'm really pumped about this but also slightly nervous, see my friends have this idea that all they want to do is get drunk and go to all the bars. Now drinking a little is fine with me (three of us are eighteen the fourth is 17 and hoping that bars will be flexible, does this happen?) but I really don't want to spend the whole time drinking. What I'm wondering is that I've done some research and most things that I've found for tourist attractions seem to be really expensive or not something that would interest all of us. I'm wondering if anyone here has any suggestions.

 

[Halcohol]

Canada's a big place. Where are you going? That will significantly affect your chances of getting into the bars, because in some provinces the drinking age is 19.

 

[Master Chief]

Go to Montreal, booze is cheap and legal drinking age is 18. Can buy like, a .40 of Absolut vodka for $15 or somes**t.

Getting into bars is easy, getting drinks can be hard.

 

[The Guard]

Don't go to Canada.

 

[The Squirrel]

Who's letting their 17 year old son go to Canada with his 18 year old friends to get drunk?

 

[The Spawn]

THAT's the question.

 

[The Geek Vault]

We are going to be in Montreal area so what is the deal with bars there and clubs. My friend who is seventeen said he read that the bartenders are generally flexible with giving out drinks.

 

[akoya]

Hmmm.. Based on age alone, your only options are Quebec (home to Montreal and Quebec City) and Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton). Everywhere else the age limit is 19.

I'm from Alberta,so I can give you some tips about there.

I'm unsure how flexible bars are for ages, I've heard they aren't that giving in Alberta. A couple of larger bars in Calgary actually scan your picture ID, so fakes are sooo not an option. I also know of the bigger ones in Edmonton (the Ranch, Urban Lounge) definitely scan the barcode on gov't issued ID cards, so again, fakes not an option.
In Alberta you can always hit the small towns, we've got loads of them (Medicine Hat, Drumheller, etc)

Oh, and another thing, it MAJORLY depends on where you are from. Driving cross-country would not be good.

 

[The Geek Vault]

Thanks for the advice, I think we're sticking to Quebec. One thing I'm looking for though is stuff to do besides drink. My friends are constantly getting themselves into shenanigans and all they talk about is getting drunk on this trip. I'm trying to find other stuff for us to do in the Quebec area more specifically Montreol

 

[The Squirrel]

Thanks for the advice, I think we're sticking to Quebec. One thing I'm looking for though is stuff to do besides drink. My friends are constantly getting themselves into shenanigans and all they talk about is getting drunk on this trip. I'm trying to find other stuff for us to do in the Quebec area more specifically Montreol

I think you need new friends.

 

[The Geek Vault]

I think you need new friends.

I hear what your saying but part of it just bravado I think ya know? I doubt they actually will drink as much as they say they will but it still makes me nervous.

 

[Master Chief]

Hmmm.. Based on age alone, your only options are Quebec (home to Montreal and Quebec City) and Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton). Everywhere else the age limit is 19.

I'm from Alberta,so I can give you some tips about there.

I'm unsure how flexible bars are for ages, I've heard they aren't that giving in Alberta. A couple of larger bars in Calgary actually scan your picture ID, so fakes are sooo not an option. I also know of the bigger ones in Edmonton (the Ranch, Urban Lounge) definitely scan the barcode on gov't issued ID cards, so again, fakes not an option.
In Alberta you can always hit the small towns, we've got loads of them (Medicine Hat, Drumheller, etc)

Oh, and another thing, it MAJORLY depends on where you are from. Driving cross-country would not be good.

We are going to be in Montreal area so what is the deal with bars there and clubs. My friend who is seventeen said he read that the bartenders are generally flexible with giving out drinks.

lOL the f**k? SCANNING IDs? Never heard of that before.

Really, the whole bartender thing depends on the place and person. Sometimes you can't even get in the door without ID, other times you can get in and they'll card you when you go to order a pitcher, and sometimes they won't even card the whole table! That's happened to me a few times, lol, sneaking drinks to everyone is hilarious.

Try to find a place where you can all get in and you're pretty much golden, especially since 3/4th of you are actually legal.

Then again maybe things are just more lax in Toronto.

Thanks for the advice, I think we're sticking to Quebec. One thing I'm looking for though is stuff to do besides drink. My friends are constantly getting themselves into shenanigans and all they talk about is getting drunk on this trip. I'm trying to find other stuff for us to do in the Quebec area more specifically Montreol

Strip club.

 

[Watson]

We are going to be in Montreal area so what is the deal with bars there and clubs. My friend who is seventeen said he read that the bartenders are generally flexible with giving out drinks.

Any of you have an older brother? Becuase if you had one that looked like your friend, you could pay him to "loose" his ID. Your friend should have no problem then.

As for fun stuff in Montreal, drinking wise

Head towards McGill University for an assortment of Anglophone bars. The big clubbing area is Rue Crescent and Rue Bishop which is right near the university. There is also a lot of cool shopping on Rue Sherbrooke (bring your girl back some Lululemon yoga wear and she will love you for life). If you go further east you hit some of the francophone joints, which are a little looser, but you may want to have some French under your belt.

Not that you boys would want to go to a strip club, but the happening and most famous joint is Super Sex Club.

There is a ton of fun stuff to do in Quebec that doesn't involve getting wasted. Take a walk around Old Montreal and visit the Basilique Notre Dame. La Rounde may be open which is a amusement park run by Six Flags. There is also a casino! Outside of the city you can find whitewater rafting expeditions and lots of cool hiking trails.

Check here as well http://wikitravel.org/en/Montreal

Let me know if you have any other questions. Montreal is great and you will have a blast. If you get a chance you should head up to Quebec City as well. It's very cool and historical.

 

[The Geek Vault]

Thanks Doctor Watson that is exactly what I was looking for! All of you guys have been a big help!

 

[Watson]

^Also...it may be in your interest to learn a few key French phrases. Most Montrealers speak both English and French, but many will appreciate a "Bonjour" "Au revoir" "Merci bien". This is a good one as well "Pardon-moi, parlez-vous anglais?" (Pardon me, do you speak English?), then politely explain what you need help with. Might help you get better service in some stores and other places.

 

[CBGB]

If you're looking for a nice relaxing place try Vancouver or Victoria BC. I live in Victoria, there's lots of historical monuments, museums, etc. But Vancouver is more of a party town.

 

[Shifty]

I'm going there in May, stopping in Toronto first. Here's another link.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g155032-Activities-Montreal_Quebec.html

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I've been to Montreal. It's very nice there.

 

[Halcohol]

Just remember "Je ne parle pas francais." (I do not speak French).

 

[redmarvel]

Montreal is a great place to visit, a walk around "old town" is fanatastic. Lots of little cafes to get a bite to eat at too. If you really want to know what's going on in Montreal I suggest you start with the official website:

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/

 

[The Geek Vault]

Thanks so much guys you've really reassured me about this trip!

 

[Motown Marvel]

smoke pot and get a physical.