If you are looking for great food, cocktails and music, it goes without saying that Montreal has plenty to offer. But not everyone wants to eat, drink and dance the night away – some people just want to play games! With that in mind, we look at some of the best gaming options in Montreal, Quebec’s largest city.
Gaming options in Montreal – Virtual reality
Wind the clock back 10 years and many tech experts predicted we would all be sat in our homes switched into virtual reality (VR) networks, communicating and playing games. Due to prohibitive costs and slower than expected development that hasn’t happened quite yet and the many uses of the technology are still being explored. But the tech companies have not given up on VR and you can now experience the technology for yourself at one of Montreal’s fantastic VR centers.
One such center is Phenomena who host VR games at the Center Laval shopping mall and at other locations in Montreal. Games include a laser tag-style game called Versus which pits four players against each other in a virtual ‘fight to the death’. Another is Oratek360 on Boul Matte, which features more than 20 virtual reality stations with action, simulation, relaxation and multiplayer games.
Our personal favourite is Zero Latency which boasts a 200 square-meter VR room that accommodates up to eight players at a time. Players can roam freely in the virtual environment without hitting walls or suffering from motion sickness. The sci-fi inspired games offer an astonishing level of realism.
Other recommended centers are MontVR, which has four sites across the city as mentioned at montvr.com, and Vortex, which also offers escape room games alongside its VR offerings.
Escape Rooms – Gaming options in Montreal
Escape rooms have been popping up all over the globe. A particular favourite is EZKAPAZ which offers an immersive and adrenaline-filled adventure. Video and board game lovers will love the puzzle-solving, clue-seeking elements of the EZKAPAZ escape room where working as a team is essential. Players have just one hour to crack the clues and escape safely – could you do it? Another option is the excellent Escape Masters on Rue William where you’ll be tasked with solving real-life scenarios and unique adventures.
Retro gaming
If arcade and pinball games are more to your taste, head to the Montreal Forum GamesCenter. There, you will find games for all ages including interactive arcade games, billiards, ping-pong, air hockey and bowling alley. There is also a bar serving freshly-made pub food, as mentioned on their site at www.forum-montreal.com.
If you really want to turn back the clock, North Star Machines À Piastres on St Laurent Blvd features a selection of pinball games dating as far back as the 1960s. They also serve a great range of beers and cocktails.
Arcade MTL started out as a pop-up project but is now a permanent bar on St-Denis Street packed with retro arcade games such as Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Galaga. There is also an impressive range of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails.
Montreal land-based and online casinos
If you enjoy games that offer a little risk and reward, you might want to head to Casino Montreal, Canada’s largest casino located on Avenue du Casino. There, you can play all the classic games such as roulette, poker, baccarat, keno and blackjack or try your luck at one of the 3000 slot machines on site. Other games include war, craps and sic bo.
Of course, in this day and age, you don’t even need to leave your house or hotel room to enjoy great casino fun. Top sites such as www.slotsofvegas.com accept players from almost anywhere including Canada and offer a huge choice of table games and slots. You can even play using bitcoins or the currency of your choice.
Traditional board games
If you prefer to get away from a screen during your free time, why not enjoy a board game in a relaxed social environment? At La Recreation cafe on Ontario Street East is the oldest board game cafe in the city. You can enjoy tons of popular board games as well as delicious homemade snacks, coffee and hot chocolate. If you are feeling competitive, you can also enter board game events.
The Randolph pub in the Latin Quarter has an extensive range of board and card games and also boasts an impressive selection of beers and cocktails. As well as being a cool place to hang out, the food is good and reasonably priced. During the evening, the place really comes alive and has one of the best atmospheres in town.
Chess players might prefer Cafe Pi on St Laurent Boulevard with its selection of chess boards and timers, and great coffee and snacks. It might feel more like a chess club than a cafe but the atmosphere is chilled and it is also a great place to study or just chat and listen to jazz music.
Other options include Gamerz Cafe in Pierrefonds and Le Colonel Moutarde on St-Denis Street, which offers over 500 board games and serves great pizza!
Whatever type of gaming you are into, this is just a glimpse of what Montreal and the surrounding area has to offer.
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