This week, Montreal’s energy is dialed up to spectacular extremes. From the intimate, soulful storytelling of award-winning Mexican cuisine to the bone-rattling spectacle of world-class wrestling, the frosty euphoria of a winter festival, and the pulsing heart of the city’s elite nightclub scene, there’s an experience for every kind of thrill-seeker. Prepare for a week where culinary artistry, athletic drama, outdoor revelry, and warehouse raves collide.
👉 For more nightlife and dining picks, visit MontrealNightlife.com.
🍱 Restaurant of the Week: Alma
📍 Address: 1231 Avenue Lajoie Outremont, Montréal, QC H2V1P2
Alma, named the “Best Mexican Restaurant Outside of Mexico,” is an intimate culinary destination where high-end Mexican cuisine meets Quebec terroir through the personal journey of chef Juan Lopez Luna and sommelier Lindsay Brennan. More than a meal, a dinner here is a profound storytelling experience—a “marriage” of two cultures and a voyage through memory, centered on the sacred tradition of ancestral corn.
Atmosphere & Décor
Nestled on a quiet residential street in Outremont, Alma is the epitome of cozy, understated elegance. The small, roughly 20-seat space feels like a warm, personal salon, with decor thoughtfully crafted by the owners and their friends. The ambiance is soft, convivial, and intimate, perfectly framing the culinary narrative. In warmer months, their lovely terrace offers a few additional seats.
🍽️ The Experience: Tasting Menus
Alma operates exclusively on a tasting menu format, offering two seafood-focused journeys:
- Menu Carte Blanche ($149 per person): The full, intimate expression of Alma. This 9-course tasting menu is a journey through Chef Juan’s memories of Mexico (“mar y montaña”—sea and mountain), featuring heirloom corn from his home state of Tlaxcala and seasonal Quebec ingredients. Available for 1-5 people and requires pre-payment at booking.
- Menu 5 Services ($109 per person): A preview of the full experience. This option includes the first 5 savory courses, after which guests can choose to add more savory dishes and dessert. Available for 1-4 people.
🍷 Drinks to Match
The wine program, curated by Lindsay Brennan, is a highlight in its own right. Deeply inspired by time spent in Catalonia, the list showcases exceptional natural wines from small, beloved Spanish producers, many imported exclusively for Alma and its sister wine bar, Tinc Set next door.
Why You Should Go
Because Alma is a rare and soulful destination that transcends dining. It’s for those seeking a meaningful, narrative-driven culinary experience where every element—from the nixtamalized heirloom corn to the soulful Catalan wines—is poured with intention and deep personal history. It’s an award-winning, intimate journey that redefines what Mexican cuisine can be.
🔗 Visit Alma’s website
📖 Explore “The Experience” & Menus
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
🧊 Featured Event: Igloofest – Week-End 2
The legendary winter party continues in the Old Port! Bundle up for Igloofest Week-End 2, featuring another incredible lineup of electronic artists on the coldest dance floor in the world.
🎵 Weekend Lineup:
- Thursday, January 22:
- Sapporo Stage: Bolarinho (7:30 PM), Madeon (Live) (9:55 PM)
- Friday, January 23:
- Sapporo Stage: Kris Tin (7:30 PM), Misstress Barbara (9:00 PM), Nicole Moudaber (10:15 PM), Nicole Moudaber b2b Misstress Barbara (11:30 PM)
- Videotron Stage – Hauterageous: Siren Mars (8:00 PM), Monib (9:30 PM), San Farafina (11:00 PM)
- Saturday, January 24:
- Sapporo Stage: KAT2KAT (7:30 PM), KATTANA (8:30 PM), Nostalgix (9:30 PM), Skull Machine (Black Tiger Sex Machine & Kai Wachi) (11:00 PM)
- Videotron Stage: D.Blavatsky (9:00 PM), Shadow Wizard Money Gang (10:30 PM), DJ Smokey (11:30 PM)
🎫 Tickets & Practical Info
- 📍 Location: Old Port of Montreal
- 🗓️ Dates: Thursday, January 22 to Saturday, January 24, 2026
- 🎟️ Tickets: General Admission starts at $49 + tax. VIP Tickets (with heated terrace, fast entry) start at $97.07 + tax.
- 🔗 For tickets and full festival info: Visit the Official Igloofest Page
🥊 WWE Friday Night SmackDown at Bell Centre
WWE returns to Montreal with a massive weekend! Friday Night SmackDown kicks things off at the Bell Centre, featuring a star-studded roster including Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, hometown hero Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, and many more. Expect high-flying action, intense drama, and an electric crowd.
📝 Important Ticket Note: Currently, only “WWE Combo” tickets (for both Friday and Saturday events) are on sale. Individual event tickets will be available at a later date.
📍 Venue: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal
🗓️ Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
🎟️ For Combo Tickets click here (Evenko)
🎧 Maddix at New City Gas
Head to the industrial-chic heart of Griffintown for a night of driving techno and rave energy with Dutch DJ and producer Maddix. Known for his unique techno-rave style infused with big room and trance influences, Maddix will take over the main room of New City Gas—a venue renowned for its monumental 4K LED wall, impeccable sound, and spectacular lighting. This Igloofest Après-Ski event is the perfect way to keep the festival energy burning into the early hours.
📍 Venue: New City Gas, 950 rue Ottawa, Montreal, QC H3C 1S4
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, January 23, 2026 — 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM (Doors at 10:00 PM)
🔞 Age: 18+
🎟️ For tickets and bottle service packages: Visit New City Gas
🥊 WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event at Bell Centre
The action continues with a historic first: Saturday Night’s Main Event makes its Montreal debut at the Bell Centre. This special night boasts an even larger lineup, adding megastars like World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, World Tag Team Champions The Usos, and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch to the already packed roster.
🌟 Special Perk: Fans in the first 6 rows of all floor sections will receive a commemorative chair to take home.
📍 Venue: Bell Centre
🗓️ Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
🎟️ For Combo Tickets click here (Evenko)
🎸 Lord of the Lost & The Birthday Massacre at Théâtre Beanfield
Presented by Heavy MTL, the Dark Winter Tour brings a powerful double bill of dark rock and gothic metal to the intimate Théâtre Beanfield. German dark rock ensemble Lord of the Lost joins forces with Canadian darkwave icons The Birthday Massacre, supported by the theatrical horror-punk of Wednesday 13. Expect a night of theatrical, atmospheric, and intense music.
📍 Venue: Théâtre Beanfield, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
🗓️ Date & Time: Sunday, January 25, 2026 — 7:00 PM (Doors: 6:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
📚 Sources