Montreal’s Muzique nightclub to close after nearly two decades of legendary parties

Muzique nightclub is closing down after nearly two decades. (Credit Muzique)

A Montreal nightlife staple is closing after almost two decades. Muzique, a popular night club on St-Laurent Boulevard known for its wild parties, good vibes and high-energy music will close in February.

John Gumbley, one of the club’s owners and president of JeGantic, a hospitality group, called the closure “bittersweet” but said it was time for change.

“The last year with trends that have changed, and the venue just being on the older side now, and a bit run down, just with time, it’s run its course. So, we are preparing to shut it down, and we’re doing the last dance in February,” Gumbley said in a recent interview.

Gumbley attributed the decision to close down in part to changes in the party scene, noting that young adults are drinking and partying less in recent years

He also said that multiple road closures due to construction over the years on St-Laurent Boulevard impacted business and contributed to the once-popular artery’s decline.

After Muzique opened in 2009, it quickly became a popular hot spot that offered bottle service and hosted some of the world’s most prominent DJs including Tiesto, Deadmau5, and the late Avicii.

“Musique was like, I think, the last ‘boy scout’ of clubs where it was anything goes, and it was a bit on the raunchy side,” he recounted.

“And the girls were dressing overtly sexy and dancing on bars and getting really, really drunk to the point where inhibitions weren’t there. I don’t think that exists so much anywhere, not in any new forms.”

But partygoers need not fret, as the venue will be relaunched under new management. According to Gumbley, there will be many surprises in store.

“We are going to completely renovate the same locale, modernize it, clean up the bathrooms, bring it a little bit to a higher end segment, refresh everything,” the hospitality entrepreneur said.

But for those who want to experience one final party before the doors close for good, Gumbley said the club will host one last blowout event.

“The whole idea is like all-out fun. You lose all your inhibitions, and just enjoy it. Come out. Drink as much as you can. Don’t worry that no one’s drinking anymore. You drink for the rest of them. Party like it’s 1999 as they would say,” he said.