In the 1970s and 1980s, North America (and the world) danced to disco music. Disco, which has the merit of having a rhythm based on the human heartbeat but twice as fast, is known as the best music for dancing. And, incidentally, for in-line skating…
On December 31, 2025, an ultra-nostalgic roller rink from the golden age of disco opened in Montreal, where you can skate to the best music of the 70s and 80s. It’s for those in mourning after the end of Stranger Things, those who don’t know what to do for an interesting first date and those who look sexy in shoulder pads.
Down the Roller Avenue
Roller discos are serious business. In the 70s and 80s, they were places of free expression invented by the black and queer communities of North America, and quickly gained in popularity. They were made of polished wood, decorated with colorful lights and never silent. The incredible cool of mixing disco and roller rink is said to have originated in New York in the early 70s with theEmpire Roller Rink.
Today, disco has a musical sub-genre specifically dedicated to skating: roller disco. These include Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive , Donna Summer’s entire repertoire, Egyptian Lover’s Egypt Egypt and Earth, Wind and Fire’s September .
With Roller Avenue ,Montreal now has a new old-fashioned roller disco, complete with wooden floor, neon lights and music from the phenomenon’s golden age. You can rent skates on site or bring your own – for pros and those who know how to do that thing where they skate backwards.
Practical info
Where? Roller Avenue (Avenue Roller), 9355 Boul Lacordaire, Saint-Léonard, Montréal
When? Open daily
Sunday to Thursday – 10am to 10pm
Friday and Saturday – 10am to 1am
How? children’s admission $14 (ages 4 and up), adult admission $22 To reserve (for a birthday party, for example), click here!
Ooh, disco!