Last night, June 5, we were at the launch party for the 2025 season of Playa Del Courant, the urban beach at Pied-du-Courant Village. It was one of the first warm evenings of the summer, when the air is heavy and the sky is clear. You can always see the moon a little better in summer, can’t you?
In Montreal, there are plenty of places to spend summer nights. Some bring a grill to Parc La Fontaine, some sip cocktails on the terrace, some drink beer sitting in the grass on the banks of the Lachine Canal. And at Playa Del Courant, some can spend the evening dancing with their feet in the sand…
We’ve seen girls in santiags and long skirts, jorts, gougounes and the hottest accessory on the playa: her dog chillin’ in the sand (little balls of fur with matching pink vinyl leashes, golden retrievers watching their masters dance barefoot in the sand, Chihuahua in daddies’ arms).
In addition to the dogs, we also saw strollers, because the party starts early and the beach has always been a gathering place – in the zeitgeist, it’s society’s lowest common denominator when it’s hot and you need to cool off (not to mention the country clubs and private beaches of the big seaside hotels).
Urban beach parties
In addition to a DJ booth with the perfect balance of 80s-inspired kitsch and island party cool , Playa Del Courant offers a community spot where you can eat, play ping-pong, pétanque, basketball…
The space is large and some dance barefoot (or not) in the center of the playa – others sit on picnic tables around a pitcher of cocktails spiked with colorful straws. The DJ remixes a Rosalia song, and the crowd sways to the beat as they eat French fries.
The sun sets, and the dogs and kids head home. The playa turns into an open-air party, and soon you can’t see the outlines of the city, can barely hear the sound of the river, and are simply dancing with the moon above and the sand below.
The summer program
Pied-du-Courant Village will be hosting 4 different types of parties on its playa this summer…
Festive evenings, like last night’s; a traditional 5 à 7 in the sun, with the added bonus of sand.
Soirées collé-collés , featuring Montreal music collectives.
Soirées suaves, featuring Latin culture, very, very caliente.
and fireworks evenings, because Pied-du-Courant Village has the best view in town of the fireworks on the nights they’re fired over the river.
Every week, the playa will be hosting parties on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until September 6.
Practical info
When? Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening until September 6, starting at 5 p.m.
Where? at Village Pied-du-Courant: from Papineau metro station, follow rue de Lorimier under the bridge, then head east along the riverbank to reach the main entrance (to see the playa on Google Maps, click here!).
How much? Free admission between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., $5 afterwards.