Taboo Montreal

[+ newatthis]

changing money; airport to city travel in Montreal

 

I always change the maximum amount (usually CAD$500) at an ATM at the airport when I arrive and then use ATMs in the city, using an ATM card, not a credit card. My US bank charges US$1.50 for the transaction; there is no charge on the Canadian end if you're careful. See my post at

[http://babydb.male4malescorts.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=81146&mesg_id=81146&listing_type=search] for information on which machine to use at the airport. I know of no cheaper way to get Canadian $$. (Tampa -- "my" ATM on the departure level at the airport seems to have the same exchange rate as the bank ATMs in town.)

 

Useful tip: one of the two ATMs (left hand one, I think; it's posted) at the bank across Ste. Catherine from L'Adonis (I think it's a Banque de Montreal) gives you $50 bills, so your wallet doesn't get quite as bulky.

 

Subway does not extend to the airport. Public transport would seem to involve 2 busses to get to the metro. My post referenced above also has information about the new, more convenient private shuttle bus from the airport to downtown, which can save you a bundle of money over the taxi cost if you're willing to spend a little more time.

[jakobsen]

RE: Red slippers won't hack it.

 

Cabs are flat fare (C$32 plus tips) from Trudeau Airport (also known by its former name, Dorval) to downtown. There is an airport bus (C$12.50 I believe) that makes one or two stops at downtown hotels and then proceeds to the central bus terminal; if you are staying at the Gouverneur Hotel or Lord Berri, the bus terminal is a block away and within walking distance.

[Linden Groves]

RE: Red slippers won't hack it.

 

You can take the #204 from the airport to the Dorval Station (autobus), then take the #211 to Lionel-Groulx metro stop where you can catch either the green or orange metro lines. I've done it, but the 204 goes only every half hour when it is running. The 211 goes more frequently into Montreal non-stop to Lionel-Groulx from the Dorval Station. The stop at the airport itself is right where you would catch a taxi or shuttle upon arrival. The Dorval Autobus Station (not to be confused with the airport itself)is a little confusing. You catch the bus at different places depending on the time of day. Do a google search for STCUM, the initials in French of the regional transportation service.

 

Take the airport shuttle instead as it is fast, frequent, and idiot proof.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

How many ways to skin a cat?

 

> My US bank

>charges US$1.50 for the transaction; there is no charge on the

>Canadian end if you're careful.

 

I truly am astonished if your bank and Paul Revere's bank do not charge any currency exchange transaction fee, explicit or hidden. My encounter with a Boston Bank some years back was that they wanted to charge me a fee in excess of 10%. BTW, when I say fee I really mean 'their take' as it wasn't separate rather buried in 'their quoted exchange rate'. That was easy to see by comparing to the international market rates. That was for a cash transaction. Since then I haven't noticed cheaper banking services as a general trend. I use a Visa check card to access my account and as I mentioned above that incurs a fee of 3% tacked on to some rate determined from the average of international markets.

 

If the banks are really providing international market rates and haven't figured this one out yet for ATM transactions then I may have to rethink my bank cards.

[+ newatthis]

RE: How many ways to skin a cat?

 

Tampa—

 

My main point (somewhat obscured, I admit) was that there’s no reason to avoid the departure level ATM at Dorval, since that ATM and the bank ATMs in town use essentially the same exchange rate, and there’s no (separate) transaction fee added by either. But you got me curious about what’s hidden in the retail exchange rate, so I checked out one sample transaction.

 

In March I withdrew CDN$500 at an ATM and was charged US$420.88. According to my favorite currency site, [http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic], the charge on that day at the interbank rate would have been US$414.83. So the various intermediaries got about US$6 in overhead and profit, or about 1.5%. I’m not as fortunate as Paul Revere; my US bank also charged me a $1.50 fee, so my total charges came to about 1.8%.

 

My experience has been that this is cheaper than any other way of changing money – banks, credit cards, and, of course the high-profit ATMs in the clubs.

[Paul Revere]

RE: How many ways to skin a cat?

 

Yes, I went back and refigured my exchange rates from my last trip to Montreal a couple of weeks ago. The exchange rate was a bit higher than the published rate, maybe 1% or 1.5%. I still think that it is the best rate that you can get.

 

Using the ATM is very convenient, and I have a clean record of my spending and indescretions on my bank statement when I return home. It also allows me to not have to carry large amounts of cash all weekend. I just go to the bank and get what I need when I need it. Make sure that you set a decent limit with your bank for one day cash transactions. Some banks have a default of $200 or $300 per day. So before you go away, call your bank and see what the daily limit is. They will let you set the limit that you want. So keep it moderate, so that a stolen card doesn't get your account completely drained, but keep the daily limit large enough to afford plenty of adventures in Montreal.

 

My bank (Citizens) does not charge me for any ATM transactions, home or away. I think that is because I maintain a large balance. You should check with your bank. In fact the dancers in Montreal really like my large American balance!

 

Before they became B of A, Fleet was notorious for outrageous ATM fees. Once they tried to charge me $5 for each transaction in Montreal. I fought them, got my money refunded, then closed all of my personal and business accounts with Fleet. It is good that they are gone, they were nasty.

[+ newatthis]

RE: How many ways to skin a cat?

 

>I just go to the bank and get what I need when I need it. Make sure that you set a decent limit with your bank for one day cash >transactions. ...before you go away, call your bank and see what the daily limit is. ... keep it moderate...

 

For those whose banks tack on a fee for each use of a foreign ATM, it makes sense to withdraw the maximum each time. If I don't want to carry large sums of money around, there's always a hotel safe deposit box to leave the excess in. That's also a way of enforcing fiscal self-discipline in the face of temptation :-).

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

RE: How many ways to skin a cat?

 

Those 1.5% rates are consistent with the pre-April Visa and MC checkcard rates. Those have now doubled. So i may have to set up an acct with ATM access just for FUN. I suspect that if you walk up to a bank window with cash to exchange you will do much worse than with the ATM.

 

As for Fleet... I got caught up with them when they swallowed Shawmut. It didn't take long before they tried to screw me over with paperwork charges. I promptly paid off an auto loan and closed all accounts. I wish it was good riddens but I suspect that BOA will appropriate some of Fleet's evil ways to augment what BOA hadn't thought of yet. x(

[twinkboylover28]

RE: How many ways to skin a cat?

 

Looks like Tampa Yankee got a good deal on BFT

 

I enabled my e-mail if anyone wants to send me mail.

[Cooper]

"I might visit montreal in May. The website for Taboo strip

club has some rather average looking dancers. Does Taboo

really have a decent selection of twink boys 18-19?

 

Twinkboylover: I spent New Year's Eve at Taboo and had a great time, however, I've returned a few times since and it's been all down hill.

 

Yes, you'll still see youthful looking boys at Taboo, but last night, L'Adonis was the place to be for the twinks.

 

While at L'Adonis, I noticed a few former Taboo dancers working there, ex, Joey, Max, Anthony, Ralph, and Piere. When I spoke to them about why they left, they all said that since the raid of 2003, (thoroughly discussed on this forum) things just weren't the same. They told me that the court case will finally be resolved on April 22nd. That criminal charges of "indecent exposure" and working at a "brothel", were brought against 23 individuals. The raid was a result of information provide to the police that underaged boys were working there and led to a 4 month undercover investigation. These dancers had to pay for their own attorney (one for all), and that the final fines will range from $250 and up, depending on any previous record.

 

Since then, Taboo has re-opened with a new owner and the back room is well monitored. The lap dances are very limited resulting in less business for the dancers.

 

I think if you start out at Taboo and move on to L'Adonis, you'll find what you're looking for... Enjoy your visit.

[marc anthony]

>

>Twinkboylover: I spent New Year's Eve at Taboo and had a great

>time, however, I've returned a few times since and it's been

>all down hill.

>

 

Except for Helmuth (and according to my sources, a cute new boy named Steven who just started).

 

Yes, I know I sound like a broken record.... errr, I guess I should say a broken CD (this is 2005).

[+ newatthis]

No one's mentioned Rick, whom I spent an hour or so with back in March. Don't know that he's quite twinky enough for Marc et. al. (he's pushing 20), but has a brilliant smile, nice and friendly to talk to, affectionate in front, and lots of fun in back (within the :-( limits of the Taboo back room :-( ).

[twinkboylover28]

The raid on Taboo really put a damper on the back room at Taboo? I sure as hell dont want to be monitored! LOL

 

That's why I'm cautious with who I speak with on these boards, and via e-mail, regarding Taboo and strip clubs.

 

Anyways, I'm confident between Taboo and L'Adonis I should find what I'm looking for. I will try all of the strip clubs in Montreal that feauture young, boyish looking, cute, white, skinny teenage twinks.

 

My plane lands around 7pm Saturday, May 7th. After I clear customs, I plan on using the airport ATM to withdraw 500 Canadian (since others have stated similar exchange rates to the banks ATM rates in Montreal).

 

Hopefully my bank will only charge me $1.50 for using the ATM. My bank has a "cirrus" logo on the card.

 

Then I plan on buying a shuttlebus ticket, which is $12 Canadian, to get to my hotel. I have no clue where to purchase this ticket for the autobus.

 

I guess I will arrive around 9pm at my hotel.

 

Then settle into my hotel, unpack, relax, freshen up and get ready to leave for Taboo around 11pm via the subway. I hope they sell subway passes for the week , or roundtrip passes so I don't have to carry change.

 

I plan to arrive at Taboo around 11:30pm on Saturday.

 

I'm concerned how to get back to the hotel after the bus and subway stop operating ? If I stay until 3am at Taboo, how would I get back to my hotel...with a dancer LOL?

 

Anyone else planning on visiting Montreal May 7th-12th?

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

> I hopethey sell subway passes for the week ,

> or roundtrip passes so don't have to carry change.

 

Get 6 tickets for $11 deal. Any unused tickets are good for the rest of the year at least. Doubt you will have many leftovers anyway.

>

>I'm concerned how to get back to the hotel after the bus and

>subway stop operating ?

 

Taxis out side Taboo, Club Sandwich and patrolling St. Catherine.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

>While at L'Adonis, I noticed a few former Taboo dancers

>working there, ex, Joey, Max, Anthony, Ralph, and Piere.

 

Don't know Max and Anthony, by those names anyway. Ralph is not a Taboo Alumnus but I never held that against him. ;-)

 

>They told me that the court case will

>finally be resolved on April 22nd. That criminal charges of

>"indecent exposure" and working at a "brothel", were brought

>against 23 individuals. The raid was a result of information

>provide to the police that underaged boys were working there

 

As I recall, there was a charge that a single underage boy (17) was working with false papers.

 

>These dancers had to pay for their own

> attorney (one for all), and that the

>final fines will range from $250 and up, depending on any

>previous record.

>

 

Interesting that this seems to be a done deal after two years of very confusing process. About time.

 

I guess the fines assume that the establishment will be found guilty of being a 'bawdy house'. I had heard speculation at one time that this was turning out to be a hard case to make. Maybe not. It seems that all dancers were charged with 'working in a bawdy house' as were the waiters, bartender and all other nonentertainment employees working that night. The indecent exposure charge seems to focus on a few dancers that were deemed to 'touch themselves inappropriately'. If the bawdy house charge fails then I suspect that most dancers are home free... well except for attorney costs.

 

It will be interesting to see what penalties will be exacted against the 'club' since it is now under different management and liquor/dance license suspensions were invoked last year. Of course the previous owners and management remain on the hook.

[twinkboylover28]

I'd be willing to meet up with people from the board if anyone will be in Montreal May7th-12th. I need a good seafood restaraunt, etc LOL

[+ newatthis]

>After I clear customs, I plan on using the airport ATM to withdraw 500 Canadian (since others have stated similar exchange rates to the banks ATM rates in Montreal).

 

As I wrote previously, use the ATM upstairs at departures; the arrivals level ATM has a lower limit and a transaction fee.

 

>Then I plan on buying a shuttlebus ticket, which is $12 Canadian, to get to my hotel.

 

The website is [http://www.admtl.com/admmaintext.jsp?idbin=211B00]. I don't recall where you're staying, but it tells you which hotels are on the direct route. (If yours isn't, a cab from one downtown hotel to another shouldn't be more than $5.) Notice that you save a few bucks by purchasing a RT shuttle ticket.

 

>I have no clue where to purchase this ticket for the autobus.

 

You can find a plan of the arrivals level at [http://www.admtl.com/admmaintext.jsp?idbin=211G00&pagetitle=]

 

>I hope they sell subway passes for the week , or roundtrip passes so I don't have to carry change.

 

The weekly pass is $18, but is from Monday to Sunday. You'll need to do something else for Sat/Sun -- TY's suggestion of a 6-ticket strip is a good one. That may be all you need, depending on how long you're there and how much metro travel you do. There's also a $16 tourist pass good for any 3 consecutive days you choose.

[Frenz]

Wow! - Am I glad I stopped in - off to Motreal on April 16th. Great information here. Thanks!! Anyone else heading up for the weekend? Looking forward to seeing the goings on at Stock, Taboo, Adonis et al...

[noviceny]

Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

Wow, this is a long ass thread !!!! I will do another post on my trip to Montreal this past week, but will try to answer some of the questions /considerations brought up here :

 

1) I took cash with me...my bank is Chase Manhattan/JP Morgan and they suck massive dick...and not in a good way !!! I get a 3% charge on out of country transactions and another 3% charge from MC since my card has the Mastercard logo. I decided not to use my card at all.

 

2) I got very good rates each day at exchange places...no fees and I usually got between 18and 20 %

 

3) I drove from NY (Yonkers) to Montreal took about 6 hours to get there and 5 to get back. I was asked for my passport on the way back and asked for nothing as I crossed from NY to Canada except for my name. On the way back, I started stuttering (I have no idea why...you guys must have psyched me out :-) ) and the USA dick customs guy asked me for my passport, then my liscense, then did some computer shit, then asked me what my job was, then asked me what I was bringing back to the US and when I said "CD's and candy" he looked at me with the "what a loser" look and waved me on

 

4) GET YOUR TAX BACK - I got back about $40 by keeping my hotel receipt and going to customs/duty free shop at the border...then I spent the refund on candy (chocolate covered moose droppings, coffee, chocolate, gummy worms and the Quebecois seperatist flag) and other shit. I stayed for 5 nights and 6 days and my hotel was moderate so if you stay at a real good one, you will probably get more a refund. I stayed at Days Inn on 215 Rue Rene Levesque

 

5) I parked in underground parking for about $10 US a day, but I think you are flying so it probably doesnt matter. I love driving and Montreal is a very easy city to drive in...the drivers are very slow and stop for the dumb ass pedestrians that seem to just walk out in to the street

 

 

6) I will probably repeat this in another post but anyone who goes to Montreal may want to consider this request :

Please save your change and give it to the homeless that are so abundantly found near the gay Village where all of the gay strip bars are...there are also a lot of young people living on the streets and it would just be an awesome thing if we could do that...

 

7) TaBOO !!!!!! I agree with marc anthony and one of the other posters about this place...I cant really say what others times at Taboo are like, but it was an unpleasant experience for me...fortunately Cooper, who was my guide, was with me and it is hard to have a bad time with him around. I saw about 6 guys who were there are they really looked very unhealthy...Im not talking thin-unhealthy, although they were very thin and pale, but this does not necessarily lean unhealthy. The drugged out look is something you have to deal with at every club too, but put together the winning combo of thin, pale, drugged up and very young, really was difficult for me. Some of these kids looked they were on their last legs and it really made me look at the harsh reality in which I was "playing" for a few days. More on the interesting and heartbreaking stories that I encountered when I get to writing another thread.

 

If twink is your taste, I think Adonis would do nicely for that. Again, not my thing, but pale and thin seems to be in, but these kids look well rested, fairly happy and moderate/low intoxication. I was kind of freaked out by this really nice kid who was wearing a retainer/braces...I know ya can wear that at any age, but this kid looked about 16...really... No attitude at this club though which was very cool...it did remind me of a high school class trip gone wild though...these young guys were running around, some acting "silly" as opposed to drunk, but they didnt have that wasted victimized look. At Taboo, I kept thinking, "Shit, the kids must have come directly here from their 8 grade bake sale and I think there was more in the brownies than just marijuana..."

[marc anthony]

RE: Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

Novice:

 

Unfortunately, the one kid at Taboo that I think you would have really liked (Helmuth, who I keep talking about) and is robust and gorgeous etc, was not in town this past week... and thus you missed him.

 

Other than that, sometimes in the recent past, it has not been the best there. Hopefully summer will bring lots of new talent, and best of all, Helmuth will still be there too! LOL

[twinkboylover28]

RE: Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

Taboo sounds better and better with every post *evil grin*

[Paul Revere]

RE: Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

Nov;

 

I had been awaiting your report on your first trip to Montreal. It sounds like you got quite an education. It also sounds like you found some of the biggest hustler dancers very quickly. They can smell a new guy coming in. Over time you will learn who the good ones are, and you will not need to waste time with the hustlers. After a while YOU will be able to smell the hustlers as they approach.

 

I do want to comment on some of your observations.

 

>

>4) GET YOUR TAX BACK - I got back about $40 by keeping my

>hotel receipt and going to customs/duty free shop at the

>border...then I spent the refund on candy (chocolate covered

>moose droppings, coffee, chocolate, gummy worms and the

>Quebecois seperatist flag) and other shit. I stayed for 5

>nights and 6 days and my hotel was moderate so if you stay at

>a real good one, you will probably get more a refund. I stayed

>at Days Inn on 215 Rue Rene Levesque

 

Thsi is usually worth it. Some of the better hotels will now process the tax refund forms for you. The last time I stayed at teh Crowne Plaza, they processed the papaerwork as part of the check out, and the tax refund showed up on my credit card statement. That is a nice feature. Ask the hotels, many willnow do that.

>

>5) I parked in underground parking for about $10 US a day, but

>I think you are flying so it probably doesnt matter. I love

>driving and Montreal is a very easy city to drive in...the

>drivers are very slow and stop for the dumb ass pedestrians

>that seem to just walk out in to the street

 

It's called common courtesy and respect. It is very h ard for New York or Boston drivers to understand that vehicles are supposed to yeild to pedestrians, and that a little patience does make all of the traffic move better in the long run. Try it, yo might get used to it.

>

>

>6) I will probably repeat this in another post but anyone who

>goes to Montreal may want to consider this request :

>Please save your change and give it to the homeless that are

>so abundantly found near the gay Village where all of the gay

>strip bars are...there are also a lot of young people living

>on the streets and it would just be an awesome thing if we

>could do that...

>

DO NOT! DO NOT! DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRIBUTE TO THE STREET HOMELESS IN MONTREAL. Street homelessness and runaways with huge drug issues has become a big problem in Montreal. It has become more disturbing recently as many of the homeless, runaway, drugged out kids now have dogs with them. The dogs are scary, are and they are used to intimidate some and gain additional sympathy fromanimal lovers. Some folks will give them money so that the dog can eat.

 

This is no different in Montreal than in New York or Boston. Contributing your change is NOT helping them, it is hurting them. Withholding your change will maybe get them to the the help they need. Giving them money to buy more alchohol or drugs is NOT helping them, it is enabling them. And we all know that money does not go to food. Generally if you give a homeless person food rather than money, they will throw it back at you.

 

Yes, the sight of these young kid is heartbreaking, but you are adding to the bad condition by supporting it. If no one ever gave them money, they would stop begging. Maybe they would get the help they need from the many public health agencies equipped to deal with them, or maybe they would turn to (more) crime, or maybe they will die on the streets. But giving them money does NOT help them. It is never a good thing to support someone's addiction. It is called enabling, and it is not helpful.

 

I would have though that you were a bit more sophisticated than that.

[bigguyinpasadena]

RE: Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

I always give my "spare change" to street/subway musicians-they brighten my day.

What is left when I leave goes to the hotel maid.

[Paul Revere]

RE: Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

>I always give my "spare change" to street/subway

>musicians-they brighten my day.

>What is left when I leave goes to the hotel maid.

 

That is a much better use of your spare change.

[Guest CTguy]

RE: Taxes, Fees and Taboo...oh my !!!

 

The dogs are scary, are and they are used to intimidate

>some and gain additional sympathy fromanimal lovers.

 

When walking through the village in Montreal I always thought it was strange to see a homeless person on the sidewalk with dirty ripped clothes but next to them is their dog which is beautifully groomed and very well behaved. I wouldn't say the dogs are scary at all.