3 proudly inclusive spots to discover

David Côté, owner of La Diversité ‒ Bar LGBTQ+, in Trois-Rivières

“I’d dreamed of owning a bar since I was 20 years old!” said David Côté. Thanks to him, a few months ago Trois-Rivières got its first 2SLGBTQIA+ establishment: La Diversité. The 31-year-old Trois-Rivières resident, who began his career in business administration, recalls driving several hours to visit gay clubs in the Montreal Village or Quebec City. He freely admits he was inspired by his favourite establishments to create this bar that, on certain nights, transforms into a drag cabaret (with programming by vivacious hosts Narcissa Wolfe and Eva Moist), a coffeehouse, a karaoke bar, a dance floor, and soon even a bingo hall! 

In fact, his patrons come from as far away as Victoriaville and Drummondville, especially since Sherbrooke’s Otre Zone (the only other 2SLGBTQIA+ bar beyond city centres) closed in December—not to mention the folks from Montreal and Quebec City who make the trek to see Barbada, Lady Boom Boom, and other popular performers.

Jean-Benoit Hinse, sommelier and co-owner of Le Roux, in Bromont

A veteran of the restaurant industry, Jean-Benoit Hinse began his career in 2000 at the legendary Sky bar, having just left Quebec City for Montreal. “It was a golden era in The Village, with its clubs and after-hours bars. They weren’t just nightclubs, but cruising spots,” recalled the 44-year-old sommelier. According to him, dating apps changed everything. He mentions the Royal Phoenix, which opened a decade ago in Mile End and ushered in a new generation of “more inclusive” bars that brought the community together without defining themselves as gay establishments.

Today, Jean-Benoit lives in Bromont and to him, the era of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community only being able to flourish in big cities seems like a long time ago. When Jean-Benoit and his partner Michel Bérubé began thinking up a concept for a wine bar, the notion of promoting it as an 2SLGBTQIA+ establishment didn’t even cross their minds. “We wanted it to be inclusive,” said the former co-owner of Chaud Lapin, who’s also a former sommelier at Maison Boulud and Auberge Saint-Gabriel. Just recently opened, Le Roux is certainly inviting, with a menu featuring local products, an impressive wine list, a large patio with gas heaters and pétanque court, and, above all, a breathtaking view. As an anecdote, Jean-Benoit tells us how the straight men he interviews like to wear pearl necklaces and nail polish, just like Jay Du Temple. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come in a single generation!”

Véronique Lacoursière, co-owner of Bolt Café, in Knowlton

Véronique Lacoursière is among a wave of urbanites who moved to the countryside during the pandemic. “I sold everything I owned in Montreal and moved into a cabin near Eastman,” said the 31-year-old outdoor enthusiast, whose background is in advertising. The same sort of impulse led her to create BOLT Café in Knowlton. “I’d never made a latte in my life!” Her leap of faith paid off, because customers now go out of their way to grab a coffee or a glass of wine at her café. What’s next? A boutique hotel she plans to open in summer 2024 with girlfriend Florence Pelland-Goyer, co-owner of Buvette chez Simone and Bar à flot. “We’ve found a spot in Sutton, a small place with six bedrooms, on the banks of a stream. We plan to have the area’s best selection of Burgundies!”

Véronique also didn’t feel the need to “make a statement.” She mentioned that a lesbian couple pointed out that many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are already regulars at her café.

The SAQ is a proud partner of Montréal Pride. We invite you to check out the full Montréal Pride program.

Note: 2SLGBTQIA+ is the recognized acronym refering to various sexual orientations and gender identities. 2S: recognizes Two-Spirit; L: Lesbian; G: Gay; B: Bisexual; T: Transgender; Q: Queer; I: Intersex, considers sex characteristics beyond sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; A: asexual, +: is inclusive of people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities, who use additional terminologies.

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