Timeline of Events
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2015
The End of Les Bobards
After 26 years of live music and events, Les Bobards on Saint Laurent was required to close it's doors. After the venue had paid for soundproofing renovations, they receieved a noise complaint fine of $1,250 in 2013. Due to the fees and the cost of the renovations, the venue had to close permanently.
Permanently Closed -
2016
Hello Neighbour, La Tulipe!
Pierre-Yves Beaudoin bought the building next to La Tulipe, a concert hall that had been operating for the past 103 years. Beaudoin was mistakenly given a residential permit for the commercial space that was bought out. After renovating the ground floor for residential purposes, he found the neighbours to be quite loud.
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2018
The End of Divan Orange
Only a few steps from Les Bobards, Divan Orange closed due to financial strain from noise complaints and rising rent. The surrounding neighbourhood was slowly changing and many coorperations were causing rent prices to hike. After 13 years of over 10,000 concerts launching artists like Patrick Watson and Coeur de Pirate into many of our hearts, Divan Orange unfortunately lost the battle.
Permanently Closed -
2023
The End of Diving Bell Social Club
The Diving Bell opened in 2018 with radical and queer performances, drag, and burlesque shows. Despite their efforts to pay over $6,000 on soundproofing and hosting live music only on weekends, they released a statement in 2023 that they would be closing due to noise complaints from neighbours. This caused backlash from locals and regulars as now three locations had been shut down within the same block and there was no sign of anything changing.
Permanently Closed -
September 2024
The End of La Tulipe...?
After many years of noise complaints and police visits from Beaudoin, they took it to court. The borough admitted the permit was given to him by mistake and the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled that La Tulipe must be inaudible from the neighboring dwelling inside or outside. La Tulipe was then required to cancel all upcoming events creating an explosion of backlash from the community. From locals to mayor Valérie Plante to many Montreal based musicians, everyone was outraged by the closure.
La Tulipe Closes -
September 25, 2024
Panic! At the Courthouse
After only 3 days of La Tulipe's ruling, the bylaw had been changed to exempt concerts, venues, restaurants, and bars from Section 9 of the noise bylaw.
Bylaw Changed -
June – July 2025
A New Bylaw with a LOUD response
The city of Montreal drafted a new bylaw for Plateau-Mont-Royal and Ville-Marie to require some venues to install sound monitors at their own expense and if sound laws are exceeded they are at risk of a fine of $10,000 (a 566% increase) given by a single officer with the power to shut down shows on the spot. This level of power was met with even more backlash from the community and almost 14,000 submissions during the public consultation. The city works on amending the draft.
New Threat Emerges -
November 2025
Quebec Superior Court Lifts the Injunction
Due to the amended bylaw, Beaudoin's injunction was declared "null and void" allowing La Tulipe to make noise again. The city wrote Beaudoin a $350,000 cheque to acknowledge the zoning mistake made by the city. Noise is back, baby! La Tulipe unfortunately lost a lot of money in the legal battle and despite wanting to reopen, needs help from the community.
La tulipe will reopen!La tulipe will reopen!La tulipe will reopen!