Amanda Wang – 514Blog

When do Successful People Wake Up? Tim Cook: 3:45am, Michelle Obama: 4:30am…

Amanda Wang — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:22:38 +0000

Michelle Obama wakes up at 4:30am to work out! In an interview with Glamour she said that she “usually get to the gym before [Barack] does. But he is usually there either in the middle of my workout or right at the end,” she says of their side-by-side sweat sessions. “And we’re watching Sports Center and we’re catching up. For me, exercise is a de-stresser, first and foremost,” she explains. “When I travel, I bring a jump rope. I can usually do some jump-roping in the hotel room,” she says.

“If I don’t have a rope or space, I might do a 30-minute routine that includes a minute of jumping jacks, alternating with a minute of pushups and then some sit-ups. You take a 30-second break and do it again.”

Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos prioritizes 8 hours of sleep and usually gets his day started between 7 and 8am, reading the newspaper while exercising on the

Tim Cook, Apple CEO wakes up at 3:45am every morning. He goes through email, exercise, and grab a coffee before starting his work day.

LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner wakes at 5:30am, checks email, reads the news, exercises, meditates, and eats breakfast (all before 9am).

Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter and Square, wakes at 5am to meditate, exercise, make coffee, and then check in for his work day.

Warren Buffett wakes up at 6:45am and starts his day by reading the newspaper.

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies, rises with the sun at 5:45am to exercise and eat an early breakfast before work.

Starbucks Exec Howard Schultz gets up at 4:30am to walk his dogs, exercise, and then he makes coffee to get the day going.

Oprah Winfrey usually wakes up (naturally) between 6:02 and 6:20am and gets her day going by walking the dogs, followed by chai tea or a cappuccino, exercise, meditation, and breakfast.

Gary Vaynerchuk, co-founder and CEO of VaynerMedia, wakes up at 6am every single day and gets his day started by checking his phone, catching up on the news, and then exercising.

Elon Musk rises at 7am and begins his day by tackling critical emails, and then gets his kids off to school, showers, and heads to the office.

The post When do Successful People Wake Up? Tim Cook: 3:45am, Michelle Obama: 4:30am… appeared first on 514Blog.

Sound as Sleep Therapy: The Forgotten Art of Acoustic Healing

Amanda Wang — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 05:55:55 +0000

Author’s Note: While the characters and their love story are fictional, this story was inspired by the real events that happened to me on Plateau Mont Royal in 2025. The healing power of sound therapy and the innovative work being done by apps like BetterSleep to make ancient wellness practices accessible to modern lives is very real. Sometimes the most profound healing happens not in dramatic moments, but in the quiet spaces between heartbeats, in the gentle frequencies that remind us we are not alone. Enjoy the story.

I’m lying here at 2:47 AM, staring at the water stain on my ceiling that looks like a broken heart, and I can’t help but think that’s exactly what I am right now. Broken. The crooked floors of my Plateau-Mont-Royal apartement creak every time I shift in bed, like they’re judging me for being awake again.

Three months. That’s how long it’s been since Marcus walked out of this apartment, out of my life, taking his stupid expensive coffee maker and leaving behind nothing but sleepless nights and the lingering scent of Portuguese chicken from the restaurant downstairs that now makes me nauseous instead of hungry.

The wrought-iron balconies outside my window cast shadows that dance across the colorful facades of Rue Saint-Laurent, and I wonder if other people in this neighborhood lie awake wondering where their lives went wrong. The distant hum of the restaurant mingles with the sound of raccoons conducting their nightly raid on the recycling bins, and honestly? I relate to those raccoons. We’re all just trying to find something useful in the garbage of our lives.

I pull my grandmother’s Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket closer around my shoulders—the only thing of value I inherited when Grand-mère passed last year, besides her Westmount apartment that I had to sell to pay for this bohemian corner of Montreal where I pretend to be a successful freelance journalist.

The 55 bus rumbles past, carrying people who probably have their shit together, unlike me. I grab my phone from the nightstand, squinting at the blue light that’s probably making my insomnia worse, but I don’t care anymore. I’ve tried everything: meditation apps, sleeping pills that leave me groggy, even counting sheep in both French and English because this is Montreal and I’m bilingual in my insomnia.

That’s when I hear it.

A sound so beautiful it makes my chest ache in a way that has nothing to do with heartbreak and everything to do with something I can’t name. It’s coming from the triplex next door, floating through the thin walls that separate my mess of a life from whatever magic is happening over there.

I press my ear against the wall like some creepy neighbor, but I don’t care. The sound is low and resonant, like someone humming but deeper, more intentional. It wraps around me like the warmest hug I’ve had in months, and for the first time since Marcus left, I feel my shoulders relax.

Without thinking, I get up and move to my window. Through the gap between our buildings, I can see into the apartment next door. There’s a woman sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by what looks like an orchestra of bowls, each one singing at a different frequency as she moves a wooden mallet around their rims.

She’s beautiful in that effortless Montreal way—dark hair falling in waves around her face, wearing an oversized sweater that probably costs more than my rent, but somehow she makes it look like she just threw it on. There’s something about the way she moves, so deliberate and peaceful, that makes me want to cry.

The sound continues, and I find myself breathing deeper for the first time in months. The anxious chatter in my mind—the endless loop of “why wasn’t I enough for Marcus” and “how am I going to pay rent next month” and “what the hell am I doing with my life”—begins to quiet.

I watch this mystery woman work with her singing bowls, and something stirs in my memory. Grand-mère used to hum while she cooked, not popular songs but something older, something that seemed to come from deep in her chest and resonate through her tiny Westmount kitchen. “C’est la sonothérapie,” she would say when I asked about it. Sound medicine.

As the bowls continue their ethereal conversation, I find myself drifting toward sleep for the first time in weeks. The last thing I remember is thinking that maybe, just maybe, there’s still magic in this world. Even for broken-hearted insomniacs living in crooked-floored apartments.

The Woman with the Singing Bowls

I wake to the scent of fresh bagels from drifting through my window, and for a moment, I forget that my life is a disaster. The sun is streaming through my windows, and I’ve actually slept through the night. No 3 AM panic attacks about my dwindling bank account, no tossing and turning while replaying every fight Marcus and I ever had.

The sound of the singing bowls has been replaced by the familiar morning symphony of the Plateau: the espresso machine at the café downstairs, delivery trucks navigating narrow streets, the gentle chaos of a neighborhood waking up. But something has shifted. The sounds that usually make me want to crawl back under my covers—the construction noise from another heritage building being converted into luxury condos that I’ll never be able to afford—seem somehow more manageable today.

I’m making coffee in my tiny kitchen when there’s a knock at my door. My heart does this stupid flutter thing because for a split second I think it might be Marcus, coming back to tell me he made a mistake. But when I open the door, it’s her. The woman with the singing bowls.

She’s even more beautiful up close, with these warm brown eyes that seem to see right through all my carefully constructed walls. She’s holding a small ceramic bowl and wearing the kind of easy smile that suggests she’s used to having conversations that most people would find weird.

“Bonjour,” she says, switching between French and English in that distinctly Montreal way that always makes me feel like I belong somewhere. “I hope I didn’t disturb you last night. I saw your light on and thought… well, I thought you might be having trouble sleeping.”

I want to lie, to pretend I have my life together, but there’s something about her that makes honesty feel safe. “Actually, it was the opposite. I slept better than I have in months. What were those sounds?”

She smiles, and it’s like sunshine breaking through clouds. “I’m Margot. And those were Tibetan singing bowls. I’m a sound therapist—I work with people who have sleep disorders, anxiety, chronic pain.”

I invite her in, suddenly self-conscious about my messy apartment, the stack of unpaid bills on my counter, the empty wine bottles I haven’t bothered to recycle. But Margot settles onto my couch like she belongs here, cradling that bowl in her hands like it’s precious.

“I moved here three years ago from Quebec City,” she tells me. “I was going through my own dark period—divorce, career change, the whole quarter-life crisis package. The Plateau saved me, honestly. There’s something about this neighborhood that accepts broken people and helps them heal.”

The way she says “broken people” makes my chest tight, because that’s exactly what I am. Broken. But when she says it, it doesn’t sound like a death sentence. It sounds like a starting point.

“My grand-mère used to sing,” I tell her, surprising myself with the admission. “She said it was sound medicine.”

Margot’s eyes light up like I’ve just revealed the secret to the universe. “Your grandmother understood something we’ve forgotten. Sound is our oldest medicine. Before pharmaceuticals, before therapy, before everything else, humans used sound to heal.”

She explains her work, how she combines ancient practices with modern understanding of neuroscience. “The brain responds to specific frequencies. Certain sounds can trigger the release of melatonin, reduce cortisol levels, help synchronize brainwaves. It’s not magic—it’s science.”

I think about my months of insomnia, the sleeping pills that made me feel like a zombie, dating apps that somehow made me more anxious. “Why don’t more people know about this?”

Margot’s expression grows sad, and I want to reach out and smooth the worry lines from her forehead. “We live in a culture that’s forgotten how to listen. We’ve created cities full of noise pollution, we’ve medicalized everything without addressing root causes, and we’ve lost touch with the healing power of natural sound.”

She gestures toward my window, where the sounds of the Plateau continue their morning dance. “Even here, in this beautiful neighborhood, we’re surrounded by acoustic chaos. Our nervous systems are in constant fight-or-flight mode.”

“But last night,” I say, “your bowls somehow cut through all that.”

“Sound can retrain the nervous system,” she explains, and the way she talks about it, with such passion and knowledge, makes me want to learn everything she knows. “The frequencies I was working with are specifically chosen to promote deep sleep and nervous system regulation.”

As we talk, I realize I’m experiencing something I haven’t felt since before Marcus left: genuine curiosity instead of anxiety. The journalist in me is waking up, but it’s more than that. It’s like Margot is showing me a door I didn’t know existed.

“Would you…” I start, then stop, suddenly nervous. “Would you be willing to teach me? About sound therapy?”

Margot studies my face for a long moment, and I feel like she’s seeing all my broken pieces and somehow finding them beautiful. “There’s something I want to show you first,” she says, pulling out her phone. “Have you ever heard of sleep apps?”

I shake my head, and she opens an app that looks like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The interface is elegant, calming, with soft colors that don’t assault your eyes like most apps do.

“It’s a sleep app, but not like the others,” she explains, her fingers moving across the screen with practiced ease. “It has this incredible sound mixer feature. You can blend different frequencies, nature sounds, even singing bowls like the ones I use.”

She shows me how it works, and I’m mesmerized. There are hundreds of sounds—rain on leaves, ocean waves, Tibetan bowls, crystal chimes, even something called “brown noise” that sounds like the most comforting hug in audio form.

“The beautiful thing about this app,” Margot continues, “is that it democratizes sound healing. Not everyone can afford private sessions or expensive equipment, but anyone with a phone can access these healing frequencies.”

She creates a custom mix for me right there on my couch, blending gentle rain sounds with soft singing bowls and something called “delta waves” that she says will help promote deep sleep. As the sounds fill my small apartment, I feel that same sense of peace I experienced last night.

“Try this tonight,” she says, handing me her phone so I can download the app. “But more than that, start paying attention to how different sounds affect you. Notice what makes you feel calm, what makes you anxious. Become curious about your own acoustic needs.”

After she leaves, I sit on my couch with the app open, exploring all the different sound combinations. For the first time in months, I’m excited about bedtime. Not because I’m exhausted, but because I have something to look forward to.

That night, I created my own mix using BetterSleep’s sound mixer—a blend of ocean waves, singing bowls, and something called “pink noise” that Margot recommended. As I settle into bed with my grandmother’s blanket, I put on my headphones and let the sounds wash over me.

The effect is immediate. My racing thoughts slow down, my breathing deepens, and for the first time since Marcus left, I don’t feel alone. The sounds create a cocoon of safety around me, and I drift off to sleep thinking that maybe healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken. Maybe it’s about learning to find peace within the chaos.

The Sound of Healing
Two weeks later, I’m a different person. Not completely healed—I’m not naive enough to think an app can fix a broken heart—but different. Stronger, maybe. Or at least better rested.

The sleep app has become my nightly ritual. I’ve experimented with different combinations, learning that I respond best to a mix of rain sounds and singing bowls with just a touch of brown noise underneath. The app tracks my sleep patterns, and I can see the improvement in black and white: longer deep sleep phases, fewer nighttime awakenings, better overall sleep quality.

But it’s more than just the data. It’s the way I feel when I wake up—like I can handle whatever the day throws at me. It’s the way my anxiety has softened around the edges, how I no longer spiral into panic when I think about my uncertain future.

I’m at Marché Jean-Talon, picking up herbs for evening tea—another new ritual I’ve adopted—when I see him. Marcus. He’s with her, the woman he left me for, and they’re laughing at something on his phone. She’s everything I’m not: tall, blonde, probably has a trust fund and a stable career.

Six weeks ago, seeing them together would have sent me into a tailspin. I would have hidden behind the herb stand, gone home, and cried into a bottle of wine while listening to sad songs and wondering what was wrong with me.

But today, something different happens. I feel the familiar pang of hurt, but underneath it is something new: a sense of my own worth that has nothing to do with whether Marcus chose me or not.

I walk right past them, my head held high, and I swear I see surprise flicker across Marcus’s face. Good. Let him wonder what changed.

That evening, I’m settling into my nightly routine with when my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.

“Hi, it’s Margot. I hope you don’t mind—I got your number from the building directory. I wanted to check how you’re doing with the sound therapy.”

My heart does that flutter thing again, but this time it’s not about Marcus. It’s about the woman who introduced me to the healing power of sound, who showed me that broken doesn’t mean worthless.

“It’s been life-changing,” I text back. “I’m sleeping better than I have in years. Thank you.”

Her response comes quickly: “I’m so glad. Would you like to grab coffee tomorrow? I have something I want to discuss with you.”

I stare at the message for a long moment, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. There’s something about the way she phrases it that makes my stomach flutter with nervous excitement.

“I’d love to,” I reply.

The next morning, I meet Margot at Café Olimpico, a tiny café tucked away on a side street in Mile End. She’s already there when I arrive, sitting at a corner table with two steaming cups and that same warm smile that makes me feel like everything might actually be okay.

“You look different,” she says as I sit down. “Rested.”

“I feel different,” I admit. “The app has been incredible. I had no idea how much my sleep was affecting everything else in my life.”

Margot nods, wrapping her hands around her coffee cup. “Sleep is the foundation of everything—emotional regulation, cognitive function, physical health. When we’re sleep-deprived, we’re operating from a place of survival rather than thriving.”

She pauses, studying my face with those warm brown eyes. “I have a proposition for you. I’ve been thinking about writing a book about sound therapy, about how ancient healing practices can be integrated with modern technology. But I’m a therapist, not a writer. You’re a journalist. What if we collaborated?”

My heart stops. Actually stops. “You want to write a book with me?”

“I want to write a book with you,” she confirms, and the way she says it makes me think she might mean more than just professional collaboration. “Your story—how you discovered sound healing, changed your relationship with sleep—it could help so many people.”

I think about all the sleepless nights, all the anxiety and heartbreak and feeling like I was drowning in my own life. And then I think about how I feel now: grounded, hopeful, like I’m finally becoming the person I was meant to be.

“Yes,” I say, and the word comes out stronger than I expected. “Yes, I want to do this with you.”

Margot’s smile could power the entire Plateau. “There’s something else,” she says, reaching across the table to touch my hand. The contact sends electricity up my arm. “I know you’re still healing from your breakup, and I don’t want to complicate things, but I need you to know that this isn’t just about the book for me.”

My breath catches. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that watching you discover your own strength these past few weeks has been the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. I mean that I think about you every night when I’m practicing with my singing bowls. I mean that I’m falling for you, and I hope that’s okay.”

The café around us fades away. The sounds of the Plateau—the traffic, the conversations in rapid-fire French, the espresso machine—all become background music to this moment.

“It’s more than okay,” I whisper, and when she leans to kiss me, it tastes like coffee and possibility and the kind of healing I never knew was possible.

Chapter Four: The Sound of Love
Six months later, I’m lying in Margot’s bed in her sound-filled apartment, listening to her practice with her singing bowls in the next room. The sounds drift through the walls like a lullaby, and I think about how much my life has changed since that first sleepless night when I heard her music.

Our book proposal was sent to a major publisher. “Sound Sleep: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Rest”, combining my storytelling with Margot’s expertise and featuring a whole chapter on how apps are making sound therapy accessible to everyone.

But more than that, I’ve found something I didn’t even know I was looking for: a love that heals instead of hurts, a partnership that makes me stronger instead of smaller, a future that feels bright instead of uncertain.

My phone buzzes with a notification —my sleep score from last night was 94%, the highest it’s ever been. I smile, remembering how desperate I was just months ago, how broken I felt, how impossible healing seemed.

Margot appears in the doorway, backlit by the soft light from her practice room, and my heart still does that flutter thing when I see her. I don’t think it will ever stop.

“How did you sleep?” she asks, settling beside me on the bed.

“Like a baby,” I say, showing her my sleep score. “I think I’m officially a sound therapy success story.”

She laughs, that beautiful sound that’s become my favorite frequency. “You were always a success story. You just needed the right tools to remember it.”

I think about Marcus sometimes, wonder if he’s happy with his blonde girlfriend, if he ever thinks about what we had. But mostly, I’m grateful. Grateful that he left, grateful that I was broken enough to be open to healing, grateful that sometimes the worst thing that happens to you leads to the best thing.

“I love you,” I tell Margot, words that come easier now, words that don’t feel scary anymore.

“I love you too,” she says, and then she’s kissing me, and the singing bowls in the next room seem to hum in harmony with my heartbeat.

Later, as we’re getting ready for the day, Margot shows me a message from a reader who found our blog about sound therapy.

“I’ve been struggling with insomnia for years,” the message reads. “After reading your story and downloading the app, I’ve had the best sleep of my life. Thank you for showing me that healing is possible.”

I feel tears prick my eyes, the good kind this time. “We’re actually helping people.”

“We’re helping people help themselves,” Margot corrects. “That’s the most beautiful kind of healing.”

As we walk through the Plateau together, past the colorful facades and ornate balconies, past the Portuguese chicken restaurant and the 24-hour dépanneur, I think about how this neighborhood has become the soundtrack to my healing. The sounds that once kept me awake—the traffic, the construction, the general chaos of urban life—have become part of my story, part of the symphony that led me to Margot and to myself.

My phone buzzes with another BetterSleep notification, reminding me to set my sleep intention for tonight. I smile, thinking about how I’ll create a new sound mix, maybe something with ocean waves and crystal bowls, something that will carry me into dreams filled with possibility.

Because that’s what I’ve learned: healing isn’t about silence. It’s about finding the right sounds, the ones that resonate with your soul and remind you that you’re not broken—you’re just learning to sing in a different key.

And sometimes, if you’re really lucky, you find someone who wants to make music with you for the rest of your life.

Epilogue: One Year Later
I’m standing on the terrasse of our new apartment—yes, our apartment, because Margot and I decided to find a place together, one with better heating and floors that don’t creak quite so much—watching the sunset over Mount Royal. The sounds of the city drift up to us: children playing in the park below, the distant hum of traffic, the evening chorus of birds settling in for the night.

Our book comes out next month, and we’ve already been invited to speak at conferences about the intersection of ancient healing practices and modern technology.

But tonight, none of that matters. Tonight, it’s just us and the sounds of Montreal and the quiet miracle of two people who found each other in the darkness and chose to create light together.

Margot comes up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist, and I lean back into her warmth.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

“Just… all of it. How different everything is now.”

“Better different?”

“The best different,” I say, turning in her arms to face her. “I never thought I’d be grateful for insomnia, but if it hadn’t kept me awake that night, I never would have heard your singing bowls. I never would have found you.”

She smiles, that same warm smile that made me feel safe from the very beginning. “Maybe the universe knew we needed each other.”

“Maybe it did.”

As the sun sets over Montreal, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I think about all the people out there who are lying awake right now, struggling with their own darkness, their own broken hearts, their own sleepless nights. I think about how sound can heal, how technology can connect us to ancient wisdom, how sometimes the thing that saves you comes in the form of an app on your phone and a woman with singing bowls who teaches you that broken doesn’t mean worthless.

My phone buzzes with my nightly sleep reminder, and I smile. Tonight, I’ll create a new mix—maybe something with rain and singing bowls and the sound of Margot’s breathing beside me. Because that’s what healing sounds like: not silence, but harmony. Not the absence of noise, but the presence of the right kind of music.

And as we head inside to begin our evening ritual, I know that whatever dreams come tonight, they’ll be filled with the sound of love, the frequency of hope, and the gentle rhythm of a life finally in tune with itself.

The End

The post Sound as Sleep Therapy: The Forgotten Art of Acoustic Healing appeared first on 514Blog.

Best 14 Coffee Shops In Montreal To Study Or Work

Amanda Wang — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 21:48:57 +0000

Montreal is a haven for coffee lovers. Whether you’re looking for a place to study or work, there’s bound to be a coffee shop that fits your needs. Here are 14 of the best coffee shops in Montreal for getting work done. From cozy nooks to bustling cafes, there’s something for everyone. So grab your laptop and head to one of these spots to get productive!

Pigeon Café | Monkland Village

Individuals who need to get some work done while unwinding with a nice book or working on their laptop here in a tranquil setting will find this charming modest coffee shop ideal. The Pigeon Café is well-known for high-quality coffee, both of which have the potential to put you in a more laid-back frame of mind. From a delicious breakfast of Smoked Salmon Avo toast to Celia Lager, they have everything for you. Their Espresso Martini is enough to charge you so you can study or work more productively.

Address: 5625 Monkland Ave, Montreal, Quebec H4A 1E2, Canada

Instagram Page: @pigeon.cafe

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 7am–11pm

Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 11pm

Le Darling | Plateau

Le Darling is an outstanding option for those in the greater Montreal area looking for a high-quality coffee shop to work or study. The neighborhood of Plateau is home to Le Darling, which is well-known for having a comforting and cozy atmosphere and delicious food items like Huître à l’unité, Biscuit au Chocolat and cheesecake. The environment and delicious snacks make it an excellent location for conducting business or getting some work done. Both the customer service, which is consistently friendly and pleasant, and the quality of the coffee are of the highest possible standard. In addition, there is free Wi-Fi access, which enables you to keep working without losing your connection to the outside world.

Address: 4328 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1Z3, Canada

Instagram Page: @bar.darling

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 1am

Friday: 11am – 3am

Saturday: 10am – 3am

Sunday: 10am – 1am

Café OUI MAIS NON⁠

Want high-quality coffee and a productive atmosphere? Café OUI MAIS NON is the perfect spot for you. Although the coffee is subpar, you need never worry about becoming hungry because you can place an order anytime. Good coffee, hearty home-cooked comfort food, and microbrews that aren’t watered down are all available in this welcoming environment. They’re in a good-karma attitude toward Earth, and they give you a hand in making environmentally responsible decisions. It’s so easy to focus on the upbeat that you might not even notice. Café OUI MAIS NON is an excellent choice for either academic or professional interests that you may have. It also has a wonderful atmosphere and perfect lighting. In addition, there is a sizable selection of both food and beverages accessible, enabling you to maintain your current energy levels during the day.

Address: 72 Rue Jarry E, Montréal, QC H2P 1T1, Canada

Instagram Page: @cafeouimaisnon

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am – 11pm

Tommy’s – Old Montreal

There’s something about Tommy’s that makes it the perfect place to get work done. It could be the exposed brick walls or the ample natural light streaming in from the large windows. Whatever it is, we can all agree that Tommy’s is one of the best places to study or work in Montreal. The coffee is great, and there’s a good selection of food if you need something more substantial than a pastry to power through your work session. The staff is always friendly and happy to chat, creating a relaxed atmosphere. And if you need a break from working, there’s plenty of people-watching to be done on Old Montreal’s busy streets.

Address: 151 Saint-Paul St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1Z5, Canada

Instagram Page: @tommy.cafe

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8am – 4pm

Friday – Sunday: 8am – 6pm

Café Orr

Café Orr is more than just a meeting place; it’s an immersive visual experience where ideas can flourish through spontaneous conversation. Private nooks and communal tables allow optimal concentration, collaboration, and relaxation. Free movie showings are held every day at 2 pm and 8 pm in a cinema room on the mezzanine. The Café Orr is a fantastic option for those looking for a place to study or get some work done in Montreal. There is an abundant supply of baked goods and sandwiches to choose from. If you are searching for a place where people are kind to one another and try to keep their etiquette in check, Café Orr is the place to go.

Address: 5368 Av. Papineau, Montréal, QC H2H 1W2, Canada

Instagram Page: @cafeorr

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am – 11pm

Café Santropol

The Café Santropol stands out as one of the numerous important buildings in Montreal. This coffee shop in Plateau has been a hangout for young people of all different backgrounds, including high school and college students, for many years now. The structure presently homes to Cafe Santropol was being slated for demolition in 1976, so Café Santropol was established. Due to the extensive menu of plant-based cuisine offered at Cafe Santropol, vegetarians and vegans will find it an excellent alternative dining option. Everyone you know who follows a plant-based diet, including your family, friends, and coworkers, should pay this establishment a visit.

Address: 3990 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2W 1T7, Canada

Instagram Page: @cafesantropol

Opening Hours: Wednesday – Thursday: 12 – 7pm

Friday – Sunday: 11:30am – 9pm

Crew Collective Café | Old Montréal

With it’s 50ft-high vaulted ceilings, grand chandeliers, a massive entrance hall, big bright windows and marble floors, Crew is spectacular and definatly one of our favorite coffee shops in Montreal. Housed in the main hall of the old Royal Bank Tower, this cafe is perfect for studying; there’s plenty of natural light, the coffee is delicious, and the staff is very helpful with tips on where best to sit or work in order to get your work done efficiently.

Address: 360 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1P5, Canada

Instagram Page: @crewcollectivecafe

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am–4pm

Saturday – Sunday: 10am–5pm

Cafe Aunja | Downtown

In Montreal since 2013, Aunja (which means “there” in Persian) is an Iranian café and tea house with a warm and exotic environment. Herbal teas, tisanes, cold beverages, and pastries are the café’s bread and butter. Custom tea blends can be created from the many options available in the store’s tea department. Ginger Tea and Persian Fog are two of our most sought-after blends. As well as the usual fare, they provide breakfast, sandwiches, and salads. People from all over Montreal flock to Cafe Aunja to catch up with friends and family while indulging in a mouthwatering dinner. The baristas and waitstaff are kind and eager to assist. In addition to offering a varied selection of food and beverages, Cafe Aunja provides customers with an abundance of power outlets, allowing them to charge electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones as they enjoy a cup of coffee. Convenient, right?

Address: 1448 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1K4, Canada

Instagram Page: @cafeaunja

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9am – 5pm

Saturday – Sunday: 10:30am – 6:30pm

Lili and Oli – Verdun/Griffintown

At Lili and Oli, you will find a wonderful atmosphere for getting some work done or studying in the city of Montreal. The atmosphere in the coffee shop is relaxed and welcoming, and the staff is more than willing to assist customers with any questions or needs. You will find an abundance of outlets, which will enable you to keep your electronic gadgets charged, and the provision of free Wi-Fi will make it simple to keep your connection with the outside world. Because it is of such high quality, the coffee served will allow you to keep your energy levels consistent while you are working. Moreover, their Salade de Betteraves, Salade de Quinoa and Bol Granola will help you stay healthy!

Address: 4554 Wellington St, Verdun, Quebec H4G 1W7, Canada

Instagram Page: @liliandoli

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm

Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 7pm

Café Parvis – Downtown

If you enjoy coffee and are looking for a quiet place to read, write, or work in the middle of the city, Café Parvis is a fantastic option for you to consider. Even if you are craving something nice, you can order Tataki de boeuf or satisfy your cravings with Chaudrée de palourdes. Moreover, the availability of free Wi-Fi makes it simple to maintain contact with the outside world. The peace and quiet of the setting and the relaxation it affords make it easier to concentrate on the matter at hand. It has everything that you need to study or conduct a meeting!

Address: 433 Mayor St, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1N9, Canada

Instagram Page: @cafe_parvis

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 11pm

Saturday: 10am – 11pm

Sunday: 10am – 3pm

Café OSMO

Café OSMO is a warm and inviting coffee establishment that can be found in the heart of the Plateau area in Montreal. The coffee shop has a homey and welcoming ambiance, and its spacious windows let in plenty of natural light. Additionally, the seating is very comfortable, making it an ideal environment for studying or getting work done. The recently renovated Café Osmo is significantly different from its former self. An enthusiastic group banded together to breathe new life into the area, which is instantly recognizable due to its brutalist design. In the daytime, Case Osmo transforms into a specialty café serving Ebi curry and Japanese sandwiches, two of Japan’s most popular dishes, along with other simple yet delicious dishes. Wonderful baked goods are also available.

Address: 51 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H2X 1X2, Canada

Instagram Page: @osmo_x_marusan

Opening Hours: Monday- Friday: 8am – 6pm

Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm

Dispatch Café – Plateau

Dispatch Café is the place to go if you find yourself in Plateau and seeking a place to quench your demand for caffeine. If you find yourself in Plateau, head there. Because of the unhurried nature of the setting, this cozy coffee shop is an excellent choice for those who need to concentrate on their schoolwork or get some work done on their laptop. They are experts in the coffee industry and understand that coffee can be enhanced in many ways beyond just the cup. They have always been unhappy with the way things are and have worked tirelessly to make a positive impact in this field. Their goal is to improve every aspect of our distribution network, from the field to your mug to the service you receive.

Address: 4021 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1Y4, Canada

Website: locations

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 6pm

Saturday – Sunday: 8am – 6pm

Butterblume

There is a nice small coffee shop named Butterblume in the Plateau that is excellent for working or studying. The neighborhood is called Plateau. The coffee is of the highest quality, and the atmosphere throughout the entire establishment is one of calm and quiet relaxation. There are sufficient seats accessible both inside and outside the restaurant, so you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to sit if you go there. It serves as a central gathering place for the city’s various neighborhoods to have luncheon, an appetizer, or dinner. Whether on the spot or to take it away, you may also browse their grocery store. On your walk back to your house, pick up some freshly baked bread, soup, salad, light dinner and alcoholic beverages!

Address: 5836 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1T3, Canada

Instagram Page: @lebutterblume_mtl

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: 11am – 3pm

Thursday – Friday: 11am – 10pm

Saturday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Oh My Deer Café – Plateau

Oh M Deer Café is an ideal location if you are a vegan and want ice cream. They have recently introduced 22 new flavors and guess what? Out of them, NINE are for vegas. Isn’t it great? The restaurant’s café can be found nestled away in a quiet nook of the establishment. This cozy coffee shop is popular with students for various reasons, including the high quality of its beverages and convenient location. This is due to the fact that the shop is located in a convenient and highly visible part of town. Your trip would have been a complete and utter bust if you had skipped out on the opportunity to sample one of their world-famous cinnamon buns before you left.

Address: 24 Ave des Pins, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1N3, Canada

Instagram Page: @ohmydeer.cafe

Opening Hours: Monday: 9am – 5pm

Tuesday – Friday: 9am – 8pm

Saturday – Sunday: 9:30am – 8pm

Conclusion

There you have it, the top 14 coffee shops in Montreal to study or work. These cafes offer great atmospheres for getting things done, and they all have unique qualities that make them stand out. So whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to hunker down and get some serious work done or you need a place to meet up with clients or colleagues, there’s sure to be a cafe on this list that’s perfect for you.

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Data Visualisation: Bible Was the First Hyperlinked Text

Amanda Wang — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 04:10:24 +0000

This visual representation of the 63,000 cross-references in the Bible is a collaboration between a Lutheran pastor Christoph Römhild and Chris Harrison, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

More of Chris Harrison’s visualisations at Science Photo Librar.

Each bar on the graph along the bottom represents a chapter of the Bible; the bar length corresponds to the number of verses in the passage. The rainbow-like arcs represent references from a chapter in one book to a chapter in another.

Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (115.1 MB)

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Best 15 Speakeasy Bars in Montreal

Amanda Wang — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 23:23:16 +0000

Prohibition Era. The period that was aimed to plug the booze consumption did everything but that. Fuelled by curiosity and demand, people across Canada and the USA were looking for a safe space to spend their spare time. Enter speakeasy bars. Shrouded in secrecy and mystique, speakeasy bars, that were hidden in plain sight, became infamous as people could unwind in peace in these spaces.

Though the Prohibition Era has ceased, the popularity of speakeasy bars didn’t fade. With the opportunity to relive history, speakeasy bars have regained prominence as the allure of mystique elevates the experience. And even if you aren’t looking for a prohibition-inspired bar, these hangout places are worth exploring for the vibe (and also to brag: Been there, done that!). Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the top speakeasy bars you should visit when you are in Montreal or if you want to impress your date.

Cloakroom Bar

Tucked away in the Golden Square Mile of Montreal, Cloakroom Bar is a cozy bar that’s hidden inside Maison Cloakroom, a tailoring store. What sets it apart from the rest of the bars is its no-menu approach and the unparalleled range of vintage spirits. All you need to do is walk in, without reservation, and sit back and enjoy the exceptional cocktail they stir up for you.

You can soak in their ambiance here: https://www.instagram.com/thecloakroombar/?hl=en
and find them here: 2175 rue de la Montagne, Montreal, Quebec H3G1Z8.

You can contact them at: info@cloakroombarmtl.com

Stillife

Relatively modern, Stillife is for those who want to enjoy their drinks without any frills and distractions. Situated in the basement of a former warehouse, the bar is shrouded in relaxing darkness and rough-hewn walls. Featuring DJs’ and a calming vibe, Stillife is the bar you need to be at for a memorable date or to unwind with your buddies.

Do look up their bar at: https://www.instagram.com/stillifemtl/

And find the not-so-secretive location at 640 St-Paul O, Montreal, Quebec H3C1L9

Reach out to them at +1 514-750-7676

Atwater Cocktail Club

Sporting an unimpressive entrance, Atwater is a gem in the rough as the bar is located behind Foiegwa restaurant. But once inside, prepared to be impressed by the welcoming ambiance. Adorned with mirrored ceilings and swanky couches, Atwater will leave you flying high, thanks to their cocktails and speakeasy theme.

See for yourself at: https://www.instagram.com/atwatercocktailclub/?hl=en
and prepare to be impressed at 512 Atwater, Montreal, Quebec

Contact them at 438-816-8938

BAR – Big in Japan

Hiding behind an easy-to-miss door, BAR is anything but easy to forget once you are in. Although it is a speakeasy bar, the BAR features ambiance enough to take someone on a date. From velvety curtains to old Japanese bottles as fixtures, BAR – Big in Japan is Instagram-worthy and should be on your bucket list.

Check out the vibe at: https://www.instagram.com/biginjapan_bar/?hl=en

And take the Instagram-worthy snaps at 4175 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec

Call them at +1 438-380-5658

Magpie Magique

The red lighting at Magpie Magique creates the mysterious, risky vibe of the Prohibition Era. The high back chairs and thick curtains make Magpie a secluded place to hang out with friends. Inspired by bars around the globe, Magpie Magique helps you travel back to the forgotten era with music and delectable cocktails.

See the vibe for yourself at: https://www.instagram.com/magpiemagiquemtl/

And relive the Prohibition Era at 380 Rue Gilford, Montreal,

Contact them at 514-759-6247

Le 4e Mur

This speakeasy bar is different from the others as you also get to become a detective by following murder mystery clues in the bar. Adorned with brick walls, Le 4e Mur provides a relaxing atmosphere with its dimly lit ambiance. Right from the entrance to the meticulously curated menu, Le 4e Mur is worth your time when you are in Montreal. And, the murder mystery, coupled with the drinks, keeps the conversation flowing when you are on a date.

Soak in the ambiance at: https://www.instagram.com/4emur/

And solve the murder mystery at 2021 Saint-Denis St, Montreal, Quebec

Make the reservations at 438-396-8947

The Coldroom Bar

The Coldroom Bar is a hidden world that can be accessed by ringing the bell next to the black door. Coldroom bagged the Best International Bar Team and has been thronged by many well-known celebrities.

The vibe can be checked out at: https://www.instagram.com/thecoldroommtl/?hl=en

And ring the bell at Rue Saint-Amable x Rue Saint-Vincent, Montreal, QC

Contact them at info@thecoldroommtl.com

Nhậu Bar

Beautiful Vietnamese lanterns adorn this basement bar and it reflects a particularly serene vibe. The bar is located under the Hà restaurant and it features a wide range of cocktails that shall make you want to come back to Nhậu Bar.

The lively atmosphere can be checked out at https://www.instagram.com/nhaubar/

Experience the vibe at 600 rue William, Montreal, Quebec

Call them at (514)-379-4111

Club Pelicano

Nestled at the heart of Montreal’s business hub, you can find Club Pelicano in the basement area under Tiradito, a Peruvian bar. Club Pelicano features a Mediterranean menu and disco evenings that are spiced up by a DJ.

Feel the energy at https://www.instagram.com/clubpelicanomtl/

Dive into the rhythm at 1076 Rue de Bleury Suite 001, Montreal, Quebec

Contact them at +1 514-861-1515

N Sur Mackay

Prepare to be impressed by the warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s elevated by the warm lighting of the speakeasy bar. From chandeliers to the wooden cabinets of booze, N Sur Mackay is popular for its friendly staff and vintage vibes.

Check out the timeless vibe here https://www.instagram.com/n_on_mackay/

And enjoy the vibe here at 1244 Mackay, Montreal, Quebec

Gokudo

Gokudo is a Japanese-themed speakeasy bar that sports a contemporary vibe and features East Asian food items. As Gokudo means one path, this speakeasy bar is your pathway to soak in the Japanese vibes.

Tap into the Asian vibes here https://www.instagram.com/gokudo_mtl/?hl=en

And explore the Japanese bar here 630 RUE CATHCART, MONTRÉAL, QC

Call them at 514-375-371

Le Petit Secret

Le Petit Secret features a reflective ceiling that bears the semblance of a starry sky. Awash with reddish hues, the secretive bar requires a passcode to enter the bar, that reflects back alley vibes. Don’t hesitate to soak in the vibes at this bar where you can also party at.

Feel the pulse at https://www.instagram.com/petitsecret_rosemont/?hl=en

And party at 806 Boul. Rosemont, Montréal, QC

Contact them at 438.504-8080

Bar Le Mal Nécessaire

Having been in the business for a decade, Bar Le Mal Nécessaire has the passion to become Canada’s premier bar. Additionally, the speakeasy bar has a focus on sustainability, making it a splendid option for partying while being ecologically friendly.

Explore it at https://www.instagram.com/lemalnecessaire/?hl=en

Party responsibly at 1015 St Alexander St. Montreal, Quebec

Milky Way Cocktail Bar

Unlike the other speakeasy bars, Milky Way has an airy ambiance with its transparent roof that is decorated with lights that mimic the magnificence of the Milky Way galaxy. The laidback vibe and starry ambiance take you to new heights while you sip their unique cocktails.

Soak in the galactic vibes at https://www.instagram.com/milkywaycocktails/?hl=en

And sip their cocktails at 1886 rue Centre #2, Montreal, Quebec

It is a no-reservations bar.

Shout to: Bootlegger (though not a speakeasy bar)

With ambiance enough to pass off as a speakeasy bar, Bootlegger is a cocktail bar that specializes in whiskey and absinthe libations. The venue has hosted a variety of events from comedy shows to jazz performances.

Explore the venue at https://www.instagram.com/bootleggercocktailbar/

Hangout at 3481 St Laurent, Montreal, Quebec

Call them at (438) 383-2226

The post Best 15 Speakeasy Bars in Montreal appeared first on 514Blog.

Top 10 Best Tango Schools in Montreal

Amanda Wang — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:52:07 +0000

Montreal is the multicultural epicentre of Quebec, and one of the most diverse cities in the world. You can walk from one neighborhood to another and feel like you’re in a different city, and even sometimes as if you are in Buenos Aires.

Tango is a partner dance and social dance that originated in the 188s along the Río de la Plata, the river that separates Argentina and Uruguay. Tango was born in the impoverished port areas of Buenos Aires, as a result of a combination of Rioplatense Candombe celebrations, Spanish-Cuban Habanera, and Argentinean Milonga.

The tango was frequently practiced in the brothels and bars of ports, where business owners employed bands to entertain their patrons with music. The tango then spread to the rest of the world. Many variations of this dance currently exist around the world.

For those eager to learn and enjoy this sensual and romantic dance, we have compiled the list of top 10 best tango schools and studios in Montreal.

1. Cosy Montreal

Located in Ville-Emard, just few steps from Metro Monk. Cosy is a world class Tango, Salsa, Bachata dance school, frequently sending students and teachers to participate in international tournaments. Founder and owner Santiago Gimenez aka TangoMan dedicated his life to this art!

Teachers Missy et Alexander, who are also semi finalist at Revolution TVA, are happy to offer beginner classes to those ready to dive into the world of Tango. If you are already a ‘connoisseur’ no need to worry, there is something for everybody at Cosy. Special events are organized on a regular basis where you can show off your talent or just enjoy and have fun.

https://cosy-montreal.com/

Facebook

Tel: (438) 378-3571

2. Studio Tango Montreal

Studio Tango Montréal boasts a relaxed and easy-going environment, a dynamic team of professional teachers, and the most complete program of Argentine Tango classes in North America today.

Passionate about teaching, their talented team is dedicated to bringing out the very best in each and every student from the absolute beginner level all the way up to the most ultra-advanced!

https://studiotango.ca/

Phone: (514) 844-2786

3. École de tango argentin Las Piernas

The Las Piernas Argentine tango school is a non-profit organization that has been teaching in this great city of ours since 2011, at the same time elegant, sensual, and passionate with a completely original, organic and fun approach. Let’s face it, if you are not having fun, you will not learn!

https://laspiernastango.ca/

Address: 505 Rue Jean-Talon E, Montréal, QC H2R 1T6
Phone: (514) 568-6646

4. Tango Libre

Another pioneer of Tango dancing for nearly 20 years has been the dance company Tango Libre, they have been promoting and of course teaching Argentine tango to the general public, which they have done so through teaching and also by organising diverse shows. Innovation is definitely a great part of Tango Libre! They have also made sure they are up to date and hip with all the modern rends in this field!

http://tangolibre.ca/

Address: 1650 Marie-Anne St E, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2E1
Phone: (514) 527-5197

5. Tangueria

Started in 1991 The Tangueria is a great little studio located in Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal. To make it easy 1993, the Studio changed its name to the Tangueria and in no time became “THE PLACE” in Montreal for Tango and other form of dancing. They have been offering great activities and teaching with passion Argentine Tango since 2004. It is their passion for this form of art that makes them stand out!

http://www.tangueria.org/

Address: 6394 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2S 2M2
Phone: (514) 495-8645

6. Le studio 2720

One of the largest multidisciplinary schools in Canada. Fot more than 40 years they have been a strong leader in the social and Latin dance in Montreal. This facility has trained lot of champions in this who in turn offer this to the public. Make sure not to give them a visit when you are on the search!

https://www.studio2720.com/

Address: 2720 Rue des Ormeaux, Montréal, QC H1L 4X7
Phone: (514) 354-2210

6. La Maison du Tango

La Maison du Tango offers group and private courses in most areas of Montreal & Laval. At the studio or at home. Argentine Style: Milonga, Tango, Waltz

https://www.lamaisondutango.com/

Address: 7250 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2R 2N1
Phone: (514) 441-9447

7. Mon Tango

MonTango was founded in 2007 and officially opened their doors of studio in 2008. Located in N.D.G., they are the only Argentine tango school in the city’s west end. Over the years they have built a reputation for having a warm and friendly atmosphere as well as a great musical selection at their milongas, and an excellent team of instructors who are at once expert and approachable.

http://www.montango.ca/

Facebook

Address: 5588A Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H4A 1W3
Phone: (514) 486-5588

7. San Tropez Dance School

San tropez offers lessons in Latin dance styles such as Tango, Salsa, Kizomba, Bachata, and more to beginners and advanced dancers alike. The studio is recognized for a personal approach and its professional and friendly atmosphere. They are a beautiful family!

https://latindance.net/

Address: 1222 Peel St, Montreal, Quebec H3B 2T6
Phone: (514) 871-8852

9. Latin Groove

Well rated dance school where you can take salsa, bachata, kizomba, fitness classes and much more. For beginners to the multi advanced with or without a partner, group or private lessons. Since 1998, Latin Groove has provided not only quality dance lessons but has formed one of Montreal’s largest dance community.

With weekly dance socials on Friday nights as well as many events all around the city, Latin Groove has created a family.

https://latingroove.ca/

Address: 1184 Saint-Catherine St W 4ème étage, Montreal
Phone: (514) 927-2572

10. DANCE CONMIGO

Dedicated to creating a warm environment in which to learn, Dance Conmigo teaches and promotes many of today’s most popular dances including Argentine Tango, Salsa, Social Ballroom and West Coast Swing.

https://www.danceconmigo.com/

Address: 9 Rue Sainte-Catherine E #2, Montréal, QC H2X 1K3
Phone: (514) 510-1374

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Best MMA & BJJ Gyms in Montreal

Amanda Wang — Mon, 29 May 2023 20:15:02 +0000

MMA is the fastest-growing sport in the world and Montreal’s fight scene is by far the best in the country and one of the best on the planet. Even though many gyms have spurted out following the meteoric rise of UFC, few places demarcate themselves with their quality of teaching, sense of community, and the progress the students are making on weekly basis. Here are the best Mixed Martial Arts gyms in Montreal!

1. Angry Monkey MMA

Based in Verdun, just a few blocks from the metro station of the same name, Angry Monkey MMA is one of those special “je ne sais quoi” gyms. Its founder and head striking coach Justin Etheridge, is also the president of the World Kickboxing Federation of Quebec. Etheridge managed to create a safe space where hardcore training is perfectly balanced with a sense of community. The gym has produced multiple champions in K-1 Kickboxing and many fierce competitors in Muay Thai, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The key element of the gym is the submission grappling coach Alexandre Brock Arteau who is probably the nicest scary guy you will ever meet. His BJJ crew, which meets 6 days/week, feels more like a friendly gathering than a class.

If you looking to lose weight, the boxing coach, restless Coney Reyes, won’t let you leave her class unless you are drenched in sweat and a bit overwhelmed but still wanting to come back for more. The Gym also has close ties with World Champions like Liam Harrison , Jean Charles Skarbowsky and Bas Rutten

angrymonkeymma.com

Facebook Page

Address: 5139 Rue de Verdun, Verdun, QC H4G 1N6

Phone: (514) 543-6107

2. Tristar Gym

Lead by World-Renowned Coach Firas Zahabi. Tristar is home to many great Internationally recognized Fighters, such as Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, David “Crow” Loiseau, Kenny Florian, Miguel Torres, Ivan Menjivar, Yves Jabouin, John Makdessi, Denis Kang, and many more. In BJJ, Firas has helped develop a few of no-gi’s best, names such as Ethan Crelinsten, Oliver Taza, and Pierre-Olivier Leclerc. Tristar Gym is one of the top professional MMA training camps.

Facebook Page

Address: 5275 Ferrier St, Montreal, Quebec H4P 1L7

Phone: (514) 343-0148

3. Apex Martial Arts

Apex Martial Arts isn’t a gym, its a community. You will join a dynamic environment where the coaches and students will push you harder and further than you could ever go alone. They are a team and a family. Ryan Parsons opened the first APEX gym at 21 years old in 2006. To this day, he still competes in Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. He is a certified instructor under Kru Nokweed Sriampai of Muay Thai School USA. He holds black belts from Zen Dragon Martial arts and Fang Shen Do Kung-Fu, and a Blue Belt from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu under Louis Ho.

Apex Martial Arts Website

4. Bujutsu Montreal

Founded by Louis-Christophe Laurin, Bujutsu Montreal offers self-defence, bujutsu, weapon training and combat sports: kickboxing, submission grappling and MMA. In modern history usage, bujutsu means martial art or military science, and is typified by its practical application of the technique to real-world situations.

Lessons for children and adults, beginners and advanced.

Facebook page

5. 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a non-traditional no-gi jiu-jitsu system developed by Eddie Bravo.

Bravo’s system focused on training without the traditional gi, becoming one of the first jiu-jitsu schools to do so. The idea behind this was to try to implement as many of the techniques as possible in MMA competitions. Bravo became known in 2003 by submitting Royler Gracie at the ADCC Championship, after which he launched his 10th Planet jiu-jitsu team, a program that is gathering a huge following in the grappling and mixed martial arts (MMA) communities.

www.10thplanetjiujitsumtl.com

6. Carlson Gracie Team Montreal

Tri Nguyen is a brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. He has also trained under Renzo Gracie in NYC and received his blue belt from Renzo in 2000. He then spent several years at the renowned AMC Pankration Martial Arts Center located in Seattle WA taught by the Mixed-martial-arts great- Matt Hume. He has also trained at Carlson Gracie- London UK and at Montreal BJJ Revolution. Tri also holds a judo brown belt from Iranian wrestling and Canadian judo champion- Mohammad Khorrami.

Facebook

7. Titans Academy

Titans Academy specializes in Muay Thai and is honored to have Kru Ash as a coach, a leading authority in the field. At our school, all of our students surpass themselves and become better people through the philosophy of martial arts. Training is not only beneficial for physical fitness, but also for mental strength, self-confidence, focus, etc. In addition, Muaythai is a great form of self defense.

Interested in learning Muaythai and self-defense techniques in Montreal? Call them! Their martial arts and physical training center covers 8,000 square feet and has been offering its services since 2012

Facebook

8. Victory Training Center

MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Eskrima/ Kali and Fitness in one center for one price for all ages.

Facebook

9. Mizu Studio Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling

Mizu Studio is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Studio with Wrestling and Muay Thai Kickboxing in Saint-Henri/Montreal. No contracts. No politics. Accessible training for everyone. They welcome practitioners from any school and of any art and pride themselves on being beginner and family friendly while providing the highest level of training. They created a club- and family-like atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Be it a beginner with no previous experience in martial arts or a seasoned competitor — they share mats, exchange knowledge and improve together. They despise hidden fees, up-selling, and forced contracts and strive to make martial arts truly accessible to anyone.

Website

10. H20 MMA

In addition to mixed martial arts, Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, H2O MMA runs women’s kickboxing courses that take place up to four times a week. If you prefer really intense training, you can join sparring and advanced drills, which are recommended only for experienced practitioners.

H20 Website

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Top 5 Vegan Restaurants in Montreal for 2019

Amanda Wang — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 16:53:37 +0000

1. LOV Restaurant

The latest addition to Montreal’s vegan-health-conscious-with-a-somewhat-gourmet-culinary dining experience in a real gem in the middle of the city. Elegant atmosphere, white walls, lots of plants and amazing food in a very trendy, upmarket, vibrant environment. Vegan Burger Big LOV
is great as is sweet potato Gnocchi di casa with hemp pesto. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday

www.lov.com

2. Invitation V

Stylish and innovative vegan food in a beautiful space in central Old Montreal. Great atmosphere and amazingly fast service. Tofu Butter Chicken with curry sauce is well seasoned and texture is just perfect. The chickpea burger and chocolate cake are highly recommended.

www.invitationv.com

3. Cafe Lola Rosa

Great vegetarian restaurant for a younger crowd. This location is small but sufficient. Prepare to be very close to other guests if it’s crowded. Busy and full of McGill students. Good selection of dishes, including vegan and gluten-free choices (including deserts). Drinks menu pretty good too. Mid-range price point. Lively atmosphere. The lasagna is out of this world and the chili is world class. Pineapple cheesecake is also amazing.

www.lolarosa.ca

4. Aux Vivres

Aux Vivres was the restaurant that debunked myths people held about vegan food by preparing meals that are flavourful, inspired, fresh, innovative and delicious. This is the ultimate plant-based restaurant in Plateau. Very creative menu with tons of options (bowls, salads, wraps with tempeh and coconut bacon) Fresh ingredients and clear nutritional information. Good coffee.

www.auxvivres.com

5. Copper Branch

Founded in Montreal in 2014 by Rio Infantino who owned several fast-food franchises over a period of about 25 years and ended up suffering from weight and health problems, Rio wanted to create a menu that stood for quality and health. Copper branch is designed to serve quality, healthy and wholesome foods and promote health and great taste.

www.copperbranch.ca

The post Top 5 Vegan Restaurants in Montreal for 2019 appeared first on 514Blog.

Built on top of 10 Million 1200 years Old Tree Trunks, Venice is Sinking & Faces Worst Floods in Half a Century

Amanda Wang — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 20:46:17 +0000

Venice Island was built on a foundation of 10,000,000 underwater wooden logs or 8 to 10 tree logs per sq meter. Trunks function as roots. 1200 years later, those same trunks still support almost all of central Venice. Extremely expensive building ground accounted for half of the construction costs. The wood had to be obtained from the forests of Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro, and transported to Venice via water.

Wood is much less durable than metal and its use as a supporting structure may seem strange. The secret to the longevity of Venice’s wooden foundation is the fact that they are submerged underwater. The decay of wood is caused by microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria. As the wooden support in Venice is submerged underwater, they are not exposed to oxygen, one of the elements needed by microorganisms to survive. In addition, the constant flow of salt water around and through the wood petrifies the wood over time, turning the wood into a hardened stone-like structure.

Million ancient tree trunks are not the reason Venice is sinking. The draining of the aquifer beneath Venice during the early modern period is the principal cause.

Venice declared ‘state of disaster’ and two people died in ‘apocalyptic’ tide, known as “acqua alta,” that flooded 85% of the UNESCO city. With the waters peaking at 1.87 meters—the worst since a catastrophic flood reached 1.94m in 1966

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro says that climate change is responsible for the highest tide in 50 years. He tweeted that the floods will leave a “permanent mark,” adding: “Now the government must listen… These are the effects of climate change… the costs will be high.” Brugnaro put the damage at “one billion euros”,

Dirty water swirled around marble tombs inside the 12th century crypt of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, which suffered untold damage.

According to Associated Press, Brugnaro said he had asked to talk with Premier Giuseppe Conte to underline the urgency of the project, nicknamed Moses, which would raise barriers when the tide reaches 43 inches.

Full completion and operation of the project is expected in 2022.

The question remains if climate change is behind Venice flooding? BBC meteorologist Nikki Berry explained:

“The recent flooding in Venice was caused by a combination of high spring tides and a meteorological storm surge driven by strong sirocco winds blowing north-eastwards across the Adriatic Sea. When these two events coincide, we get what is known as Acqua Alta (high water).

The weather patterns that have caused the Adriatic storm surge have been driven by a strong meridional (waving) jet stream across the northern hemisphere and this has fed a conveyor belt of low pressure systems into the central Mediterranean.”

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Best of Montreal’s Urbex

Amanda Wang — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 18:22:24 +0000

The word Urbex means the exploration of abandoned or hidden man made structures. This word was created from combining the words urban and exploration. It is a dangerous and often illegal activity however individuals are interested in the history and documentation of the explored structures, while many people who are interested in Urbex take on photography as a hobby even if it involves them trespassing private property to get a good shot! Montreal is the largest city in Canada’s Quebec province, and it has been around for a long time, which is why it is filled with a vast amount of historical places to discover and explore.

Many instagram accounts such as @mad4twnty post photographs of the unique sites. UER.ca offers information on all locations Canada wide.

Here are a few of the best Urbex explorations located in the wonderful Island of Montreal:

1. The Silo #5

Featured on the Urbex website is the “Emblematic industrial monument in the Old Port of Montreal, also known as the Silo #5 and Elevator B. Climbing this gigantic concrete structure south of Mcgill Street is an unforgettable challenge. It is located at the entrance of the Lachine canal on the jetty of Pointe-du-Moulin-a-vent. This monument is made of 206 silos blended with a combination of buildings that has been created with embankments taken from the construction of the canal during a period of over 50 years. The complex measures half a kilometer and 66 meters high.

The history of this monument began in 1906 when the first creation took place with brick and non-combustible materials to avoid high risks of explosions due to grain dust. In 1913, a first annex was added to the complex and expanded in the years 1923 and 1924. These circular silos were used to store grain. Grain from all over the country, but mainly western Canada, was stored in over 60 silos in this area.

The Old Port of Montreal was therefore known as a hub of the grain trade in North America and also known as the main cereal port. The railway and the Lachine Canal in that area are the connection in this economy which allows the grain to be exported to Europe. Between the years of 1957 and 1959, a third extension of a few upper floors that is visible from the Commune street was added and is known as the rare glazed sections of the huge structure. This complex has been abandoned since 1994 and is today covered with vandalism and graffiti artists who visit to leave their art prints on the site. The Silo #5 is patrolled by many different teams of guards due to the high number of visits from hordes of teenagers, who always flee the monument as soon as the guards appear.

The Silo #2 was built in 1910 in front of the Bonsecours market and is 15 stories high. It was the highest point in Montreal when it was built. In 1978, it was destroyed along with other imposing structures to allow the individuals of Montreal to have better access to the river.

Numerous projects such as building a hotel, a data center, a museum and hundreds of others have been proposed to redevelop the Old Port monument, but none have succeeded. The issue of abandoned industrial silos is all around the world. For example, two former silos have been rebuilt into residential complexes in Copenhagen.

2. The Church with Cubic Stained-Glass Windows

This abandoned and heavily vandalized church, located along the highway, was closed in 2013. The outside of the church is made of stone walls that are about to collapse, while the inside is the result of many acts of vandalism from passersby. More specifically, the interior of the site is covered with square stained-glass windows above the altar. Behind the altar’s brick wall hides a small corridor which leads to vandalized rooms filed with articles and garments, where the statues have their faces painted blue and where one of the displayed statues is “hung” in the closet. On the opposite side, there is a room where bibles and other objects were stored. Every part of the altar is heavily vandalized; for example, the hinges of each door have been cut by a hacksaw. which has been left behind, and the corridors are filled with paper coin wrappers. There is also an old safe that has been opened and left behind.

The church rests in an old village on the island of Montreal that was quickly urbanized after the Second World War, which highlights how old this church is. This historical site was designed by the architect Edgar Courchesne, who also participated in the construction and renovation of the Saint Joseph’s Oratory. Nevertheless, the church belongs to the religious community of the church and has a present book value of around $4 million. The only part of the church that has not been heavily vandalized is the presbytery, which is the house of the priest. The presbytery is huge and filled with rooms that confirm the past presence of religious activities. Very surprisingly, the priest’s house is still electrified. Many believe that this church will be sold in the next few years to build new infrastructure in the Montreal area, however this leaves many disappointed to lose such a precious piece of history.

3. The Abandoned University Residence

This former residence for men, built in 1905, was closed in 1981 after a fire severely damaged the building. The fire started just a few hours after the Dean of the University announced a new investment of $200,000 to improve safety in the Universities residences who are denounced at risk by the fire department and provincial government. The residence was said to be at risk due to it lacking smoke detectors or automatic sprinkler systems.

The cause of the fire was a forgotten cigarette. The fire caused a few injuries, as many residents had to jump out the window to escape the smoke and flames of the fire. Today, the structure still remains solid due to it being concrete, however the interior is destroyed from the burning flames.

Although the roof does not leak, the floor is completely rotten which gives illusions that visitors may pass through the floor. This lifeless abandoned residence is located in Montreal, Canada if anybody is interested in exploring Urbex locations.

4. Montreal’s Empress Theatre in NDG

This theater was closed in 1992 following a massive fire. It was built in 1927 and has become a part of the cultural landscape of Montreal ever since. The consequences of the fire in the 90’s are the loss of its former glory, except for the front Egyptian motifs. Furthermore, this theater has been the project of a rehabilitation non-profit organization that fought for over 3 years to find the funds necessary to renovate the entire theater.

When the building opened in 1927, it was closed by its former owners a few years later. In 1939, it became a cabaret. Then, in 1962, the Royal Follies settled there specializing in offering dinner theater services. In 1968, the building became a theater like it was first designed to be, and renovations were done to divide the large room into two. The theater was run by three successive owners who very well managed the operations. Unfortunately, the timeline ends in 1992 when the fire destroys the entire place.

Today, graffiti covers a lot of the walls and the entire interior and exterior is destroyed from the burning flames of the fire. Very few elements of the original architecture remain inside nowadays. Nevertheless, a few Egyptian motifs are still visible in some areas of the structure.

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