Rookie questions-Driving from Detroit for the game on 4/16

[rockyraccoon]

Hey everyone, I'm making the drive from Detroit to Montreal for my 1st ever trip to see a Montreal game on 4/16.

I was hoping to get some advice on tickets.  I was thinking of just grabbing 2 of the cheapest tickets online now and then hopefully be able to move closer if there are empty seats.  I'm not sure what the protocol is for that in the stadium or if prices will be even cheaper around game day since it is the last game of the year and not much to play for(I expect the Wings to continue their choke).

Any classic pubs/restaurants/sites to see near the stadium we should check out?  I'm 55 years old and super excited to finally see a game in Montreal.  Too bad it isn't the forum but it should still be quite a thrill to finally see the Habs in person.  

Thanks

[jkr]

I can't help you with ticket buying options but I can tell you that you are in for a great experience. My last in-person game was October 2019 - the season that would be cut short by Covid. I was sitting in the top third of the bowl but it was a great view and there is nothing like experiencing the sights and sounds in person. Have a walk through of the courtyard where the statues of some of the greats are and browse the Habs shop at ground level. I'm not sure if they do Bell Centre tours during the season, It's worth checking out if they are running.

There are guys here that go to games a lot more than me. They can clue you in on places to eat and provide tips for acquiring tickets. I'm sure once they see your post you will get some good info.

Enjoy!

[Tankdriver]

There is a baton rouge (steakhouse) near the Bell Center. Everything depends on your budget and tastes. There is also a cage au sports (steakhouse) within the bell center but you need to book hours before the game.

As for tickets, there is ushers at every exit on the lower bowl that checks people's tickets so I don't know how easy it is to move up. There are also scalpers all around the outside of the bell center offering tickets.

Honestly you can't go wrong no matter which way you go.There is traditional arena food throughout the building, some good history murals on the walls, lots of souvenir places inside. If you are doing the food and drink inside, you are spending probably close to $60 for a couple dogs and beers.

[habsorbed]

For starters, you're about to experience a sporting event like know other. All the fans are all in! The tradition of Les Glorieux is always present. And if they win, it's party on, with singing in the corridors and out into the streets. Even sometimes if they lose!

As for tix, I've been successful getting good priced tix from scalpers outside the Bell the day of, but knowing that if they are pricey, i'm paying the price anyway as i'm going to see the Habs and there's no stopping me. Doubt this game is going to be in high demand so could get some good prices. If I'm wrong, you gatta be prepared to spend more than you would on-line. You can go in the afternoon or a few hours before game time. Alternatively, my brother will wait until after the anthem is over and then tix are dirt cheap, assuming there are any left. But as this is your first game, you gotta soak up the full experience. I'd be inside for the pre-game warm-up.

As for food, i won't recommend any restautrentys except Schwartz's for the real Montreal smoke meat for lunch around 3pm - avoid line-ups. Whateveer you do to eat before the game, you absoulutely have to, and I mean absolutely even if you're vegan, save room for two Bell (Forum) hotdogs with moutarde. These will be the best dogs you have ever had and can only get at a Habs game.

Lastly, i hope for you the Habs win, as you will never forget the experience. But i hope for the Habs that if they do win it doesn't affect their draft pick

[Polarice]

Apr 7, 2024 0:00:06 GMT -5 rockyraccoon said:

Hey everyone, I'm making the drive from Detroit to Montreal for my 1st ever trip to see a Montreal game on 4/16.

I was hoping to get some advice on tickets.  I was thinking of just grabbing 2 of the cheapest tickets online now and then hopefully be able to move closer if there are empty seats.  I'm not sure what the protocol is for that in the stadium or if prices will be even cheaper around game day since it is the last game of the year and not much to play for(I expect the Wings to continue their choke).

Any classic pubs/restaurants/sites to see near the stadium we should check out?  I'm 55 years old and super excited to finally see a game in Montreal.  Too bad it isn't the forum but it should still be quite a thrill to finally see the Habs in person.  

Thanks

Best bet for tickets if you cant buy direct is from the scalpers....you can usually get cheap tickets just before game start. They usually panic about getting stuck with unsold tickets will usually dump them below or at face value. That's what we do if we go and can't get decent tickets prior to the game.

The have tours of the bell centre that you can go on as well, if it's not on a game day they will take you through the dressing room as well. It's a pretty cool tour.

As far as food, there are many local pubs around that are fairly reasonable, if your looking for Montreal smoked meat experience Reuben's Deli is right on Saint-Catherine St, I always go there when in Montreal.

You're gonna gave a great time. And don't forget to grab some hotdogs at the game!!!

[Willie Dog]

If you want great pizza after the game go to pizza Dany just up de la Montagne near st. Catherine

Pizza Dany

g.co/kgs/fKc93G1

And since you're sleeping there make sure to pick up bagels from St. Viateur the next day... you can eat them on their own... no cream cheese/smoked salmon required

[Skilly]

I’ve always gotten my tickets from scalpers. But I wasn’t worried about price. But I’ve yet to be in the lower bowl. There used to be tickets you could get in the 200 section with food included. I got them one Super Bowl weekend, and ate way too much (who doesn’t like free Bell Center food)

I’d suggest you get tickets early enough to see the pre game affair. You’ll avoid food line ups, but you’ll also get to see the pre-game introduction light show they do on the ice (I won’t spoil it, I thought it was the coolest thing ever when I first saw it. Back then it all ended with the torch at center ice though)

I’d certainly recommend Cage Au Sports for food, but not on game day if you are there for more than one day. We usually ate lunch there. One of the best sports bars/restaurants I’ve been to. Sign up to the Cage Au Sports app and you’ll get free wings. No worries though , the waitresses at the restaurant will help you through it if you don’t do it beforehand. I think you get free wings or $6 off your first meal

Of course no trip is complete with going to the Tri-Coluers store. Though only if you want to get a jersey. You name the Habs player, they got the jersey

I did the tour of Bell Centre. I really enjoyed it. We weren’t allowed in the dressing room, but we got to look in. They take you to the media center, and the Alumni Lounge. I got my picture taken giving a fake news conference with the Habs backdrop (it’s my Twitter picture 🤪)

I usually always take in Dunn’s pub in Montreal for a beer and a meal. You can get smoked meat there too.

[HABsurd]

Restaurant options within walking distance of the Bell Centre are limited. Game day I would recommend trying the new on-site M2 Marché (https://centrebell.ca/en/m2) food hall. Featuring a variety of upscale casual far. It is only accessible with a ticket.

If you are looking for something higher end I would recommend Nora Gray (http://noragray.com). The menu features creative Italian cuisine and is regularly rated among the top restaurants in Canada. It is a 10 minute walk from the Bell Centre.

[Tankdriver]

If you are up for other forms of entertainment, there is an adult club near by that is supposed to be good. That's what people say...

[Willie Dog]

Bier Markt on Rene Levesque O is very good, so is the Olde orchard pub on de le Montague and you can't go wrong but la Belle et la boeuf

If you're looking for a fantastic hotel Warwick Le Crystal is awesome, if you get a corner room you get to look out at the bell centre

[Willie Dog]

Apr 8, 2024 13:00:39 GMT -5 Tankdriver said:

If you are up for other forms of entertainment, there is an adult club near by that is supposed to be good. That's what people say...

Whoop-Whoop.... Guys put your hands together and welcome to the stage.... ChantaaaaL... LMAO

[jkr]

How was your experience? The ending wasn't great but it looks like you got your money's worth.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Well, welcome to the board, Rock ... hope you had a good time in Montreal ... Mrs Dis and I took in a game later in the season, and we hit The Peel Pub after the game, and took in Dunns's earlier that day ... the smoked meat at Dunn's was outstanding, but I'm trying to think of a place in Montreal that serves bad smoked meat ... looking forward to reading more of your opinions ... if you plan on sticking around the community, please take a moment to review our Code of Conduct ... all the best, Rock ...

Cheers.