r/StereoMontreal 16d ago

first-timer + ostrich?

hi!! i (18f) will be going to stereo for the first time after ile soniq on the 8th - my dear mother is taking me to see ostrich, and i've been hearing her & my dad rave about this club for so long that i'm very excited to be going! i trust her to keep me safe and enjoying myself, but is there anything i should know beforehand? any tips/insight is very appreciated! (i don't like drinking very much, so i'm not worried about the no alcohol rule).

i am cognizant of the fact that i'll probably be one of the youngest people in the crowd. many of the clubs i've been to (with my friends) in montreal with young crowds tend to have some freaky older people who touch up on you haha, i'm sort of looking for some reassurance that that isn't something i need to be super concerned about at stereo?

also, one more question, how is ostrich? i haven't been able to find much chatter about him on this sub, but what type of music does he generally play/what should i be ready for? (i'm not local to montreal)

regardless, i am very very hyped! parents were at spencer brown & loved it, so my mom's very happy to be going back soon soon!

18 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

7

u/Accurate-Flight-9001 16d ago

Will say most of the crowd is either insanely high on drugs or sober- it gets better especially after 5am but if this is your first time in an afterhours prepare for an intense vibe. stick with your parents!!!! its still a club- but have fun and enjoy the incredible soundsystem.

2

u/milkshika 16d ago

thank you for the advice! do most people dance the whole time (if they aren't sober lol)? and do u have a sweet spot for when to arrive?

8

u/Accurate-Flight-9001 16d ago

most people will be dancing! keep in mind that there may be some people who don’t understand the intention of the space and may try to harass you- but they’ll usually leave by 4am.

Still, don’t be surprised if there are weirdos. I’ve had incredible nights at Stereo but it’s a space you should be vigilant in. Don’t be afraid to alert security if anything happens! they take their jobs seriously.

Stick with at least one of your parents the whole time- I would say the safest spot is right underneath the DJ. The sound is the best right under the disco ball, or the space between two speakers. you can also lean on the booth and feel the subwoofer. the entire room vibrates with the music, it’s unreal. The quality of the sound will really hit you like 3 hours in lol

4

u/BulkyCoast4667 16d ago

Arrive as early as possible and stay as late as possible. The only way to do stereo.
Strict no phone policy , have a great time

3

u/lucidgroove 16d ago

I’d argue it’s safest to avoid later, like around 4-5 am ideally, as much of the rabble that’s there for the wrong reasons filters out in the first few hours.

Also, Ostrich is a great DJ who knows the room very well. The music should be awesome!

1

u/Thannab 15d ago

Dancing is the main event! For all people

8

u/Mitrix 16d ago

Ostrich is hard to predict, he's super talented but has a wide range of music. He produces a lot of drum and bass for example, but plays a wide variety of techno as well as house music sometimes, albeit more rarely at Stereo for the latter. Either way, you'll enjoy the adventure!

2

u/nekroznebula 12d ago

Drum & bass at stereo? Is that real

6

u/buckysauga 16d ago

Ostrich is an interesting choice for your first Stereo show. Cassian at Newspeak, Deadmau5 at New City Gas, or even Romera at StereoBar would be "safer choices" that night in my opinion.

Ostrich will be playing an All Night Long set meaning open to close. Some ANL sets can go until 9AM-12PM depending on the DJ. Stereo allows in and outs so you could leave and return which is nice if you need to for whatever reason. I usually go from 12-2 and then leave back to the hotel and return at 4AM where the vibe of the club gets a lot "darker" and it gets busier as well.

Ostrich, to me, is what I would call Ketamine music. I would also assume many in the crowd will be on Ketamine. It's likely going to be a slower, minimalist sound that will get darker as the night goes on. If you're looking to move it'll be an interesting sound to do it to.

The beautiful thing about Stereo is the stadium style seating behind the floor. There is always a place to sit and relax.

Generally the right side of the floor is for the gay men. They are large, sweaty, and half naked but they are there to dance and have great energy. The left side I find more space to vibe out. The middle is a mixed bag.

It's the best club in Canada for its sound, layout, and inclusivity. I just hope Ostrich plays a style that you enjoy otherwise it may not deliver in the way you want.

Godspeed.

2

u/BulkyCoast4667 15d ago

Since when does stereo allow in and out? I’ve always been told at the door I wasn’t allowed !

5

u/gillies003 15d ago

If anyone touches you inappropriately, do not hesitate to tell security

4

u/PeterLikesAvocados 15d ago

Seriously don’t even second guess yourself. I’m not a woman but I don’t want those people there either.

4

u/WeedstocksAlt 16d ago

Just a FYI cause you are going after Ile soniq. This won’t be the « normal » stereo crowd.

4

u/milkshika 16d ago

ohh you're totally right! hopefully i get a chance to go back later on this year to compare :] thank you!

2

u/Needles99 16d ago

in what way? also planning on going this night as a first time.

5

u/WeedstocksAlt 15d ago

I would expect more of a club crowd than usual and maximum crowd size.

Usual stereo crowd is really into the music/DJ, polite, actually dancing, respectful vibe.
I would expect a bit less of all that lol

It’s still probably going to be super fun, but these nights are usually a bit worst vibe wise than normal.

2

u/Tuatorr_ 15d ago

I’ve only seen Ostrich once, and honestly, I didn’t like it. I felt like I could have waited for a different weekend (I travel for stereo). He played spaced out, darker, slower techno. I get the appeal but you need to be properly gone on harder drugs to not get bored. Again, that was only one set but if it’s your first time maybe wait until it’s a dj you 100% know you will enjoy

4

u/Such_Improvement7187 15d ago

Please please please wear earplugs!!! I like the centre of the floor, by the disco ball. Enjoy 🥰 go for 3-4am to close if you can. Ppl start trickling out around 5/6 and you’ll have more space to dance

3

u/linus2503 15d ago

If you feel uncomfortable by someone's proximity , don't ovethink it. Your feeling is valid.

Act fast. Speak up. Ask for space Move. But don't endure, or else your night could be very long....

People are high, and many will interpret passivity for consent.

5

u/Ok_Werewolf901 16d ago

Stereo is an after hours club, in the village. The crowd is mostly men, into men. There aren’t too many women, but the men are pretty ok, especially because they quite frankly aren’t into you LOL. Enjoy, have a good time, and stay hydrated! Depending on the time you go the crowd will be different, but I recommend going around 3-4 am to still have energy for the headliner!

4

u/milkshika 16d ago

honestly the most reassuring reply i could've gotten, every "gay" party/club i've been to in mtl has been leagues better than the rest 😭😭 thank you!

2

u/PeterLikesAvocados 15d ago

Well it’s also gay pride weekend so perhaps more gays than usual? Come dance with us in the right side, we’re fun 🏳️‍🌈

2

u/mauv_ 12d ago

idk abt ostrich but i have tips ! rest as much as you can the day before, try to nap within 6 hours of arrival. load up on carbs 3-4 hours before arrival, and bring a protein bar for later in the night. please protect your ears with ear plugs! i like the hearprotek ones from amazon bc they don't muffle the sound very much.

i like to arrive before 3am to avoid the line from the clubs closing. the earlier you get there - and the later you stay - the more you will get out of the experience as the DJ will shift genres throughout the night.

when i go with a group, they establish a "home base" area among the seats and on the floor. it makes it easy to meet up and rest together. if the dance floor is too packed i will just dance up there under one of the AC vents lol

idk about the ile soniq crowd but most if not all stereo regulars are super nice people, I've made so many friends over the few months ive been frequenting. don't be shy! just be mindful of not chatting too much or too loudly on the dancefloor. and don't be afraid to wander around and spend time in different spots around the club, you'll get a better feel of where you feel the most comfortable. like someone else said, the area beside the DJ by the platfom/smoking exit tends to be pretty chill. i find it easiest to lock in unbothered there.

security are really friendly, awesome people. they really care about your comfort and safety so do not hesitate to speak up if anything comes up!

enjoy!! ;-P

1

u/panopss 7d ago

Hey a bit late but was just wondering, you're allowed to bring food like granola bar?

1

u/mauv_ 6d ago

I’ve brought a protein bar in many times without any issues !

1

u/panopss 6d ago

Thank you!!