Have you ever wondered what Arts students do in their free time? I took it upon myself to explore and visually document a number of locations frequented by McGill students within the Faculty of Arts. Each location鈥檚 photo was taken on film, leaning into the quintessential Arts student creativity and adding another touch of individuality to these well-documented and well-loved locations. These are the hottest spots where Arts students choose to create, consume, and coalesce.
First on our list is听Crew Collective Caf茅 in Montreal鈥檚 Old Port. Always in search for caffeine, students love this 1920s bank-turned-caf茅. It provides a hint of luxury with its beautiful architecture, marble floors, and ornate brass light fixtures 鈥� not to mention the delicious coffee and pastry selection. Those embarking on a tough study session appreciate the ability to take a breath and absorb the decadent surroundings. This caf茅 offers the possibility of booking rooms, perfect for study groups. McGill鈥檚 arts organizations often host social events here as well. Take, for instance, the recent hosted by the executive teams from the Political Science, East Asian Studies, and History departments.
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Address: 360 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montr茅al
Next, the classic and beloved The Word Bookstore. If you鈥檙e an Arts student at McGill, chances are you鈥檝e browsed their overflowing book collections and perhaps chatted with the owners about your latest read. The bookstore is located just off campus in the Milton-Park area. Complete with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with used books at discounted prices, The Word Bookstore has a welcoming atmosphere and contains books on every topic imaginable. Many arts students go here for both pleasure and academics: some professors prefer to have their course-required books available for purchase here, and the store also sells discounted used course books 鈥� the perfect excuse to visit!
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Address: 469 Rue Milton, Montr茅al
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Caf茅 Insiders is yet another treasured caf茅 by McGillians and young professionals alike. Located on St. Denis, it鈥檚 accessible to the many arts students living in the Plateau area and caters to those looking for something that stands out from the average caf茅 study session. Students can book their spot, and each co-working reservation comes with as much coffee and snacks as your heart desires. The space is also available for event bookings, ideal for student organizations looking to host a chill social event. In the past, McGill Residence Councils for freshmen living in residence have organized group study sessions at Insiders, created by and for students.
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Address: 4451 Saint Denis St, Montreal
I couldn鈥檛 write about Arts students without including at least a little bit of art! The Mus茅e des beaux arts de Montr茅al, located on Sherbrooke Street W, is currently featuring . The collection is beautiful any day of the week, but the museum鈥檚 monochromatic social parties elevate the experience immensely. Art and music lovers alike will enjoy the final social event hosted for the exhibit on September 21, which includes a musical accompaniment curated by Pierre Lapointe for each room. The event also features a DJ, food, drinks, and a monochrome theme based upon one of the rooms in Party鈥檚 exhibit 鈥� September is light green, so students can come all dressed up in their favourite green outfit. Who doesn鈥檛 love a theme?
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Address: 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal
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Don鈥檛 want to leave McGill campus? Look no further than the Islamic Studies Library, located just off McTavish Street. This library has a much quieter atmosphere than other campus libraries, which makes it ideal when cramming for exams. The interiors are also beautiful 鈥� even if you don鈥檛 have much studying to do, it鈥檚 worth paying a visit for this alone. As an added bonus, the Islamic Studies Library is a much less grueling walk up the hill than other fan favourites, like the Nahum Gelber Law Library
Find them here: ; Website
Address: 859 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal
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Next on the list is the McCord Museum, located mere steps away from McGill鈥檚 campus. McCord is currently hosting an exhibit on . They pair historical and culturally significant items of Indigenous peoples in Canada with current firsthand stories from Indigenous people, recounting their own experiences and struggles with identity amidst ongoing processes of assimilation. The exhibit is a great starting point for arts students who want to learn more about the rich history of Indigenous life in Quebec, and the McCord Museum also regularly features Indigenous documentaries, blogs, and group events for those seeking a bit more. Lucky for us, McGill students can purchase tickets at a discount, and Wednesday evenings are completely free of charge, so don鈥檛 miss out on this deeply moving exhibit.
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Address: 690 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal
This wouldn鈥檛 be a student life article without including the famous Mount Royal Park. Mount Royal looms directly above McGill campus and is an easy getaway for anyone wanting to experience a bit of nature in between classes. The park is accessible from many entry points, including the top of Peel Street directly upwards from Peel Metro; from Mount Royal through ; or from the opposite side via Chemin Remembrance. McGill student groups host many events on the mountain year-round, including watching the sunset, skating excursions on Beaver Lake, and birdwatching outings. Next time you鈥檙e bogged down by schoolwork and looking for a breath of fresh air, make sure to visit Mount Royal Park. Bring a picnic basket and a couple of friends, and you won鈥檛 want to leave!