In a blow to Montreal's vibrant music scene, the beloved venue La Tulipe has announced its closure following a court decision. The venue, a longstanding hub for live performances, was forced to cease operations due to a ruling that prohibited them from using their sound system.
The issue stems from a zoning error by the City of Montreal, which mistakenly designated the neighbouring building as residential before selling it to current owner Pierre-Yves Beaudoin in 2016. This zoning mishap ultimately led to noise complaints and the legal action that sealed La Tulipe’s fate.
In a statement on their website, La Tulipe called on city officials and the Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications to step in, urging them to "take a stand and implement measures to rectify the situation," while highlighting the vital role live performances play in supporting music, artists, and culture in Montreal.