Macallan’s Pub – Keeping West Island Music ’Live’ and Well

Owner Wayne Blunt’s passion for music makes the club thrive

Once upon a time in a galaxy far away, Montreal’s western suburbs were a hub for live music. Many things, including bylaws, technology and more recently Covid – has altered the landscape. Wayne Blunt is doing his part to battle the ‘climate change’ that has left music lovers out in the cold.

“Jim Cuddy (one half of Blue Rodeo’s songwriting team) will be performing at Macallan’s on May 24^th to raise money for some local charities.”

“I fell into bartending back in 1989;” explains Wayne. “I was a patron at a bar called Scaramouch and I was told by management I’d make a good bartender.  Despite having no previous experience, management took a chance and I spent the next fifteen years bartending, including tenure at Cheers downtown.”

Owner Wayne Blunt, seen here with his mascot ‘Finley’ is generous in his support of local charitable events

In those days, people did not spend as much time on devices. They went out more and socialized face to face at bars. Tips, combined with salaries, were prosperous for bartenders. Instead of spendng his money on fun, Wayne saved everything and bought himself an indoor golf center. ‘Golf O Max’ was located on Dorval Avenue and premiered in 1999.

“The golf center morphed into a pub to facilitate the off-season because indoor golf was a seasonal three month, Fall – Winter thing”. Says Wayne. “The pub grew with the name Macallan’s and I occasionally booked music.  I recently moved to Hymus in Dorval and my focus has shifted from a golf / pub to a live entertainment / pub.”

Anyone who is familiar with the West Island knows, places such as Le Pionnier, Bourbon Street West and Calistoga Grill were very popular places for live music. Their subsequent closings left a huge void in the West Island. Wayne (who frequented the above mentioned places to feed his own hunger for live music), is intent on keeping the vibes going strong.

“There is definitely a place for a medium sized show bar in the West Island.” Says Wayne.” I’m really focused on making it work well by having local tribute bands and higher end headliners here regularly. Friday and Saturday nights, we always have live music and I’m booked months in advance now as my reputation is growing. I also want to make sure every genre is played here to make everyone happy. Both the artists and customers need a place like this and I also make sure I have the friendliest staff. From what I have been told – I am accomplishing everything so far; but I have to keep working hard to maintain and grow Macallan’s as the place where people want to be.”

Wayne’s reputation and hard work has paid off. Big acts are knocking at the door. Montreal’s legendary Bowser and Blue have performed two shows (with a possible third in the works for this upcoming summer) and one of the world’s renowned Queen Tribute bands ‘Queen Flash’ overflowed Macallan’s to the capacity limit.

“There is definitely a place for a medium sized show bar in the West Island. I’m really focused on making it work well by having local tribute bands and higher end headliners here regularly.” – Wayne Blunt

Ample free parking is available, along with a summertime terrasse

“I’m also gaining a great reputation as a venue for charity events;” Wayne states. “I offer a great space and allow organizations to make as much money as possible without taking away from their donations. It is a win – win situation and I always make a sizable donation to whatever cause is here from my own earnings.”

Wayne’s favorite band is Blue Rodeo. The combination of Macallan’s charitable nature and a live venue is a match made in heaven and has set the stage for a huge fundraising event this May. Jim Cuddy (one half of Blue Rodeo’s songwriting team and recent inductee into Canada’s songwriting Hall of Fame) will be performing at Macallan’s May 24^th to raise money for some local charities. Wayne is expecting to fill his parking lot as Cuddy (along with two local acts – Tatum Quinn and That Old Soul Band) will send music through the air. The event is making sure all of Macallan’s moral bases are covered; helping the community, supporting local musicians and filling the need for live music in the West Island.  Wayne sees home plate but is well aware, he may have to slide to score a homerun.

“I hope people will come to Macallan’s. I am doing my best to make sure they do so – in a warm climate.”

“It’s not easy”. Explains Wayne. “Life and times are different. Young people are on their phones. There are so many options for people to entertain themselves. There are smaller pubs competing in the West Island and I am the new kid on the block live entertainment – wise. There are streaming services where people can sit home and watch movies and concerts.  In the summer – people go camping or out of town because they only have a short time to do so. Festivals also take place in the summer. I hope people will come to Macallan’s. I am doing my best to make sure they do so – in a warm climate”.

Macallan’s Pub is located at 2362 Hymus Dorval, Qc, 514-542-1102  www.macallanspub.ca

Tickets for An Evening with Jim Cuddy: https://lpaf.ca/event/an-evening-with-jim-cuddy-and-anne-lindsay-13/register