Have you heard of Montreal’s Lobster Clam Jam? I hadn’t until a few weeks ago when I realized it was taking place this upcoming Sunday across from the canal from the Atwater Market.
No, it’s not Oysterfest. That’s the fest that happens in September where oysters really aren’t as important as all the drinks and other street-style snacks on offer from various Montreal restaurants at their kiosks. The Lobster Clam Jam is similar in that you’ll have lots of non-lobster and non-clam options, including meat, chicken and fish. There’ll be 25 restaurants, a mojito bar, a beer bar, a wine bar, a coffee bar and six dessert sections. There’ll probably even be something for vegetarians.
Apparently (like the crustaceans I find so delicious) I live under a rock, because The Food Network and Everfest have both recognized the Lobster Clam Jam for being a great food festival. It’s been around since 2013 and started as a way of highlighting food from local chefs and restaurants as well as cocktails from the city’s wealth of mixologists.
Still sounds like Oysterfest, right? Based on the branding, the difference seems to be that it’s a little less of a drunken, expensive frat party and a little more of a family-friendly affair, thanks in no small part to a supervised kids play area, where parents and can leave their offspring to go enjoy the food and fun. That kids zone includes caricature portraits, child-size train rides, face painting and airbrush artists, a bouncy castle, popcorn and cotton candy. Can adults play too? Enter the chastising parent now to tell me to grow up and go eat my lobster…
…which I’m happy to do because the location is a prime picnic opp. The event is taking place next to the Lachine Canal on St-Patrick Street (the southern Pointe St-Charles side of the canal, not the northern Atwater Market side).
Lobster Clam Jam 2017 – 60sec from Sean Mollitt on Vimeo.
How Much Does It Cost?
You pay for food and drinks in “clams.” That’s a special token created by the event that costs $3 each. All food dishes cost $6 (with some exceptions at $9 or $12), so two, three or four clams each. All drinks are $6, or two clams. On top of that is the admission, which is broken down like this:
$40 for entry + 5 CLAMS
$65 for entry + 15 CLAMS
Admission is free for kids 12 and under.
You can get more clams on site for $3 each, though they’re sold in packs of five ($15).
The Best Part
15% of the profits go to the Starlight Foundation, which helps children with serious illnesses and their families with programs and events that can provide an escape from the stress of dealing with a disease every day.
What Else Do You Need To Know?
It’s rain or shine, you can bring your dog and there’ll be music from local djs.
Oh, and here are the hours:
Sunday, May 27th, 2018 – 12pm-9pm
3700 St-Patrick, Montreal
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