Le Centre Bell Merveilleux

Official Review by Robert Lefebvre, Stadium Journey Correspondent

0 Comments  |  1 of 1 people found this review helpful

While it did take some years, the Montreal Canadiens organization has managed the seemingly impossible feat of transporting the heart and soul of the Montreal Forum and implanting that aura into a modern day building. The Bell Centre in Montreal is an atmospheric hockey temple, replete with the excitement of the present day games as well as being enwrapped in the club's glorious past everywhere one looks. Visiting the Bell Centre for the first time becomes a day long experience, and there is an abundance to take in before game time.

Prior to entering the building, the history of the team necessitates a visit to the outdoor concourse, which features tributes to the team's iconic stars and glorious past. On the northwest corner of the lot, photo ops await in the form of statues of hockey greats Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur and Howie Morenz.

There are also monuments to players whose numbers have been retired by the team as well as a seven foot square marble block listing every single player to don the Canadiens uniform in 100 seasons. The outdoor concourse is but a tease in terms of what awaits inside the building's wall. First time visitors are highly encouraged to plan a visit to the newly created Canadiens Hall Of Fame in the building's lower level as well as taking the Bell Centre tour, which brings fans high enough to have eye to eye views with Stanley Cups banners and retired numbers as well as going behind the scenes of arena, into the press and media rooms, past the team's dressing room and into the former Canadiens lounge.

Nearing game time, the building explodes to life, as fans donning the colors of each era in the team's history roam the halls gazing at the plentitude of memorabilia on its walls. Fans are encouraged to visit all levels of the building before puck drop, as each of the arena's four levels offer vivid glimpses into the team's 24 Stanley Cup championships. Canadiens history is alive and plastered everywhere one looks, and a visitor cannot help but be captivated by the sights.

A large part of the atmosphere inside the building involves the pre-game buildup. It is an incredible crescendo of sight and sound that must be felt to be truly experienced. Arriving at one's seat early is strongly advised. Between the team's pre-game warmup and the start of the game, video montages are played on the league's biggest overhead high definition screen as well as being splashed across the width of the ice surface. It is a riveting feeling, placing every first time visitor in a seventh game Stanley Cup final atmosphere, despite the consequence of the particular game at hand.

The lead-in to game time plays off a similar anticipation to that of a rock concert. Not to be missed are the starting lineup intros, the minor league players donning Habs colors and flags skating laps around the rink before the announcement of the Canadiens players follow, and the singing of the national anthems. In short, missing the pre-game buildup to a match at the Bell robs the overall experience of much of the emotional momentum.

Food & Beverage   5/5

All levels of the Bell Centre feature a multitude of specialized fast food concession outlets and beverages on tap. Don’t expect any beer other than a Molson and the prices for both food and drink are somewhat steep, but they are in keeping with hockey arenas general prices as a whole.

A Bell Centre Lafleur hotdog is and always will be the sample item of choice. They are real good, fairly priced, and perfect. Most menu items at the concessions cover a wide variety and price range, but it would be advised to get hungry at an eatery inside the building instead, and not at a concession. The restaurants are great, and best of all, these outlets are many and wait time is greatly reduced. A better bet, the arena contains four restaurants, with La Gage Au Sports being the most popular.

Atmosphere   5/5

In terms of aura and atmosphere for a game, the Bell Centre defines and sets the standard. It is almost as though the plan is to overload the senses with enough sound and sight, imagery and history, all designed to overwhelm. The emotion is carried by 21,173 souls, set to party. The Bell Centre, rocking to the beat and thrust of a hockey game, is almost the rhythm and pulse of the city of Montreal. Purely, it is a feeling and notion that must be lived to be best explained.

Neighborhood   5/5

The immediate Bell Centre neighborhood is all business sector, taken up by the aforementioned bars and restaurants, motels and commerce. Want a bite or if thirsty on arrival or before leaving town? All you desire is within view and walking distance. For overnight travelers, a gas station is conveniently located within feet of the building, on the northwest corner.

Next door is Le Baton Rouge, a recommended eatery. Hurley’s Irish Pub on Crescent St. is but one legendary hotspot one block northwest of the Bell. As fans of the Habs spill out onto city streets post game, the mood and electricity of wins is carried with them. Traffic disperses quickly enough for a crowded downtown, although it is not ideal to be in a rush. The area around the arena has a wide price range of parking facilities. Within 45 minutes of a game’s end, traffic is usually back to normal standards.

Fans   4/5

In Montreal, it must be understood, that a Habs game is the ultimate party, especially on a Saturday night. The Canadiens fans are loud, proud and boisterous. An opposing team’s fan, donning their favorite’s colors in a sea awash in red, white and blue will not die, be threatened or incur abuse if they are well behaved and respectful. The pompous, loud and bravado induced, especially after home team losses, will invite the local wrath.

Access   5/5

Built in 1996, the Bell Centre, originally known as the Molson centre, is perfectly situated in downtown Montreal, and accessible by all means of transportation. Whether arriving at the rink by car, train or metro, each avenue drops visitors at the building’s doorstep. Located at the corner of Rue de la Montagne and Avenue des Canadiens, access to train and underground metro are self-contained on site, as the Bell is built snuggly up to the Windor train station.

Arriving or boarding does not require leaving the building’s walls. Highway 20, which runs east and west through the city, is but two blocks south of the rink. Parking fees are reasonable the earlier one arrives. Within a two minute walk, lot prices range from $10 to $25. Ideally, the arena also spills out into the city’s heartbeat and its nightlife, conveniently accommodating a plentiful supply of stores, shopping malls, motels and hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and all within walking distance.

Return on Investment   5/5

If your plan is to make a day of it Montreal, one cannot go wrong. There is much to do, see and experience, and timely planning is the key, as there is much more happening in the immediate area of the arena, other than the game. The city’s nightlife should not be passed up. Motel rates in the $100 range are aplenty and ideally located. The game itself, the atmosphere of a hockey shrine, the placement of the rink in the downtown pulse, and the fans in the city themselves, make visiting the Bell Centre a priceless experience.

Extras   5/5

Looking for post game entertainment of the live-it-up and party down variety? Montreal is your city, and it rarely sleeps. Discotheques, bars with dance floors or live bands can all be a part of your Montreal experience if well planned out ahead of time. The city that eats, lives and breathes hockey is perfectly set up to entertain its visitors. If you happen to a Habs game on a road trip, you will definitely leave town anxious to return.

Was this review helpful? YES / NO