Now Reading
The HOTLINE Experience | Mysterious Social Experiment @ Auberge St-Gabriel

The HOTLINE Experience | Mysterious Social Experiment @ Auberge St-Gabriel

The HOTLINE Experience | Mysterious Social Experiment @ Auberge St-Gabriel 1

HOTLINE: It’s not matchmaking, it’s an immersive journey

In the heart of Old Montreal, where the cobblestone streets meet pulsing beats, something unusual unfolded on Sunday, September 3rd, during the final long weekend of the summer. A temple of the nightlife, Auberge Saint-Gabriel, temporarily transformed into a young witch’s cauldron of spellbinding burlesque performances and enticing social connections.

Hotline
Dahlia and Juan Sanchez | © Karel Chladek

The iconic inn hosted the launch of Hotline — the first of a series of interactive events conceived by Amour à Trois, the trio of artistic directors Lavender May, Felix de la Nuit and Yerko. It was anything but your typical night out. With the rules of the game clearly defined, this was an affair that sought to blur the lines between spectator and spectacle.

Hotline
© Karel Chladek

Getting involved was easy but also a part of the allure. Online ticket reservations were a must, but the cherry on top was an option to personalize your experience in advance through Hotline’s Instagram account. A series of whimsical questions, replied to via direct message, were asked to discern your personality.

Hotline
© Karel Chladek

Upon entry, guests received color-coded bracelets — red, blue, or yellow — that acted not merely as chic accessories but as conduits for a tailored experience. These “mystery personality” identifiers became the key to unlocking an evening designed just for you.

Hotline
© Karel Chladek

Far from being an aesthetic afterthought, the colored bracelets served as direct channels to the actors of the night. Les Amuse Girls, a popular troupe of burlesque performers, attuned their interactions to the color on your wrist. Wearing blue? She’d play hard to get. Yellow? She’d send mixed signals. Or red? She’d make you the center of her world.

Hotline
Amuse Girls: Azur Mystique (blue), Miss Elle Diamond (yellow) and Lady Lune (red) | © Karel Chladek

The inaugural thrill of the evening? Gaining entry into the enigmatic “Curiosity Room” demanded a social sleight of hand: you had to forge impromptu alliances with two other individuals, whether familiar faces or newfound companions, each donning a differently colored bracelet from yours to be allowed in this exclusive sanctuary; where one of three secret performers awaited on the center stage – fire eater Mini Azur, circus artist Maggie Chan, and draglesque dancer Miami Minx.

Hotline
Mini Azur | © Mario Leblanc

Inside, you were beckoned to choose from one of three telephones, each mirroring the color of your different bracelets. As you put the receiver to your ear, a seductive voice revealed your “mystery personality” (Blue? Sensual and mysterious. Yellow? Rebellious. Red? Bold and vivacious) before inviting you to vocalize a personal fantasy you would like to see manifested at the next riveting installment of Hotline.

Hotline
Amuse Girl Maggie Chan being mirrored by a guest | © Mario Leblanc

Subsequently, the crowd was invited to descend into Velvet – the underground speakeasy of Auberge Saint-Gabriel – where Lavender May and Les Amuse Girls unleashed their dazzling burlesque spectacles.

Hotline
Lavender May pleasing guest Leyley | © Karel Chladek

Amidst this electric atmosphere, revelers surrendered to the hypnotic beats spun by an ensemble of great DJs — Andrew Pololos, Anthony D’Urbano, Laura Scavo, and Yerko — dirty dancing the night into euphoric oblivion.

Hotline
© Karel Chladek

So, why was Hotline more than just another chapter in Montreal’s legendary Book of the Nightlife? Because it was a social experiment that delivered an exciting level of personal interaction and artistic engagement. It was a celebration of your individuality, a place where making connections meant forging something meaningful and magical.

Hotline
Amuse Girl Lady Lune in the Kissing Booth | © Mario Leblanc

So if you ever felt the need to break the cycle of routineus social events and dive into a sexy odyssey tailored just for you, let’s just say, Hotline was and will continue to be your ultimate call to adventure.

Hotline
Felix de la Nuit calling Lavender May and Les Amuse Girls | © Karel Chladek
Featured image credit: Lady Lune | © Karel Chladek

NEXT: LET’S CONNECT | The Networking Event Returns and Clicks with Emmanuelle

1.0kViews
© 2023 Best Kept MTL, all rights reserved.
Scroll To Top