The Adventure is Over, Start the Party

What do you do after a busy day of adventuring (i.e., exploring Montreal)? Why head to the Red Dragon Inn (L'Auberge Du Dragon Rouge) of course. We have been big fans of the game of the same name, but I never knew there was a real inn. It has no relation to the game, and has actually been around longer, for over 30 years.

Red Dragon Inn Entry Sign and Protective Gargoyle

Entering in to an ambiance that immediately transported us back in time, we were greeted in the native French, which neither of us speak. Once indicating that we didn't, we were then called those dirty Saxons, all in good fun of course, but in the best English strain through their teeth. We were the only table of Saxons in the Inn.

Décor, transporting us back in time

The waiter was fully in character, both charming and friendly, doing his best to speak to us in our Saxon heathen language. The menu was a full selection of meats, pies and other items, all to be eaten with hands. No forks here! Deciding this might be our only chance to visit, we decided to go big, trying it all by having the feast of Gargantua.

It definitely lived up to its name, and was huge in portion, and in flavor, feeding the two of us for the night and for the following day.

A feast fit for a giant

Throughout the evening there was much entertainment as all members of the crew always stayed in character. A bard strode from table to table, playing songs, mostly in French, but when he got to our table he made another valiant effort to do a couple in English. The table behind us shouted out "Toss a coin to your Witcher" which elicited a big groan from our bard, but only because it has been so overly done. With grace and humbleness, he gave a rousing performance of it, with the whole dining room joining the refrain.

The bard and our tavern wench in red

The best part was the nightly ritual of drinking of the Dragon's Blood. It can only be drunk by being challenged by someone else. The catch was, it also had to be drunk by the one doing the challenge. With a twinkle in her eye, Marsha turned towards me and threw down the gauntlet. There was no backing out now.

It started with a rousing tale, told by one of the staff, and translated for us by the bard. There is a mighty dragon, kept chained in the basement, and it is milked for the drink to be put before us. With flamboyance, the rules and benefits (warnings) were given. We were not allowed to die in the inn, and should we do so, would be dragged across the street to be left in the gutter. Any expelling of the drink, through one end or the other would also need to happen elsewhere. The drink, being as strong as it was, would cause swooning of men and women, with no regard to which, and the libido would be strengthened to herculean levels, with much carousing to be had.

There was much more but we got the abbreviated version because of so much laughter. Then we drank the blood, which turned out to be a habanero shot. I don't even remember what the alcohol was, or anything else other than it was spicy and tasted horrible, but was so fun, I'd definitely do it again. Besides, why would I not want keep up my libido of legends?

The former basement occupant

A great environment, fun crew and good food has made for a most memorable night. We will look forward to patronizing the Inn in the future, should we ever return to Montreal.