Bareoke at Café Cléo
Singing, Stripping, and Radical Self Acceptance
Docking my Bixi at the corner of St. Laurent and St. Catherine, I weave through the shiny new CIBL radio station and dodge the long line outside Club Soda. The air smells faintly of grilled meat and poutine from Pool Hall, and I jaywalk across the street toward the door of Café Cléopâtre. Performing burlesque in Montreal for over a decade, I know this route well—it’s the path to one of the city’s most infamous venues, a space where history, red light district grit, and glitter collide. But tonight, for the first time, I’m here to check out Bareoke: the only nightlife event that combines stripping and karaoke, inviting participants to bare it all, figuratively and literally.
A chilly night in late November, the upstairs cabaret of Café Cléo hums with energy by the time I climb the familiar staircase. Arriving fashionably late—as one does in Montreal—I’m greeted by the warm smiles of members of queer burlesque troupe Glam Gam at the door. From the sound booth, Michael McCarthy and Julie Paquet give a friendly wave, and I know I’ve entered a space where creativity and community reign supreme.
Twice a month, for nearly 15 years, Bareoke has taken place at Cafe Cleo and provides a space for queer folks and anyone with a willingness to have an open mind to sing karaoke on stage and to strip at the same time. The brainchild of Michael and Julie, two members of the queer burlesque troupe Glam Gam who first combined their love of singing and getting naked in public for a birthday party for Michael, decided to repeat the event and open it up for everyone to enjoy. Since that first initial event 15 years ago to today, Bareoke has established itself as a haven in Montreal’s nightlife for a guaranteed good time, and transformational experience.
The audience ebbed and flowed that frigid November night, filling Café Cléopâtre with energy from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. Performer after performer took the stage to sing, strip, or both—sometimes solo, sometimes in duos or impromptu groups. The crowd was a mix of celebrants—birthday parties, a bachelor party, and regulars who never miss a show—alongside nervous newcomers blushing and giggling at the sight of a flaccid penis or a pair of bouncy boobs. The vibe was warm, encouraging, and utterly uninhibited. I ran into a few familiar faces that evening but found it just as easy to strike up conversations with strangers. The night felt intimate yet electrifying, each act met with roaring cheers of loving support that embodied the essence of Bareoke.
I caught up with Michael and Julie to delve into what they felt made Bareoke such a success and for more than a decade. “Before Bareoke, we were hosting a weekly karaoke night called Lipster, alongside producing large scale vaudeville-inspired shows with Glam Gam. One day we thought, why not combine elements of the two? And thus, Bareoke was born. One of our favourite projects we mounted with Glam Gam was the open-call Produced in 24-Hour Cabaret where we had the opportunity to collaborate with community members in creating a show overnight. The raw collective energy brought forth by many first-time performers combined with the adrenaline of having mounted the show from A-Z within 24 hours is magical. Giving platforms to people to be weird, have fun, and bare it all was a mandate of Glam Gam from the get-go. Most members of our troupe didn’t necessarily have formal training but had a lust to perform, a charismatic stage presence and story to tell. Bareoke takes all of this a step further by giving every audience member the chance to be a star. It started off as a one off theme night amongst fellow performers and friends - we never imagined we’d still be doing it almost 15 years later!” (M/J)
The supportive and caring atmosphere was unmistakable that evening. Julie assisted a performer with visual impairment onto the stage, where they crushed a Black Sabbath song. The audience erupted again as a bear-bodied man poured his heart into a rendition of the karaoke classic “My Way.” Some regulars came to Bareoke to celebrate milestones—birthdays, graduations, or simply the thrill of baring it all. Others, I learned, found solace there after breakups, using the stage to shed not just their clothes but their burdens. The vulnerability of singing in public is profound, and stripping alongside it amplifies the experience tenfold. Yet it’s Michael and Julie’s mix of care, warmth, and effortless cool that creates an environment where baring your soul—or your skin—feels less like a challenge and more like a fresh, fun celebration.
“Cleo’s is like a raunchier version of Cheers – where everybody knows your name (and then some!) For us, building community has always been a top priority. People come to our nights, not only to let loose but also as a way to connect with like-minded weirdos. Walking into Bareoke is like walking into your chosen family’s home. When people feel at home they tend to come back! This family continues to grow with each event and we are always excited to see new faces in the crowd. (…) It is vital for us to cultivate a safe(r) space where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Our policies are grounded in consent and respect. Non-consensual photos and videos are forbidden, nobody is allowed on stage unless they are invited, and we have zero tolerance for violence and harmful behaviour. While Cleo’s is a big space, the vibe remains intimate and the crowd and staff help to uphold our safety standards by looking out for one another and helping to ensure that everyone feels comfortable.” (M/J)
More than just a fun night out, Bareoke has carved out a unique place in Montreal’s nightlife. Its 15-year run is a testament to Michael and Julie’s understanding of what makes an event not only entertaining but meaningful. They’ve built a space that’s as much about community and empowerment as it is about performance.
“Bareoke has always been a melange of various alternative and mainstream communities, with queer and trans voices at the forefront. Uplifting marginalized voices and bodies is the most important part of what we do. We celebrate body diversity at Bareoke. The most powerful moments for us are when folks feel empowered to own the stage and strut their stuff regardless of societal expectations of what is considered sexy. Everybody is sexy! (…) Strip clubs and other spaces that may involve nudity are often segregated by gender, but Bareoke is different. We are a queer space that welcomes anyone with an open mind and we’d like to think we've pushed boundaries and helped to open many minds over the years. Stereotypical straight men can feel unsafe for queer people. And while we may brace ourselves if we see a straight bachelor party enter the room, we have often been pleasantly surprised by the openness and respect everyone shows for the space and the performers. We see in real time, attitudes transforming and we don’t take it for granted. Mindsets don’t change overnight but we are happy to help facilitate this growth and development.” (M/J)
As the evening continued, there was the inevitable lull that every live show experiences. That’s when Michael took to the stage flaunting his chops as a seasoned performer reigniting the crowd with a jolt of energy. Jumping onto tables Michael stripped down to sexy neon fishnets and poured hot wax from the cabaret candle onto his body turning up the heat. Moments like this aren’t just a spectacle—they’re a reminder of Bareoke’s power to disrupt expectations and inspire boldness. This can be a challenge to the audience, one I deeply appreciate as a performer who often uses shock in my own performances to break the narrative of expectations. That boldness radiated through the crowd, creating an energy that made every performance feel like a personal triumph.
Breaking the narrative of what it means to be ‘well-behaved’ opens the door to possibility. What if I get on stage and sing in front of strangers? What if I take off my clothes? What then? Michael, a seasoned performer, demonstrated exactly what happens: you shatter expectations and unlock something raw, freeing, and transformative. Shock isn’t just about provocation; it’s about clearing the way for more—more creativity, more courage, and more connection. Those moments of boldness and rebellion aren’t confined to the stage—they ripple outward, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of what’s possible in their own lives. Watching a performer do what they do is part of what is inspirational to the average audience goer: we admire them for doing what we feel we can’t or shouldn’t do. At Bareoke, the audience member is allowed to explore that transformational experience first hand in the most supportive environment anyone curious to perform could wish for.
Stripping and singing is optional at Bareoke. Michael and Julie suggest to “come with an open mind and open heart. Some people just come to watch, and that's perfectly fine - there is no obligation to get on stage, and stripping is optional. For some taking off a sock is the gateway to full-frontal nudity and for others the socks stay firmly on. Whatever your comfort level, we are here to support you!”
During my evening at Bareoke, I found myself seated with a lively birthday party group—familiar faces who, like so many others, had made Bareoke their go-to spot for special occasions. One by one, they shared stories of past visits: milestones celebrated, unforgettable performances, and the kind of joy that keeps them coming back. We flipped through the karaoke book together, picking songs, hyping each other up as our names were called, and returning to the booth after performing, proud and triumphant.
For some, Bareoke is a rite of passage—a space to shed nerves, don costumes, and take their first bold steps onstage. It’s where some cabaret performers have cut their teeth, building confidence and honing their craft. For others, it’s simply a sanctuary of fun, freedom, and connection. Every person I spoke with that night held their own unique story of Bareoke close, a testament to its power to foster community and transformation.
Michael and Julie are proud of the event they’ve created and have kept going for 15 years. “We hosted the first Bareoke to celebrate Michael’s birthday. It was so much fun that we decided to open it up to the public at a very small venue on Avenue du Parc called Second Floor. We knew we wanted the event to be intimate and we never imagined we could fill up the large room at our home Café Cléopâtre. When we outgrew Second Floor, we transitioned to Cabaret Playhouse and then finally to Café Cléopâtre, which is its current and forever home. Since then we have increased the frequency from once to twice a month. “... We are always pleasantly surprised that no matter how popular the event gets, the atmosphere stays the same. We have rarely had to police the crowd and have had few complaints about any kind of disrespectful behaviour - and if this does happen we shut it down immediately. We have no plans for future (artistic) collaborations, but are always open to opportunities as long as they align with our values.”
Photo: Ryan "Twiggy" Arthurs - @twiggy.ss
As the evening wound down, the crowd began to thin, with some audience members hurrying to catch the last metro while others lingered for one final turn at the microphone. A rowdy, spontaneous dance party broke out on the stage, a joyful celebration of everything Bareoke embodies. Catching sight of Julie’s iconic flaming red hair, I rushed over to share my compliments for the incredible show. Michael emerged from the sound booth, and we shared a drink, reminiscing about performances past and the magic of nights like this. It struck me, as we laughed and swapped stories, how Bareoke isn’t just a show—it’s a community, one that keeps drawing people back, night after night, year after year.
Bareoke being such a success, is there anything new on the horizon for the show? “We love the event as is and wouldn't change anything, but we do dream of taking it from the stage to the screen. We think that the tenets of Bareoke, like body positivity, radical self acceptance, and no-holds-barred performance art would make for a compelling reality tv show. If any open-minded producers are reading this, let’s talk!” (M/J)
Fifteen years on, Bareoke remains more than just an event—it’s an institution, a Montreal cultural touchstone, and a home for anyone daring enough to step into the spotlight. Whether you come to celebrate, to heal, or just to sing your heart out, Bareoke offers something rare and unforgettable: a space where every note and every layer shed is met with love, support, and unfiltered joy. For those curious to experience it firsthand, Bareoke welcomes you to Café Cléopâtre with open arms—and maybe a pair of neon fishnets.
Bareoke happens on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, unless otherwise advertised. Follow Bareoke on Instagram and Facebook to stay informed. The next event is this Saturday, January 18th, followed by February 1st and 15th.
For more on the historic Montreal venue Café Cléopâtre, check out our Forget The Box Archives!
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