Mathieu Courtemanche, also known as Les Barbares

My Laval
by Tourisme Laval

From the barbershop to the local restaurants, the public market, the neighborhood microbrewery, and the exciting local scene, discover the favorite spots of proud Laval residents who are passionate about their neighborhood.

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Mathieu Courtemanche has over 15 years of experience in the world of hairdressing and barbering. A proud resident of Laval, he had the opportunity to travel to Europe to train with the world’s best, “the barbers of Schorem.” Today, he is the owner of Les Barbares, a company that already operates five salons in Quebec as well as a product line, Laurier Montréal.

Credit: Dominic Renzetti

Tell me about yourself
First and foremost, I’m a passionate and dedicated barber. I opened Les Barbares five years ago in the Sainte-Rose neighborhood, and I recently launched my own line of hair care products.

What’s your hidden gem in Laval?
Le Boating Club: a friendly, lively restaurant located in Sainte-Rose. The moment you walk through the doors, you feel right at home. You can really sense the owners’ passion and energy. It’s a warm, welcoming place where you get a truly memorable experience… and not just when it comes to the food. People come here to have a good time, whether with family, friends, or a romantic partner.

Would you say you’re a “regular here”?
When the restaurant first opened, I was here every night. These days, unfortunately, I don’t come as often as I’d like because I work way too much!

My mom and I come here for Sunday brunch—it’s a must. And sometimes, after work, I wrap up the day here with my coworkers and friends. That’s one of the great things about the Boating Club: it brings people of all ages together under one roof.

Why do you always come back to the Boating Club?
It’s simply comforting. It feels like I’m at an all-you-can-eat buffet. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and always smiling. The presentation of the dishes is stunning, the service is impeccable, and the wine selection is incredible. What more can I say?

Tell me about the owners
When I celebrated the official opening of the first Barbares, located just a stone’s throw from here, there were 150 people in attendance, and the folks from the Boating Club—including Gary Sousa and Francis Lorrain, to name just a few—were the first to lend a hand by letting us use their parking lot, among other things, to accommodate everyone. We clicked right away. I felt like I was with old friends. They’re just perfect!

If you had to describe your hidden gem to someone, what would you say?
It’s my absolute favorite. People come here for the experience, but also for the staff. The employees take pride in the restaurant’s reputation and go out of their way to ensure that every guest has a unique experience.

If you had to describe Laval to a visitor in just a few words, what would you say?
It’s my “hood.” It’s all about balance and comfort. Laval has all the qualities of a big city, but without the pressure, stress, and crowds. And the Sainte-Rose neighbourhood is kind of like our own Plateau Mont-Royal, with the energy of young entrepreneurs buzzing all around. 

Some highlights:

• What Mathieu eats at the Boating Club: homemade gnocchi
• His favorite cocktail: a Tom Collins
• He has styled the world's biggest stars at festivals such as Osheaga and the Montreal F1 Grand Prix
• He offers personalized training sessions at the salon