We’re here, we’re queer, and your hotel might be in the middle of our village. Doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight, male or female: you’re welcome. But we don’t promise not to flirt with you. Or with your husband.

First tip: if a drag queen flirts with you on Vancouver, BC’s Davie Street, just flirt back! Ditto a hot leather man on Toronto, ON’s Church Street. It’s all harmless. And when the flirting starts on Montréal, QC’s rue St-Catherine est, join the Quebecer for a cocktail, and let the joie de vivre begin.

It could happen to you. No surprise: Canada’s three largest cities are home to three vibrant gay* villages. Staying in the middle of one could lead to more merriment than staying in the middle of a financial district. After all, in the gay world, we turn the lights on when most business districts are turning them off! Canada’s gay villages are crammed with great dining, fun bars and clubs, unique shops and accommodations—including major brand hotels. And each village has a unique flair, of course.

Toronto’s gay area is commonly called the Church Street Village. The bulk of the village runs north-south along Church between Bloor and Gerrard streets. They say everyone has a secret, and while Toronto’s global image is suit-and-tie, the village shows Toronto’s steamy underside: one of the gay world’s best leather scenes. The Black Eagle bar is leather HQ, and it often has a leather dress code. But don’t let those tough-looking leather guys worry you. Many are just as likely to want to swap cake recipes as slap your backside. Toronto’s leather community convenes for several events during the year, including a Mr. Leather contest and Fetish Nights, hosted by Northbound Leather. They won’t whip you. Unless you ask.

If parts of Church Street look familiar, it’s because they were used on the American TV series “Queer as Folk.” The iconic rhinoceros on the awning at Woody’s bar was a frequent guest star. In real life, Woody’s is a super-friendly spot with the some of best window seats on Church Street. Between 5 pm and 7 pm, it’s the perfect spot to watch Torontonians strolling home from work. Woody’s is often used for fundraisers and gatherings; you might encounter gay hockey players or hear theatre professionals belting out their favourite tunes to raise money for charity.

As you wander the village, stop and genuflect to the statue of Alexander “Molly” Wood at the corner of Church and Alexander. He survived one of Canada’s earliest recorded sex scandals and was lauded as a distinguished citizen upon his death. Toronto’s gay village is also home to one of Canada’s true gay trailblazers: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. It presents cutting-edge productions, focused on “the promotion of Queer Canadian Culture.”

Vancouver’s Davie Street Village has major competition with the city’s stunning scenery. Each July, 12 rainbow flags billow above the city’s most touristy spot, English Bay Beach. But once the sun sets, the Davie Village gay commercial zone is just up the hill.

Davie Village sits in the heart of one of North America’s most-densely populated neighbourhoods, the West End. As a result, a lot of gay people live there, stacked on top of each other in the area’s distinctive high-rise apartments and condos.

Gay Vancouverites know their “village” is as much about outdoor encounters as indoor. To truly “get” gay Vancouver, take a walk along the Seawall on a sunny afternoon or evening. Spot oodles of gays and lesbians sunbathing on the grassy slopes or zipping along on inline skates—Vancouver gays are known for their fitness! Along the way, notice the Vancouver AIDS Memorial, a unique ribbon of steel panels with names and poetry cut through.

Despite their six packs and steel biceps, Vancouver gays have to eat; join them at the Fountainhead Pub. Decidedly straight-friendly and with a great patio, the Fountainhead is perfect for a Friday night flirt…that’s why you’re going, right? If Greek’s your thing, locals know to skip the tourist lineup at Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna and head for Takis Taverna, just a few steps away. Drag fans should catch the weekend shows at The Majestic, which sometimes spill into the street. Drag queens do stop traffic!

Way across the country, French-speaking Montréal is so gay-friendly, it could all be a gay village. Indeed, the city is known for supporting Montréal’s massive gay events such as the annual Black & Blue circuit party or the first-ever World OutGames, held in 2006.

But Montréal doeshave a gay-er zone known simply as le Village. It runs along rue St-Catherine est, roughly between St-Hubert and Papineau. Quebecers have a hug-kiss-kiss culture, making it easy to flirt. And during summer 2008 (June 17 to September 3), Montréal is making it easier than ever by turning rue St-Catherine into a pedestrian-only zone through le Village.

When you’re strolling le Village, look up at some unique public art. Three-dimensional characters hang above the sidewalk at some businesses—don’t miss the fabulous diva above Cabaret Mado or the faces on the corner over coffee shop Kilo. Montréal’s village is also famous for the rainbow-décor of its subway station at Beaudry.