The Cdn $ has been doing well for a while, it's a good time to come up. One US$ will buy you about $1.25 Cdn. It's best to exchange your money at a bank (in either country), or use ATM's while you are here. Don't just walk into a business and pay in American $. A lot of places will rip you off big time if you do that.
It's been quite a while since I have been to Montreal, so I really can't recommend any specific place. But it's a great town to party in. Can't say I'd ever want to actually live in Montreal, but visiting, that's a different story. The subway system is very good. I do remember even 10 years ago feeling old in some of the bars there (and I would have only been about 27 at the time). People just start drinking a lot younger there. I believe 18 is the legal drinking age in Quebec? Whatever it is, they got in a lot younger than that. In some places I felt like I should be getting paid for babysitting.
Pretty much anywhere on St. Catherine Street is a good place to start looking for good bars. Lots of action down near the university (McGill). The other thing about Montreal - the east end is much more French (and in many cases more slummy), and probably quite a bit less-welcoming to the non-French speaking person. The further west in the city you are, the more English it is.
And yes, there is a big casino there. Link, with a small map of how to get there if you click on "Practical Information" :
Casino de Montreal
Strip clubs? Oh yes...it won't be too hard to find those.... VERY nice strip clubs....
Have fun.
