Montréal has great venues. While some are downright massive (such as the Olympic Stadium) and some are built for large-scale conventions (such as the Palais des congrès de Montréal), others are smaller and subtler. But don’t sleep on them! From a handsome Parisian-style theatre to a Ferris wheel to a church-turned-circus, these Montréal venues provide the backdrop for incredibly memorable events.
An iconic lakeside pavilion. An early example of Quebec post-war modern architecture, with its undulating floating roof, the Beaver Lake Pavilion is a landmark destination on the mountain. Its all-glass facades provide visitors with spectacular views of the lake and wooded surroundings. lemontroyal.qc.ca
A former bank revamped into a coworking space. Once the head office for the Royal Bank of Canada, Crew Café is a venue with a story. The Beaux-Arts style building — with soaring 15-metre ceilings — has been renovated into a stunning café and dedicated coworking space. Meeting space available to rent. crewcollectivecafe.com
A handsome Parisian-style theatre. Built in the early 1920s, the Rialto Theatre was inspired by one of the finest neo-Baroque buildings of the 19th century, the Paris Opera. The interior décor is adorned with artistic woodwork, hand painted medallions and original decorative panels. theatrerialto.ca
An unforgettable 360° viewpoint. Perched atop the Mariner’s House in the Pointe-à-Callière museum, the high floor to ceiling windows of the COGECO 360° Space offers unobstructed views of Old Montréal, the majestic St. Lawrence River, Old Port and downtown with enough space to thrill 200 attendees with its unbroken vistas. pacmusee.qc.ca
Once a bank, now a banquet hall. Théâtre St-James features the grand halls of one of Montréal’s largest banks converted into stunning event spaces. The grand Imperial Hall offers space for 500 in banquet format and 600 for cocktails, while both the Princess Grace Mezzanine and White Star Vault Room are perfect for more intimate gatherings. stjamestheatre.ca
A converted church with a view of the bridge. A stately sister venue to the beautiful Théâtre St-James, the Théâtre Cartier features an epic church interior transformed into an unforgettable hall that will leave your attendees in awe. Named for its proximity to Montréal’s iconic glittering Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Théâtre Cartier is sure to be a hit. theatrecartier.ca
A fully-equipped garden. Named “jardin” (French for “garden”) because the site features a lush garden oasis, Jardin Royamount is among the first finished spaces in the ambitious Royalmount project. It’s an event venue large enough to host hundreds of people in both indoor and outdoor configurations. jardinmtl.com
(The base of) a massive Ferris wheel. La Grande Roue de Montréal features 42 temperature-controlled gondolas. Groups can reserve the elevated patio that overlooks the courtyard. From the patio, guests can see Old Montréal, the Promenade du Vieux-Port and the St. Lawrence River. The site can accommodate up to 150 guests. lagranderouedemontreal.com
A neo-gothic church turned circus space. Le Monastère is a Montréal-based, non-profit company that supports the growth and development of contemporary circus. Their headquarters, St. Jax, is a former church, which offers a wide variety of event options. Use St. Jax for happy hours, conferences, concerts and celebrations. le-monastere.ca
The top of an architectural icon. Hiatus is located high up in the sky, in one of Montréal’s tallest skyscrapers: Place Ville Marie. Now an upscale Japanese-inspired eatery, it features one of the most magnificent views of Montréal and the surrounding area and offers small rooms to rent for meetings or private events. hiatus.ca
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