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.
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. Completely restored in 2006. 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 café and dedicated coworking space. Meeting space available to rent. crew.co/cafe
A versatile alt-rock venue. Montréal’s edgiest bar and venue since 1983, Les Foufounes Électriques serves affordable drinks, awesome bands and good times. In addition to live music, the venue also hosts a variety of other events, including barbecues, art shows and sideshows. foufouneselectriques.com
An art-inspired Indigenous cultural space. Located at Place Jacques-Cartier, the Ashukan Cultural Space is the first and only permanent structure dedicated to the dissemination of Aboriginal arts, artists, and cultures in Canada. It is home to exhibitions and a boutique respecting the principles of fair trade, where the public can view and purchase original works and other cultural products. sacredfireproductions.ca
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 decor 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 Montréal 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. Under the guiding hand of local venue impresario Ezio Carosielli, the Théâtre St-James converts the grand halls of one of Montréal’s largest banks 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 is a new kid on the block, transforming an epic church interior 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 socially-minded art gallery. Nestled in the heart of the Mile-Ex neighborhood, Never Apart is a versatile space featuring 12,000 square feet of gallery, music production and creative space. It houses a theatre for screenings, a versatile mezzanine and an archive of 10,000 vinyl records. neverapart.com
A historic Expo 67 pavilion. Located in the heart of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Pavillon de la Jamaïque has been completely renovated to provide the ultimate visual experience. The window placement and design, along with the beautiful terrace framing the pavilion, ensure truly memorable moments. Historic and stunning! parcjeandrapeau.com/en
A fully-equipped garden. Named “Jardin” (French for “garden”) because the site features a lush garden oasis, Jardin Royamount is a new venue option ideal for wedding celebrations, private corporate events, and other special occasions. It’s large enough to host hundreds of people in a safe setting, 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/or celebrations! le-monastere.ca
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