Timeless Montréal venues to relive a bit of history
Looking to create a unique atmosphere for an off-site soirée? Montréal has the right space for your group. Check out these Montréal offsite venues, each matched with decades — and themes from pop culture related to those eras, which may inspire the imagery of your event — from across the 20th century.
1910s
Theme: Self-Made
The Château Dufresne was originally a beaux-arts style manor owned by leading members of Montréal’s French bourgeoisie. Today, the Château Dufresne houses a museum dedicated to the history of Montréal’s east end, as well as plenty of exquisite artefacts from that timeless era. Book the solarium for a period-inspired cocktail party.
Maximum capacity: 150
1920s
Theme: The Great Gatsby
Nestled in the historic Château Champlain, Caf’Conc’ brings Montréal’s historic charm to life. This intimate venue recalls Roaring Twenties speakeasies with its elegant décor and stellar acousticsIt’s the perfect venue for an offsite featuring live music, comedy or theatrical performances, marrying vintage flair with modern magic right in downtown Montréal.
Maximum capacity: 300
1930s
Theme: Death and Other Details
Perched atop the former Eaton’s department store, Le 9e was originally conceived in 1931 as a refined destination for Montrealers to dine and dance above the city in a stunning space inspired by the Art Deco ballroom of a luxury ocean liner. Today, its beautifully restored Grande Salle honours that legacy, hosting concerts, comedy, galas and corporate events with state-of-the-art tech and a strong sense of history.
Maximum capacity: 919
1940s
Theme: On the Town
Constructed of glass and steel, Entrepôts Dominion is a historical building located in happening Saint-Henri. With industrial architecture and large, industrial spaces that can be subdivided to your specifications, it makes a perfect location for a 1940s-inspired cocktail party — just add a Dixieland jazz band!
Maximum capacity: 550
1950s
Theme: Brooklyn
Much of the Oscar-nominated film Brooklyn was actually shot right here in Montréal! Capture the mid-century feel in an icon of 1950s architecture in Montréal: Place Ville Marie. Right downtown, this Montréal attraction features Le Cathcart, a 35,000-square-foot venue that features food counters, restaurants, a biergarten and the impressive PVM Glass Pavilion, complete with indoor urban garden.
Maximum capacity: 1,200
1960s
Theme: Mad Men
Drenched in natural light, Toundra Hall is a multipurpose space perfectly suited for corporate meetings, office parties or product launches. The former Canadian pavilion at Expo 67, the hall retains its mid-century architectural detailing. In summertime, the floor-to-ceiling windows give the sense of being in a verdant forest, while in the chillier months, it’s like being inside a larger-than-life snow globe.
Maximum capacity: 350
1970s
Theme: Star Wars
Originally built as the velodrome for the 1976 Olympic Games, the Biodôme is a Montréal must-see that makes a bold first impression. Its monumental entrance hall pairs striking concrete columns with curvaceous, sculptural white walls for a look that’s decidedly space-age. Vast, versatile and architecturally impressive, it easily adapts to a range of configurations ideal for hosting out-of-this-world events.
Maximum capacity: 350
1980s
Theme: Tron
The Palais des congrès de Montréal, aka the Montréal convention centre, has been hosting major events since 1983, and exemplifies that decade’s love of bright colours and pop art with art installations everywhere and architectural details like its stunning multicoloured glass facade, titled Translucide. The Palais is at the epicentre of Montréal’s events scene, and of the city itself.
Maximum capacity: 13,863
1990s
Theme: Glengarry Glen Ross
Opened in 1992, the World Trade Centre Montréal covers a full city block in Old Montréal where historic buildings have been completely renovated to be connected by a vast skylight. The resulting atrium runs the length of the Ruelle des Fortifications — and is an inspiring venue to hold special events, such as banquets, galas and cocktail parties at any time of the year. To accentuate the ‘90s motif, we suggest neon lights!
Maximum capacity: 600