Oh the weather outside is frightful / But the fire is so delightful / And since we’ve got no place to go / Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
Snow
Yes, it may seem well out of place with the blooming buzzing heat of another gorgeous summery sunny day in Montreal, but most event planners, whether an in-house manager or part of a PR firm’s team, will be planning for the company year end party now. In fact, the process usually begins in July or even earlier as the competition for venues in Montreal heats up. While I’ve seen a bit of a decline in the scope and number of company parties (where once the spouse was invited, now we see the unfortunate trend of corporations asking their workers to leave their significant others at home), there is still plenty of action beginning as early as mid-November right through to the beginning of the new year. I’ve covered a lot of Christmas parties, company dinners and year-end blowouts for companies like Sleeman’s Breweries, Rio Tinto Alcan, Aveda Spa, KPMG, Aeroplan, and more, and have seen the inside of most of the venue spaces in Montreal.
Here is an annotated list (with lots of links below) of some of the venues I’ve worked in that provide great atmosphere for attendees and offer excellent opportunities for creating beautiful photos from the event:
Hotels
- Hotel Le St. James very elegant and old world, good for smallish groups in private rooms, lots of carved wood finishes
- Hotel Place D’Armes: offers a variety of settings, both the downstairs restaurant (Aix) and rooftop terrace (in summer) great for photos
- Auberge du Vieux Port: right in the heart of Old Montreal at the Old Port; a bit dark inside (thick stone walls) but great rooftop terrace
- Auberge St Gabriel: unique animal-inspired décor, thick wooden beams, stone walls, a little dark but also has a creative space way upstairs (though no elevator access)
- W Hotel: always trendy, Wunderbar has beautiful illuminated bar, mirrored ceilings, funky donut chairs; le Plateau bar on Mezzanine level better for larger groups, more private
- Hyatt Regency: since the upgrade it’s adopted a funkier feel; Bar 6 centrally located on top floor; good sized event rooms, right in Quartier du Spectacle
- Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel: convenient for out-of-towners, US visitors; large event spaces, popular spot for Christmas parties
- Hotel 10 Montreal: (Formerly Hotel Godin), creative spaces throughout, newly renovated and launched restaurant, big outdoor (covered) terrace right at the stem of St.Laurent street. Good launching pad for fun night on the town.
- Montreal Mariott Chateau Champlain: slightly older hotel, large event rooms, great views of the city
- The Ritz Carlton: elegant, well appointed event spaces for mid-sized groups; luxurious meeting rooms
- Sofitel Montreal Golden Square Mile: 2nd floor event space has lots of windows, good circulatory flow for cocktail dinatoires, large adjacent event rooms
- Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth: right downtown, easily accessible, can accommodate very large groups
- Delta Montreal: downtown, functional spaces
- Le Westin Montreal: close to Palais de congres, large meeting rooms
- Hotel Hilton Bonaventure: hosts conferences and trade shows; giant rooms
- Intercontinental Montreal: great little cafe in corner, close access to Montreal Trade Center atrium with reflecting pond (great for photos)
- Holiday Inn Montreal Centre Ville: lots of chandeliers and mirrors, adjustable sized rooms, friendly staff
- Hotel St Paul: high end, elegant, Old Montreal, moderate sized rooms
- Loft Hotel: lots of white curtains, a variety of types of spaces (interior, large terrace, long rooms) good for events and weddings
Wedding Halls / Wedding Venues
- Buffet Roma: several different rooms to accommodate multiple weddings at once; easily accommodated lePartybooth (photobooth set up)
- Le Challenger
- Le Mont Blanc
- La Vieille Brasserie (in Lachine): great spaces you can rent for $40/hr (book way ahead) with thick stone walls, and terrace overlooking canal
- Fritz Farm
Clubs/Restaurants:
- Newtown: good little corner on second floor ideal for a photobooth set up (like lePartybooth which you can read more about here and here)
- La Queue de Cheval Steakhouse (now Biermarkt)
- Time Supper Club: also has convenient spaces for photobooths; tall ceilings, funky nightclub vibe
Event Spaces/Other
- Musee D’Art Contemporain de Montreal
- Le Windsor
- World Trade Center Montreal
- Grevin Montreal (Musee Grevin)
- DB Clarke Theatre
- Palais des congrès de Montréal
- The Belvedere
- St. Hubert Airport
Photowall beauty
I’ve worked in all of the above spaces and many more on and off the island of Montreal and am happy to provide input to any event planner, wedding planner or bride to be thinking about using one of these spaces (or others accessible via the links below). A photographer sees spaces a little differently than most people and can provide insight into how the images from your event will show. It can be helpful to discuss the venue with your photographer before you book.
Here are a few more links to compendium sites I’ve researched that offer further links to most of the event spaces, wedding halls and ceremony spaces in and around Montreal, Laval and the South Shore.
Tourisme Montreal-Off Site Venues
