Montrealers love the outdoors, be it lounging in the city parks throughout the sunny summers or bundled up cross-country skiing over Mount Royal during the winter months. Simply put, you can’t keep a local indoors. And now you can give your attendees a taste of outdoor Montréal life at these local fresh-air venues.
Aire commune
Designed for a joyous mix of work and play, Aire commune’s ephemeral outdoor spaces span the city from Lachine to Mile End, downtown and the Old Port. Now exceeding an impressive 40 spaces, their urban oases — called Îlots d’été — feature lots of warm wood tones, with built-in shade, free Wi-Fi, projection screens or TVs, and electric plugs galore. These well-appointed sites can be booked for events of 15 to 100 people, for team meetings, product launches or celebrations.
Maximum capacity: 100 people in the largest space
The Palais des congrès de Montréal
Montréal’s beloved convention centre provides event professionals with limitless possibilities for outdoor events. Included in their many offerings is a large garden located on the main level that can host close to 900 people. Further up, on Level 7, two large terraces can each accommodate 630 people for receptions or mingles. And then there’s the rooftop! Home to Canada’s first urban rooftop vineyard, as well as an Urban Agriculture Lab, the rooftop buzzes with nature and growth. (Yes, there are even two honey hives, home to 50,000 nectar-producing bees.) Better yet, the rooftop is available for wildly unique gatherings.
Maximum capacity: 900 people in the largest space
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Made of two islands — Sainte-Hélène’s Island and Notre-Dame Island — Parc Jean-Drapeau offers both beautiful gardens and sport installations. Espace 67 is a vast open and modern space, which offers sound systems, stage design, washroom facilities, lighting and sophisticated security for the safety of all visitors. For smaller, more intimate events, choose between the various pavilions from Expo 67, many of which include private garden space.
Maximum capacity: 65,000 people in the largest space
The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Paddocks
Housed on Montréal’s world-famous Formula One World Championship route in Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve’s Espace Paddock offers large and breezy open-air terrace spaces with capacities ranging from 800 to 5,000 in cocktail settings and up to 3,000 for seated banquets.
Maximum capacity: 5,000 people
The Montréal Botanical Garden
An oasis in the middle of the city with a rich collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, this magnificent garden’s curated spaces enable your attendees to amaze at the botanical traditions of China and Japan, not to mention hundreds of Indigenous species. The open spaces of the garden’s 75 hectares can be used for all sorts of special events and celebrations, such as a tea party in the rose garden. Charm factor: 100.
Maximum capacity: 282 people in the largest space
The Clock Tower Beach
Located at the eastern point of the Old Port, the Clock Tower Beach features heaps of soft, silky sand and a wooden boardwalk. With its bright blue parasols and misting stations, this swish urban beach is a total treat. It might just be the perfect place for your next unique outdoor event — you may not be allowed to swim, but your gathering will make a splash.
Maximum capacity: 800 people
Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal
At the western end of the Old Port, the Grand Quay is another splendid venue to hold outdoor events. Specifically, the Promenade d’Iberville (which is the green roof of the cruise terminal) offers breathtaking views of the mighty St. Lawrence River and downtown skyline. The massive wooden terrace features some 24,000 flowering aquatic plants and options to install an outdoor kitchen, a BBQ and a tent.
Maximum capacity: 3,000 people
New City Gas
Located in the Griffintown district, New City Gas offers space for trade shows, product launches, company meetings or any other special occasion. And the building has a storied past: the New City Gas Company of Montréal was responsible for transforming coal into gas to light Montréal’s streets and buildings. It’s a historic venue with modern sensibilities.
Maximum capacity: 2,500 people
Hôtel Monville
The innovative technologies at the “smart” Hôtel Monville are regular fixtures on social media. They include helpful robots that serve room service, should you catch them standing still long enough for a selfie! Perched atop the building are multi-use spaces both indoor and out, all with unbeatable skyline vistas on the terrace, which fits up to 100 people.
Maximum capacity: 100 people
The Mount Stephen Hotel
The definition of luxurious, the Mount Stephen’s event spaces include two terraces: one on the front of the sumptuous 19th century mansion, one on the second floor. In both cases, event tents are available.
Maximum capacity: 350 people in the largest space
Olympic Park Esplanade
At the foot of the Olympic Tower, the Esplanade of the Olympic Park provides a unique setting for staging a variety of outdoor events, such as the Montréal Symphony Orchestra and the wildly popular First Fridays (Montréal’s food truck gathering). The area is divided into nine different sections, so plenty of configurations are possible.
Maximum capacity: 56,000 people
La Ronde
An amusement park that is easily accessible from downtown Montréal, La Ronde boasts an exterior space that offers permanent seating for 7,300 people and audio-visual installations, not to mention a lovely view onto the des Dauphins lake. There are also smaller spaces available. Either way, planners can ensure guests get passes to ride the rollercoasters!
Maximum capacity: 7,300 people
Château Ramezay
Located across the street from Montréal’s City Hall, Château Ramezay was built in 1705 as the home for the Governor of Montréal. The Governor’s Garden is a unique example of an 18th century French colonial garden and an intimate space with a covered terrace, perfect for elegant gatherings.
Maximum capacity: 70 people
Montréal Science Centre
The Belvedere room at the Montréal Science Centre offers a covered terrace and a rooftop terrace with a capacity of 240 people, whether it be for a reception, banquet or outdoor meeting. Successful events — proven by science!
Maximum capacity: 240 people
Pointe-à-Callière
Perched atop the Pointe-à-Callière archaeology and history museum, the beautiful glassed-in COGECO 360° Space offers groups a 360° view and terrace access for a burst of fresh air when they want it. The view is of the Old Port and the St. Lawrence River on one side, and of Downtown Montréal on the other – it can’t be beat.
Maximum capacity: 175 people
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