Go beyond the ordinary hotel conference room and plan a corporate gathering or a team-building activity at these unexpected places.
If you’re looking for venues that aren’t your typical hotel or conference centre, Toronto has got you covered. Imagine learning and brainstorming while overlooking breathtaking cityscapes, surrounded by stunning Islamic art or within arm's reach of iconic hockey memorabilia. This list showcases some of Toronto's most unique venues to inspire your next meeting or event. Peruse all the incredible off-site venues that our city has to offer.
Aga Khan Museum
Capacity: This Islamic art museum caters to groups of all sizes. Their auditorium seats 335, the grand open-air garden accommodates 180 seated guests and 300 standing, and a full museum buyout is an option for events exceeding 350 people.
Best for: Luncheons/dinners, board meetings and cocktail receptions
Why we love it: When you’re surrounded by stunning art and architecture, it fosters a sense of creativity. The museum also has an in-house caterer ready to prepare your guests delicious dishes.
Bata Shoe Museum
Capacity: This unique museum, exploring the 4,500-year history of footwear, houses four spaces that can be rented out for events. Footprints Studio can accommodate 35 guests for standing receptions and 25 for a seated dinner, St. Crispin’s holds 40 standing and 25 for dinner, the Upper Lobby can welcome up to 60 guests standing and the Lower Lobby holds up to 120 people. And if you're looking for a truly grand event, renting the entire museum allows for 200 standing guests or 120 seated for a dinner.
Best for: Cocktail receptions, product launches and fashion shows
Why we love it: The museum's unique shoe collection provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for any event. The central location makes it easy for everyone to attend.
Casa Loma
Capacity: This 98-room castle in Toronto’s midtown is perfect for events big and small. The Conservatory provides the most intimate setting, perfect for receptions up to 150 guests or banquets up to 80. The Library offers a charming space for receptions of up to 250 guests or banquets for up to 200. The Glass Pavilion and Gardens can comfortably host 300 guests for receptions or 220 for a seated banquet. The Terrace provides another option for mid-sized gatherings, accommodating up to 200 guests. Or you can rent the entire facility to accommodate up to 1,500 guests.
Best for: Luncheons/dinners, cocktail receptions and galas
Why we love it: It has every amenity you could think of, from executive chef customized menus to all-inclusive bar packages, event coordinators, preferred vendors and so much more. And you can’t beat the venue itself, a castle surrounded by lush gardens decked out with oak floors, glass ceilings and crystal chandeliers.
CN Tower
Capacity: The Main Observation Level can comfortably accommodate large groups of up to 700. For a unique dining experience, the revolving 360 Restaurant seats 400 guests. Presentations and screenings come to life in the 140-seat Maple Leaf Cinema. Three meeting rooms, each catering to up to 90 people, provide options for more intimate gatherings.
Best for: Luncheons/dinners, board meetings and presentations
Why we love it: The floor-to-ceiling windows showcase stunning Toronto vistas, creating a memorable backdrop for any occasion. On-site dining and catering options range from casual refreshments to an elegant three-course meal. And a professional event team is on hand to ensure your function runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Design Exchange
Capacity: Located in the city’s historic Toronto Stock Exchange building, the Design Exchange has plenty of meeting spaces to suit your needs. The Lobby offers an intimate atmosphere for cocktail receptions and ceremonies, accommodating up to 90 guests. Seeking a grander affair? The Trading Floor can host up to 500 guests for receptions or theatre-style events and 300 for banquets. The Gallery provides a versatile option, transforming from a reception space for 240 guests to a presentation venue seating 220. For smaller gatherings, the Library can accommodate receptions for 90 guests or banquet or theater-style seating for 60. Finally, the Boardroom can comfortably host 40 guests for receptions and 30 for banquets.
Best for: Galas, cocktail receptions and trade shows
Why we love it: The recently renovated building pays tribute to the building’s history and architecture, while also providing a modern refresh. The convenient downtown location adds another layer of appeal. And because its sole focus is an event venue, it has all the bells and whistles you’ll need: in-house audio/visual equipment, various catering partners and so much more.
Evergreen Brick Works
Capacity: Housed inside a former brick factory along the Don River, this multi-use space is home to farmers’ markets, public gardens and plenty of cool event spaces. CRH Gallery and Koerner Gardens can hold up to 2,000 guests and The Pavilions up to 1,400. For medium-sized events, BMO Atrium, Frances and Tim Price Terrace and Young Center all have a capacity of 250 guests. Additionally, four meeting rooms, ranging in capacity from 12 to 60 people, are available for smaller gatherings.
Best for: Presentations, board meetings and cocktail receptions
Why we love it: Meeting planners love Evergreen Brick Works for its diverse event spaces. It's also a venue committed to sustainability, with LEED certification and eco-friendly vendors. Plus, the flexible configurations of the spaces allow you to tailor the layout to suit your event's needs.
Glenn Gould Studio
Capacity: Glenn Gould Studio, a concert hall housed inside the iconic Canadian Broadcasting Corporation building, offers a unique blend of functionality and charm. The heart of the space is a 340-seat auditorium and the lobby can host up to 340 guests for cocktail receptions. Additionally, six dedicated meeting rooms offer further flexibility, ranging in capacity from eight to 25 people.
Best for: Film screenings, award ceremonies and cocktail receptions
Why we love it: Not only does it have all the things you want in an event venue—an in-house beverage service, a trusted network of preferred caterers, et cetera—it has world-class technology thanks to being inside one of the country’s leading broadcast buildings. (Think: webcasting, audio/visual equipment and even post-production capabilities.)
Hockey Hall of Fame
Capacity: The grand Esso Great Hall, home to the Stanley Cup, can accommodate 225 guests for receptions, with the option to expand to 1,000 guests by including the concourse level. For smaller gatherings, the D.K. Seaman Theatre holds 100 people and there are also dedicated meeting spaces like the Tim Hortons Theatre, which seats 100, and the 140-seat TSN Theatre.
Best for: Cocktail receptions, dinners and award ceremonies
Why we love it: What says Canada and Toronto more than hosting an event surrounded by portraits of hockey legends and the Stanley Cup itself? Plus, it transcends the typical meeting space, offering a unique blend of history, grandeur and unexpected versatility.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Capacity: Ripley's Aquarium offers a variety of rental options, from the awe-inspiring full aquarium experience for up to 1,200 guests to the intimate Lagoon Overlook, perfect for private dinners of 40 guests or receptions for up to 75 people. The Atlantic Room provides a semi-private space for presentations and team-building exercises for up to 40 people.
Best for: Galas, dinners and presentations
Why we love it: The venue is right downtown next to so many other popular Toronto attractions: CN Tower, Rogers Centre, et cetera. Plus, how can you not love the opportunity to explore the wonders of the aquatic world during your event?
TIFF Lightbox
Capacity: Residing inside a magnificent five-storey loft-style building, this prestigious event space houses six high-tech cinemas, with the largest accommodating up to 522 patrons, ensuring an exceptional movie-watching experience. Additionally, the venue has a 120-person capacity TIFF Founders Lounge, which has incredible views of King Street and downtown.
Best for: Film screenings, award ceremonies and cocktail receptions
Why we love it: The Lightbox is more than just the home base for the Toronto International Film Festival, it's a cultural icon located in the heart of King Street’s Entertainment District and a unique flexible event venue offering some of the most unique spaces in Toronto to host your next event.
