Planning a corporate event in Toronto? These six under-the-radar venues give meeting and event planners distinctive options for everything from small strategy sessions to receptions and galas. With capacities ranging from 35 to 500 guests, flexible layouts, AV capabilities and catering options, each combines memorable character with the practical features planners need.

1. The 6ix at Union Hotel: A convenient boutique hotel event space perfect for small meetings

Union Hotel, a new boutique hotel across the street from—you guessed it—Union Station, has a second-floor event space called the 6ix with a connected patio ideal for hosting barbecues and outdoor team building. The space is intimate—it holds 35 people—and afterwards, planners can direct everyone downstairs to the stylish Humble Donkey café and lounge.

Ideal event types: Private meetings, brainstorming sessions and small social gatherings
Size: 500 square feet
Capacity: 35
AV: TV and HDMI connection
Catering: The hotel can provide coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner with dedicated servers.
Location: York St. and Wellington St. W.

Why planners love it: Its location makes it especially convenient for out-of-town guests and a unique offsite option for larger events taking place nearby at the Fairmont Royal York or Ritz-Carlton.

2. Berkeley Castle: A historic space with a built-in opportunity to create community impact

Berkeley Castle was originally built in 1868 and has evolved from a knitting mill to an artist hub to modern offices. Today, the venue provides one-of-a-kind event spaces including a beautifully landscaped courtyard and several offices, which function as convenient breakout rooms for guests or support space for caterers, administrative staff and meeting planners.

Ideal event types: Galas, keynotes and networking events
Size: Event spaces range from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet.
Capacity: 500 guests standing
AV: On-site AV equipment
Catering: On-site kitchenettes
Location: Near St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District

Why planners love it: For organizations prioritizing social impact, the venue has a partnership with non-profit organization Jamii Esplanade, and can help facilitate workshops and legacy projects.

3. Maxime’s: A stylish restaurant with unique on-site immersive technology

Maxime’s is more than just a steakhouse. The restaurant has four fully customizable, floor-to-ceiling digital columns, which can transform the room with branded or interactive content. A raised area provides space for presentations and the open-concept kitchen makes culinary creativity part of the experience. If you include the lush garden patio, the space can accommodate more than 130 guests, while an additional 12 can use the private dining space.

Ideal event types: Executive dinners and networking events
Size: 2,300 square feet
Capacity: 130, plus an additional 12 can use the private dining space
AV: Yes
Catering: Yes
Location: Portland St. and King St. W.

Why planners love it: It’s a venue that feels more like an experience than a traditional event space, offering food, of course, alongside technology and a unique layout and atmosphere.

4. The Kensington Room: A former nightclub transformed into a multi-purpose event space

Where two iconic Toronto neighbourhoods meet—Kensington Market and Chinatown—you’ll find a former nightclub that now serves as an event venue. The Kensington Room is a highly adaptable space, with on-site lighting, AV, tables, chairs and a Moroccan-themed corner—everything you need to make your event a success, whether it’s a business meeting or formal reception.

Ideal event types: Networking events, brand activations and creative projects like film shoots
Size: 2,500 square feet
Capacity: 100 seated or 150 standing
AV: Projector, surround sound, wireless microphones and more
Catering: There’s a bar setup, espresso machine and refrigerators for external catering.
Location: Between Kensington Market and Chinatown

Why planners love it: There’s dimmable lighting that can be individually controlled to create different moods throughout the room.

5. St. James Cathedral Centre Event Venue: A historic venue with modern event functionality

St. James Cathedral Centre Event Venue originally opened in the early 1900s as a school adjacent to the Cathedral Church of St. James, and was restored and reopened in 2012 as an event venue. It offers five multifunctional spaces—several with views of the surrounding public gardens—and has all the practical things you need for your event like AV, Wi-Fi, tables, chairs and more.

Ideal event types: Private meetings, lectures and training sessions
Size: 3,100 square feet
Capacity: 280
AV: Built-in AV in select rooms, alongside Wi-Fi
Catering: There’s a kitchen for caterers
Location: Adelaide St. and Church St.

Why planners love it: Its central location and historic charm.

6. Ahma: A fully managed boho-chic event space

Located on Queen Street West, this boutique event venue is designed to turn creative event concepts into reality. The space can be styled using in-house décor, candles and dried florals—or treated as a blank canvas. An in-house food and beverage team provides catering, premium glassware, a fully licensed marble bar and can even design custom drinks for the occasion. Ahma also offers planning support and day-of coordination. 

Ideal event types: Private meetings, training sessions and product launches
Size: 1,200 square feet
Capacity: 70 standing or 36 seated
AV: Projector, sound system and more
Catering: In-house food and beverage team
Location: Parkdale

Why planners love it: The in-house décor, food and beverage team and planning support.