Museums & Cultural Spaces THOMPSON LANDRY GALLERY
This 2,700-square-foot gallery in the historic distillery district was built in the 1860s. It has a modern kitchen and accommodates corporate groups, media launches, wine tastings, and cocktail receptions for as many as 75 and sit-down dinners for as many as 50. Noteworthy features include the patio and 14-foot walls. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 5, Unit 102, Toronto, 416.364.4955) NEW TWIST GALLERY
With two floors of space, this 5,000-square-foot art gallery is located in the former home of Spin Gallery. The venue features white walls, multiple skylights, French arch windows, and long wooden beams accentuating the high wooden ceilings. The second-floor space has an openconcept layout with a small seating area at the front. The gallery holds 350. (1100 Queen Street West, 416.588.2222)
HISTORICAL & CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS THE BERKELEY CHURCH5
Built in 1871, this historical venue retains the church’s original floors and historic designs. The main floor of the 3,000-square-foot venue features a large Victorian bar, fireplaces, and a 500-square-foot stage; it holds 800 people. An indoor/outdoor garden includes a gazebo and a fountain. A new addition, the field house, holds 250 and features a private dining room that seats 20. Additionally,
a large covered deck overlooks a river running through the property. (315 Queen St. East, 416.361.9666) BLACK CREEK PIONEER VILLAGE5
In the country setting of early-settler life, Black Creek Pioneer Village provides four private rooms and a continental menu offering standard chicken-and-roast-beef fare. The wooden Pioneer Patio with a marquee tent and views of the valley below seats 200. The event pavilion is surrounded by historic buildings, comes with an expandable stage and concert lighting and sound, and seats as many as 325. (1000 Murray Ross Pkwy., 416.736.1733) CANADIAN WARPLANE HERITAGE MUSEUM5
This museum commemorates the aircraft flown by Canadians and the Canadian military services since the beginning of World War II. It offers four event spaces: the Ferry Command Boardroom, the Dofasco Dome, the Thompson-Gordon Room, and the Display Hangar. Vintage planes serve as a backdrop in many of the spaces, including a 40,000-square-foot hangar that seats 1,500. (9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, 905.679.4183) JAPANESE CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE
In a former printing plant at Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue, this 120,000-square-foot facility includes a theatre, banquet spaces, and meeting rooms. The venue recently unveiled a $3.5 million renovation of its second floor, which created four new meeting rooms, a grand hall, and two boardrooms. The new meeting spaces complement the existing space on the first floor, including Kobayashi Hall, which can hold 400 for dinner or 500 for a concert in its retractable stadium seating. Additional rooms such as Shokokai Court and Heritage Court can hold 50 to 200. (6 Garamond Court, Toronto, 416.441.2345)
Outdoor Venues ALBERT CAMPBELL SQUARE
Directly behind the Scarborough Civic Centre, this cityowned space hosts a wide spectrum of events. The site includes a covered amphitheatre, picnic grounds, and an outdoor skating rink. (150 Borough Drive, 416.392.1111)
is available in the sports complex, which has soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and a hockey arena. Also on site: seven 36,000-square-foot film studios. (35 Carl Hall Road, 416.952.2222) HIGH PARK
HOCKEY HALL OF FAME
This Victorian-era bank building, with gold-leaf ceilings and a stained-glass dome, has 51,000 square feet of event space and can hold 1,250 people. Rooms include the 100-seat Esso Theatre and the 128-seat Hartland Molson Theatre. The MCI Great Hall, which houses the Stanley Cup, holds 225 for receptions. (30 Yonge St., 416.933.8237) ONTARIO HERITAGE CENTRE
Built in 1909 for the Canadian Birkbeck Investment and Savings Company, this facility has restored features such as wood paneling in the 12-seat boardroom, marble finishings in the lobby, and one of the last manually operated elevators in the city. A gallery holds 70 for events, and the Birkbeck room holds 50. The two main event rooms each seat about 100. (10 Adelaide St. East, 416.314.3585) SCARBOROUGH HISTORICAL MUSEUM
This museum opened its doors in 1962 and displays exhibits that showcase the people of Scarborough. Set along the walking trails of Thomson Memorial Park, Scarborough Historical Museum traces the story of this community’s rural roots and two centuries of immigration. A gallery space holds 20 people. (1007 Brimley Road, 416.338.8807)
SCIENCE/NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE
This 500,000-square-foot complex can hold 10,000 guests. The Hot Zone, a futuristic space with lighting effects and steel decor, holds 500 for receptions. The great hall, with windows overlooking the Don Valley wetlands, holds 1,200. Galileo’s Bistro, which holds 320, and the Gemini Room, which holds 120, are suitable for corporate and daytime functions. (770 Don Mills Road, 416.696.1000)
OAKVILLE TERRACE
A private lake and multilevel gardens are the main attractions at this event facility. The dining hall, which has a fireplace and cathedral ceiling, seats 180, and a private chapel on the terrace holds 180. (13256 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, 905.888.0606) ONTARIO PLACE
This venue includes the Cinesphere, a dome-shaped structure with a 700-seat theatre; and Molson Amphitheatre, which seats 9,000 in a covered pavilion and 7,000 on the lawn. (955 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.314.9900)
A third of this 399-acre park remains in its natural state. The property has several facilities such as the Colborne Lodge and Grenadier Café and Teahouse, both of which offer event space. Also in the park: an open-air Shakespearean theatre, an ice rink, and sports fields. (1873 Bloor St. West, 416.392.1111)
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
This botanical garden was in part donated to Toronto by George William Allan, onetime mayor of the city and a longtime senator. The glass Palm House covers about 16,000 square feet and includes rare tropical plants from around the world. (19 Horticultural Ave., 416.392.7288) BOYD CONSERVATION AREA
KORTRIGHT CENTRE
On 237 acres in the Humber River Valley, this area has 18 picnic sites, some of which have shelters that can hold 1,000. The park also has a soccer field and seven kilometers of trails. (8739 Islington Ave., Vaughan, 416.667.6295)
This centre occupies 324 hectares of woodlands, including 16 kilometres of hiking trails. A gazebo and picnic shelter each hold 100 for events. An indoor facility can accommodate as many as 180 for a standing reception or 160 for seated events. (9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge, 905.832.2289)
Once a transit camp for troops during World War II, this 147-acre park includes an 800-square-foot horse arena and a sports pavilion. A 75-seat meeting room is available, and a picnic site holds 75. (1132 Leslie St., 416.769.9870)
ALLAN GARDENS CONSERVATORY
BRUCE’S MILL CONSERVATION AREA
This multipurpose community park offers hiking trails, open sports fields, and 11 picnic areas. Indoors, the chalet dining room seats 75, while the chalet balcony holds 30. (3291 Stouffville Road, Stouffville, 905.887.5531) CENTENNIAL PARK SNOW CENTRE
This park covers more than 430 acres and offers skiing day and night. The upstairs lounge in the chalet holds 150 guests, as does the downstairs lounge. (256 Centennial Park Road, 416.394.8754) DOWNSVIEW PARK
This 572-acre park has three areas for open-air or tented events, including a seven-acre grassy knoll. Indoor space
MEL LASTMAN SQUARE
This outdoor space in the North York Civic Centre includes an ice rink/reflecting pool and an outdoor theatre that holds 1,000 guests. The square’s maximum capacity is 3,000. (5100 Yonge St., North York, 416.395.7415) NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE
This public space in front of Toronto City Hall features an ice rink/reflecting pool and a garden. Nonprofits and charitable organizations often host events here; all events on the square must be open to the public. (100 Queen St. West, 416.392.7902)
Private Clubs
Canada’s largest botanical garden’s event spaces include the auditorium, which seats 300, and Garden’s Café, which seats 120. The Royal Court, an outdoor private area, seats 140. (680 Plains Road West, Burlington, 905.527.1158) SUNNYBROOK PARK
TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN
In Toronto’s Edwards Gardens, the botanical garden has two event spaces. Floral Hall seats 240 or holds 350 for receptions, and Garden Hall seats 100 or holds 120. A terrace holds 200. (777 Lawrence Ave. East, 416.397.1349) TORONTO ZOO
The zoo’s event spaces include a 175-seat auditorium and a 100-seat atrium. Several picnic sites have capacities ranging from 250 to 600. Eco-friendly catering is available. (361A Old Finch Ave., 416.392.5940) YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE
Across from the Eaton Centre, this venue has an acre of space, including a 1,800-square-foot stage. It seats 1,200 or holds 5,000 for receptions. (2 Carlton St., 416.979.9960)
Island’s secluded rose garden is also available for events. (263 Queen’s Quay East, 416.934.4416) SPOKE CLUB5
One of Canada’s oldest private clubs, the Albany was founded in 1882 and remains true to its political roots. The elegant venue features high ceilings and rich wood finishes. The main dining room seats 150. Smaller spaces hold six to 100 guests. (91 King St. East, 416.364.5471)
for receptions and features a 22-foot ceiling, 12 crystal chandeliers, a built-in stage, and a 19-foot granite-topped bar. An adjacent landscaped stone terrace is available for receptions. The newly renovated Regency Ballroom has a wall of windows that overlook a deck; it holds as many as 120 for receptions. (2350 Bayview Ave., 416.510.6679)
Geared toward members of the arts and entertainment industry, the Spoke Club has multiple event spaces, including a rooftop terrace, a private screening facility, a boardroom, and a wine cellar with exposed-brick walls, crystal chandeliers, and large windows, as well as an art gallery. Private rooms accommodate 14 to 60 people for sit-down dinners and as many as 200 for cocktail receptions. (600 King St. West, 4th Floor, 416.368.8448 ext. 226)
ARGONAUT ROWING CLUB5
RICHMOND HILL COUNTRY CLUB5
UNIVERSITY CLUB OF TORONTO
Founded in 1872, the Argonaut Rowing Club houses one of Canada’s oldest and largest rowing clubs. Its event facilities include the Henley Room, which accommodates 250 guests, and a furnished patio overlooking Lake Ontario. (1225 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.532.2803)
This country club offers indoor and outdoor event space. The main hall has crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a balcony; it seats 300 people. Several smaller rooms are also available, including a newly renovated room that seats 170. The club also has a spa, a fitness facility, and indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts. (8905 Bathurst St., Richmond Hill, 905.731.2800)
Founded by University of Toronto alumni in 1906, this downtown venue features Georgian architecture and has nine event rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 200. The club offers European-style catering as well as overnight accommodations in 12 bedrooms. (380 University Ave., 416.597.1336)
ROYAL CANADIAN YACHT CLUB5
This clubhouse for progressive, accomplished female university graduates is a stately Edwardian mansion. It offers five meeting rooms of various sizes for groups of eight to 80. The largest room, the grand salon, has a grand piano and opens up to a deck. (162 St. George St., 416.979.2000)
THE ALBANY
ARTS & LETTERS CLUB
This three-storey building was declared a heritage property in 1991. The great hall has a stage and seating for 112. There is also a 25-seat boardroom and an artist studio. The club offers full-service audiovisual rentals, including a large projection screen. (14 Elm St., 416.597.0223) GRANITE CLUB5
The Granite Club’s grand ballroom holds as many as 500
The R.C.Y.C was founded in Toronto in 1852 and operates year-round from two facilities: its summer home at the Island Clubhouse (accessed by private ferry) and the yearround clubhouse in downtown Toronto. The function rooms can accommodate groups of four to 250, and the
UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S CLUB OF TORONTO5
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