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TORONTO Volume 6, Issue 2 Summer 2010 © 2010 BizBash Media

PHOTOS: GEORGE PIMENTEL

On the Cover Held at the Ontario Science Centre in May, the fourth annual LG Innovators’ Ball was dubbed “Midnight Spell: An Evening of Magic and Enchanment.” Producer McNabb Roick Events flanked the purple carpeted entrance (a nod to sponsor Telus) with tall glass tubes that created a forestlike canopy. Photographed by Tom Sandler

Warner Brothers Canada brought the Sex and the City 2 premiere party to the Hazelton Hotel’s One Restaurant in Yorkville, where some 350 guests were privy to Middle Easterninspired lounge areas with oversize seating, Moroccan lanterns, and Pucci print pillows. Your Brand Integrated Marketing Communications produced the event, which took over the venue’s bar, main dining room, and patio.

Skyy Vodka sponsored the bar and created a menu of Sex-centric cocktails. More photos are on BizBash.com.

6

FROM THE EDITORS Quick notes for short attention spans

9

READERS’ FORUM What are your must-haves for outdoor events?

THE SCOUT 13 Coloured tape installations 14 Meatless entrées Outdoor-friendly rentals 15 Attention-grabbing invitations 16 How do you attract younger guests?

18 Corporate gifts with charitable tie-ins 19 Candice Chan and Alison Slight’s new event management firm 20 An online marketing leader’s ambitious offline event 22 Stylish ways to communicate an organization’s purpose

25 28 30 31

32

33

EVENT REPORTS The Royal Ontario Museum’s noir gala LG Fashion Week’s biggest shows From New York: O, The Oprah Magazine’s 10th anniversary Weddingbells’ cake-filled 25th anniversary From Los Angeles: The Milken Institute Global Conference From Washington: The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner’s A-list after-parties From Miami: The ninth annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival

EVENT REPORTS 34 Windfall’s post-Depressioninspired Buy Design benefit 35 From Vancouver: Coca-Cola’s Olympic pavilion 36 From Boston: The Institute of Contemporary Art’s spring benefit The LG Innovators’ Ball’s Harry Potter-inspired exhibit 39 The Toronto Venue Report A roundup of the newest spots for events, meetings, and entertaining 45 The New Reality Planners’ biggest challenges, according to our reader survey 48 Holiday Parties Ideas for end-of-the-year gatherings directly from the people who plan them THE DIRECTORY 55 Toronto venues TED KRUCKEL 72 Tips for beating the heat at summer events

ON BIZBASH.COM Comprehensive local venue and supplier directories The latest industry news Local sites for Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami/South Florida, New York, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington

bizbash.com summer 2010 3

BIZBASH EDITOR IN CHIEF Chad Kaydo NEWS EDITOR Courtney Thompson STYLE EDITOR Lisa Cericola ASSOCIATE EDITORS Michael O’Connell, Anna Sekula

CHICAGO EDITOR/BUREAU CHIEF Jenny Berg

LOS ANGELES EDITOR/BUREAU CHIEF Alesandra Dubin

MIAMI EDITOR/BUREAU CHIEF D. Channing Muller

TORONTO EDITOR/BUREAU CHIEF Susan O’Neill

ART ART DIRECTOR Joey Bouchard ASSISTANT ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Carolyn Curtis

PHOTO PHOTO EDITOR Alison Whittington ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Jessica Torossian

COPY & RESEARCH ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Claire Hoffman EDITORIAL INTERNS Melanie Barnes, Katherine Levering,

Katherine Puccio CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR AT LARGE Ted Kruckel WRITER AT LARGE, LOS ANGELES Irene Lacher CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Mimi O’Connor, Brendan Spiegel WASHINGTON: T.J. Walter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Meryl Rothstein, Andi Teran LOS ANGELES: Shilpa Gopinath, Rosalba Curiel TORONTO: Amy Lazar, Erin Letson WASHINGTON: Adele Chapin, Walter Nicholls COPY EDITOR Josh Wimmer CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Vincent Dillio, Roger Dong, Nick Ferrari, Emily Gilbert, Dan Hallman, John Minchillo, Alice and Chris Ross, Keith Sirchio BOSTON: Aviran Levy, Patrick Piasecki CHICAGO: Mireya Acierto, Tyllie Barbosa, Barry Brecheisen, Eric Craig, Jeremy Lawson, Eddie Quinones LOS ANGELES: Matt Armendariz, BEImages, Jessica Boone, Nadine Froger, Line 8 Photography, Zen Sekizawa, Dale Wilcox MIAMI: Joseph Cancellare & Associates, Matthew Horton, Moris Moreno, Elizabeth Renfrow, Mitchell Zachs TORONTO: Gary Beechey, Jill Kitchener, Henry Lin, Emma McIntyre, Nicki Leigh McKean, George Pimentel WASHINGTON: Tony Brown/Imijination Photo, Stephen Elliot, FotoBriceno, Powers and Crewe EDITORIAL OFFICES 21 West 38th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018 phone: 646.638.3600, fax: 646.638.3601 CHICAGO BUREAU 312.436.2525 LOS ANGELES BUREAU 310.659.9510 MIAMI BUREAU 1450 NE 123 St., North Miami, FL 33161 305.808.3535 TORONTO BUREAU 1 Thorncliff Park Drive, Suite 110, Toronto, ON M4H 1G9 416.425.6380 CONTACT US Editorial Feedback and Ideas: edit@bizbash.com Event Invitations, Press Releases: nyevents@bizbash.com Directory Listings: listings@bizbash.com Subscription Inquiries: 646.839.6835, subscriptions@bizbash.com New Subscriptions: bizbash.com/subscribe Subscription Renewals: bizbash.com/renew Reprints: Dani Rose, The YGS Group 800.494.9051 ext. 125, bizbash@theygsgroup.com BIZBASH MEDIA C.E.O. AND FOUNDER David Adler PRESIDENT Richard Aaron BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jonathan Adler (CHAIRMAN),

Richard Aaron, David Adler, Beverly Chell, Martin Maleska, Todd Pietri

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From the Editors

Not-So-Deep Thinking No time for a long column?

How about a few short thoughts?

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Our L.A. keynote speaker Mindy Weiss A Confession I’m no expert on the finer financial points of the airline or hospitality industries, and surely executives or PR people from either could explain their various policies. My point is how these experiences make customers feel, which affects buying decisions. Advertising a cheap rate and then piling on additional costs might increase short-term revenue, but it’s not a good long-term branding strategy.

More to the Event Industry Point You can have whatever excuses you want for a less-thanstellar guest experience, but the fact is guests don’t care. They remember what they remember, which might be the six-foot floral arrangements, or it might be the 20-minute valet wait. You can’t control what they talk about the next day, but you can influence what they experience.

D.C. Status Update Most of the folks I encountered while covering the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner weekend in Washington were focused squarely on the guest lists of the various parties. They looked past the food to the famous faces, which I’ll grant in many cases was the more interesting choice. But some hosts still put out stylish spreads that would stand out in any market. Some highlights are on page 32.

Weiss Is Nice Our L.A. keynote speaker, Mindy Weiss, started with photos from her own family gatherings—and self-deprecating asides about her former hairstyles. Moving on to the celebrity nuptials she’s known for, she gave a candid, funny presentation full of sound bites (as Colin Cowie did in Florida in April). “Great entertainment, great bar, great party.” “Every designer is focusing on lighting fixtures.” (She predicts we’ll see more residential fixtures at parties.) “Always end, if it’s in the budget, with fireworks.” Ka-boom. —Chad Kaydo

PHOTOS: BIZBASH

There’s A Better Way

Last week I came across three interesting takes on how electronic media is affecting how we think and behave.

First The New York Times ran a long front-page piece about the impact of our devotion to information-loaded screens (computers, smartphones, iPads, etc.) and toggling between their apps, emails, videos, texts, games, and RSS feeds. In a nutshell: Our multitasking is actually making it harder for us to move between tasks effectively.

Next, on a flight from New York to our annual expo in Los Angeles, in Bloomberg BusinessWeek I read a review of The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, a new book by Nicholas Carr.

He says all those Facebook status updates and animated banner ads are zapping our ability to recall information and comprehend what we read.

Lastly, while stopping for a drink at the Bazaar, the José Andrés restaurant inside the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, I skimmed an op-ed piece by Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker—using a Times app on my iPhone. He suggests everyone chill out about the above. Text messages and CNN screen crawls haven’t exactly slowed the pace of scientific discovery. And our experiences can’t change the brain’s basic capacities.

All interesting points—and things to consider when developing event content. It’s also my excuse/inspiration for filling this space with random thoughts instead of a cohesive note. Here goes: Speaking of Flying The experience was filled with the indignities we’ve come to expect from airline travel. Extra fees for checked luggage, food, and Wi-Fi. (I’m half expecting to pay to rent a seat belt next time.) I folded myself into an exit row seat that somehow had less legroom than normal, if you can believe that.

But Then… Consider the contrast of checking in at the new Andaz West Hollywood. The concept, as I see it, is modern boutique hotel design with homey service touches. (I’ve also toured the Andaz Wall Street in New York.) There’s no front desk; casually dressed roving staffers armed with tablet computers check you in while sitting on a sofa or standing at a kiosk. The minibar snacks and sodas are free, you pay for booze and beer. There is free Internet access, too, which always wins points from me. (I should note I stayed there because the hotel has a business deal with BizBash.)

Flowers from Vert-De-Gris at Politico’s brunch after the White House Correspondent’s Association dinner

Readers’ Forum

What are your must-haves for outdoor events?

“I always make sure the attendees know an event is scheduled outdoors so they can plan accordingly. Spiked heels on the grass? Not such a good idea.”

Karen Grunwald, director of sales, Tech Events, Sacramento

“Covers for food, festive citronella torches, and netting to eliminate the annoyance of insects. I also always have Velcro strips on hand to ensure that tablecloths stay in place when the wind picks up.”

David Turk, president, Indiana Market & Catering, New York

“Bug repellent. I usually set up a table with both wipes and sprays—nothing like mosquitoes to ruin the most glamorous events.

Other must-haves: cold water and plenty of ice, sunscreen, bandages for scrapes and bruises, and baby wipes for dirty feet.”

Leila Marie Eid, assistant director of events, Northeastern University, Boston

“Personalized wetnaps.

Especially during summer events, finger foods and desserts can get sticky very quickly. Guests are always pleasantly surprised by a small jar of them on the table, and it’s a place to add a monogram, theme, or thank you for their attendance.”

Stacey Kallenberg, founder, As You Wish Event Design, New York

“Bathroom facilities, water, and power. In order to appreciate the food, camaraderie, and entertainment, guests need to be comfortable.”

PHOTOS: TANIA LEZAK PHOTOGRAPHY (KALLENBERG), TEEKAY PHOTOGRAPHY (ZUCKER)

Joan Rothbard, president, Recreation Picnic Services, New Jersey

“Great beverages. Sometimes wine and spirits aren’t in the budget, but you can do a lot with water. Water stations infused with fruits like strawberries, oranges, limes, or mint leaves can make water pretty and exciting to drink. ” Ula Francoise Zucker, events and media coordinator, City of Miami Gardens

“A contingency plan. There is no climate control outside, just climate management.”

Nancy Solero, principal, the Event Refinery, Delaware

“Air-conditioned shelter, or at least overhead fans. Sunscreen, well-ventilated potties, caterers who understand what it means to cater outdoors, bug repellent, and handheld battery-operated fans. Also, knowledge of the terrain on which the event is held so you can mark off any areas where tree roots are above ground.”

Joan Eisenstodt, meetings and hospitality consultant, Eisenstodt Associates LLC, Washington

“Bright colours to complement what Mother Nature has already provided.”

Linette Young, Beyond Expectations Meetings and Events, San Francisco

Compiled by Claire Hoffman

bizbash.com summer 2010 9

My Cool New Job

MY NEW FAVOURITE THING

“When it comes to hospitality, The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness

by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Korval is a lovely reminder of how the simplest of thoughtful gestures can determine a successful outcome of a project or event.”

Niels Schuurmans has been named the executive vice president of brand marketing and creative at Spike. In his new role, he oversees all on- and off-air marketing and focuses on the visual presentation of the Spike brand. Schuurmans has been senior vice president at the company since 2004. He previously spent 13 years at Nickelodeon.

“Contact Keeper ($12.99-$29.99, contactkeeper.com), a notebook with slots for business cards and space for writing notes. Even though I can type everything into my phone, I prefer writing things down while meeting with someone.

It keeps my contacts in order until I have the time to sit on my computer and input them all. I purchased it when I saw it at the National Stationery Show this year, where it first launched.”

Gina Tepavchevich, meeting and event coordinator, board affairs, Radiological Society of North America, Chicago

“We’ve established the brand, and it’s time to take it to the next level. I want to turn these shows into franchises. For our show Blue Mountain State, we went to college campuses and hosted games. We sponsored supercross, a motorcycle sporting event. We don’t even air supercross, but those are the guys we want to speak to. We had logo presence and people at the tailgates handing out Spike stuff. I want consumers to actually touch and feel the brand.”

Dianne Velez, vice president, Colorblind Productions, New York

COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE:

Last-Minute Holiday Party Ideas To Today’s events are ar being planned with p less le lead time than ever. This t issue takes i the t stress out of o holiday planning when the clock is ticking.

Also in this issue: • Event Planners of the Year • Audiovisual Production/Staging • NEW! Meeting Venues • Rental Company Directory (a special advertorial section) 3 Subscribe online: bizbash.com/ subscribe or call 646.839.6835 3 Advertising deadline: September 20, 2010 3 To advertise, contact Stephen Sinanan at 416.425.6380 ext. 222

PHOTOS: ART ANTONIK (TEPAVCHEVICH), COURTESY OF SPIKE (SCHUURMANS), COURTESY OF CONTACT KEEPER

WHAT INSPIRES ME

The Scout

PHOTO: COURTESY OF REBECCA WARD

CAUGHT ON TAPE Austin, Texas-based artist Rebecca Ward (rebeccasward.com) uses coloured gaffer tape to create vivid, site-specific installations that play off existing architecture. Ward lays evenly spaced lines of tape that crisscross ceilings and staircases, rise up from floors and walls, and form threedimensional sculptures. Ward has done corporate commissions, including an eye-catching hot pink and yellow work for Kate Spade’s New York flagship store. Her installations can range from tape-only creations to more elaborate designs that incorporate video and projections. More photos of her work are on BizBash.com. —Lisa Cericola

13 bizbash.com january/february 2010

13

New on the Menu

Meat-Free and Memorable Vegetarians often get short shrift on event menus. Here are three substantial meatless entrees. By LISA CERICOLA

Tofu cabbage rolls in ginger broth with chrysanthemum greens and bok choy, from Daniel et Daniel (416.968.9275, danieletdaniel.ca) in Toronto

Grilled vegetable napoleon of eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, and phyllo with roasted red pepper sauce and goat cheese, from Phil Stefani Signature Events (312.226.7611, stefanicatering.com) in Chicago

For Rent

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Solei coffee table, $120, available throughout California from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental (800.709.7007, designer8furniturerental.com)

IsabellĂŠ linen-burlap sofa, $350, available across the U.S. from Suite 206 (214.749.0400, suite206.com)

These six outdoor-friendly rentals incorporate natural touches such as wood, rattan, burlap, and faux shrubbery.

By LISA CERICOLA

Meridian Leaf lounge, $237, available across the U.S. and Canada from Cort Event Furnishings (888.710.2525, cortevents.com)

14 bizbash.com summer 2010

Buttery Effect tables, $220 each, available across the U.S. from Fresh Wata (323.951.0617, freshwata.com)

Boxwood hedge planter, $535, available throughout Southern California from FormDecor (714.493.9501, formdecor.com)

Broadway chair, $250, available across the U.S. from AFR Furniture Rental and Event Furnishings (888.237.7368, afrevents.com)

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF VENDORS (FURNITURE), NICK ULIVERI (NAPOLEON), RUSSEL DAY (CABBAGE ROLLS), JESSICA BOONE FOR BIZBASH (PAELLA)

Vegetable paella with saffron-scented rice, tofu, and vegetables, from Contemporary Catering (310.558.8190, contemporarycatering.com) in Los Angeles

Invitations

For its Best New Chefs event in New York in April, Food & Wine created postcards with images of cutlery and wine bottles printed

by Corporate Color (800.242.5364, corporatecolor.com).

Priority Mail Paper invites can get lost in the shuffle. Here are seven that grabbed guests’ attention with…

By LISA CERICOLA

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MACKENZIE BROWN DESIGN, COURTESY OF TYLER PERRY STUDIOS, JOHN KNEAPLER DESIGN, BIZBASH (ALL OTHERS)

TEXTURE For the launch of music video Web site Vevo in New York in December, Alpine Creative Group (212.989.4198, alpine creativegroup.com) created a two-panel rubber invite that peeled apart. On the front was a holographic foil stamp of Vevo’s logo.

The inside text was silk screened with a special ink that wouldn’t rub off.

For the opening of Tyler Perry’s Atlanta studios, Creative Intelligence (323.936.9009, creativeintelligence.com) hand-wrapped each invitation in crushed silk taffeta. Inside, the centre panel was engraved in metallic gold and merlot. Each invitation was wrapped in a cashmere paper sleeve with the recipient’s name calligraphed in gold.

John Kneapler Design (212.463.9774, johnkneaplerdesign. com) created a patriotic invite for the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation’s gala at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York in October.

TOYS In April, Washington’s Corcoran Gallery of Art held a press preview for an exhibit of work by Eadweard Muybridge, who pioneered stereographs, an early form of 3-D. Westland Enterprises (301.736.0600, westlandenter prises.com) printed a Muybridge stereograph on natural cardstock.

American Paper Optics (800.767.8427, 3dglassesonline.com) provided 3-D glasses.

TYPE For an April 2009 wedding showcase, Mélangerie Inc. (646.248.7823, melangerienyc.com) created a simple yet striking invitation based on a “naughty and nice” theme illustrated with two fonts in contrasting colours and styles.

Mackenzie Brown Design (312.443.1000, mackenziebrown.com) created a text-driven invite for the Chicago-based Adler Planetarium’s 2009 Celestial Ball, which had a “cosmic fusion” theme. To create an explosive look, the firm merged a vibrant stock image with a bold font on iridescent paper.

bizbash.com summer 2010 15

How do you attract younger guests? tion line of cosmetics. Held in the parking lots of stores such as Rite Aid and Walgreens, the events offered free makeovers and product education. Because the makeup is geared toward 13- to 21-year-old women, the events’ “marketing, signage, colour palette, and even the uniforms and look of the makeup artists, were chosen to appeal to that age range,” Smith says. “We also created a playlist with that age group in mind, [with] artists such as Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga.” Smith says the coupon redemption for Clean Foundation products was “through the roof” and estimates that 75 to 90 percent of guests purchased products on site.

In the nonprofit realm, planners are using after-parties to target emerging philanthropists.

When the Art Institute of Chicago debuted its Matisse exhibition in March, the women’s board hosted an elegant gala with a champagne reception, a string quartet, and a three-course dinner. Geared toward a younger crowd, a separate event—new this year—started at 10 p.m. in the museum’s upper-level restaurant. There, guests found pillowstrewn lounge areas, a dance floor with disco balls, and a buffet of sliders and French fries. Dubbed “Radical

Ask BizBash

Night,” the event had a separate host committee comprised of young area United Enterprofessionals. tainment Group, Some 350 guests, Cover Girl’s New most in the 21-to York-based PR 40-year-old age and marketing range, attended. agency, enlisted The party was Koncept Events “certainly a great to stage a fivesuccess,” says city road show director of donor geared toward initiatives Anne women who are Henry. “It raised just starting to a bit of money. use makeup.

More importantly, though, it was an opportunity to welcome a new audience. All ticket purchasers who were not already members of the museum received a membership with their ticket.”

Jung Lee, co-founder of New York production company Fête, says that clients with particularly dry corporate cultures hire her to produce events that will help retain younger employees. In addition to keeping current staffers, she says, “great corporate events can be selling tools to attract great new talent during the recruiting process.”

Lee says that uninteresting

entertainment is a common mistake at corporate gatherings. “Most event entertainment goes on a little too long,” she said. “Young employees have a shorter attention span and will get bored.” Lee recommends hiring entertainers who can deliver short, high-impact performances that incorporate contemporary humour. She has wrangled up-andcoming comedian Aziz Ansari and talent from Second City Entertainment. She’s also hired a professional pickpocket artist to roam cocktail receptions and pluck guests’ watches and wallets. —Jenny Berg

Peel-and-Stick Lights

An LED-lit bar

16 bizbash.com summer 2010

Ideal for trade show booths, bars and tables, or product displays, Invisiled Tape is an adhesive strip of LED lighting from W.A.C. Lighting (516.515.5000, waclighting.com). To use, just cut the product to the desired length and adLIGHTI N G here. The company also offers mounting clips for added security. The lighting is available in amber, blue, green, red, white, and a rotating palette, and lasts about 50,000 hours. The company also recently released an outdoor version of the product that can withstand rain and other conditions. Retail pricing starts at about $75 per foot for the single-colour indoor version.

—Lisa Cericola

Multiple USigns can be linked to create a tower.

D.I.Y. SIGNAGE Ideal for exhibits or check-in stations, Sentina’s (908.964.8109, biz.sentinasmart.com) USign allows planners to create their own illuminated signs. The lightweight display frames are made of recycled plastic and have built-in LED lighting. To create a custom display, print a sign on TR ADE SHOWS an 8- by 11-inch transparency sheet and slide it into the frame. USigns cost $80 each and can be linked together to create a freestanding tower. —L.C.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF UNITED ENTERTAINMENT, COURTESY OF W.A.C. LIGHTING, COURTESY OF SENTINA

By giving events a youthful edge, organizations can draw new customers and donors, and corporations can attract emerging talent or new customers. From carefully curated soundtracks to high-impact entertainment, here are some ways to draw fresh faces.

In Chicago, Saks Fifth Avenue director of marketing Julie Selakovich tapped online magazine CheekyChicago.com, which has a core readership of 25- to 40-year-old women, to publicize an in-store fashion show.

Saks and Cheeky staffers selected “six influential, fashionable people in Chicago,” including PR reps and members of the media, to serve as hosts and models. The event had a fun, low-key vibe with a shiny pink runway by Kehoe Designs, a DJ, and refreshments from sponsors MGD 64 and VitaminWater Zero. Through email blasts from Cheeky, postings on social networking sites, and word-of-mouth publicity from the host committee, the event drew 150 guests. “More than half were new customers to Saks Fifth Avenue,” Selakovich says.

In April, Hillary Smith and Sarah Turk of Miami’s Koncept Events worked on a national road show to promote Cover Girl’s Clean Founda-

The Women’s Bean Project (womensbean project.com) hires women in poverty to create and package food items like salsa, chili, and bean soup mixes. Gift baskets start at $30.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer (646.454.0386, cookiesforkidscancer.org) funds pediatric cancer research through the sale of baked goods, $30 per dozen.

Gifts

TWICE AS NICE

Rara coasters, $12.95 for four, from the Hunger Site (888.355.4321, thehungersite.com) are made by Haitian artisans out of recycled materials and support Partners in Health.

These 10 corporate goodies have built-in charitable tie-ins. By LISA CERICOLA

Cards for Causes (888.832.4153, cards forcauses.com) creates personalized stationery, starting at $105 for 100 cards. Twenty percent of proceeds go to any licensed charity.

18 bizbash.com summmer 2010

Through Bright Endeavors (773.388.2811, brightendeavors. org), homeless and at-risk young women make Dreambeam soy candles in recycled glass containers, $12 to $45.

New Orleans-based What’s Surbag (whatsurbag-usa. com) creates tote bags, $14.95 and up, that support Hope House’s food and shelter assistance, adult learning programs, and other services.

This unisex scarf, $30, from the Yellow Bird Project (yellowbird project.com) benefits organizations such as Mercy Corps and Greenpeace.

Chocomize (856.375.2041, chocomize.com) offers 90 ingredients to create custom candy bars that start at $4 each. A small percentage goes to one of three charities, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Charity: Water’s (646.688.2323, charitywater.org) stainless steel Thermos hydration bottle, $42, funds 20 years of clean water for two people in developing nations.

PHOTOS: ALL COURTESY OF VENDORS

Ten percent of proceeds from Presents for a Purpose’s (212.580.0515, presentsforpurpose. com) oilcloth toiletry bag, $25, go to one of 23 charities, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Fresh Faces

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CANDICE&ALISON LUXURY EVENTS (EVENT), ARLINE MALAKIAN (PORTRAIT), COURTESY OF CAPLANSKY’S DELI, COURTESY OF ELEMENT OXYGEN BARS

Fashion Forward Candice Chan and Alison Slight draw from their experience working for luxury brands to create style-minded events.

Launching an event management company focused on high-end fêtes for the luxury, retail, and fashion industries in the midst of a recession might seem like a questionable decision. But Candice Chan and Alison Slight, who opened Candice&Alison Luxury Event Management (416.568.8852, candiceandalison.com) in September, say the firm’s name says more about their approach than their clients’ budgets.

“We are focused on luxury, but it’s not that we only work with luxury brands. We take our luxury knowhow and will help you apply it to your brand,” Chan says.

“We can work with any budget,” adds Slight. “It’s more about the appreciation and the detail and the aesthetic than it is dollars and cents.”

The pair met as students at Ryerson University’s School of Fashion. Chan went on to a career in the retail industry, spending five years as brand manager for retail

Candice and Alison designed Mini’s Beachcomber launch

chain RK, and Slight took her talents to Dubai, where she worked invites, handling with clients like PR, and keeping Christian Dior and a close eye on Louis Vuitton as the local event general manger calendar so they of event planning can suggest firm Platinum. suitable dates to “People work clients. with us because Since we bring chic launching with design to all the a circus-themed Candice Chan and events we do,” after-party for Alison Slight Chan says. “We do designer Lucian a full 360 design Matis during LG for clients that incorporates every Fashion Week, the pair has worked aspect of the event. We do it as if with Penicullus Belum, Basch by we’re designing a collection. We Brandon, Nikki Beach, and St. Joseph create a story board with our colours, Media. In May, Candice&Alison our inspiration, and how it fits in with collaborated with model Coco Rocha current trends and styles.” to create Strut for a Cure, a fashionThe firm handles all other focused fund-raiser for the Coast to aspects of the planning process, Coast Against Cancer Foundation. including managing talent, designing The duo also helped Mini Canada

Bring the Deli to the Office The staff at Caplansky’s Deli (416.500.3852, caplanskys. com) can set up a meat carving station and slice hot brisket on site. A variety of side dishes are also available, including hand-cut fries, smoked meat poutine, and latkes. Orders require a minimum of 10 to 15 people for a carving CATER I NG station. The cost is about $10 per person.

Sandwich ingredients include smoked meat or turkey, rye bread, onion, or challah buns, pickles, and a variety of mustards. —S.O.

launch its new Beachcomber vehicle at the Canadian International Auto Show in February.

“We were inspired by the car so we designed a retro tailgate beach party,” Chan says. They had fashion designer Farley Chatto create custom Mini bikinis, worked with hair and makeup artists to give the models retro looks, brought in a local industrial designer to create miniature boom boxes, and invited five bloggers to promote and cover the event.

Jason Huang, Mini’s operations manager, says the concept hadn’t been determined when the company issued an RFP. “We wanted to create some sort of launch event that would separate us from the crowd,” he said.

“They created the environment to represent the theme and present the vehicle in the way we wanted it presented.” —Susan O’Neill

A New Twist on Massage Carrie Rubel of Massage on Wheels (866.200.6696, massageonwheels.ca) and Dave McNamara of Element Oxygen Bars (905.227.8162, elementoxygen.ca) joined forces to offer a new on-site spa experience: oxygeninfused massage

ACTI VIT Y services. The two companies can set up a separate oxygen bar and massage station or deliver both services at the same time. Spa packages including two massage chairs with oxygen treatments cost about $280 per hour.

—S.O.

bizbash.com summer 2010 19

Strategy Session

SOCIAL LIFE The social media gurus at Mashable drew a sold-out crowd to their most ambitious offline event yet, a daylong conference during New York Internet Week.

Attendees tweeted and blogged from the conference.

Sponsor Motorola set up a photo booth and gave each attendee a phone.

Mashable editor in chief Adam Ostrow interviewed Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley.

CNN co-hosted the summit and linked to online content from the day.

20 bizbash.com summer 2010

Like so many technology fests, New York Internet Week is a booze-soaked labyrinth of panels, launches, and networking events. It provides a brief, face-to-face respite for guests whose lives and professions revolve almost entirely around a glowing computer screen, so getting them to commit to one daylong event, in a week crammed with dozens of different initiatives, requires a compelling pitch.

That was the dilemma for social media blog Mashable, whose previous Internet Week outing was a mixer with little opportunity for branding or audience education. Since it was founded in 2005, Mashable has become the de facto authority on marketing with social media and is only bested in U.S. blog traffic by the Huffington Post and Gizmodo. Looking to create a signature event that could cater to the varied interests of its readership while providing an attractive opportunity for sponsors, the brand put on the Mashable Media Summit at the Times Center on June 8.

Instead of typical conference panels, the summit lined up an entire day of presentations from social and digital media experts in arenas as diverse as hospitality, music, consumer branding, video production, and location technology, all speaking about how Web marketing and promotions worked to their advantage. By casting the widest possible net, Mashable hoped to court an equally diverse group of guests.

“We’re known for throwing parties, but that’s not really what we’re about,” says Brett Petersel, who handles Mashable’s business development and events, but had never done anything on the scale of the summit. “I think it was time to see if we could really do something big like this.”

After being heavily promoted on the site and appearing on recommended event lists from CNET and the Daily Beast, the summit drew a

sold-out crowd of more than 400. Attendees paid $499 for their nearly eight hours of live programming.

“We didn’t really target specific people,” Petersel said. “We just put it out there, what we were doing, for the people who might be somewhat familiar with the terminology but wanted to learn how to do it and wanted to hear it from people who’d done it well.”

Mashable looked to speakers who were recognizable, but not familiar speaking circuit faces. Coordinating with business and editorial staffers, Petersel brought in more than 20 experts, including Foursquare co-founder Dennis CrowBrett Petersel ley; Starbucks vice president of brand, content, and online Chris Bruzzo; and actor Edward Norton, who made a recent foray into social media with a fund-raising Web site called Crowdrise.

Securing marketing partners ended up being easier. “A lot of sponsors just came to us,” said Petersel. He had worked with many of the brands before, though typically on events that offered less exposure. “As for the others, we approached our sponsors the same way we always do, giving them the opportunity to meet our audience, do some business, and see firsthand how much we’ve grown.” Yahoo, HP, and Motorola— which gave each attendee a new phone—were among the brands that came on board.

The biggest partnership of all was with CNN. Mashable chief operations officer Adam Hirsch, who first came up with the idea of the summit, brought on the cable news network as an official co-host in the early stages. All of the day’s content—in addition to being streamed on Mashable—was available online via direct links on CNN’s home page.

However, as might have been expected in a group so focused on social media, it was the guests who provided much of the content promotion. From start to finish, the conference offered the very meta sight of most attendees clacking out blog entries on laptops and Blackberries and stealthily tweeting from their new iPads.

PHOTOS: KENNETH YEUNG/THELETTERTWO.COM (PETERSEL), COURTESY OF MASHABLE (ALL OTHER PHOTOS)

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Mission Statements Decor can be more than just a backdrop.

These six events show how stylish details can communicate an organization’s message or purpose. By LISA CERICOLA

At its May benefit in New York, the Robin Hood Foundation communicated its mission through six verbs—teaches, heals, feeds, nurtures, trains, and shelters—showcased in streetscapes in the cocktail area created by Peter Crawford, Atomic Design, and PEDG.

In April, Feeding South Florida threw a military-themed event to illustrate the food bank’s mission to win the war on hunger. Guests drank “hand grenade” cocktails, a photo exhibit showed images of people affected by hunger, and tables had camo-patterned linens and wooden folding chairs from Panache, a division of Classic Party Rentals.

At Unicef’s April gala in Chicago, Kehoe Designs used moss to spell out the number of children who reportedly die from preventable causes. Unicef’s mission is to decrease that number to zero, hence the event’s theme, “Believe in zero.”

ON BIZBASH.COM More photos and ideas from these events

22 bizbash.com may/june 2010

At Boys & Girls Club of Boston’s House Party in May, Rafanelli Events celebrated the organization’s athletic program by decorating the space with red and white basketballs, footballs, and pennants branded with the tagline “Invest in a child, inspire a future.”

At the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s Butterfly Ball in May, Chicago’s Bukiety Inc. created centrepieces of flowers that were later replanted in the museum’s butterfly garden.

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative Foundation and Colon Cancer Canada hosted its “Bottoms Up!” fund-raiser in May. Attendees purchased T-shirts that read “Smart Ass,” A La Carte Kitchen served desserts shaped like derrieres, and live auction items included toilet seats painted by notable designers.

PHOTOS: KEITH SIRCHIO FOR BIZBASH (ROBIN HOOD), AVIRAN LEVY (BOYS & GIRLS CLUB), EDDIE QUINONES FOR BIZBASH (BUTTERFLY BALL), BIZBASH (BOTTOMS UP), GAIL POLLARD (UNICEF), ROSIE HERNANDEZ/LET ME GROW STUDIO (FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA)

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EVENT REPORTS

Film Fans The Royal Ontario Museum’s annual PROM event channeled an Old Hollywood premiere with guests posing for cutouts of paparazzi.

25

Westbury National Show Systems highlighted the ROM artifacts on the dance floor during the party.

Organizers projected scenes from film noir movies onto the walls in the Hyacinth Gloria Chen Crystal Court.

Video footage and projections of bats flanked the stage, where the Advocats Big Band performed during the party.

Quotes from film noir movies like The Lady from Shanghai and The Big Sleep adorned the bars and cocktail tables throughout the reception space.

Karen Papazian, opted to set up tasting stations and create a private supper club atmosphere rather than serve a sit-down meal. “It’s an added element of interactivity to the night,” said Kamper, who used all-black decor to dress the At its PROM gala, the ROM adopted reception and party spaces. a noir theme, complete with bat “We have a lot of black with elements of film cave tours and all-black decor. noir,” she said. “We’ll be projecting some public [domain] film noir movies. We’ll have hot pink For the Royal Ontario Museum’s florals, drapes with film strips teeming down TORONTO fifth annual PROM fund-raiser, held them, bat decals, and Royal Ontario on March 27 and hosted by the museum’s Young projections of birds Museum’s PROM Patrons’ Circle, event organizers combined eleflying overhead.”

Benefit ments inspired by the institution’s newly renovated MTV’s Dan Levy Bat Cave with film noir to create a party designed and Jessi Cruickshank Audiovisual Production, Lighting Westbury to evoke the feel of an Old Hollywood premiere. hosted the evening, National Show Systems The benefit, dubbed “PROM V: Noir,” began with a which featured music Catering Marigolds & V.I.P. reception for 200 followed by a party for 700 by the Advocats Big Onions Catering John Baby & in the museum’s Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery.

Band and a swing Company Catering “The V.I.P. portion of the evening has a more routine by members Decor, Signage Icon Digital direct link to the ROM content, which was part of of Bees’ Knees Dance.

Productions Inc the inspiration,” said Kirsten Kamper, developDJ Fawn Big Canoe, Entertainment The Advocats ment officer, donor events, who planned the DJ Johnny Strychnine, Entertainment Bees’ Knees gala with a volunteer committee, in an interview DJ Odario, and Som Dance before the event. “The renovated Bat Cave was Bomb DJ spun tunes Flowers Ellis Flowers just launched this month and so we’ll be taking for guests. Event Furniture Rentals Contemporary Furniture our V.I.P. guests on private tours of it during the sponsors included Rentals Inc. cocktail reception.”

Kinross, Puma, Rentals Chair-man Mills The V.I.P. portion of the evening also adopted MTV, Toronto Life, Skytracker a new format. “Previously, we had a dinner,” Smartwater, Steam ImageProjection.com Staffing The Butler Did It Kamper said. “This year we wanted to create a Whistle, Tag Vodka, more engaging environment.” The organizing and Yellow Tail Wines. Venue Royal Ontario Museum committee, chaired by Raphaela Dunlap and —Susan O’Neill

The Origami Society of Toronto created black bats and pink birds for the event.

Hot pink blooms from Ellis Florals topped tables in the V.I.P. reception space.

26 bizbash.com summer 2010

PHOTOS: GARY BEECHEY FOR BIZBASH

Dark Night

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Wine glasses and white dishes dotted the runway for a presentation by the Ryerson University School of Fashion.

Gold disco balls and crystal chandeliers hung above the dance floor in the Fashion Environment, a 20,000-square-foot space in the Allstream Centre ballroom.

Sponsor displays included installations from Schick Quattro for Women.

Runway Ready The Fashion Design Council of Canada presented more than 30 shows during the 2010 collections at LG Fashion Week, held for the first time at the Allstream Centre.

TORONTO

By SUSAN O’NEILL Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, the pair behind Bustle Clothing, created a V.I.P. scene on the runway for their show, entitled Behind the Velvet Rope. Model Stacey McKenzie, Fashion Television’s Jeanne Beker, designer Evan Biddell, and hair stylist Jie Matar participated in the presentation.

Black lion statues flanked the entrance to the V.I.P. lounge at the Allstream Centre.

ON BIZBASH.COM 28 bizbash.com july/august 2010

More photos and details from Toronto Fashion Week events

PHOTOS: GEORGE PEMENTEL (RUNWAY PHOTOS AND GRETA CONSTANTINE), BIZBASH (ALL OTHERS)

Makeup artists from L’Oréal Paris provided touch-ups to Fashion Week guests at three double-sided stations.

Black and white images of clothing hanging on racks provided a backdrop for the Comrags show, featuring fashions from designers Joyce Gunhouse and Judy Cornish.

At a display from event sponsor Barbie, guests could accessorize and personalize Barbie Basics dolls, each of which was clad in a little black dress.

Auto Mobile Greta Constantine chose to show off-site with a runway show for 600 guests at the Audi Downtown Toronto dealership.

According to their guest blog in the National Post, holding their runway shows off-site, rather than at the Allstream Centre during LG Fashion Week, provided the Greta Constantine designers with more creative freedom.

Media guests could book interviews in a small lounge filled with furnishings from Made.

Pink lighting filled the room for a presentation by designer Jules Power.

The after-party took place in the brightly lit Audi showroom and included a sushi buffet

by Ame.

Models walked a runway in the underground garage at the Audi Downtown Toronto dealership.

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Stylists from Rowenta offered hair touchups in the brand’s all-white booth.

Rob Dittmer of Three Events used mannequins clad in white paper dresses and photography

by Hanoch Drori to create a grand foyer leading into the Fashion Environment.

Images of models in Greta Constantine designs hung around the Audi showroom.

bizbash.com summer 2010 29

Saturday afternoon’s Live Your Best Life event took over part of the Javits Center, filling it with seminars, activities, and sponsor activations.

Orman, Dr. Mehmet Oz, designer Nate Berkus, and others—and a small trade show of participating sponsors.

“We kept our seminar piece intact, but we wanted to dress it up with other events. Slowly Oprah Winfrey’s magazine marked 10 but surely, we layered all of the pieces on it,” Manyears with a sold-out weekend of events. ning said. Those other elements included a separate registration event to welcome the attendees For the 10th Anniversary of O, (from all 50 states and abroad), the live evening NEW YORK The Oprah Magazine, the media program with Winfrey at Radio City Music Hall on queen brought in all of her different properties Saturday, and the public charity walk. for a weekend of events for 5,500 women that After announcing the program, O received included a registration kickoff party, seminars overwhelming interest in the weekend, but decidat the Javits Center, a performance at Radio City, ed early on to cap attendance at 5,500, the capacity and a Mother’s Day charity walk. at Radio City. “We didn’t want to sell Oprah’s Live Your Best “It’s been a little over a year the events individually,” Manning Life Weekend since we started working on this,” said, “so we decided to make it a full Party Production Empire said O associate publisher of weekend event by limiting to the Entertainment Inc. marketing Stefanie Manning. “And capacity of the program venue.”

Party Venue Radio City while the magazine put this on, On Sunday, May 9, the regisMusic Hall we worked in tandem with all the trants were joined by an additional PR Susan Magrino Agency Oprah properties, which was a first.” Registration Catering 5,000 members of the public for a Thomas Preti Caterers O marketing art director Jessica Mother’s Day charity walk to Times Registration Lighting Podoshen came up with the design Square, which, after the bomb Bentley Meeker Lighting for the weekend, and the magazine scare the week before, ended up & Staging Registration Production, enlisted Empire Entertainment and being one of the more complicated Seminar Production LeadDog Marketing to produce the elements of the weekend.

LeadDog Marketing Group different events.

“That was a little frightening, Inc. The magazine holds signature but we worked hand-in-hand with Registration Venue Gotham Hall events every year, but this was the the city,” Manning said. The walk Seminar Lighting PRG first in New York and the first to went off without a hitch, and after Lighting incorporate so many different eleleading more than 10,000 walkers Seminar Venue Jacob K. ments. The Live Your Best Life events from the Intrepid to Times Square, Javits Convention Center Walk Staffing Lipari have previously been limited to a Winfrey took the stage and conProduction Group day of seminars with magazine cluded the weekend’s festivities.

Walk Venue Times Square contributors—finance expert Suze —Michael O’Connell

At the end of Sunday’s charity walk, Winfrey took to a stage in Times Square to address the crowd and wrap up the weekend.

Attendees tacked messages onto the Inspiration Wall at the Javits Center.

Sponsor L’Oréal Paris offered makeovers, sampling, and tips at the Javits Center and the day before at Gotham Hall.

30 bizbash.com july/august 2010

PHOTOS: CHRIS ECKERT PHOTOGRAPHY/© HARPO INC., GEORGE BURNS/© HARPO INC.

The Big 1-O

pretty impressive visual impact…all of these cakes would be perfectly at home in our magazine.”

Cleveland said the magazine, published twice a year, has been promoting the anniversary for the past year with reader giveaways and contests offering the chance to win prizes like wedding dresses and diamond rings. “We have given away [prizes totaling] well into the hundreds of Weddingbells celebrated its 25th anni- thousands of dollars,” she said. The cocktail party, versary with 25 cakes. planned internally, was intended as a thank you to editorial staff, stylists, contributors, photographers, advertisers, and partners.

To mark the 25th anniversary of TORONTO Weddingbells, the magazine hosted Guests received save-the-date sugar cookies created by Flour Fancies, followed by printed a cocktail reception for 400 guests at the Windsor Weddingbells invited 400 invitations crafted by Laura K Design. Attendees Arms Hotel on April 22 and called on renowned guests to the cocktail reception could have their photo taken by event photogracake designer Bonnie Gordon of the Bonnie Gorat the Windsor Arms Hotel. pher Claudia Hung and had the chance to sample don School to create the decor—a display of 25 desserts and sweets from the Candy Store. elaborate cakes.

Cake designer Bonnie Gordon, who runs the Bonnie The Windsor Arms served hors d’oeuvres like “The editorial staff Gordon School, called on 25 students to create 25 wedding are huge fans of Bonnie goat cheese tarts and risotto cakes. Cocktails made cakes in honour of Weddingbells’ 25th anniversary.

Gordon, and 25 is a great with Skyy Vodka and X-Rated Fusion number to work with.

Weddingbells’ 25th Liqueur had names Bonnie delivered and Anniversary Party then some,” said Karen like X-Rated Passion Cakes Bonnie Gordon and Love Elixir. Rather Cleveland, marketSchool Catering, Venue Windsor than hand out gift ing and communicaArms Hotel & Courtyard bags or party favours, tions manager with St. Café organizers gave atJoseph Media, which Catering The Candy Store publishes the magazine. tendees a small vase Flowers Flour Studio Invitations Laura K Design holding fresh flowers “The cakes bring the message of 25 together, at the end of the eve- Save the Date Cookies Flour Fancies ning. —Susan O’Neill and it lends itself to a

Going to the Chapel

for support during the programming. Josh Lesser explained that producing the show was a 24-hour, on-call, The Milken Institute Global Conference live-in situation. “You drew 3,000 attendees for 140 never know when panels amid 560 top thinkers. someone’s going to need that projector— The Milken Institute’s those things come left LOS ANGELES Global Conference ran April 26 and right at us. One of through 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. With 560 the things that makes speakers on 140 panels, the event brought spirited this thing so successdiscussions among top-level decision makers ful is that we live on The conference and thinkers on topics like education, energy, site and we have 115 hosted 140 panels. the environment, finance, religion, government, walkie-talkies.” health, media, and philanthropy. T. Boone Pickens, “One of the chalMaria Shriver, Eli Broad, and Les Moonves were lenges every year that we face is, how do you keep among the participants in the discussions, which the show with the level of people that we have brought more than 3,000 attendees representing safe and secure? How do we make IDs safe?” said 60 countries. Even non-attendees could check out Lesser. “We work with security firm Guardsmark the proceedings through recordings and they bring officers, and there’s Milken Institute Global of all public sessions that were availan internal security element.”

Conference able online within hours of their Among the new programming Crew, Equipment Video completion. this year (revived from a past incarApplications To produce the event, Milken nation) was the Global Gourmet Production, Technical Institute senior event manager Games, an interactive event that Production Vision Matrix Bryan Quinan and Milken Family paired leaders in business and Security Guardsmark Tenting Classic Party Foundation senior vice president of industry with chefs and sommeRentals creative services Larry Lesser tapped liers for a program to benefit the Venue Beverly Hilton Hotel Vision Matrix, led by Josh Lesser, the Video Equipment Video Prostate Cancer Foundation and former director of video production FasterCures. Related programming Equipment Rentals (VER) for Milken Family Foundation. About Walkies BearCom Wireless also took place at restaurants and Worldwide 150 freelance staffers were on hand private homes. —Alesandra Dubin

PHOTOS: CLAUDIA HUNG (WEDDINGBELLS), VISION MATRIX PRODUCTIONS (MILKEN INSTITUTE)

Think Tank

About 3,000 attendees went through registration.

The event was filmed for live broadcast.

bizbash.com july/august 2010 31

House Race The White House Correspondents’ after-parties competed with A-listers and self-serve s’mores.

The competition for guests leaving the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Hilton Washington on May 1—Washington’s biggest annual party night—saw a new contestant. MSNBC challenged the two major players of recent years, the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair party and the bash thrown by Niche Media’s Capitol File, with a large, lavish event that offered a big spread of comfort food and the evening’s only musical performance.

All three used their distinct charms to lure black-tie guests from the political, media, and entertainment folks in town: intimate exclusivity (Bloomberg/Vanity Fair), raucous fun (Capitol File), and curiosity about the newcomer (MSNBC).

Bloomberg’s longtime party presence and Vanity Fair’s star power retained their event’s status as the evening’s toughest ticket. A-list political figures like White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel mingled with Hollywood heavyweights like Morgan Freeman in the sprawling residence of the French ambassador. The Vanity Fair team lit the trees on the grounds in green, blue, and orange, and put out pillows printed with humourous political quotes.

Meanwhile, MSNBC made its own big statement with roving Bloomberg/Vanity spotlights and a tented table for 20 Fair White House check-in staffers at the entrance to Correspondents’ the Mellon Auditorium. Four bars Association Dinner flanked a checkerboard dance floor, After-Party while Rachel Maddow manned Catering Design Cuisine another bar named for her. At the Caterers other end of the vast room, KC and MSNBC Party the Sunshine Band took the stage.

Producer Phillip Dufour and Eric Catering Occasions Caterers Michaels from Occasions Caterers Decor A Vista Events made sure there was plenty of Flowers Jack H. Lucky Floral homey food circulating the party.

Design Capitol File’s fifth annual afterLighting Atmosphere Lighting party doubled as an 85th anniverProduction Dufour & Co sary celebration for the Renaissance Rentals Perfect Settings Mayflower Hotel, which underwrote L.L.C. the festivities and brought in New Security The Bilyeu Group LLC York-based Tony Berger of Relevent to Transportation Carey produce. On the hotel’s first floor, a Limousine tiny lounge allowed guests to check Valet Atlantic Services out R Life, the hotel brand’s blog, and Group Venue Andrew W. Mellon tables were piled high with sweets Auditorium from Edward Marc Chocolatier.

But the main action was in the Capitol File Party grand ballroom, where DJ Cassidy Catering, Security, Valet, spun an upbeat mix for an expected Venue Renaissance 1,600 people that had the likes Mayflower Hotel Decor, Production Relevent of Desirée Rogers—the recently Group LLC departed White House social secreDJ DJ Cassidy tary, and a co-host of the party last Lighting AG Light and year—dancing in the V.I.P. area on Sound Inc. the mezzanine. —Chad Kaydo

Rachel Maddow made three specialty cocktails at her own bar at the MSNBC party.

At MSNBC’s after-party, Occasions Caterers served a large array of casual food options, including selfserve s’mores.

Occasions served push-up ice cream pops from glowing trays.

At the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair party, guests including Anna Kendrick and Rosario Dawson lounged among political pillows.

The Capitol File party took over the grand ballroom at the Renaissance Mayflower.

ON BIZBASH.COM More photos from the White House Correspondents Association dinner weekend events

WASHINGTON

PHOTOS: RODNEY CHOICE (CAPITOL FILE) DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/VF1/WIREIMAGE(VANITY FAIR), TONY BROWN/IMIJINATION PHOTGRAPHY FOR BIZBASH (MSNBC)

Banners promoting MSNBC’s shows and personalities hung between columns inside the Mellon.

Pennsylvaniabased Sweet Street Desserts’ waiters served cupcakes from a body-wrapping tray at BubbleQ, in a tent on the beach behind the Delano.

BubbleQ

Patrón After-Party An aerialist served Perrier-Jouët Champagne while suspended beneath a chandelier in the middle of the tent.

Artists provided free face painting at a table outside the main tent.

Beach Bites

Mischieve in the Garden of Agave

The ninth annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival attracted more than 50,000 to Miami Beach February 25 to 28 for four days of foodand drink-laden events and late-night sponsor parties.

A costumed performer entertained guests inside the bar at the far end of the Sagamore’s pool during the Hornitos Tequilasponsored party.

MIAMI

PHOTOS: ELIZABETH RENFREW FOR BIZBASH (BUBBLEQ AND WINE SPECTATOR), BIZBASH (ALL OTHERS)

The Patrón Spirits Company and Miami magazine hosted an after-party for more than 1,000 people at the W South Beach. An oversize metal cutout of a Patrón tequila bottle adorned the side of the stage at the far end of the hotel’s pool.

By D. CHANNING MULLER

Chef Paul Liebrant from Corton in New York served chilled shellfish consomme with lobster and kaffir lime chantilly.

Wine Spectator ’s Best of the Best California restaurant Cyrus prepared Thai-marinated lobster with avocado and mango for Wine Spectator’s annual tasting event held at the Fontainebleau.

Burger Bash Private Stock Band entertained the crowd at Burger Bash, hosted by Amstel Light and Rachael Ray, on the beach behind the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

ON BIZBASH.COM More photos and ideas from the festival

bizbash.com july/august 2010 33

A bake sale included raisin-butter tarts, cupcakes, vanilla frosted cookies, and homemade biscotti.

’30s Somethings The Buy Design benefit adopted a Depression-era theme, complete with a bake sale and badminton.

Event organizers displayed silent auction items on three long tables in an area designed to feel like a mess hall.

Picnic tables, kites, and lawn games like badminton and croquet set the scene for Windfall’s seventh annual Buy Design benefit, a 1930s post-Depression-inspired party held April 17 at the Fermenting Cellar. Windfall Clothing Service event manager Kelly Carmichael worked with an event committee, headed by co-chairs Andrew Sardone and Tralee Pearce, to create the feel of a country fair for the fund-raiser, dubbed the Spring Social.

“The idea came from the economy. The ’30s was this era where you had to make do with what you had, and that’s the mentality we’re in now,” Sardone said. “I think the message really connected with the sponsors and the guests. It’s a head space people can get into. It feels wholesome, it feels honest, and it Guests, many of whom dressed in feels authentic.” ’30s-inspired attire, played croquet The event committee used red, white, and blue on a lawn donated by Design Turf. fabric to divide the Distillery District venue into two spaces. The main room included a lawn with badminton and croquet games, a tented stage, a parquet dance floor, picnic tables, concession stands where guests could find hamburgers and French fries, a bar where servers offered a signature cocktail called the Lemon Vodka Sidecar, and a Beauty Balloon Buster game that gave attendees the chance to win prizes.

The second area featured a hair and makeup area staffed by stylists from Green Beauty, a bake sale, a candy stand courtesy of Allan Candy, and a mess-hallstyle silent auction.

Fashion File’s Adrian Mainella hosted the benefit, DJ Andrew Karis spun tunes, singer Alex Pangman performed, and Jay Mandarino led the live auction.

Guests also had the chance to bid on a series of boater hats designed by five of the city’s top style editors, who each partnered with a local milliner.

As in the past, organizers promoted the event, which drew 500 guests, through social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook. The comAttendees played badminton Windfall Clothing mittee also distributed promotional throughout the evening.

Service’s Buy Design materials (bearing images from a Spring Social photo shoot held at Ward’s Island last fall) at LG Fashion Week. “We had Audiovisual Production, Lighting 5th Element a team of volunteers go down. They Events got all dolled up. Green Beauty did Catering, Staffing Encore all the hair and makeup for the girls, Food With Elegance and H&M dressed them. They handed Flowers Petals Rentals Chair-man Mills out a couple of thousand postcards Venue The Fermenting promoting Buy Design,” Carmichael Cellar said. —Susan O’Neill

For $20, attendees had the opportunity to pop a balloon with a dart to win a prize at the Beauty Balloon Buster game.

Guests could satisfy their sweet tooth at a candy stand with treats from Allan Candy.

34 bizbash.com may/june 2010

34

PHOTOS: GARY BEECHEY/BDS STUDIOS FOR BIZBASH

TORONTO

Pavilion staffers showed guests new and unique ways to recycle.

Coca-Cola placed a 16-foot bottle covered with interactive images of moving carbonation bubbles at the entrance to the pavilion.

Coca-Cola brand ambassadors popped through a wall dedicated to the sponsor’s Olympic history.

A game in the pavilion required guests to don giant polar bear paw gloves.

Ice Pop

Each bottle served at the pavilion was chilled to the corporate standard, four degrees centigrade.

Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola launched a sustainable bottle at the Winter Games.

Coca-Cola opened the doors to its 2010 Olympic pavilion on February 11 in David Lam Park in Vancouver’s LiveCity. The first of the 275,000 guests the Games’ longest continuous sponsor hosted over nearly three weeks were greeted by acrobatic brand ambassadors, games, photo opportunities, and plenty of free bottles of Coke.

And not just any bottles. After announcing plans for the distribution of its fully recyclable PlantBottle—made from renewable, organic material—last year, the company chose Vancouver as the platform to start seeding the new packaging. The focus of much of Coke’s Olympic brand marketing, sustainability messaging ran throughout the 8,600-square-foot space.

—Michael O’Connell

PHOTOS: GRANT HARDER FOR BIZBASH

VANCOUVER

ON BIZBASH.COM More photos and details from promotions at the Vancouver Olympics

35

Bright flowers and driftwood added an organic vibe to the contemporary dinner decor.

Servers dressed in hooded cloaks offered vodka cocktails— which included Mistystix dry ice stir sticks.

New Addition

series of tall glass tubes that flanked either side of a purple carpet (a nod to the sponsor) with greenery to create a forest-like canopy at Ontario Science the entrance to the Centre’s LG Innovators’ A Harry Potter exhibit inspired lounge space.

Ball the “Midnight Spell” theme for Jamie Kennedy Catering Gourmet Cuisine, the LG Innovators’ Ball. catered the dinner, Jamie Kennedy Kitchens held in the venue’s DJ Bellosound Entertainment Toronto For the fourth annual LG Innovators’ Great Hall. The eveAll-Star Big Band TORONTO Ball, held at the Ontario Science ning’s enchanted Flowers San Remo Florist theme continued in Centre on May 6, organizers took a cue from the Inc. the Westin Family InGraphic Design Naked magical world of a famous wizard, serving bubCreative Consultancy novation Centre, the bling cocktails and entertaining attendees with site of the after-party. Audiovisual Production, fire breathers and magicians during a benefit Draping, Lighting, Staging CIBC Children’s inspired by “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” and Westbury National Show Foundation chalSystems called “Midnight Spell: An Evening of Magic and Linens, Rentals Chair-man lenged dinner guests For the cocktail Enchantment.”

Mills to donate $1,000 each “Our history has always been to reception, San Magician Greg Frewin to the Adopt-A-Class take whatever exhibit we have at Theatre Remo Florist program, announcPR Narrative Advocacy the time and use it as an inspiration dressed a tree Media in the centre of point,” said Matt Wiesenfeld, director ing it would match Printing CJ Graphics the circular bar of annual giving and a member of the funds raised up to Decor, Event Management, $15,000. Title sponsor centre’s event team.

Production McNabb Roick with hanging LG Electronics Canada Events The evening began with a V.I.P. tea lights and Props MistyStix cocktail reception and dinner for 500 purchased 300 tickpurple and Rentals Signature Event ets for Big Brothers green blooms. guests and continued with an afterRentals and Big Sisters of party attended by more than 1,100 Staffing DLE Staffing Toronto to attend Valet Northern Valet people.

Security, Signage, Venue the Potter exhibition.

For the reception, sponsored by Ontario Science Centre —Susan O’Neill Telus, McNabb Roick Events filled a

Wizard’s World

PHOTOS: AVIRAN LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BIZBASH (I.C.A. GALA), GEORGE PIMENTEL (BAR), TOM SANDLER (SERVER)

Mini screens placed on serving trays displayed work from the museum’s teen programs.

Using green Astroturf, fake hedging, and glowing plastic bars, PBD Events transformed the 13th floor of the new Marina Park Building from a raw, concrete-and-glass shell. Custom, industriallooking light bulb chandeliers and mirrored tables The I.C.A. took its gala to a raw space contrasted with wooden tabletops and tropical this year, and introduced an after-party. flowers for an organic-meets-contemporary vibe.

Inspired by the museum’s Dr. Lakra exhibition, The Institute of Contemporary Art servers donned T-shirts with tattoo designs by the BOSTON hosted its annual spring fund-raising artist. Max Ultimate Food provided a martini juice event on May 7, this year attracting larger crowds bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, a two-course meal, and with its first-ever after-party, dubbed “Party on an old-fashioned ice cream truck outside. the Harbor.” The Large arrows formed from white fluorescent evening kicked off lights guided the 430 dinner guests to walk across with the “A Gala the boardwalk to the I.C.A., where they joined 300 Celebration” cocktail additional guests. Packed with entertainment and party and dinner in special activities, the fete included henna tattoo the adjacent One stations and a photo booth that projected the Marina Park buildimages it took around the building. Local band ing in Fan Pier.

Endway provided live “We wanted to music for a secondI.C.A. Gala liven up the night. floor dessert lounge Catering Max Ultimate Not everyone could supplied by Wolfgang Food, Wolfgang Puck come to the dinner, Puck Catering.

Catering Decor, Production, Rentals and it was a nice Downstairs, DJ PBD Events (Party by way to let people Ruckus performed Design) come and not invest and guests were ofDJ DJ Ruckus in a major ticket Entertainment Endway fered I.C.A. branded Flowers Winston Flowers price,” said Susie flip-flops for their Rentals Be Our Guest Inc. Allen, the museum’s sore feet at the Venue Institute of Astroturf and illuminated director of special end of the evening.

Contemporary Art bars transformed the raw events.

—Erica Corsano office space for cocktail hour.

every moment. every detail. every memory.

8083 Jane Street Vaughan Ontario l4k 2 m7 905 761 7288 { t f } 905 761 7988

w w w . b e l lv u e m a n o r . c o m

Permanent on-site kosher kitchen

PRIVATEßPARTIESß ßCORPORATEßMEETINGSß ßEVENTSß COCKTAILßRECEPTIONSß ßPRESSßCONFERENCES -ULTIPLEßEVENTßSPACESßAVAILABLEßFORßPARTIESßUPßTOß ßPEOPLE

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF RADISSON

The Toronto Venue Report In addition to new restaurants and lounges, a number of fivestar hotels—as well as long-awaited projects like Bell Lightbox and Evergreen Brick Works—are set to open across the city within the coming months. Here’s a look at the latest venues to take on Toronto. By SUSAN O’NEILL

OPULENT OFFERINGS The Radisson Plaza Mississauga Toronto Airport is a $36-million Victorian-theme hotel eight kilometers from Pearson International Airport. The 100-suite property opened in September with 13,000 square feet of event and meeting space that can accommodate as many as 800 guests. Conference facilities include the rooftop Glass Room and the 3,500-square-foot Terrace Garden, a tiered theatre/presentation room.

The Grand Victorian Ballroom has 26-foot ceilings, large windows, and a balcony/ lounge. (175 Derry Road, 905.364.9999)

ON BIZBASH.COM The latest venue news, plus our comprehensive directory

bizbash.com summer 2010 39

The Toronto Venue Report

Trump Tower

Ritz-Carlton

ONE-STOP SHOPS The 267-room Ritz-Carlton Toronto (pre-opening office: 214 King St. West, 416.585.2500), a $300 million, 53-storey hotel and residence across from Roy Thomson Hall, is expected to open this summer. A five-story podium at the tower’s base will house two ballrooms of 7,500 and 3,000 square feet (with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows), restaurants, meeting facilities, and a 23,000-square-foot wellness floor with an indoor pool and a salon/spa with 16 treatment rooms.

New York-based Thompson Hotels opened its first international property, Thompson Toronto (550 Wellington St. West, 416.640.7778), in June.

The 16-storey luxury hotel includes 102 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of dining and

event space. The hotel’s signature restaurant is an outpost of New York chef Scott Conant’s Scarpetta. The private 16th floor includes a rooftop pool and an indoor lounge and bar. Also on-site: a 40-seat screening room, a conference room for 30, and an event space for 350.

Donald Trump will open his first Canadian project, the Trump International Hotel & Tower (325 Bay St., 416.214.0331), in the city’s financial district in spring 2011. The 60-storey property will include 261 hotel suites, 118 condominium residences, a full-service spa, a conference centre, and a 30th-floor restaurant. A champagne and caviar bar will be located in the lobby.

Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn by Hilton in March opened their first dualbranded development in Canada, the Toronto Airport Corporate Centre (5515 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.646.4600). Near Pearson International Airport, the two buildings offer 126 Hampton rooms and 128 Homewood suites. The properties are joined

HOTELS

Retail Market

Thompson Toronto by a common area, pool, and fitness center.

Groupe Germain is opening its second boutique hotel, just steps from the Air Canada Centre, in the fall. The 167-room Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square (75 Bremner Blvd., 416.649.7575) will feature a cocktail lounge in the lobby and a relaxation lounge on the second floor.

The hotel will offer a full-service Nordic spa and fitness facility. Four meeting rooms will accommodate groups of 15 to 70. Suites and apartments, which hold up to 20, are also available.

Audi Downtown Toronto

Two luxury brands are offering their stores up as event spaces.

Designer Brand Luxury retailer Hugo Boss opened its new flagship—Boss Bloor Street—in December. The 12,000-square-foot, three-storey boutique includes a third-floor event space that holds about 150, has windows overlooking Bloor, and a terrace with a view of the courtyard at the rear of the building. (83 Bloor St. West, 647.449.2677) Car and Driver Near the foot of Bayview Avenue, the 96,000-square-foot Audi Downtown Toronto consists of two showrooms and the lower-level Audi Shop, which has housed fashion shows by Greta Constantine and Bustle Clothing. The venue, which opened

40 bizbash.com summer 2010

in May 2009, also houses the Audi Quattro Café. The space is available for select private events and holds as many as 700. (328 Bayview Ave., 416.961.2834)

Boss Bloor Street

PHOTOS: GEORGE PIMENTEL (AUDI), BIZBASH (BOSS). RENDERINGS: TRUM HOTEL COLLECTION, COURTESY OF RITZ-CARLTON TORONTO, COURTESY OF THOMPSON HOTELS

Whether you’re dining, meeting, or sleeping (or all three), these new properties have it covered under one roof.

Origin

Buca

Harbour Sixty

Privacy, Please Italian Restaurant Ciao Wine Bar (133 Yorkville Ave., 416.925.2143), which opened in Yorkville in January, is the latest offering from the Liberty Entertainment Group. The space covers 8,000 square feet over three levels and holds 250. An Globe Bistro owner Ed Ho opened Earth (1055 alabaster bar runs the length of the lower-level Yonge St., 416.551.9890) in Rosedale in November. room, and custom butcher-block tables fill the Interior designer Ron Nuhn used a palette of dark mezzanine. Two private dining rooms hold 18. brown and taupe throughout the restaurant, King West restaurant Brassaii (461 King St. which features beams from an 1870s log cabin.

West, 416.598.4730) reopened in March under An open kitchen houses a wood-fired oven where new management and with a new look, thanks whole suckling pigs are regularly roasted. In addi- to an extensive renovation that plays tion to the 80-seat dining room, a private room up the architectural features of the can hold 18, a side patio holds 50, and a front patio former factory building. A limestone, glass, and seats 23. steel bar serves as a focal point and separates the Acclaimed chef Claudio Aprile opened Origin new café area from the 150-seat dining room. An (107-019 King St. East, 416.603.8009) restaurant event space and lounge seats 84 and holds 140 for in a historic building in March. The main dining receptions. A courtyard patio seats 84. room has a central kitchen and seats 140, while In a converted boiler room on King Street the Andy Warhol private room seats 14. A second West, Buca (602 King St. West, 416.865.1600) is private dining room planned for the lower level an Italian restaurant with exposed brick walls, will hold 24. A patio on Church Street holds about dark floors, high ceilings, and chandeliers of bare 100 in the warmer months. lightbulbs. Open since September, the venue has

If dinner in the dining room just won’t do, here’s where to take a group for a more secluded meal.

PHOTOS: GEORGE PIMENTEL (HARBOUR SIXTY), BIZBASH (ALL OTHERS)

Earth a 38-seat wine bar that can be booked as a private room. The entire space holds 102 and is available for buyouts.

Inspired by the Art Deco movement, the Roosevelt Room (2 Drummond Place, 416.995.4381) is a new supper club that seats 120, holds 500 for receptions, and is decorated in a palette of gold, brown, and black. The centre of the restaurant functions as the main dining room and becomes a dance floor later in the evening.

Metallic sheers can section off parts of the room for smaller, semiprivate events.

Harbour Sixty (60 Harbour St., 416.777.2111) unveiled a new look in September, following a multimillion dollar redesign for the venue’s 10th anniversary. The 7,500-square-foot multilevel restaurant now features a palette of blue, plum, black, and cream. Five private dining rooms are available for functions: the 50-seat Vintages Room, the 18-seat Louis XIII Room, two main-floor private dining rooms that each hold 12, and the Commissioner’s Room for 16.

PRIVATE ROOMS

bizbash.com summer 2010 41

The Toronto Venue Report

Café Madrid

International Fare There’s no shortage of options when it comes to ethnic cuisine in Toronto. Here’s where to go for…

A Taste of Quebec After a lengthy renovation, in November Paul and Danielle Bigué and son Stéphane opened Le Papillon on the Park, a French restaurant in a converted 90-yearold brick house and factory space. French and Québécois fare includes dishes like French onion soup and a lengthy list of crêpes, as well as tourtière and poutine. The 125-seat eatery

has a rooftop terrace overlooking Jonathan Ashbridge Park that holds 136. Le Papillon is available for buyouts and can accommodate semiprivate group functions. (1001 Eastern Ave., 416.649.1001)

Le Papillon offered in traditional tin cups and glass jars. (51A Winchester St., 416.925.4555)

Spanish Tapas In March, the three sisters behind Embrujo Flamenco opened Café Madrid, a new restaurant and event space one floor below Russian Cocktails Open since last July, their existing restaurant. Exposed brick walls and Samovar is a vodka, absinthe, and champagne cream concrete floors create a neutral palette lounge on Cabbagetown’s historic Winchester in the restaurant, which holds 40 and is availStreet. The space, which holds 140, has hardable for events throughout the week. The menu wood floors, burgundy banquettes, and a long includes items like cod croquettes, liver paté mahogany bar that dates to 1935. Servers dressed infused with Spanish sherry, dried chorizo, and in fur hats and officers’ caps serve absinthe out herb-marinated olives. Dishes range from $3 to of two antique Siberian samovars; cocktails are $10. (97 Danforth Ave., 416.778.0007)

LANDMARK LOCATIONS Taking in a Game Maple Leaf Square, a mixed-use complex adjacent to the Air Canada Centre, will include a boutique Le Germain Hotel, 872 condos, and 110,000 square feet of retail space. Within that space is a 24,000-square-foot multilevel sports bar with four private suites, and a 6,000-square-foot restaurant with two private dining rooms. The development is scheduled to open in June. (15 York St., 416.601.6885) Movie Night Designed by architectural firm Bell Lightbox

42 bizbash.com summer 2010

KPMB, the Bell Lightbox, on the northeast corner of King and John Streets, will serve as the new

home of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Slated for completion in September, the fivestorey podium building will house five cinemas with more than 1,300 seats, three galleries, three learning studios, and two Oliver and Bonacini restaurants. (330 King St. West, 416.934.3288)

Going Green An environmental community centre, Evergreen Brick Works opens in September. Event spaces include the 125-seat Atrium, which holds 200 for cocktails, and the 27,000-square-foot Eco Pavilion, a covered outdoor space that holds up to 2,200. The 500-seat Kiln Building can hold 1,250 for receptions and will be available from May through October. The LEED Platinum-rated Centre of Urban Sustainability will house a variety of meeting rooms. (550 Bayview Ave., 416.596.1495)

RENDERING: COURTESY OF KPMB. PHOTOS: BIZBASH

These three new destination venues offer a variety of options for dining and entertaining.

Dolce Social Ballroom

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF TWIST GALLERY, JOSH MORDEN FOR STEPHEN BULGER GALLERY, COURTESY OF POP NIGHTCLUB, COURTESY OF ALL STAR INTERACTIVE, BIZBASH (DOLCE SOCIAL)

Stephen Bulger Gallery

Artistic Flair These two galleries offer modern spaces for cocktail receptions, product launches, and fashion shows.

Founded in 1994, the Stephen Bulger Gallery (1026 Queen St. West, 416.504.0575) recently expanded to include Camera, a private screening room and bar that seats 50. The venue hosts free Saturday afternoon film screenings and is available for private parties. The combined spaces can accommodate 140 for receptions.

Pop Nightclub

New Nightspots Invite a group for drinks and dancing at these new lounges.

Nightclub owner Travis Agresti unveiled his latest venture—Dolce Social Ballroom (647 King St. West, 416.361.9111)—in November. The 6,000-square-foot space at King and Bathurst holds 560 and has custom origami chandeliers, a handcrafted brass ceiling, and wall treatments designed by local artist Zac Ridgely. A backlit onyx platform surrounding the private booths doubles

GAME ON

as a catwalk. A 280-seat patio is expected to open this summer.

In February Moses Sabatino opened Pop Nightclub (217 Richmond St. West, 416.593.6116), a dance club and lounge with a retro vibe, in the Richmond Street West space formerly occupied

by Fluid. The main room, which houses the dance floor, features two bars, red leather booths, and Andy Warhol prints lining the wall. The adjoining room has cream furnishings and carpeting in a sunken V.I.P. space. The venue holds 700.

Danforth Suite

Take teambuilding to these recently renovated bowling alleys.

Twist Gallery Twist Gallery (1100 Queen St. West, 416.588.2222) opened in February in the spot formerly known as Spin Gallery.

The 5,000-square-foot loft space features skylights, arched windows, and long wooden beams accentuating the venue’s high ceilings. The gallery holds 350 for private events and is equipped with a prep room for catering.

The Shamrock Bowl (280 Coxwell Ave., 416.406.2695) is a retro 12-lane bowling alley in a century-old building on Coxwell Avenue. The space, which reopened in early October following extensive renovations, is available for events and can hold 135. On-site catering is available, and custom bowling shirts can be ordered in advance.

In November, the owners of All Star Interactive (2791 Eglinton Ave. East, 416.261.5011), a bowling alley in the east end, opened the Danforth Suite, a 2,000-square-foot event venue equipped with 12 bowling lanes. The second-floor space has a lounge area with a bar, Wi-Fi Internet access, and TVs for visual presentations. The venue can hold 130 or seat 80, and catering is available.

bizbash.com summer 2010 43

READER SURVEY

The New Reality These days event strategists are facing an evolving set of expectations, from tighter budgets to an increased respect for the power of face-to-face gatherings. To gauge the ramifications of the changes, we surveyed a group of BizBash readers—including in-house and independent planners—about how they’re working through these challenging times. Here’s a look at their responses.

RESPONDENT PROFILE (In-house planners)

Department

Tenure Less than one year 0.2% More than 20 years 14.6%

Events and Meetings 68.4%

Finance/Procurement 0.5% Human Resources/Training 1% Owner 1%

11-20 years 29.4%

1-5 years 27.5%

Administrative 6.1%

6-10 years 28.2%

Marketing/ PR/Sales 15.6%

Other 7.5%

Events/Meetings Planned Per Year

Annual Budget

More than 200 3.6% $50,000 $100,000 12.6%

51-200 15.3%

21-50 21.4%

Fewer than 6 20.4%

6-20 39.2%

Less than $50,000 8.5%

$100,001 $250,000 15.3%

More than $1,000,000 31.1%

$250,0001 $500,000 16.0% $500,001 $1,000,000 16.5%

Methodology: The survey of BizBash subscribers was conducted online in conjunction with Finch Brands, from March 15 to March 26, 2010. Of the 843 respondents who completed the survey, 48.9 percent were in-house event/meeting planners, 28.1 percent were event/meeting planners at independent firms, and 23 percent were event vendors.

bizbash.com summer 2010 45

THE NEW REALITY Budgets Are the Big Challenge Staff layoffs and departmental changes 14.1%

What’s the most difficult part of your job today?

Greater financial scrutiny 13.6%

Shorter lead times 11.4%

Shrinking budgets 36.0%

(In-house planners) Less organizational support 8.5% Greater process complexity 5.1%

Staying on top of the industry 7.3%

Budgets Are Down, Pressure Is Up To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about event planning today as compared to two years ago? (All planners) 5=Strongly agree, 0= Strongly disagree

4.35

4.10

4.08

3.92 3.54

3.37

2.31

t re ed to as ic cu rce lcu ssu ish ca y ult ou en g h ateg e n c s r i e e n t l fi i p b b te str dif ees w ou ever nn re dim to a ve as ha ds ccur mo ults t pla more ore tend h e no an s s t i e m s n a e e is ct at We re th im ere w re Eve ome O.I . n ore t dg t I h u a c r T sho B R. ed m Lead mo be att to lat

Events Are Expected to Drive Business

How are events used as a part of your organization’s overall marketing strategy?

(In-house planners)

61.0%

44.1%

41.6%

41.5%

38.3%

17.7%

o t ke nd gt nts lly y ou ve na ma tive nin ips ica eg ab e i o i o l s s a c t t r yp strat h t a i e t u r l s e s s n s i s e t a d t o s u ion ion nt no ing e u sale even e pro ati te cq t e lat tiv ula l r r a erat cat late are rket a o e o en fy re u i s n l n a d t m M sti m e u C idi e er s m m en l sto d g to tim Int rker Ev rt of to so Cu man ng to s o i a n w p i ts de Tra duc pro

46 bizbash.com summer 2010

THE VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS Planners Re-evaluate Vendors Regularly…

How often do you re-evaluate the following types of vendors each time you plan an event?

(All planners)

68.7% 68.2% 68.1%

63.4% 63.4% 62.5%

59.4% 59.2%

55.0%

53.9%

e nu Ve

r g g nt nt ns on ng co ing tin ffin tio cti hti me me De a ter a u e g l / n t a i i Ten d g e S n L C a o a R g t r n c P si ter bli al De Ma En Pu isu nt v e o Ev di Au

…But Not Formally 76%-100%

What percentage of the time do you issue R.F.P.s to vendors for events with more than 100 attendees?

14.8%

51%-75%

16.2%

0%-25%

45.7%

23.3%

(All planners) 26%-50%

Planners Consider Many Factors

How important are the following factors when selecting vendors for your events and meetings?

(In-house planners) 5=Very important, 0= Not important at all

4.61

4.32

4.32

4.27

4.26

4.26

4.13

4.09

3.98

3.83 3.14

st es nt ed lty on ers list ors ces ion Co cti fer me venu nn nd pecia servi nt f tat e e e a e o u l i p v f p s n cl ag ns rp er of or n o lutio l re man r’s ei pe the oth end tio do sit o o era o f a l c n h s n o c V t s ca Ve of Lo ge se rom ll wi nd ysi Ea r’s ity kf ea Ph we g do ac tiv a b n n k a d or Ve Cre dr Fee to w oa r y B ilit Ab

bizbash.com summer 2010 47

Decor

Combining elements of Christmas and Hanukkah, Toronto’s Regent Park School of Music staged a Chrismukkah benefit with a modern winter look.

McNabb Roick (416.703.1000, mcnabbroickevents.com) hung oversize snowflakes, stars, and icicles while Westbury National Show Systems (416.752.1371, westbury.com) lit the room in shades of blue and purple.

By LISA CERICOLA

Hargrove Inc. (301.306.9000, hargroveinc.com) transformed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s H Street headquarters into a rustic ski lodge complete with a 20- by 30-foot faux stone fireplace, a lifelike stuffed moose head, six-foot-tall wooden reindeer, and a massive Christmas tree.

STEAL TH IS I D EA

Large-scale projections brought a winter setting to sunny Los Angeles for DirecTV’s annual holiday party. Firefly LA (323.571.1447, fireflyla.com) and the Hand Company (818.843.2402, thehandcompany.com) projected snow-covered forests, icicles, and other scenes onto a 120- by 140-foot tent on DirecTV’s campus.

48 bizbash.com summer 2010

New York-based Internet company IAC hired Frank Alexander (212.677.5176, frankalexandernyc.com) to capture the Viceroy Santa Monica’s sophisticated cabanas with green and white rentals from Taylor Creative Inc. (888.245.4044, taylorcreativeinc. com) and colourful, arty lighting by Glow Design Group (646.201.9557, glowdesigngroup.com).

“When decorating a conference room, make the table the central focus by creating a runner installation. Use white plush fabric adorned with white and silver ornaments. Incorporate height by propping white feather mini trees on either side of the table, which can be adorned with a touch of red. If the office has glass windows, you can create a bigger statement by designing holiday graphics that frame your table-runner installation.”

Shai Tertner, president, Shiraz Events, New York and Miami (212.255.7001, shirazevents.com)

PHOTOS: JUAN CARLOS BRICENO/FOTOBRICENO(HARGROVE), COURTESY OF FIREFLY LA, ALLAN ZEPEDA(IAC), HENRY LIN (REGENT PARK)

Happier Holidays

End-of-the-year gatherings haven’t been a top priority over the past few years, but they are still an important way to show appreciation.

Here are ideas from real holiday parties and the people who plan them.

Employees of Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc. teamed up with Total Event Resources (847.397.2200, total-event.com) to celebrate the season by building 48 bicycles for children from Chicago Youth Centers, a local nonprofit organization.

About 40 kids showed up at the end of the event to surprise the company’s staffers, who then surprised them with their new bikes.

Activities Instead of a single evening of festivities, Minnetonka, Minnesota-based Carlson Companies held 12 days of events. Activities included an employee-cooked progressive meal that took place over several floors and an office-wide scavenger hunt with clues via e-mail throughout the day.

Prizes included an iPod Touch, a Sleep Number bed, and box seats at a Bon Jovi concert.

Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker family dinner in Chicago had kid-friendly touches including apple cider and Sprite cocktails, strolling magicians, and an activity station with a branded Lego tower provided by “brick artist” Beth Weis (847.494.5346, bethweis.com).

STEAL TH IS I D EA

“We hired My Party Impressions (416.963.8302, mypartyimpressions.com) to provide a flip book station, which was a huge hit at the event.

The guests had a blast creating their own unique scenes, and it was a great take-home for them as well.”

PHOTOS: PAUL STEVEN PHOTOGRAPHY (OFFICE DEPOT), COURTESY OF CARLSON, MATTHEW KAPLAN PHOTOGRAPHY (ASTELLAS), ERIC CRAIG FOR BIZBASH (JOFFREY), RICK AGUILAR STUDIOS (CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL), COURTESY OF PRECISION EVENT GROUP, BIZBASH (HIGH ROAD)

Laura Bryce, account executive, High Road Communications, Toronto

Entertainment

STEAL TH IS I DEA

“Last year we were on a tight budget, so we hired Precision Event Group (310.285.0420, precisionus.com) to turn one of our parking lots into a dance club complete with DJ—who was spinning from above the crowd on an industrial staircase—and, of course, a disco ball. Our employees loved it.”

Pam Byrne, executive director, studio services, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Los Angeles

At a holiday-themed event to celebrate the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Event Architects (888.365.4511, event-architects. com) brought in a pair of professional ice skaters who performed on an elevated skating rink.

The South Floridabased Office Depot Foundation held a holiday party with a tropical theme. Boca By Design (561.447.3349, bocabydesign. com) brought in live flamingos, parrots, and other creatures from Rainforest Aviaries and Gardens (305.246.5930) and Jesse Williams Ranch (305.238.5437, jessewilliamsranch.com) for photo ops and atmosphere.

bizbash.com summer 2010 49

Food & Drinks STEAL TH IS I DEA

Online magazine UrbanDaddy held a holiday party for its New York readers with a dessert bar piled high with macaroons, cakes, and other sweets from several local bakeries.

STEAL TH IS I D EA “It’s back to basics: comfort food with an air of sophistication for our clients this year. Gourmet grilled cheese is in high demand. We serve spicy Genoa salami and aged cheddar with tomato and green apple and Brie with crushed walnuts and watercress.”

Sebastien Centner, director, Eatertainment Special Events and Catering, Toronto (416.964.1162, eatertainment.com) Match Restaurant (905.850.5699, matchyyz. com) created a menu inspired by fairy tales and 1960s op art, the theme of Torontobased marketing agency Capital C’s party. Psychedelic trays held chicken dipped in gooseberry-plum sauce.

At the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s holidaythemed World of Chocolate event, guests sipped vanilla- and cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate from mini pipettes by the Signature Room at the 95th (312.787.9596, signatureroom.com).

“It’s the return of the specialty cocktail. We don’t foresee clients returning to the luxury bar packages, but rather sticking with beer, wine, and soda, with a specialty drink added for creativity and variety.”

Loren Johnson, sales consultant, Blue Plate Catering, Chicago (312.421.6666, blueplatechicago.com)

Capital C’s event also had seasonal cocktails like Santa’s Beard (white chocolate liqueur, half and half, a hint of peppermint, and crushed candy canes).

Blue Plate’s Red Sombrero incorporates tequila, Sprite, pink grapefruit juice, kumquats, and pomegranate seeds.

50 bizbash.com summer 2010

PHOTOS: JEROME ENO FOR BIZBASH (STYLE BOSTON), VICTORIA JACOB (URBANDADDY), MIREYA ACIERTO FOR BIZBASH (CHOCOLATE), COURTESY OF BLUE PLATE, NIKKI LEIGH MCKEAN FOR BIZBASH (CAPITOL C), COURTESY OF EATERTAINMENT

At a holiday party hosted by Style Boston and Boston Magazine, the Catered Affair (781.982.9333, thecateredaffair.com) served tuna tartare with wasabi aioli on a tray accented with wheatgrass and peppers—traditional Christmas colours on unexpected objects.

Where Event Professionals Announce the Who, What, Where, and Wow of the Events Industry

Palais Royale Ballroom is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Audiovisual Production, Catering, Lighting, Linens, Rentals, Security, Staging, and Venue for

Hope House Fund-Raiser Toronto, Ontario www.palaisroyale.ca

416.533.3553

Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Catering and Staffing for

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Transforming Lives Awards Toronto, Ontario www.pgourmet.com

905.415.0790

Flogos Canada

Iceculture

is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Experiential Marketing for

is pleased to announce that the company created the Ice Sculpture for

Calgary Stampede

Russian Standard Vodka Launch

Calgary, Alberta www.flogoscanada.com

416.805.5340

Bartender One is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Bartending for

Harley-Davidson’s Precious Metal Gala Toronto, Ontario www.bartenderone.com

416.461.4441

Toronto, Ontario www.iceculture.com

888.251.9967

Three Event Planning & Design Inc. is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Event Management for

CTV Upfront Party 2010 Toronto, Ontario www.threeevents.ca

416.831.4491

The Distillery District

The Mint Agency

is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Catering for

is pleased to announce that the company has handled the Audiovisual Production, DJ, and Draping for

Harley-Davidson’s Precious Metal Gala Toronto, Ontario www.thedistillerydistrict.com

416.203.2121

Russian Standard Vodka Launch

Toronto, Ontario www.themintagency.com 416.923.6468

To share your success via the BashFlash program, contact your BizBash sales representative or Robert Fitzgerald at 646.839.6840.

While you may see it as one of Toronto’s top attractions, you may not know that the CN Tower is also one of the city’s most unique corporate venues. With flexible meeting rooms featuring the latest in high-tech communications, a private in-house theatre, and inspired hospitality services, it’s easy to see why. If you haven’t considered the CN Tower for your next event, it’s time to take a closer look.

See all that you’ve been missing at cntower.ca/lookcloser or call 416-601-4718.

Toronto Venue Directory Activity Venues p. 55 Arcades & Virtual-Reality Centres Bowling Alleys Cooking Schools & Tasting Venues Dance Instruction Venues Pool & Billiard Halls Sports Venues Other Activity Venues Ballrooms & Banquet Halls p. 56 Bars, Lounges & Clubs p. 58 Bars & Lounges Clubs

Boats & Yachts p. 59 Conference & Convention Centres p. 60

Activity Venues ARCADES & VIRTUAL-REALITY CENTRES DAVE & BUSTER’S

The Greater Toronto Area branch of this chain is a massive adult playground. The largest space is the Show Room, a split-level theatre with a stage, a private bar, and seating for 300. Additional rental spaces include the 150-seat Midway Room and 14 billiard zones. (120 Interchange Way, Concord, 905.760.7600) FANTASY FAIR

This indoor amusement park has four meeting rooms with capacities ranging from 30 to 45 guests. Rides and attractions include an antique carousel, bumper boats, a Ferris wheel, and an arcade. (500 Rexdale Blvd., 416.674.5200) PLAYDIUM MISSISSAUGA

This family game and entertainment destination specializes in interactive and adventurous play. The 11-acre facility features 40,000 square feet of indoor space and more than 200 different attractions, including video games, batting cages, mini golf, and go-karts.

(99 Rathburn Road West, Mississauga, 905.273.9000)

BOWLING ALLEYS

Entertainment & Performance Venues p. 61 Comedy Club Music Clubs Screening Rooms Theatres & Performance Spaces

Golf Courses & Clubs p. 63

BOWLERAMA

Bowlerama facilities can hold as many as 500 guests for large corporate events; there are six centres in and around Toronto. (5837 Yonge St., 416.222.4657; 5429 Dundas St. West, 416.239.3536; 115 Rexdale Blvd., 416.743.8388; 2086 Dundas St. East, London, 519.452.0052; 121 Hwy. 8, Stoney Creek, 905.662.2058; 320 Bayfield St., Barrie, 705.739.2269) NEW DANFORTH SUITE

In November 2009, the owners of All Star Interactive opened this 2,000-square-foot event venue equipped with 12 bowling lanes. The venue can hold 130 or seat 80. (2791 Eglinton Ave. East, 416.261.5011) LUCKY STRIKE LANES

Hotels p. 63 Independent Event Spaces p. 64 Mansions & Homes p. 66 Museums & Cultural Spaces p. 66 Art Museums Art Spaces & Auction Houses Historical & Cultural Institutions Science/Natural History Museum

Outdoor Venues p. 67 Private Clubs p. 67 Restaurants p. 68

A bowling lounge with 22 lanes, leather lounge seating, and modern artwork on the walls, this 25,000square-foot venue holds 500. The lounge includes a 50-foot bar and seats 150. The adjoining restaurant seats 90 and a private room holds 80. (1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Concord, 905.760.9931) O’CONNOR BOWL

This 24-lane five-pin bowling alley accommodates as many as 144 bowlers at a time and can be reserved for events. A private room on the second floor seats 80 guests, and full buffet service is available. (1401 O’Connor Drive, 416.755.1231)

CALPHALON CULINARY CENTER

This centre’s versatile cooking studios accommodate as many as 24 guests for hands-on classes and 40 guests for demonstrations. Courses cover everything from basic cooking techniques to in-depth explorations of world cuisine. Private and corporate events are available. (425 King St. West, 416.847.2212) CIRILLO’S CULINARY ACADEMY

Chef John Cirillo, the former executive chef of the Hilton Toronto, offers corporate teambuilding events and private cooking lessons at his culinary academy.

The 4,200-square-foot facility accommodates as many as 40 for hands-on cooking demonstrations and 60 for receptions. (4894 Dundas St. West, 647.430.8795) COOK GOURMET

This cooking school caters events both on and off site, and organizes cooking-themed corporate exercises such as culinary teambuilding sessions and foodrelated product launches. The school’s main gathering space accommodates 50 for receptions or classes. (1204 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga, 905.403.0059) DISH COOKING STUDIO

This Yabu Pushelberg-designed studio provides a contemporary setting for events. The studio accommodates 80 people standing or 50 seated. Dish Up, the new upstairs loft area, seats 40 or holds 80 for receptions. Dish Café has space for 30 and offers prepared foods to go. (390 Dupont St., 416.920.5559)

DANCE INSTRUCTION VENUES DANCE DISTRICT

This ballroom and dance studio features a large hardwood dance floor and 2,200 square feet of open space.

The venue can hold 60 guests for a seated dinner or 120 for cocktails. Amenities include an in-house sound system, tables, chairs, projectors, and a big-screen television. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 5, Suite 250, 416.603.4004) FLIRTY GIRL FITNESS

PLAYTIME BOWL

HANNAN’S BELLYDANCE STUDIO

Two blocks from the Yorkdale Shopping Centre, this 34,000-square-foot facility includes 48 lanes with computerized scoring, bumpers, and extra-light balls for children. A 1,500-square-foot event space can be divided into three rooms. (33 Samor Road, 416.787.4533)

This Toronto dance studio provides entertainment and instruction for groups on or off site. Hannan’s provides professional belly dancers for corporate events, offers group lessons, and hosts receptions for as many as 150 at the dance studio. (211 Danforth Ave., 416.462.3498)

NEW SHAMROCK BOWL

Stadiums & Arenas p. 71

WEBB’S ROYAL YORK BOWL

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Watch and learn or roll up your sleeves and get involved at this cooking school, which accommodates groups of 30 for demonstration classes or 24 for participation classes. (6 Erskine Ave., 416.484.4810)

This fitness studio provides lessons in everything from hip-hop and pole dancing to striptease and even lap dancing. The facility has a brick-and-beam design with hardwood floors, mirrored walls, and white leather seating in the reception area. The studio holds 400 for receptions. (462 Wellington St. West, 416.920.1400)

Shamrock Bowl, which originally opened in 1952, reopened in October 2009. The venue offers five-pin bowling in a retro 12-lane bowling alley and holds groups of up to 135. (280 Coxwell Ave., 416.406.2695)

ON BIZBASH.COM

BONNIE STERN SCHOOL OF COOKING

This modern entertainment facility features 48 bowling lanes. There are three private function rooms, the largest of which seats 50 or holds 80 for receptions.

The Orbit Café serves full lunch and dinner menus.

(5555 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.695.2695)

PLANET BOWL

Retail Venues p. 71

The latest news and our comprehensive online directory of Toronto event spaces

The 4,300-square-foot space in the Cooperage Building includes 3,300 square feet of gallery space and a separate cheese boutique. The boutique and gallery can accommodate groups of 230 people for cocktail parties and seat 150 for dinners and the patio seats 40. (55 Mill St., Building 32, 416.364.5020)

With 16 bowling lanes, this venue can be reserved for groups of as many as 100. Buffet catering and free parking are available, and pizza and glow-bowl packages for groups begin at $17.95 per person. (1500 Royal York Road, 416.244.2080)

COOKING SCHOOLS & TASTING VENUES A TASTE OF QUEBEC5

This venue specializes in terroir products from Quebec, including artisan cheeses, terrines, and gourmet oils.

POOL & BILLIARD HALLS ACADEMY OF SPHERICAL ARTS

Once home to a billiard-table manufacturer, this fourstorey 1890s brick building now keeps the tables on site, as it has been transformed into one of the city’s top pool halls. The space seats 350 or holds 600 for receptions. (1 Snooker St., 416.532.2782) CHARLOTTE ROOM

This airy 5,500-square-foot billiard parlour has seven tournament-quality pool tables. The venue features exposed brick and paintings by local artists. The main gathering space seats 120 or holds 150 for receptions; a private room holds 50. (19 Charlotte St., 416.598.2882) CROOKED CUE—TORONTO

The Pappas family has been operating billiard halls

bizbash.com summer 2010 55

Toronto Venue Directory

Activity Venues

equestrian complex has world-class facilities, including outdoor competition rings and indoor arenas. The picturesque grounds include the option of tents for large groups.

(5244 1 Sideroad, R.R. 6, Milton, 905.827.2234)

since 1910, and third-generation family members now operate two Crooked Cue clubs, including this 400-seat location in Toronto. A private room holds 75 for receptions.

(3056 Bloor St. West, 416.236.7736)

JOE ROCKHEAD’S INDOOR CLIMBING GYM

SPORTS VENUES

MOHAWK RACETRACK

BEACH BLAST INDOOR BEACH VOLLEYBALL5

Twenty-five minutes west of Toronto, this harness-racing track sits on 450 acres. The terrace dining room, which is tiered for better viewing of the track, seats 420 guests, while the trackside lounge holds 120 for receptions. (9430 Guelph Line, Campbellville, 416.675.7223)

This beach volleyball megavenue offers 30,000 square feet of indoor space and 25,000 square feet of outdoor space. Beach Blast has seven indoor and seven outdoor courts, dedicated meeting rooms, a licensed café, and three patios. (15 Leswyn Road, 416.785.6677) EZONE

A 34,000-square-foot indoor sports and entertainment complex, eZone opened in the spring of 2008. The venue has two large meeting rooms that hold 40 to 60 people each and accommodate groups of 300 for teambuilding activities. (120 North Queen St., 416.252.8300) FORMULA KARTWAYS

Guests can test their driving skills on Formula’s quartermile karting track, which features 10 corners. The 75,000-square-foot facility includes a mezzanine viewing area that seats 200 and a private boardroom that holds 100. (79 Bramsteele Road, Brampton, 905.459.1073)

In business since 1990, Canada’s first indoor rock-climbing facility offers teambuilding events with climbing activities. The venue accommodates groups of as many as 175.

(29 Fraser Ave., 416.538.7670)

facility can accommodate groups of up to 95 people. (80-A Interchange Way, Vaughan, 905.669.4653) ULTIMATE SPORTS CENTRE5

This centre offers a range of activities, including nine holes of golf, indoor and outdoor driving ranges, and indoor roller-skating. The facility has a private meeting room that seats 50, and the on-site restaurant and adjoining patio each hold 50. (7345 50 Hwy., Vaughan, 416.289.2899) WOODBINE RACETRACK

The most famous track in Canadian horse racing accommodates groups as large as 800 in its private meeting rooms. During racing events, trackside tents are available for group rental, and members of the company’s player services team offer wagering assistance. (555 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale, 416.675.3993)

NASCAR SPEEDPARK5

This 65,000-square-foot complex has four meeting rooms and an outdoor space with a tent for group events.

Activities include car racing on four tracks, simulated racing indoors, arcade game play, and laser tag. (Vaughan Mills Mall, 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, 905.669.7370) NORTH BEACH INDOOR VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY

It took 54 truckloads of sand to create the five beach volleyball courts available at this North York facility. As many as 60 players can participate at a time. A kitchen and a chef are available for events. (74 Railside Road, 416.446.0777) PUTTING EDGE FUN CENTERS

OTHER ACTIVITY VENUES BISQUE IT POTTERY PAINTING

Guests can unleash their creativity at this pottery-painting studio, which hosts groups of 40. Groups can choose pottery or painting lessons, and catering is available.

(9200 Weston Road, Unit 8, Woodbridge, 905.303.6333) COLOR ME MINE

This pottery studio allows guests to paint their choice of more than 400 ceramic dishes, tiles, and frames. The venue has a private party room for 25 people, or staffers can bring supplies to off-site events. (5051 Hwy. 7, Markham, 905.477.0002)

This go-kart facility features an extra-wide racetrack that is forgiving for the novice and gives the experienced driver the opportunity to put the pedal to the metal. A meeting room holds 125. (37A Stoffel Road, 416.614.6789)

This chain of entertainment facilities offers glow-inthe-dark mini putting, arcade games, and teambuilding for corporate events. Catering and event programs are customized according to the client’s needs. Putting Edge has locations in Barrie, Burlington, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Whitby. (866.887.3343)

GOODWOOD KARTWAY

RINX

This facility has a three-quarter-kilometre track with go-karts for rental and facilities like picnic tables, a snack bar, and free parking. A 25-seat conference room is available. (5200 2nd Concession, Stouffville, 905.640.5278)

This giant sports entertainment complex accommodates groups as large as 2,000. The list of recreational facilities includes three ice rinks, a roller rink, a bowling alley, mini golf, laser tag, bumper cars, and a billiard room. A conference room seats 150, and smaller meeting rooms for 25 are also available. (65 Orfus Road, 416.410.7469)

LASER QUEST—TORONTO EAST

TEE TIMES INDOOR GOLF

TORONTO SCHOOL OF CIRCUS ARTS

This year-round training facility has six indoor golf simulators. Certified P.G.A. instructors can provide custom clinics for groups at the on-site golf academy and two private rooms, which hold groups of as many as eight and 14, are available for corporate sessions. The entire

This group’s circus-themed program lets event participants try their hand at the trampoline, flying trapeze, tightwire, and more. The 15,000-square-foot facility has 40-foot ceilings and holds 2,000 guests. (44 Charles St. West, 416.935.0037)

401 MINI-INDY INDOOR GO-KART RACING

GRAND PRIX KARTWAYS

This motor-sport recreation centre in Downsview Park features Italian-made electric go-karts and a quarter-mile indoor track. The 47,000-square-foot venue has a lounge, meeting rooms, a trackside café, and a games area. (75 Carl Hall Road, Bay 3, Unit 9, 416.289.2899) HENDERVALE EQUESTRIAN COMPLEX AND EVENTS CENTRE5

Thirty-five minutes from Toronto, the 110-acre Hendervale

NEW GREENLANE ESTATE WINERY5

This 22-acre winery was slated to open in July 2010.

Greenlane uses hand harvesting while preserving the environment through sustainable growth. A retail store is on site, and a two-acre space can be tented for private events. (4679 Cherry Ave., Beamsville, 905.562.7207) Combining hide-and-seek with high-tech tag, Laser Quest participants enter a black-lit play area and attempt to zap one another with lasers. The venue—one of four in the G.T.A.—can be reserved for group outings, with space for 10 to 110 players. (1980 Eglinton Ave. East, 416.285.1333)

Ballrooms & Banquet Halls ARCADIAN COURT

The flagship store of the Hudson’s Bay Company, this 5,500-square-foot venue is more than 80 years old. The elegant two-storey ballroom holds 1,000. Two adjoining meeting rooms, which hold 10 and 40 people, can be booked individually or in conjunction with the main room. (401 Bay St., Simpson Tower, 8th Floor, 416.861.6138)

Street, seats 350 for banquets, and holds 1,500 for receptions. (181 Bay St., 416.369.2300) CAESAR’S EVENT CENTRE

The largest space in this Roman-themed facility, the Cleopatra Room seats 350. Smaller spaces include the Coliseum, which seats 200, and the Chariot Room, which holds 60. (12495 Hwy. 50, Bolton, 905.857.7779)

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE BANQUET HALL

CANADIANA RESTAURANT & BANQUET HALL

This multiuse centre includes a 600-seat banquet hall, a 460-seat theatre, and a gym with bleacher seating for 230.

(45 Hallcrown Place, Willowdale, 416.491.2900)

This banquet hall holds 180 while a private room seats 50.

The menu features a selection of meal and bar packages.

(5230 Dundas St. West, Six Points Plaza, 416.239.1114)

BABA BANQUET HALL

CANDLES BANQUET HALL & CONVENTION CENTRE

This banquet hall in Scarborough has a maximum capacity of 400 guests. The venue’s main gathering space seats 300, while a lower-level hall holds 100. (3300 McNicoll Ave., Scarborough, 416.335.3334)

This 20,000-square-foot facility has a grand ballroom that can be divided into two sections, creating the Regency Ballroom, which holds 250, and the Bali Ballroom for 160.

(1224 Dundas St. East, Mississauga, 905.848.3388)

BANQUET ROYALE

CAPITOL BANQUET CENTRE

Danuta Bartoszek, a long-distance runner who represented Canada at the 1996 Summer Olympics, owns this facility. The two halls can be combined to hold as many as 250. (5080 Timberlea Blvd., Mississauga, 905.238.5335)

This Mississauga meeting facility has four banquet rooms that can be combined to hold 1,400 guests. Executive chef Terry Kelessi creates customized menus for groups. (6435 Dixie Road, Mississauga, 905.670.0635)

BELLAGIO

CATERINA’S BANQUET HALL

Sala Bellagio, the main ballroom at this Vaughan banquet hall, has a 1,400-square-foot dance floor and holds 500.

Additional spaces include an adjoining mezzanine and grand lobby that can be separated by automated drapes.

Amenities include three bars and a modern audiovisual system. (8540 Jane St., Vaughan, 416.410.3690)

Caterina’s features a glass-enclosed lobby leading into a ballroom with seating for 300. An in-house restaurant specializes in Italian and Portuguese cuisine. (7230 Tranmere Drive, Mississauga, 905.673.9840)

BELLVUE MANOR

Modeled after a 19th-century estate, this venue has a stone exterior and traditional chimneys. The main ballroom holds 1,000; other spaces include two private dining rooms and a library that holds 200. (8083 Jane St., Vaughan, 905.761.7288) BOULEVARD CLUB5

A 3,000-square-foot ballroom holds 450 and has a 550-square-foot terrace. Two private rooms hold 30 and 60, and the 60-seat Harbour Dining Room can also be rented for events. A solarium holds 60. (1491 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.532.3341) BROOKFIELD PLACE

The Allen Lambert Galleria is the crown jewel of this massive business complex. The six-storey avenue of light and glass stretches 360 feet from Bay Street to Yonge

56 bizbash.com summer 2010

CELEBRATIONS BANQUET HALL

This facility features a 4,500-square-foot dining room that seats 350 or holds 500 for receptions. In-house caterers specialize in Asian and Caribbean menus but customized cuisine is available. (174 Bartley Drive, 416.759.7772)

seats 300. Other spaces include a 150-seat atrium, the 120-seat Columbus Room, and two restaurants. (901 Lawrence Ave. West, North York, 416.789.7011) DA VINCI BANQUET HALLS AND RESTAURANT

This elegant facility features a spacious lobby with chandeliers and oak doors leading into the main hall. The space accommodates 1,000 guests and is divisible into two smaller rooms. A 100-seat restaurant is also available.

(5732 Hwy. 7, Suite 33, Woodbridge, 905.851.3131) EASTOWN BANQUET HALL

This facility has three banquet halls that combine to hold 500; the largest individual room holds 350. The venue can provide staffing, catering, and flower arrangements.

(2648 Eglinton Ave. East, Scarborough, 416.265.3333) EDESSA BANQUET CENTRE

This banquet facility in Toronto’s Etobicoke neighbourhood has two event spaces; the larger room holds as many as 750. The centre provides on- and off-site catering. (1811 Albion Road, Etobicoke, 416.675.7886) ELITE BANQUET HALLS

The two banquet halls at this corporate centre can be combined to form one large hall that holds 600 guests.

Separately, Diamond Hall seats 300 and Pearl Hall holds 200. In-house chefs specialize in South Asian cuisine.

(1850 Albion Road, Etobicoke, 416.674.0036) ELLAS BANQUET HALLS & HOSPITALITY CENTRE5

This venue offers 30,000 square feet of event space with catering and audiovisual capabilities. The site features five ballrooms, the largest of which holds 1,000 guests, and a sizable terrace. (35 Danforth Road, 416.694.1194) FACULTY CLUB—UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO5

Crystal chandeliers adorn the 14,000-square-foot openconcept dining hall at this Brampton facility, which seats 850 guests. The hall’s chefs specialize in Indian cuisine.

(125 Chrysler Drive, Brampton, 905.458.8888)

The Wedgewood Blue Room, the main dining room at this university facility, seats 150 or holds 250 for receptions.

Other event spaces include the 150-seat oak-paneled main lounge, a 35-seat private dining room, a casual pub, and a patio. (41 Willcocks St., 416.978.6325)

CLAIREPORT PLACE BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

FLAMINGO BANQUET HALL

This meeting and dining centre has four banquet rooms separated by removable walls; when the rooms are combined, the space seats 1,200. The venue can provide cuisine ranging from West Indian or Caribbean to Italian and North American. (65 Claireport Cres., 416.675.7700)

This banquet hall features frosted windows and a ceiling adorned with dome lighting. The larger of the two banquet rooms seats 300 and the smaller holds 250.

Catering is available. (3278 Dundas St. West, 416.762.2165)

COLUMBUS CENTRE

This banquet hall specializes in international cuisine— specifically Greek, Portuguese, and Italian—and provides

CHANDNI BANQUET HALL

The largest of 13 meeting rooms at this cultural complex

FONTANA GARDENS BANQUET HALLS

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Ballrooms & Banquet Halls

LE DOME BANQUET HALLS

on- and off-site catering. For in-house events, Fontana can accommodate as many as 400. (7400 Keele St., Thornhill, 905.669.6141)

LE GALA BANQUET & WEDDING CENTRE

FORT YORK HISTORIC SITE5

The site of the Battle of York during the War of 1812, this venue houses Canada’s largest collection of original buildings from that era. A banquet space at the historic site seats 180 guests, and the grounds can accommodate groups as large as 5,000. (100 Garrison Road, 416.392.6907) FUZION BANQUETS

This 4,000-square-foot hall holds 200 and includes a hightech projection system with surround sound, wireless microphones, plasma screens, and wireless Internet. (1300 Britannia Road East, Suite 205, Mississauga, 905.564.1122) GRAND BACCUS BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTRE5

This 23,000-square-foot complex occupies a landscaped three-acre estate. The banquet hall seats 850 or holds 1,200 for receptions, and additional meeting spaces include a 150-seat courtyard with barbecue facilities. (2155 McNicoll Ave., 416.299.0077) GRAND CHALET RESTAURANT & BANQUET HALL5

This three-level banquet room holds 220 guests and opens onto a balcony. An adjoining 2,000-square-foot banquet room provides a flexible, pillar-free space for 120. (324 Steeles Ave., Milton, 905.878.7934) GREAT HALL5

This four-storey 1890 brick building features a 40-foot vaulted ceiling, a balcony, stage, and a bar area. The 2,600-square-foot space seats 200 or holds 350 for receptions. (1087 Queen St. West, 905.615.9957) HAVA NAGILA BANQUET HALL

Woodbridge venue. The ballroom holds as many as 300.

(80 Regina Road, Suite 23, Woodbridge, 905.850.6064) A two-storey lobby leads guests into the venue’s three event spaces: Angelo’s Room holds 530 guests, Jeana’s Room seats 270, and Caterina’s Room seats 100. (1173 North Service Road East, Oakville, 905.842.8230) The ballroom at this hall seats 500 theatre-style, and the Hibiscus Room holds 60. The audiovisual system includes a large rear-projection screen, wireless Internet, and on-site technicians. (65 Sunray St., Whitby, 905.668.3136) LIBERTY GRAND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX5

Part of Exhibition Place, this 10,000-square-foot entertainment complex has three banquet rooms. The largest seats 800 or holds 1,500 for receptions; two smaller rooms each accommodate 700. There is also an open-air courtyard that holds 400. (25 British Columbia Road, Exhibition Place, 416.542.3789) MADSEN’S GARDENS5

panoramic windows. Starlight Ballroom seats 450 and holds 650 for receptions. A smaller option, Courtyard Ballroom, seats 250 and holds 450 for receptions. (5165 Dixie Road, Mississauga, 905.624.4009) PAYAL BANQUET HALLS

This event facility has three rooms that can be combined to hold 1,000. Kings Ballroom measures 8,400 square feet and holds 500 for receptions. The two smaller rooms hold 440 and 180. (3410 Semenyk Court, Mississauga, 905.281.8800) PREMIER BALLROOM & CONVENTION CENTRE

This 27,000-square-foot facility has high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and a large dance floor. Four banquet spaces seat between 140 and 550 guests, or can be combined to hold 1,200. (9019 Leslie St., Richmond Hill, 416.410.0085) PREMIER PLACE BANQUET HALL

This 18,000-square-foot banquet hall in Concord, about 30 minutes north of Toronto, holds 400 for receptions. The venue has a list of preferred vendors and provides on-site catering. (696 Westburne Drive, Concord, 905.879.0172)

This venue offers tropical garden settings. The 14,000square-foot greenhouse features thousands of miniature lights that illuminate the ceiling. There is also a 200-seat chapel and outdoor seating for 300. (160 Bayview Pkwy., Newmarket, 905.853.5900)

PRESIDENTE BANQUET HALL

MANOR5

QSSIS BANQUET HALLS

On the grounds of the Carrying Place Golf & Country Club, the Manor has more than 34,000 square feet of function space. Elizabeth Hall holds 320 and opens onto a patio, which can be tented for an additional 100 guests. Two other banquet rooms are available. (16750 Weston Road, Kettleby, 416.410.6680)

This Scarborough banquet hall features three event rooms and two lobbies. The largest space seats 320 guests or holds 400 for receptions. A slightly smaller space seats 280 or holds 350 for receptions, and a cocktail room holds 60. (3474 Kingston Road, Scarborough, 416.261.7227)

MAPLE BANQUET HALL & SPECIAL EVENTS CENTRE

Rembrandt offers three banquet rooms. The largest room, the Rembrandt Ballroom, holds 500 and has a reception area. Sabrina’s lounge holds 150, while the Markham Room holds 100. (930 Progress Ave., 416.438.4711)

In the centre of Mississauga, this facility features two halls that seat 150 and 300, or 550 combined. On-site caterers can prepare business lunches or sit-down dinners. (1325 Eglinton Ave. East, Mississauga, 905.206.9333)

This 10,000-square-foot venue has four spaces that seat a total of 550. The largest room seats 300, while the second largest holds 150. The hall serves Italian and Continental cuisine. (1133 Creditstone Road, Vaughan, 416.736.6820)

REMBRANDT BANQUET HALLS

RICHMOND

This venue holds 400 people and includes a kitchen serving an international menu of Middle Eastern, Russian, Far Eastern, and North American dishes. The venue, which specializes in kosher services, also offers an in-house band. (1118 Centre St., Thornhill, 905.731.3406)

MERIDIAN BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

JEWEL BANQUET CENTRE

MERON BANQUETS

This spacious Woodbridge facility features high, ornate ceilings and a glistening hardwood floor. The main banquet hall seats 500 and can be partitioned into two separate spaces. Two smaller rooms also seat 60 and 70.

(55 Sovereign Court, Woodbridge, 905.265.0919)

This hall has two main event spaces. The ballroom seats 400 or holds 500 for receptions, and a smaller room seats 100 or holds 150 for receptions. In-house catering is available. (1600 Steeles Ave. West, Concord, 905.669.0777)

This two-storey venue’s main level has four rooms that can be combined to seat 400 guests and also includes the 120-seat Porto Bella Ristorante and an 80-seat lounge. On the second floor, three banquet halls can be combined to seat 1,200. (2800 Hwy. 7 West, Concord, 416.987.4400)

MICHELANGELO BANQUET CENTRE

RIZZO HALL5

JULIUS BANQUET CENTRE

This centre has a European-style walkway that passes through a flower garden. The venue has a 3,200-squarefoot ballroom and two 5,200-square-foot ballrooms that can be combined to seat 1,200. (1555 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton, 905.575.9955)

This offshoot of Rizzo Hall in Montreal opened in 1977. The facility includes three rooms of equal size with foldaway walls, allowing the formation of one large hall, which seats 1,500 guests. A garden includes several gazebos, a fountain, and a waterfall. (1941 Albion Road, 416.675.1227)

This banquet facility features decor inspired by historic Rome in two halls that each seat 250. The rooms can be linked to form one large ballroom, and the centre provides breakfast and express lunches. (2201 Finch Ave. West, Suite 32, 416.746.9500)

This north Toronto facility has one large room that holds 500 guests. The space can also be divided into two separate rooms, with a capacity of 250 in one and 140 in the other. (2301 Keele St., 416.242.7100)

The main floor of this space is 1,400 square feet and seats 100 guests or holds 150 for receptions. Decor highlights include 20-foot ceilings, a loft balcony, and bamboo flooring. (477 Richmond St. West, Unit 104, 416.368.2801) RIVIERA PARQUE

MISSISSAUGA GRAND BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

ROMA’S PLACE BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

Decor highlights at this facility include a large crystal chandelier, crown moldings, pillars, and a hardwood floor. The ballroom seats 300 for banquets and holds 450 for receptions. (15 Canmotor Ave., 416.252.3456)

This 20,000-square-foot venue, 10 minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport, features a 2,000-squarefoot glass atrium, 12,000 square feet of divisible banquet space with seating for as many as 700, and parking for 600 cars. (35 Brunel Road, Mississauga, 905.501.0043)

This facility has a Romanesque exterior, curved window arches, and elaborate ceiling cornices. The ballroom seats groups of 350, and a second hall seats 100 people. (5980 Shawson Drive, Unit 5, Mississauga, 866.670.7662)

LA CONTESSA BANQUET HALL AND CONVENTION CENTRE

NU ROYAL PALACE BANQUET HALL

Operating since 1967, this banquet facility includes three ballrooms featuring ornate lighting, pillars, and hardwood floors. The rooms can be combined to hold as many as 500 guests. On- and off-site catering is available. (69 Milvan Drive, 416.749.5531)

In Toronto’s Scarborough neighbourhood, this venue serves Asian, Western, and vegetarian dishes. Nu Royal’s main banquet space holds 200 people, and the staff can provide vendors for events. (3150 Eglinton Ave. East, 416.265.3360)

This 2,000-square-foot banquet hall is on a five-acre property with manicured grounds, a patio, and a gazebo. The dining room seats 150 or holds 180 for receptions. Outdoor tents can be set up to hold 80 to 350 people. (1857 Queen St. West, Brampton, 905.457.2813)

LA GONDOLA BANQUET HALL

OASIS CATERING & CONVENTION CENTRE

This family-owned venue has two main event spaces: The San Marco Room holds 400 and the Venetian Room holds 220. An Italian restaurant can also be reserved for events.

(227 Bowes Road, Vaughan, 905.669.2436)

This 4,000-square-foot facility offers a lakefront setting and features three reception halls, each with their own bar and dance floor. The rooms can be combined to hold 900.

(1036 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, 905.891.7777)

LA ROSA GRAND HALL

130 WEST EVENT CENTRE

This facility has three separate rooms. The largest is the European-style La Rosa, which holds 380. The modern Soho Room holds 160, and the Chinese-inspired Celestial Court holds 200. (25 Lanark Road, Markham, 905.477.7539)

This facility has a 3,000-square-foot conference hall, which seats 200, as well as three small boardrooms. The space is owned and operated by the Seventh Heaven Hospitality Group, owners of the adjacent One Up Italian restaurant. (130 Dundas St. West, 416.340.9631)

KING’S GARDEN BANQUET HALL

LATVIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE

This centre contains six event spaces. The largest room has a full stage and windows overlooking the courtyard; it seats 400 theatre-style. Other spaces include an art gallery that holds 80 and a 150-seat pub. (4 Credit Union Drive, 416.759.3090) LA VEDETTE BANQUETS

This banquet hall has three rooms. Two rooms seat 350, and the third seats 80. Executive chef Frank Sciabbarrasi has been with La Vedette since 1990. (150 North Rivermede Road, Vaughan, 905.738.2100) LA VILLA BALLROOM & CONVENTION CENTRE

This elegant Italianate building contains four banquet rooms, the largest of which seats 600 and holds 1,000 for receptions. Two of the smaller halls can be combined to seat 320 guests. (114 Toryork Drive, 416.749.5299) LA VITA BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

This Italian banquet facility contains four event halls.

The largest, the Dolce, seats 300 guests, while the entire centre holds 850. Chefs create menus ranging from Greek to Indian, Canadian, and Italian. (4000 Steeles Ave. West, Woodbridge, 905.856.2000) L’AZZURRA BALLROOM

Owner and chef Marco Mariani specializes in Italian cuisine and creates custom menus for events at this

OTELLO’S BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTRE

Otello’s houses a 4,000-square-foot ballroom with a dance floor and portable stage; the space holds 300 and is divisible into two smaller rooms. There is also a 10-seat boardroom on the second floor. (2273 Royal Windsor Drive, Oakville, 905.849.6416) PALAIS ROYALE BALLROOM5

Originally a dance hall, this lakefront facility has a ballroom that seats 400 people or holds 880 for receptions.

The facility also has a 4,000-square-foot deck overlooking the water. (1601 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.533.3553) PANEMONTE BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

This facility consists of three private banquet rooms.

The largest space holds 475 guests and features a granite reception area and large marble dance floor. Two additional rooms hold 190 and 50. (220 Humberline Drive, Etobicoke, 416.798.0060) PARADISE BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE5

This 30,000-square-foot venue includes five ballrooms that can be combined to hold 1,500. A 54,000-square-foot garden features a European-style gazebo and a Venetianstyle bridge. (7601 Jane St., Concord, 905.669.4680) PAVILION ROYALE

This venue has two ballrooms with tall ceilings and

ROTARY GLEN BANQUET HALL5

SATKAR PALACE BANQUET HALL

This event venue was previously called the Lombardos Banquet Hall. The facility accommodates groups of as many as 500 for sit-down dinners. (7089 Torbram Road, Mississauga, 905.677.8200) SEPHARDIC KEHILA CENTRE

This Jewish community centre has arched moldings and chandeliers reminiscent of the great synagogues of Spain and North Africa. The main event hall seats 500 for banquets or 1,000 theatre-style. (7026 Bathurst St., Thornhill, 905.669.7654) SPIRALE BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE5

This facility has a spiral staircase and a courtyard. Three banquet halls can combine to seat 1,000 guests or hold 1,500 for receptions. Several smaller meeting rooms are also available. (888 Don Mills Road, 416.391.5888) ST. LAWRENCE HALL

Built in 1850 by William Thomas, this Renaissance-style building offers three rooms. The grand hall can seat 200.

The east room holds as many as 60, and the V.I.P. boardroom holds as many as 12. (157 King St. East, 416.392.7130) STRATES BANQUET HALLS

Strates has three corporate event spaces. The largest room seats 220 for banquets and can be partitioned to accommodate smaller groups. A 40-seat meeting room is also available. (365 Evans Ave., Etobicoke, 416.503.9996) ST. VOLODYMYR CULTURAL CENTRE5

This multipurpose Ukrainian cultural centre features three separate event spaces, including the Red Oak and White Oak rooms, which each seat 400 and can be combined to form a single venue for as many as 1,100 guests. (1280 Dundas St. West, Oakville, 905.847.6477) SWANSEA TOWN HALL COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Rousseau Room, the largest event space in this simple and unadorned former public building, seats 200 guests.

Other rooms include the 100-seat Council Chambers,

bizbash.com summer 2010 57

Toronto Venue Directory

Ballrooms & Banquet Halls

TOWER GARDEN BANQUETS

Family-owned Tower Garden is on the 12th floor of Mississauga City Hall. The main room seats as many as 200 and can accommodate 160 for receptions. (300 City Centre Drive, 12th Floor, Mississauga, 905.615.3111) TRIDENT BANQUET HALL AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

the 20-seat Teiaiagon Room, and four activity rooms. (95 Lavinia Ave., 416.392.1954) TERRACE BANQUET CENTRE

This modern 19,000-square-foot banquet facility contains four event halls that can be combined to create a single room seating as many as 1,800. Italian catering is available on site. (1680 Creditstone Road, Concord, 905.832.9550) TOSCA BANQUET HALL & CONFERENCE CENTRE5

This Italianate hall features 20-foot ceilings, large crystal chandeliers, Venetian plaster walls, and more than 4,000 square feet of event space. The grand hall seats 400 guests.

(800 Champlain Ave., Oshawa, 905.404.9400) TOSCANA BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

The 8,000-square-foot ballroom at this centre seats 600 and holds 800 for receptions. Two smaller rooms each seat 40 guests. The centre is attached to the 155-room Hilton Garden Inn. (3201 Hwy. 7 West, Vaughan, 905.660.5200)

This venue has five rooms of varying sizes. The café and salon combine to hold 120 guests, and offer a view of the surrounding forest. The lobby holds 100 and can be combined with the main hall to accommodate 350. (145 Evans Ave., 416.253.6002) UKRAINIAN CULTURAL CENTRE OF TORONTO

Home to many Ukrainian cultural events, this 8,900-square-foot facility has a stage and a kitchen. The venue holds 600 guests. (83-85 Christie St., 416.531.3610) VENETIAN BANQUET HALL & HOSPITALITY CENTRE

This complex features a main hall that seats 900 or holds 1,100 for receptions. An 80-seat restaurant is also available, and the on-site culinary team can create customized menus. (219 Romina Drive, Concord, 905.660.1110) WEST RIVER EVENT CENTRE5

This facility features five banquet rooms. The grand ballroom, the largest event space, has an adjoining terrace

Bars, Lounges & Clubs BARS & LOUNGES

CRUSH WINE BAR

ACROBAT LOUNGE

This lounge features Italian Baroque decor with burgundy walls, oil paintings, and wood floors. The dining room seats 150, and in warm months, two large garage doors open to let in the fresh air and provide a view of the street below. (2465 Yonge St., 416.489.1105)

After renovations last spring, the upgraded Crush includes a stone-plated bar and a semiprivate tasting room that holds 14. The room has exposed-brick walls, banquette seating, and a flat-screen TV. Groups can choose from four wine flights and graze on items from the Britishinfluenced bar menu. (455 King St. West, 416.977.1234)

ADELAIDE STREET PUB5

NEW DOLCE SOCIAL BALLROOM5

This pub, which features a long black and red bar, opened in November 2008 and is available for full buyouts. The main room holds 70, a courtyard seats 40, and a rooftop patio can accommodate as many as 80 during the warmer months. (340 Adelaide St. West, 416.977.6800)

Dolce Social Ballroom is the latest venture from nightclub owner Travis Agresti. The 6,000-square-foot club, holds 560 on the main floor, which features a brass ceiling treatment and origami chandeliers, as well as a 280-seat rooftop patio. (647 King St. West, 416.361.9111)

ATELIER NOIR

DUBLIN LOUNGE

Atelier Noir has tufted black leather banquets, black crystal chandeliers, wrought iron details and 18th Century French accents. The 1,300-square-foot space holds as many as 135 people. Outside caterers are welcome. (510 King St. West, 416.214.9198)

Gavin Quinn opened this pub in 2008. The decor includes ornate moldings and mahogany-paneled walls, furnished with wood imported from Ireland. Old photos, maps of Ireland, and antique gold-leaf mirrors adorn the walls.

The space seats 60 or holds 105 for receptions. A private room holds six. (49/51 Yonge St., 416.866.8282)

THE BAR AT NYOOD

This event space and lounge from restaurateur Hanif Harji (Kultura) opened above Nyood in April 2009. The space, designed by Commute Home, is filled with custom pieces, including the lounge seating and light fixtures.

The bar holds 150. (1096 Queen St. West, 416.466.1888) BAR CHEF

FUZION RESTO-LOUNGE & GARDEN5

This resto-lounge offers an 80-seat, partly covered, heated courtyard with dark wicker furniture. The lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and holds 100, while the main dining room seats 42. Two private dining areas seat 30 and 20. (580 Church St., 416.944.9888)

The Queen Street West space that once housed the Opal Jazz Lounge is now Bar Chef. The space, which opened in December 2008, can accommodate as many as 87 people.

The restaurant’s extensive martini menu is divided into four sections—sweet, savory, sour, and molecular. (472 Queen St. West, Toronto, 416.868.4800)

LEVACK BLOCK

BAR WELLINGTON5

LI’LY BAR AND LOUNGE

Renovated in 2006, this pub features a painted tin ceiling, two small patios, and on the second floor, a fireplace.

Two upstairs rooms can be booked separately for private events or combined to hold 45 seated or 60 for receptions.

(520 Wellington St. West, 416.341.8880)

This Little Italy lounge can host parties of 250 across two levels. The main floor houses a 50-foot white marble bar, backdropped with orange decor. The lower level has a darker, nightclub-like feel with a red and black colour scheme. (656 College St., 416.532.0419)

BRAZEN HEAD IRISH PUB5

LOKI LOUNGE

This pub is divided into three rooms and three patios. The grand dining room features a large antique chandelier and a gas fireplace; it seats 70 or holds 110 for receptions.

The Poet’s Pub has dark wood decor and seats 68 or holds 120 for receptions. Two rooftop patios and the garden patio are also available. (171 East Liberty St., 416.535.8787)

This French-inspired lounge has chandeliers, plush couches, and a stage for entertainment. The space holds 150, with two private areas that each hold 40 people. Food is brought in from the lounge’s sister restaurant, KiWe Kitchen. (577 King St. West, 416.977.7080)

NEW THE CEILI COTTAGE5

Across from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this 20,000-square-foot, rock ’n’ roll-themed sports bar serves pub food and a lengthy list of specialty margaritas. The bilevel venue seats 300 guests, with two private rooms that seat 30 each. (146 Front St. West, 416.977.8840)

Patrick McMurray, champion oyster shucker and owner of Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill, opened this 70-seat Irish pub at the end of April 2009. The 20-odd beers on tap include many craft brews and local ales. A patio seats 40 people in the warmer months. It is available for buyouts. (1301 Queen St. East, 416.823.6933) NEW CIAO WINE BAR5

Owned by the Liberty Group, Ciao Wine Bar is an Italian restaurant with more than 8,000 square feet spread over three levels. The restaurant seats 250 and is available for private events. Two outdoor patios will hold 60 in the warmer months. Two private dining rooms hold groups of as many as 18. (133 Yorkville Ave., 416.925.2143) C LOUNGE5

This spa-inspired lounge holds 500 and has a patio with space for another 200. In the summer, the patio has a wading pool, V.I.P. cabanas, and couches. In the winter, the venue uses refrigeration equipment to transform the patio into the Fire & Ice Lounge, a space in which the walls, floors, ceilings, furnishings, and even the drinking glasses are made of ice. (456 Wellington St. West, 416.260.9393)

58 bizbash.com summer 2010

This music-focused lounge has eight microbrews on tap and a small menu of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches.

The front room features a long bar and tables, while the sparsely furnished back room is a dancing and event space that holds 100. (88 Ossington Ave., 416.916.0571)

LOOSE MOOSE

LULA LOUNGE

A Latin-American fusion menu fits well with the eclectic decor of mixed colours at this lounge, which seats 200 people or holds 300 for receptions. The glass-encased Fish Bowl Room, available for parties of 40, overlooks the main lounge. (1585 Dundas St., West, 416.588.0307) MADISON AVENUE PUB5

The “Maddy” consists of six British-style pubs inside three converted Victorian homes. It features five multilevel patios with heated and covered areas. The venue’s total indoor capacity is 800, and several intimate spaces are available for events. (14 Madison Ave., 416.927.1722) MANGO COCO LOUNGE

Hermes Delcid, a Latin dance instructor, opened this lounge in 2007. The tropical venue, with red walls and sofas and a hardwood dance floor, holds 200. Guests can see a live Latin dance show and learn salsa, merengue, and

and seats 450 for dinner around the dance floor. (2839 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, 905.417.8400) WESTWOOD BANQUET HALL

Set above the Westwood ice hockey complex, this secondfloor banquet hall seats as many as 600. There are 10 TVs with satellite hookups, and Spot 1 Catering provides the food. (90 Woodbine Downs Blvd., Rexdale, 416.675.4331) WILLIAM LEA ROOM

Stained-glass French doors in the foyer give way to a 3,100-square-foot ballroom with hardwood floors, warm lighting, and lattice backdrops. The venue, which has a bar and a portable stage, can seat 300. (1073 Millwood Road, 416.421.4944) WOODBINE BANQUET & CONVENTION HALL

This 25,000-square-foot facility seats 1,500 and holds 2,000 for receptions. Audiovisual equipment is available, and the hall provides catering. (30 Vice Regent Blvd., 416.743.0003) YORK RECEPTION CENTRE5

This event facility offers two event spaces: Doric Hall seats 125, while Corinthian Hall seats 75. Additional spaces include three lounges, a 135-seat chapel, a bar area, and a courtyard garden. (1100 Millwood Road, 416.423.3000)

other Latin moves. Latin American empanadas and arepas are on the menu. (1355 St. Clair Ave. West, 416.837.2145) PANORAMA LOUNGE5

The view is the main attraction at Panorama, set high atop the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre. The 200-seat venue features floor-to-ceiling windows and two patios covered in canopy tents, offering a choice of views—uptown or downtown. (55 Bloor St. West, 51st Floor, 416.964.1162) PRAVDA VODKA BAR

Robin Singh opened Pravda’s new location in 2007. The restaurant re-creates the clubby atmosphere of the first Pravda in a bilevel venue decorated in rich reds and golds.

The venue, which holds 280, is available for private events; the entire bar or smaller sections can be reserved. Catering is available. (44 Wellington St. East, 416.366.0303) RASPUTIN VODKA BAR

Co-owners Maria and Rumen Vimitrov opened this Russian-themed bar in 2008. The decor includes antique furniture, ornate mirrors, chandeliers, and wood tables. A selection of food platters and premium vodkas are available. The bar holds 80; a semiprivate back room seats 40.

(780 Queen St. East, 416.469.3737) REPOSADO BAR & LOUNGE5

This lounge offers 32 types of premium tequila, a list of wine and draught beer, and a small tapas selection; extended menus are available for events. The 60-seat room has a wooden bar, exposed-brick walls, cathedral windows, and a patio. (136 Ossington Ave., 416.532.6474) NEW SAMOVAR

Open since July 2009, this vodka, absinthe, and champagne lounge holds 140. Servers dressed in fur hats and officer’s caps serve absinthe out of two antique Siberian samovars; cocktails are offered in traditional tin cups and glass jars. (51A Winchester St., 416.925.4555) SEVEN LOUNGE5

This bilevel 9,000-square-foot space features minimalist, stainless-steel decor, multimedia capabilities, and a dance floor. A floating glass staircase leads guests to the top level, and a year-round rooftop patio has a retractable roof, a bar, and a grill. The venue holds 640. (224 Richmond St. West, 416.599.9797) SIDECAR

Going beyond martinis, this intimate space specializes in a variety of classic cocktails and offers a small bistro menu. The long, narrow room has exposed-brick walls, a rounded stainless-steel bar, and delicate hanging lights.

The room holds 32, with space for 14 at the bar. (577 College St., 416.536.7000) SKYLOUNGE5

In the courtyard of the InterContinental hotel in Yorkville, Skylounge features Brazilian wood furnishings, designer sofas, silk pillows, and alpaca throws. The dining and lounge areas each seat 40 guests, and together hold 170 for receptions. (220 Bloor St. West, 416.800.1853) STRANGELOVE

Located in the College Street district, this intimate lounge has black accents and several 42 inch Plasma televisions.

The space is 1,300 square feet, and outside caterers are welcome. (587 College St., 416.361.1880) NEW SWIRL WINE BAR

Vintage Singer sewing machines serve as tables and church pews provide seating in this Leslieville wine bar, opened by veteran bartender Janean Currie in late June 2009. Swirl seats 20 in the main room and 10 in a private room. (946 Queen St. East, 647.351.5453) TURF LOUNGE

This 7,000-square-foot lounge features off-track wagering on horse races. The main lounge holds as many as 120 for receptions, while three private dining rooms seat between 10 and 30 guests. (330 Bay St., 416.367.2111) TWENTY TWO

The former Club 22 moved to this smaller space in the Windsor Arms Hotel in 2007. Formerly a barbershop, the

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Bars, Lounges & Clubs

tions, the entire venue accommodates 800 guests. Decor highlights include a large fireplace and stone wall coverings. (2075 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, 905.829.8400)

booths and two bars, and a more subdued lounge with cream furnishings and carpeting that gives off that retro vibe. (217 Richmond St. West, 416.593.6116)

EMBASSY

PUR SUPPER CLUB5

This 10,000-square-foot club was designed by Precipas Studios, the company from the TV show The Design Guys.

Black chandeliers and black glass abound throughout the subterranean space, which holds 1,500 for a reception or 150 for a sit-down dinner. (117 Peter St., 416.585.2111)

Set in the entertainment district, this supper club offers four levels for dining, dancing, and drinking. Its rooftop terrace presents a wraparound view of the city. The venue holds 350, and a private room with LCD screens and couches holds 35. (365 King St. West, 416.205.9696)

GUVERNMENT & KOOL HAUS ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX5

REVIVAL BAR

CLUBS

This 60,000-square-foot complex houses eight function spaces. The Kool Haus (primarily used as a concert venue) and the Guvernment (known as the club venue) each hold about 2,000. Skybar, a 3,000-square-foot rooftop patio, holds 400. (132 Queen’s Quay East, 416.869.0045)

Set in a former Baptist church, Revival features high cathedral ceilings and Art Deco windows. The main floor seats 120, while the overlooking balcony lounge seats 42. In the basement, another lounge holds 130. In-house catering is available. (783 College St., 416.535.7888)

BABALUU

JEZEBEL

ROCKWOOD & GRASS5

This Yorkville salsa club is known for its eclectic decor and Latin music. The main room seats 110, and a smaller semiprivate room is also available. The entire space holds 375 guests for receptions. (136 Yorkville Ave., 416.515.0587)

A team that includes the owners of Brassaii and the designers who created venues like Maro and Strangelove, transformed the old Baby Dolls strip club space into an upscale burlesque house that opened in May 2009. The club has a main room—complete with a stage—and a smaller private room at the rear. Jezebel holds up to 150.

(227 Ossington Ave., 416.531.7111)

This three-level club offers 7,500 square feet of rentable space. Rock, the first level, holds 165 and features mirrored walls and a private den. Wood, the second level, has two elevated lounges and holds 165. Grass, on the rooftop patio, seats 212. (31 Mercer St., 416.979.7373)

room has a modern, eclectic design and seats 20 people or holds 30 for receptions. (22 Close Ave., 416.537.1271) UP AND DOWN BAR LOUNGE

This low-ceilinged, subterranean venue offers a dark, loungey decor of deep browns and reds and scattered low lighting. The lounge can host 40 guests and arrange for outside catering. (270 Adelaide St. West, 416.977.4038)

CENTURY ROOM5

In a 100-year-old building, Century Room holds 480 inside and 100 on its patio, which can be divided in two.

The 7,000-square-foot space features 21 booths for private seating, seven projectors, gallery lighting, and exposedbrick walls. (580 King St. West, 416.203.2226) CHEVAL5

This club features cowhide-covered stools, banquette seating, and a small upper patio. The venue holds 300 and includes an audiovisual system and a DJ booth. (606 King St. West, 416.363.4933) CIRCA

New York club legend Peter Gatien’s fun-house-themed venue is a 55,000-square-foot space that spans four storeys and holds 2,800. The main dance floor and grand stage seat 180 or hold 400 for receptions. Two secondfloor bar areas hold 150 each, and a V.I.P. cube set above the dance floor holds 20. (126 John St., 416.979.0044) CLUB MENAGE5

Above Bistro 333, Club Menage features a booming sound system and large wall-mounted plasma TVs. The space holds 200 guests for receptions and also has a rooftop patio. (333 King St. West, 416.971.3332) CLUB V5

This ultra-luxe Yorkville club-lounge’s design highlights include pink mosaic tiles and blonde wood detailing. The space holds 290, with room for an additional 66 on the patio. A cigar lounge featuring 250 Havana cigars is also available. (88 Yorkville Ave., 416.975.4397) COBRA

The space formerly occupied by West Lounge reopened as Cobra in May 2009. The 5,000-square-foot nightclub has an Alpha Dynachord sound system, an LED Color Kinetics ceiling, and artwork by celebrity photographer Paul Alexander. (510 King St. West, 416.361.9004) CROCODILE ROCK5

This three-level casual club for the 25-and-over crowd features a heated rooftop patio that seats 170. The main floor holds 350 and offers two pool tables. The mezzanine holds another 160. (240 Adelaide St. West, 416.599.9751) DEVIL’S MARTINI

This 10,000-square-foot club features a sprawling main level with hardwood floors, a painted white ceiling, and a capacity of 1,140. The basement holds 210. (473 Adelaide St. West, 416.603.9300) DIRTY MARTINI5

This venue offers 5,000 square feet of indoor space seating 190, plus a 1,000-square-foot patio that seats 40. For recep-

LOT 3325

The main room in Lot 332 holds 400 and has a large dance floor underneath a retractable glass roof, as well as an adjoining patio. A second room holds 300 and features oak floors and granite bars. The venue offers semiprivate seating in 20 V.I.P. booths and five large bars. (332 Richmond St. West, 416.599.5332) MINK NIGHTCLUB & LOUNGE5

This club’s main space has a capacity of 300. The three-tier patio accommodates 200 and is heated and enclosed in the winter months. The club is available for private bookings every day, except for Fridays and Saturdays after 10 p.m. (150 Pearl St., 416.977.4446) THE MOD CLUB

Co-owner Mark Holmes, formerly of the pop group Platinum Blond, founded this live music venue and club known for its Britpop dance parties. The two-storey building seats 200 or holds 600 for receptions, while two private areas hold 50 and 15. (722 College St., 416.588.4663) MUZIK5

This nightclub is set in the former Horticulture Building at Exhibition Place. The space, which holds 3,000, juxtaposes the historic building’s classical architecture (including a 60-foot dome cathedral ceiling) with a modern club vibe. The venue has nine bars and also includes the Stila Beauty Lounge. The adjoining three-acre patio holds 5,000 people. (15 Saskatchewan Road, 416.595.9998) PARK LANE

THE ROOF LOUNGE5

On the 18th floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel, this terrace offers views of the city skyline and the ROM Crystal. It holds 225 and is also known as Roof 2 during the Toronto Film Festival, when it is transformed into a designer lounge area. (4 Avenue Road, 416.925.1234 ext. 1015) SEVEN LOUNGE5

This two-storey nightclub features a minimalist design, a rooftop patio, and a 15-foot screen and projection system.

Dramatic lighting showcases an abundance of glass and stainless-steel decor. The venue offers 20 V.I.P. areas and holds 600. (224 Richmond St. West, 416.599.9797) SHMOOZE5

This large nightclub in the entertainment district offers a dedicated event space that holds 800 for receptions and 150 for dining. The space includes hardwood floors and gilded chandeliers. Fifteen, the club’s rooftop patio, accommodates another 190. (15 Mercer St., 416.341.8777) SIX DEGREES CLUB

This lounge offers more than 12,000 square feet of event space. The main floor has a stage for live music and holds 700, while the second floor holds 200. The decor includes fireplaces, stainless-steel bars, and chocolate-brown V.I.P. booths. (2335 Yonge St., 416.486.9666) THIS IS LONDON

Owner Charles Khabouth outfitted this club with a new English mansion theme. The main floor holds 650, while the mezzanine holds 500. There is also a lounge that seats 60 and a 1,200-square-foot ladies’ room with hair and makeup stylists. (364 Richmond St. West, 416.351.1100)

This nightclub offers 8,000 square feet of space over two floors and holds 660. Park Lane has chandeliers, fiberoptic ceiling fans, and an LED lighting system. The bottle service lounge includes booths and tables, and both floors can be sectioned off for private events. Catering With Style is the exclusive food provider. (184 Pearl St., 416.217.1100)

TONIC NIGHTCLUB

PICCADILLY CIRCUS PUB CLUB

This nightclub has three spaces available. The Havana Lounge, a cozy parlourlike room, holds 40. The main area, the Vegas Suites, holds 490 and includes a holographic dance floor and green velvet booths, plus a 20-seat private room. The loft holds 80. (82 Peter St., 416.588.7978)

This club has a rowdy vibe with blaring music and a game room. The main space holds 700, while a private area holds 80. Piccadilly’s 1969 English double-decker bus is available for shuttle service, and bookings are offered Sundays to Wednesdays. (184 Pearl St., 416.599.4687) NEW POP NIGHTCLUB

Located in the space formerly known as Fluid, Pop Nightclub is the newest venture from club owner Moses Sabatino. The venue holds 700 and is divided into two rooms—a brightly-coloured dance club with red leather

Boats & Yachts

This 1,000-person club has a minimalist design. Hovering over the dance floor are 72 TV screens, and a raised lounge surrounds the main area. A room with a hidden entrance offers a bar and dance floor. (117 Peter St., 905.299.4221) TRYST

ULTRA5

Munge/Leung Design Associates conceptualized the decor at this restaurant/nightclub, which features red velvet couches, oversize mirrors, and 16-foot ceilings. The venue holds 300 for receptions, and a rooftop patio holds 100. (314 Queen St. West, 416.263.0330)

MISS TORONTO

In operation for 25 years, Miss Toronto is a 72-foot 100-passenger cruise boat available for charter at Toronto’s Harbourfront. The vessel has two carpeted decks, and 80 percent of the boat can be enclosed during inclement weather. (539 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 506, 416.525.8881)

ANGUS YACHTS OF TORONTO

HARLEQUIN CRUISES

This local company rents both skippered and bareboat yachts in Toronto Harbour and Georgian Bay. Angus Yachts’ lineup of charter boats ranges from a six-person 33-footer to a 46-foot Hunter that can carry 12 passengers.

(1 Port St. East, Mississauga, 905.274.2968)

Designed to resemble a Mississippi riverboat, Harlequin’s River Gambler is a double-decker craft that holds groups as large as 500. For seated affairs, the upper deck accommodates 120 and the lower deck seats 160. (1 Yonge St., Suite 104, 416.364.6999)

CRUISE TORONTO INC.

JUBILEE QUEEN CRUISES

Obsession III, one of four boats provided by Cruise Toronto, is a double-decker motor yacht with a large dance floor.

The 78-foot vessel holds 190, and the main dining area seats 120. (249 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 111, 416.260.6355)

The Jubilee Queen accommodates groups as large as 220 and features a sundeck and two dance floors. The vessel includes a full kitchen with a chef. (249 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 109, 416.203.7245)

EMPRESS OF CANADA

KLANCY’S YACHT CHARTERS

The Empress of Canada has been offering group tours of Toronto Harbour since 1989. This 116-foot luxury cruise ship features a grand promenade deck and holds groups as large as 550. (260 Queen’s Quay West, 416.260.5665)

A 66-foot luxury yacht with a guest capacity of 100, this steel-bodied vessel has a deck that can be enclosed in inclement weather. Klancy II is available for events from May to December. (151 Queen’s Quay East, 416.866.8489)

The larger of this company’s two cruise vessels, the 175-passenger Pioneer Queen, is a motor yacht with a granite-topped 20-foot oak-paneled bar, sofas and arm chairs, and a canopied dance floor. The Pioneer Princess is a Mississippi-style paddle wheeler powered by twin diesels, with a renovated top deck and space for 150. (151 Queen’s Quay East, 416.391.1888)

GREAT LAKES SCHOONER COMPANY

MARIPOSA CRUISES

YANKEE LADY YACHT CHARTERS

This company offers traditional schooners, luxury motor yachts, and historic paddle wheelers. The fleet’s marquee vessel is the three-masted schooner Kajama, which holds 225 guests and has a 1,006-square-foot skylit dining room.

(249 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 111, 416.260.6355)

With seven cruise ships docked at Queen’s Quay Terminal, this local company accommodates 20 to 600 passengers.

The Captain Matthew Flinders, the company’s flagship, stretches 144 feet and holds 600. (207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 425, 416.203.0178)

This family-owned company has been operating charters on Toronto Harbour for more than 25 years. Its two 115-foot vessels are the Yankee Lady III and Yankee Lady IV, which each hold 300. Private charters last for five hours.

(261 Queen’s Quay East, 416.868.0000)

NAUTICAL ADVENTURES

Nautical docks its two charter boats a short distance from one another in Toronto’s Harbourfront. The Empire Sandy, a 200-foot authentic tall ship, seats 180 and holds 275 for receptions. The 92-foot Wayward Princess holds 249 for seated events and 325 for receptions. (600 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 103, 416.364.3244) PIONEER CRUISES

bizbash.com summer 2010 59

Toronto Venue Directory

Conference & Convention Centres CONFERENCE CENTRES THE ADVOCATES’ SOCIETY EDUCATION CENTRE

This 2,500-square-foot space can be booked as one full room that seats 150 or divided with soundproof walls to create three classrooms. A 10-person boardroom is also available. The venue is equipped with wireless Internet, projection screens, LCD projectors, and CD/DVD players.

(1700–480 University Ave., 416.597.0243) NEW ALLSTREAM CENTRE

This conference and convention centre opened at Exhibition Place in October 2009. The venue, in the former Automotive Building, has a 43,900-square-foot divisible ballroom, 20 meeting rooms, and 40,000 square feet of prefunction space. Cerise Fine Catering handles the food and beverage on site. (105 Princes’ Blvd, Exhibition Place, Toronto 416.263.3000) ATRIUM CONFERENCE CENTRE

Atrium offers audiovisual facilities, a kitchen, and meeting spaces filled with natural light. Three rooms seat 140 to 250. For lunch, one of the rooms converts to a restaurant that serves entrées like pizza, pasta, and salads Monday through Friday. (5420 North Service Road, Burlington, 905.319.0499) BMO INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING

The largest meeting space in this multifaceted venue is a 5,000-square-foot room that seats 450 theatre-style.

There are also 12 classrooms, each with seating for 48, and a handful of small breakout rooms. A large atrium is available for receptions. (3550 Pharmacy Ave., Scarborough, 416.490.4494) BRIARS RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

This resort is set on the south shore of Lake Simcoe. The 200-acre property features an 18-hole golf course and a spa. The largest event space seats 120 for banquets and 160 in a theatre setup. Twelve corporate meeting rooms are available for as many as 90. (55 Hedge Road, RR1, Jackson’s Point, 416.493.2173) CANADIAN BROADCASTING CENTRE

This 525,000-square-foot broadcasting complex houses the CBC’s English-language radio and television networks and includes the soaring 10-floor Barbara Frum Atrium.

The conference facility’s main boardroom holds 150, while breakout rooms hold 30 to 40. (250 Front St. West, 416.205.8782) CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND5

The newly renovated C.N.I.B. features a 6,300-square-foot conference room that seats 280, holds 650 for receptions, and can be divided into three sections. Other facilities include six breakout rooms, a café, and a garden. All the rooms have audiovisual capabilities. (1929 Bayview Ave., 416.486.2500) CENTENNIAL COLLEGE RESIDENCE AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

This college’s 14 meeting facilities include two ballrooms, one with seating for 320, and an atrium that holds 350 for receptions. Smaller meeting spaces include the Carmelite, which seats 80, and a 40-seat boardroom. (940 Progress Ave., 416.438.2216) DIRECT ENERGY CENTRE

The Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place offers one million square feet of event space spread across nine halls. The largest space, the Automotive Building, was recently renovated. Another highlight is the 8,300-seat Ricoh Coliseum. (100 Princes Blvd., Exhibition Place, 416.263.3026) EXHIBITION PLACE

This city-owned, 192-acre property is home to the annual Canadian National Exhibition and contains historic buildings such as the Direct Energy Centre and the Better Living Centre. The Allstream Centre, a new conference facility, opened in October 2009. (Lake Shore Blvd. West, 416.263.3001) GARDEN BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

This 25,000-square-foot convention centre offers three ballrooms and two conference rooms. The ballrooms can hold 800 combined, and the adjoining foyer is a 3,600square-foot neoclassical space with 17-foot ceilings and a large, old-fashioned staircase. Two boardrooms seat 16 and 90. (8 Clipper Court, Brampton, 905.450.8000) HART HOUSE, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO5

Hart House’s 4,370-square-foot great hall features soaring stained-glass ceilings and a marble floor. There are 11 other rooms and a theatre available, including the Debates Room, which holds 180. The outdoor quadrangle is open from April to October. (7 Hart House Cir., 416.978.2449) HUMBER COLLEGE CONFERENCE SERVICES

This college offers a variety of banquet spaces and lecture theatres for rent, including a banquet room that seats 240, multimedia lecture theatres for 320 in tiered seating, and boardrooms and classrooms for as many as 150. The college offers on-site catering and media services, as well as two-bedroom suites for accommodations. (203 Humber College Blvd., 416.675.5027) IVEY ING LEADERSHIP CENTRE

This facility has 12 meeting rooms, including two tiered amphitheatre classrooms, each with seating for 65. Nine

60 bizbash.com summer 2010

breakout boardrooms can accommodate eight people each, while the lobby holds 100 for receptions. (130 King St. West, 416.304.1059)

TORONTO BOARD OF TRADE

In business for 21 years, this downtown Toronto facility offers a roster of 80 rooms for corporate functions. The rooms range from 125 to 1,000 square feet, with seating capacities of four to 130. (390 Bay St., 3rd and 4th floors, 416.368.5856)

This modern meeting centre in Toronto’s financial district offers more than 30,000 square feet of newly renovated space suitable for corporate meetings, gala dinners, and social gatherings. This venue includes 12 function spaces, ranging from the Harvest House Inspiration Centre, which seats seven, to a spacious ballroom that seats 250 for banquets or holds 400 for receptions. (1 First Canadian Place, Adelaide St. Entrance, 416.366.6811)

KINGBRIDGE CONFERENCE CENTRE

TSX BROADCAST CENTRE

Originally designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, Kingbridge is on 114 acres of land adjacent to the East Humber River. It has 200,000 square feet of conference space and 43 meeting rooms. The largest space is a 310-seat auditorium; other spaces include a ballroom that holds 250, a 38-seat theatre, and a 200-seat main dining room. (12750 Jane St., King City, 905.833.3086)

Business journalists from CBC, Global, CTV, and BNN TV broadcast from this facility, which also features two event spaces: a 900-square-foot gallery seats 100 theatre-style or 80 in the round and holds 200 for receptions; a studio accommodates small press conferences. (130 King St. West, 416.947.4488)

LE JARDIN CONFERENCE & EVENT CENTRE5

CONVENTION CENTRES

Among the 38,000 square feet of event space at this conference centre is a Victorian-style banquet hall that holds 2,000 and features large private foyers, an abundance of natural light, 30-foot ceilings, and a courtyard.

There are also four meeting rooms, the largest of which seats 1,000 or holds 1,300 for receptions. (8440 Hwy. 27, Woodbridge, 905.851.2200)

BURLINGTON CONVENTION CENTRE

LE PARC CONFERENCE AND BANQUET CENTRES

EUROPA CONVENTION CENTRE

The largest banquet space at this meeting complex comprises nearly 15,000 square feet and holds 1,000 guests. Two smaller rooms hold 100 to 500, and reception areas provide additional space. (8432 Leslie St., Thornhill, 416.798.7246)

High ceilings, chandeliers, and elegant woodwork highlight this meeting facility. The venue has a ballroom with a dance floor and seating for 320 guests. (7050 Bramalea Road, Mississauga, 905.677.9100)

LIUNA STATION

Forty-five minutes outside Toronto, this three-floor lakeside convention centre offers 19 meeting rooms and 40,000 square feet of floor space. Additional facilities include the 2,191-seat Hamilton Place Theatre. (1 Summers Lane, Hamilton, 905.546.3100)

JPR MEETING ROOMS

The largest event space in this stately venue is the Grand Central Ballroom, which holds 700 guests. A smaller ballroom seats 150, while the lobby holds 425 in an ornate space featuring Art Deco statues and paintings, Italian marble floors, and decorative ceilings. The complex also includes a boardroom with seating for 40, and catering is available. (360 James St. North, Hamilton, 905.525.2410) MARS COLLABORATION CENTRE5

Event spaces at this 15,000-square-foot multipurpose conference facility range from small boardrooms to a 380-seat auditorium and a 500-seat atrium. The audiovisual system includes ceiling-mounted LCD projectors and plasma screens. A small patio is also available. (101 College St., 416.673.8100) OAKVILLE CONFERENCE AND BANQUET CENTRE5

This 34,000-square-foot facility has seven banquet and conference rooms, all soundproofed and equipped with modern audiovisual equipment. The largest space seats 1,000. The grounds feature a garden, a patio, and a gazebo.

(2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, 905.618.7510) ONTARIO BAR ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE CENTRE

This flexible second-floor facility offers gathering spaces ranging from eight-seat boardrooms to a 280-seat meeting room, as well as a technology room for teleconferences that holds 22. The audiovisual system includes projectors, screens, and a wireless microphone. (200-20 Toronto St., 416.869.1047) PARAMOUNT CONFERENCE & EVENT VENUE

This 63,000-square-foot event facility has five function rooms, each with a separate entrance and foyer. The venue accommodates groups as large as 1,650, and free parking for 600 vehicles is available. (222 Rowntree Dairy Road, Woodbridge, 905.326.3000) REGUS BUSINESS CENTRES CANADA

The Regus company operates more than 950 business centres in 400 cities around the world. The Brookfield Place facility includes one 40-seat room, two 16-seat rooms, two eight-seat rooms, and a lounge for four. A café sells coffee, tea, and snacks. (TD Canada Trust Tower, 161 Bay St., 27th Floor, 416.572.2200) RYERSON UNIVERSITY

This downtown university campus offers a host of meeting spaces, ranging from small classroom-size rooms to the 1,250-seat Ryerson Theatre. Several lecture halls with seating capacities from 200 to nearly 500 are available only on weekends during the academic year. (350 Victoria St., 416.979.5009) ST. ANDREW’S CLUB & CONFERENCE CENTRE

This venue offers 16 meeting rooms, several of which combine to form larger spaces. The rooms can seat as many as 180 theatre-style, hold as many as 300 for receptions, or host dinners for groups of six or more. Several rooms offer southern views of Lake Ontario. Decor features include high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. (150 King St. West, 416.366.4228) SUPREME BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

This contemporary meeting facility, which opened in 2007, contains three soundproofed banquet halls that can be linked to form a single large space with a seating capacity of 900. A fourth room seats 30 or holds 70 for receptions. (8311 Weston Road, Woodbridge, 905.850.2121)

This facility offers 20,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, all of which is equipped with wireless Internet access. The grand ballroom, which is divisible into three separate rooms, seats 910, and two smaller rooms are also available. Burlington provides 680 free parking spots.

(1120 Burloak Drive, Burlington, 905.319.0319)

HAMILTON CONVENTION CENTRE

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

The International Centre opened a new conference centre in September 2008, adding 48,000 square feet to the airport strip facility. New additions include a 17,000-square-foot ballroom, multiple meeting rooms, a high-tech kitchen, and LCD reader boards outside each room. The centre also offers full-service catering from executive chef Joe Levesque. (6900 Airport Road, Mississaugua, 905.677.6131) LA PRIMAVERA HOSPITALITY AND CONVENTION CENTRE5

La Primavera offers five meeting rooms that seat 70 to 200.

The rooms can be combined to form one large space that seats more than 1,000. Additional space is available in the glass-enclosed lobbies and the garden. (77 Woodstream Blvd., Vaughan, 905.265.8100) LE TREPORT WEDDING & CONVENTION CENTRE5

This facility offers four event spaces with a total seating capacity of 1,000. Ammenities include a chapel, a patio, and a catering staff that specializes in Italian, Portuguese, and Continental cuisine. (1075 Queensway East, Mississauga, 905.276.7729) METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE

M.T.C.C. offers 600,000 square feet of event space, including 64 meeting rooms, a 1,330-seat theatre, seven halls, and two ballrooms. The venue, which is walking distance from Toronto’s business district, can host as many as 40,000 guests. (255 Front St. West, 416.585.8000) MISSISSAUGA CONVENTION CENTRE5

This facility offers 30,000 square feet of meeting space and a large patio for receptions. The main hall can be divided into six rooms, the largest of which seats 2,080.

Direct-entry loading docks and pillar-free construction ease the setup of exhibit-heavy conventions. (75 Derry Road West, Mississauga, 905.564.1920) PEARSON CONVENTION CENTRE5

This centre blends classic and contemporary design with columns, high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and fireplaces.

Six function rooms seat 284 to 350. The rooms can combine to form a single event space that seats 1,880 or holds 2,360 for receptions. Two ground-level terraces each hold 250.

(2638 Steeles Ave. East, 905.494.0444) RED ROSE CONVENTION CENTRE

This Mississauga facility offers more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space and features a spacious 1,200-seat ballroom. For smaller events, the Champlain Room holds groups of 250. Design and decor highlights include 25-foot ceilings, chandeliers, and an open-concept lobby. (1233 Derry Road East, Mississauga, 905.565.6650) TORONTO CONGRESS CENTRE5

This convention centre has 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, split into 33 rooms. A ballroom, several lobbies, and a courtyard are also available for events. A recent expansion several green features, such Our comprehensive, incorporated as recycled building materials and thermalsearchable directory glazed windows. Executive chef Martin Buehner oversees food and beverage. (650 of event spaces Dixon Road, 416.245.5000)

ON BIZBASH.COM

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Entertainment & Performance Spaces COMEDY CLUB SECOND CITY

FOUR SEASONS CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

This theatre is lined with resonant wood and plaster. The five-tier auditorium, R. Fraser Elliott Hall, holds 2,144, while City Room holds 1,000. Smaller spaces include the Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge, which holds 245, and a 150-seat amphitheatre. (145 Queen St. West, 416.342.5233) GLENN GOULD STUDIO

Part of the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, this 341-seat studio is built in the classic shoe-box concert-hall design.

The lobby holds 322. (250 Front St. West, 416.205.5000) GRAND THEATRE

The Grand’s auditorium is an 839-seat proscenium theatre.

There is a secondary 150-seat studio space. Other spaces include Poster Lounge, which holds 300. Legend has it the ghost of its founder, Ambrose Small, haunts the 109-yearold theatre. (471 Richmond St., London, 519.672.9030)

The Toronto home of the venerable Chicago-based comedy troupe has two spaces. The 2,200-square-foot main floor seats 200, and the 900-square-foot balcony seats 100. (51 Mercer St., 416.343.0033)

BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE

MUSIC CLUBS

CAPITOL EVENT THEATRE

ALLEYCATZ

Built in 1918, this venue combines period architecture with sophisticated modern amenities. There are two customcrafted mahogany bars. The Capitol seats 322 or holds 630 for receptions. (2492 Yonge St., 416.322.3322)

The centrepiece of Hamilton Place is the great hall, a 2,180seat auditorium The studio, a secondary theatre, holds 350, with 75 seats in the balcony. Hamilton Place is part of Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities. (1 Summer Lane, Hamilton, 905.546.3100)

DIESEL PLAYHOUSE

LIVING ARTS CENTRE MISSISSAUGA

This theatre houses two performance spaces. The larger seats 400, while the smaller holds 115. The lobby holds 350 for receptions. The facility offers concession stand service, bar service, and catering. (56 Blue Jays Way, 416.971.5973)

This 210,000-square-foot multiuse facility has 14 event spaces, including Hammerson Hall, which seats 1,315. The atrium is available for receptions; it features a stainedglass window wall and a staircase climbing to the third floor. (4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga, 905.306.6015)

This uptown jazz and swing club serves Mediterranean fusion cuisine in a 170-seat dining room featuring darkred-stained oak and textured brick walls. The solarium seats 50 people, and live music can be provided for private events. (2409 Yonge St., 416.949.4163) HUGH’S ROOM

This space resembles a classic nightclub and offers dinner followed by performances from local, national, and international artists. The venue has tiered seating for 200, including a balcony, and a dance floor can be put down for events. (2261 Dundas St. West, 416.531.6604)

This is North America’s largest gay and lesbian theatre company. It was founded in 1978 by two York University students, Sky Gilbert and Matt Walsh. The 22,000-squarefoot theatre seats 550. (12 Alexander St., 416.975.9130)

ELGIN & WINTER GARDEN THEATRE CENTRE

HAMILTON PLACE THEATRE

The Elgin and Winter Garden theatres are stacked, with the 1,561-seat Elgin on the bottom and the 992-seat Winter Garden on the top. The facility has a stunning lobby with mirrored walls and marble pillars. The space holds 800 for receptions. (189 Yonge St., 416.314.2901)

MARKHAM THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

THE ENWAVE THEATRE

MASSEY HALL

SCREENING ROOMS

This contemporary space with industrial finishes offers a variety of seating configurations, including a 350-seat proscenium setup and a 422-seat in-the-round arrangement. (231 Queens Quay West, 416.973.4956)

The Corporation of Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall operates this theatre. The space seats 2,753 people, Centuries Bar & Lounge seats 100, and Balcony Lounge holds 40. (178 Victoria St., 416.593.4822)

AMC YONGE & DUNDAS 24

FACTORY THEATRE5

MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT

This 24-screen megaplex offers 12 theatres for meetings or receptions of as many as 450. Guests sit in plush tiered seating, view multimedia presentations on a wall-to-wall screen, and snack on popcorn and other movie-house goodies. (10 Dundas St. East, 416.977.2262)

This community theatre’s studio theatre seats 100, the rehearsal hall holds 75, the Mainspace theatre seats 200, and the recently renovated Mainspace lounge holds 75. A courtyard holds 100. (125 Bathurst St., 416.504.4473)

This 1,400-seat dinner theatre features mock duels fought on horseback by knights in armour. Function spaces include the 8,000-square-foot Hall of Arms and the 3,000-squarefoot Knight Club. (10 Dufferin St., 416.260.1170)

FAMOUS PEOPLE PLAYERS

MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE5

OPENING SOON THE BELL LIGHTBOX

Started in 1974, Famous People Players is a dinner theatre where the performers also cook the meals and serve them

This semi-enclosed facility features seating for 9,000 in a pavilion and lawn seating for an additional 7,000. Private

TATTOO ROCK PARLOUR

This restaurant, concert venue, and tattoo parlour is a collaboration between Ink’s Charles Khabouth and Nick Di Donato of the Liberty Entertainment Group.

Tattoo’s main floor holds 300. The lower level holds 140.

(567 Queen St. West, 416.703.5488)

Slated for completion in September 2010, this fivestorey podium building will house five cinemas with over 1,300 seats, three galleries, three learning studios, and two restaurants. (330 King St. West, 416.934.3288) CAMERA

This venue has a bar in the front and a digital screening room with stadium seating for 50 in the back. The facility, which holds 95, connects to the Stephen Bulger Gallery next door. The two venues can be combined to hold 140. (1028 Queen St. West, 416.530.0011) CANADIAN FILM CENTRE5

Founded by filmmaker Norman Jewison, this flexible facility hosts groups as large as 52 in its screening room and 30 in the greenroom. A partly covered terrace seats 60 or holds 225 for receptions. The centre lawn holds 500. (2489 Bayview Ave., 416.445.1446) CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT THEATRES

Cineplex Entertainment owns and operates 18 movie theatres that seat groups of as many as 550 people. For larger events, more than one theatre can be used, either in the same complex or in two or more complexes across the city. (1303 Yonge St., 800.313.4461) SCOTIABANK TORONTO THEATRE

Formerly known as Paramount Toronto, this theatre complex, owned by Cineplex Entertainment, has 15 auditoriums with seating capacities ranging from 134 to 500. Vivid Lounge and the club room each hold 100 for receptions. (259 Richmond St. West, 416.368.5600) SILVERCITY FAIRVIEW MALL CINEMAS

The nine-screen SilverCity Fairview Mall Cinemas opened in 2008. Digital electronic signage is located throughout the 54,000-square-foot venue. The theatre also features a lounge with an appetizer menu and a small private screening room and reception area that holds 10. (1800 Sheppard Ave. East, 416.644.7746) SILVERCITY OAKVILLE CINEMAS

This 45,000-square-foot complex has 12 auditoriums with 2,300 seats. Three auditoriums with leather seating are designated as V.I.P. theatres. The complex also includes a BackLot, which has two party rooms with space for 90, a game room, two lounges, and six lanes of 10-pin bowling. (3531 Wyecroft Road, 905.827.7173)

THEATRES & PERFORMANCE SPACES BERKELEY STREET THEATRE

This Victorian venue, built in 1887, features two theatres, two lobbies, and a rehearsal hall. The upstairs theatre seats 167 while the downstairs theatre seats 243, including balcony seats. (26 Berkeley St., 416.367.8243) PHOTOS: TK

stage, a grand piano, and sound and video equipment. The capacity is 48. (193 Baldwin St., 416.792.7040)

to the patrons. There is a Memory Lane entryway that displays pictures of past performers. The theatre seats 180.

(110 Sudbury St., 416.532.1137)

BREAD & CIRCUS

Housed on one of Kensington Market’s main drags, this small theatre caters to stage productions, concerts, art exhibits, and parties. The venue features a 14-foot wide

Markham Theatre is a modern facility with four rooms.

The theatre seats 530 people and has a 3,000-square-foot stage. The rehearsal hall holds 270. Parking is free. (171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, 905.415.7537)

FOR THE

ARTS Entertainment & Performance Spaces spaces with seating for 50 to 220 are also available.

(909 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.260.5600) THE MUSIC HALL

The Music Hall originally opened in 1919. The main theatre now has larger, more comfortable seating for 1,092 people. The main foyer has a liquor and confection bar, while the V.I.P. lounge has secondary bar service. (147 Danforth Ave., 416.778.8163) MYSTERIOUSLY YOURS DINNER THEATRE

This mystery dinner theatre company will customize a script for an event, incorporating information about a company or host. The tiered venue seats 200.

(2026 Yonge St., 416.486.7469) OPERA HOUSE CONCERT VENUE

The 12,000-square-foot Opera House was built in 1905. Its 250-seat balcony provides great views of the stage, which has a 35-foot proscenium arch. The venue holds 600. (735 Queen St. East, 416.466.0313) PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE

There are three rooms available in this 18,000-squarefoot space. A large mirror ball hangs over the main room, where the 600-square-foot stage stands. Five bars line the area. The 100-seat Le Loft overlooks the dance floor. (410 Sherbourne St., 416.323.1251) PREMIERE DANCE THEATRE

Premiere Dance Theatre occupies the third floor of the Queen’s Quay Terminal building. The traditional space features a proscenium stage and raked seating for 450 guests. (207 Queens Quay West, 416.973.4956) QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE

On the grounds of Exhibition Place next to BMO Field, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is one of the city’s newest live concert venues. The 50-year-old theatre was renovated and opened in 2008. It seats 1,250 for concerts. (109 Princes Blvd., 416.263.3293) RICHMOND HILL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

This 43,000-square-foot performing arts facility has a 300-seat theatre, a suite that holds 270 for receptions, a lounge with space for 70, and a courtyard that holds over 450. The foyer and lobbies can hold 600. (10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, 905.787.8471) ROSE THEATRE BRAMPTON5

The facility features two live-performance venues.

The main hall seats 850, and the secondary hall holds 200. Additional spaces include the atrium, which holds 300, and the garden square, which holds 1,000.

(1 Theatre Lane, Brampton, 905.874.2844) ROY THOMSON HALL5

This 25-year-old concert facility features a distinctive curvilinear honeycombed glass canopy. The complex has several spaces for rent, including a 2,630-seat auditorium and lobbies that hold 1,500 for receptions. (60 Simcoe St., 416.593.4822) SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS5

This venue offers several multifunctional spaces.

The theatre includes a 60-foot proscenium and seats 3,000. The mezzanine and lobby combine to hold as many as 1,500, while the lower lobby holds 1,000.

The west terrace is available seasonally, with a tent option that seats 330. (1 Front St. East, 416.338.8853) STAGE WEST

The largest space in this all-suite hotel complex is a 600-seat stage theatre. The main ballroom, the Algonquin, holds 350 for receptions. The facility also has 13 boardrooms that seat groups of as many as 130.

(5400 Dixie Road, Mississauga, 905.282.8208) ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

St. LAWRENCE CENTRE

FOR THE

ARTS

Since opening in 1970, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts has been a focal point for the performing arts in Canada. The facility’s Bluma Appel Theatre seats 874. The Jane Mallett Theatre seats 497. The theatre lobbies and rehearsal hall are available for meetings and receptions. (27 Front St. East, 416.366.1656) NEW TELUS CENTRE FOR PERFORMANCE & LEARNING

Intimate, interactive meetings and seminars, Impressive large scale product launches & performances, Versatile venues and bright, modern lobbies, Central downtown location

For more information email yourevent@stlc.com or call 416-366-1656 ext 260

The extension to the Royal Conservatory of Music opened in October 2009. The centre includes music studios, wired classrooms, a library, the Conservatory Theatre rehearsal hall, which holds 200, and the 1,120-seat Koerner Hall. Mazzoleni Hall has permanent theater seating for 237. Meeting rooms and workshop spaces can hold groups of 12 to 69 people.

(273 Bloor St. West, 416.408.2824) TORONTO CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

This facility has three performance spaces: The main stage theatre seats 1,727, the George Weston Recital Hall seats 1,036, and the studio theatre seats 200.

Several smaller spaces are available for receptions.

(5040 Yonge St., 416.733.9388) YOUNG CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

This 45,000-square-foot facility features a combination of heritage and contemporary architecture.

It contains four performance spaces with seating capacities that range from 60 to 425, two teaching classrooms, and four rehearsal studios. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 49, 416.866.8666)

Golf Courses & Clubs

MANDARIN GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB5

The banquet hall here seats 200 guests, while the smaller V.I.P. meeting room seats 70, and a marquee with a dance floor seats 200. A separate dining room seats as many as 120 guests. (11207 Kennedy Road, Markham, 905.887.9887) MAPLE DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB5

ANGUS GLEN GOLF CLUB AND CONFERENCE CENTRE5

Named after the black Aberdeen Angus cattle that once occupied the land, this course has six function rooms in the clubhouse, the largest of which holds 400. A marquee and terrace are also available. (10080 Kennedy Road, Markham, 905.887.0090) BAYVIEW GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

The main event space at this club seats 300. A smaller meeting room holds 60 for receptions. Score magazine ranked the golf course among the top 100 in the country.

(25 Fairway Heights Drive, Thornhill, 905.889.4833) BRAEBEN GOLF COURSE5

Designed by architect Ted Baker and built atop a former landfill, this public 18-hole championship golf course’s clubhouse has a 200-seat dining room. A meeting room holds 20 and a patio seats 50. (5700 Terry Fox Way, Mississauga, 905.615.4653) BUSHWOOD COUNTRY CLUB5

Bushwood’s clubhouse banquet hall seats 120 and includes an adjacent patio. A marquee is available for larger groups in the summer months and holds 150. (10905 Reesor Road, Markham, 905.640.1233 ext. 29) CEDAR BRAE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

In the Rouge River Valley, this club has an 18-hole, par-71 course. The clubhouse includes a 250-seat ballroom and a 40-seat balcony dining space overlooking a garden. The club’s two kitchens provide in-house catering. (55 Mac Frost Way, Scarborough, 416.293.4161) CHERRY DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Cherry Downs has fairways and greens known for their speed and undulation. The clubhouse banquet hall seats 125 with a dance floor and 160 without; a game room seats 30. (2110 Concession #7, Pickering, 905.649.5991) COPPER CREEK GOLF CLUB

This Doug Carrick-designed public course is in the Humber River Valley. The 40,000-square-foot clubhouse has a ballroom that seats 480 or holds 780 for receptions and offers a view of the valley. (11191 Hwy. 27, Kleinburg, 905.893.3370 ext.202) CREDIT VALLEY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB5

Floor-to-ceiling windows in the clubhouse of this golf course provide an unfettered view. The banquet room seats 200, and a 100-seat patio is also available. Two additional meeting rooms seat 40. (2500 Old Carriage Road, Mississauga, 905.275.2505) DEER CREEK GOLF COURSE

This club includes a 50,000-square-foot banquet facility

Hotels

that holds 1,200. The clubhouse features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking lush grounds. The main hall seats 650 or holds 1,100 for receptions. (2700 Audley Road North, Ajax, 866.661.6617)

This private 18-hole course’s clubhouse dining room seats 250 guests. For more intimate events, the library holds 60, while the patio accommodates 40 and the boardroom seats 30. (11101 Dufferin St., Maple, 905.832.0880)

EAGLE RIDGE GOLF COURSE5

MARKHAM GREEN GOLF CLUB5

Open since 1957, this 18-hole golf course’s clubhouse banquet hall seats 150 guests or holds 170 for receptions. A patio holds 80, and the entire course is available for 144-player tournaments. (11742 Tenth Line, R.R. 4, Georgetown, 905.877.8468)

Markham Green is a nine-hole course set in the Rouge River Valley. Six of the holes require shots over the river.

The clubhouse seats 80, and an adjoining patio seats 40.

(120 Rouge Bank Drive, Markham, 905.294.6156)

EAGLES NEST GOLF CLUB5

Founded in 1906, this private facility has golf, curling, and tennis. The clubhouse has an oak-decorated dining room with seating for 120 guests. Other meeting spaces include the 130-seat Tudor Room and a patio. (1725 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, 905.278.4857)

This golf club’s main banquet facility, the great hall, holds 300 guests and features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a terrace. The Nest, a smaller meeting room that doubles as a dining room, seats 60, while a boardroom seats 12. (10000 Dufferin St., Maple, 905.653.2006) EMERALD HILLS GOLF CLUB

The bilevel clubhouse at this 18-hole golf course offers three function spaces. A ground-level room holds 200, and two meeting rooms upstairs seat 10 and 60. (14001 Concession #5, Stouffville, 905.888.1100) GLEN ABBEY GOLF CLUB5

This 18-hole par-73 public course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. It offers two event spaces: the 230-seat banquet hall and the 80-seat dining room. Two more meeting rooms seat 40 and 100. An outdoor tented area seats 200.

(1333 Dorval Drive, Oakville, 905.844.1800 ext. 236) HUMBER VALLEY GOLF COURSE5

This 18-hole par-70 5,446-yard course is owned by the City of Toronto. The clubhouse has a banquet hall with seating for 80, and a patio seats 30. (40 Beattie Ave., 416.397.9850)

RICHMOND HILL GOLF CLUB5

This course is known for its narrow fairways with thick forest belts on either side. The clubhouse has a 200-seat banquet room. A patio holds 40, and a tented outdoor area seats 100. (8755 Bathurst St., Richmond Hill, 905.889.4653) ROYAL WOODBINE GOLF CLUB5

Water comes into play on each of the 18 holes at this 6,446-yard golf course. A 25,000-square-foot clubhouse, open year-round, has a dining room that seats 120. An adjoining lounge holds 20, while a separate meeting room accommodates 25. (195 Galaxy Blvd., 416.674.4653) SILVER LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB5

LADIES’ GOLF CLUB OF TORONTO5

SUMMIT GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Founded in 1924 by golfer Ada Mackenzie, this club features a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse. The indoor space holds 120 guests, while the covered terrace seats 100. (7859 Yonge St., Thornhill, 905.889.3531)

This private 18-hole course was founded in 1912. The clubhouse has five event spaces, including a banquet room that seats 120 and a piano lounge that holds 80 for receptions. (11901 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, 905.884.8189)

LIONHEAD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB5

THORNHILL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Two 18-hole courses at this club cover 520 acres. The largest meeting room seats 400 guests. Other meeting spaces include an executive boardroom, two new function spaces, and a terrace with a patio. (8525 Mississauga Road, Brampton, 905.455.8400)

Famed architect Stanley Thompson designed this challenging course. The clubhouse has several meeting rooms, including Hawthorne Dining Room, which seats 220 or holds 250 for receptions. There is also a 22-seat boardroom.

(7994 Yonge St., Thornhill, 905.881.3000)

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TORONTO, MARKHAM

This six-storey hotel has two meeting rooms, the larger of which seats 50 guests. Both rooms are equipped with an audiovisual setup that includes LCD projectors. (65 Minthorn Blvd., Markham, 905.707.6533) COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TORONTO, VAUGHAN

This Courtyard by Marriott location has a meeting room with seating for 55, theatre-style. The hospitality suite holds 35. The audiovisual system includes an LCD projector. (150 Interchange Way, Vaughan, 905.660.9938)

BEST WESTERN PRIMROSE HOTEL

The Commonwealth Ballroom at this resort hotel holds 900 guests and features 28-foot ceilings and a permanent stage. Altogether, the Crowne Plaza has 16,000 square feet of meeting space. For informal gatherings, the poolside patio seats 50. (1250 Eglinton Ave. East, 416.449.4111)

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL TORONTO DON VALLEY5

DELTA CHELSEA HOTEL

This hotel has four event spaces, ranging from 650 to 2,450 square feet. The smallest room holds 20 guests, while the largest accommodates 200. Also on site: the Garden Café and Monika’s Bar. (65 Dundas St. East, 416.362.6061)

This 27-storey Delta hotel is centrally located at the corner of Bay and Gerrardstreets. The property includes six restaurants and lounges. Churchill Ballroom, the largest of the meeting spaces, seats 420 guests for banquets or holds 550 for receptions. (33 Gerrard St. West, 416.595.1975)

CAMBRIDGE SUITES HOTEL

DELTA MEADOWVALE RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTRE5

This 20-storey hotel is in the downtown financial district, steps from the Eaton Centre. The property’s 3,200-squarefoot event facility features a ballroom that holds 750 for receptions. (15 Richmond St. East, 416.368.1990)

This hotel has more than 40,000 square feet of function space. The meeting rooms have seating capacities ranging from 40 to 900. Splashes, a heated outdoor bar next to the pool, accommodates 45. Regatta Bar has 10 TVs and seats 129. (6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, 905.821.1981)

CASABLANCA WINERY INN

This 36-hole course is in Rouge Valley. The clubhouse features a 200-seat banquet hall and a patio with seating for 50. (6400 Steeles Ave. East, Markham, 416.293.2833)

This 18-hole par-72 course is on 200 acres in the lush Holland Landing area. A ranch-style clubhouse accommodates 200 guests and provides a view of the finishing holes. A patio seats 70. (21114 Yonge St., R.R.1, Newmarket, 905.836.8070)

This inn offers an Old-World atmosphere with modern meeting facilities. The Ancaster’s seven event spaces accommodate between 32 and 225 guests, and include an audiovisual system with a projection screen and a 28-inch TV. (548 Old Dundas Road, Ancaster, 905.648.1827)

BOND PLACE HOTEL

REMINGTON PARKVIEW GOLF CLUB5

This 18-hole par-72 golf course features tree-lined fairways designed by Stanley Thompson. Events are held in a clubhouse. The banquet room accommodates 180 guests, and a smaller room holds 50. (45 Riverbank Drive, 416.231.1114)

ISLINGTON GOLF CLUB

ANCASTER OLD MILL

More than 8,000 square feet of meeting space at this 340-room hotel includes the Pearson Banquet Hall, which holds 280 guests. The Starlight Room holds 140 guests and provides a panoramic view of Toronto’s downtown. (111 Carlton St., 416.977.8000)

MISSISSAUGA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB5

This boutique inn overlooks Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. The venue has 9,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, including a 400-seat ballroom, boardrooms, and a hospitality room with a bar. (4 Windward Drive, Grimsby, 905.309.7171)

DELTA TORONTO EAST

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN TORONTO

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON—TORONTO AIRPORT

Within walking distance of the Eaton Centre and Royal Ontario Museum, this 17-floor hotel has a variety of meeting spaces. The largest room, Courtyard Hall, holds 450 for receptions. (475 Yonge St., 416.924.0611)

This hotel has 21 meeting rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting space. Plaza Ballroom, with seating for 1,700, is the largest event room. A second large space seats 900 and holds 1,150 for receptions. (655 Dixon Road, 416.244.1711)

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TORONTO AIRPORT

DRAKE HOTEL5

This hotel has a 7,000-square-foot ballroom that seats 600 or holds 820 for receptions. Several other meeting rooms are available with seating capacities ranging from 10 to 360. (231 Carlingview Drive, 416.675.0411)

Built in 1890 as a railway hostel, the Drake was refurbished in the early 2000s. Sky Yard patio is a partially covered rooftop space that holds 150. The dining room seats 70, while the Underground, a basement entertain-

This 371-room Delta hotel has 26 meeting rooms spread across 22,000 square feet. The largest function space, the Toronto, is a banquet hall that seats 760. (2035 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, 416.299.1500)

ment space, holds 150. The Drake added the Taco + Tequila Shack in May 2009. (1150 Queen St. West, 416.531.5042) FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK HOTEL5

The 1,365-room Fairmont Royal York has an enormous lobby with decorated ceiling and crystal chandeliers. The Canadian Room, which holds 1,670 for receptions, is one of 35 event spaces. (100 Front St. West, 416.368.2511) FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON TORONTO LAKESHORE5

This five-storey hotel has five meeting rooms with seating capacities ranging from 10 to 200. The 2,062-squarefoot Super Ballroom on the fifth floor offers a panoramic view of Lake Ontario; it has an adjoining 500-square-foot patio. (1926 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.766.4392) FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TORONTO

The 32-storey Four Seasons has 30 dedicated conference spaces, as well as several elegant restaurants and lounges.

The Regency Ballroom, the largest of the meeting rooms, holds 600 for receptions. (21 Avenue Road, 416.964.0411) GLADSTONE HOTEL

This recently restored boutique hotel features 35 unique guest rooms, each custom-designed by an artist. There is a 200-seat ballroom that can be broken down into two event spaces. Art Bar, a long narrow room, seats 28. (1214 Queen St. West, 416.531.4635) GLOUCESTER SQUARE INNS OF TORONTO

This downtown complex is comprised of three heritage homes with turn-of-the-century Toronto architecture.

The venue’s various parlours hold groups of four to 25. The Carriage House, a 500-square-foot meeting space, holds 50. (514 Jarvis St., 416.966.0013) GRAND HOTEL & SUITES5

The Grand has a large rooftop patio with views of downtown Toronto. The hotel’s 10,000-square-foot event facility includes 10 banquet rooms. The largest seats 160. (225 Jarvis St., 416.863.9000) THE HAZELTON HOTEL

This 77-room hotel, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, includes a 25-seat private screening room, an 890-square-foot event space, an executive conference room, and a small lower-level spa. (118 Yorkville Ave., 416.963.6300) HILTON GARDEN INN

This 224-room hotel opened on Peter Street in February 2009. The hotel offers two meeting rooms: The 435-square-

bizbash.com summer 2010 63

Toronto Venue Directory

Hotels

Harbourfront Centre. The largest meeting room seats 180 for banquets and 280 theatre-style. Four suites are available. (45 The Esplanade, 416.367.8900)

foot Adelaide Room holds 45, and the 594-square-foot Easton’s Room holds 60. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar. (92 Peter St., 416.593.9200)

OLD MILL INN & SPA

HILTON SUITES TORONTO/MARKHAM CONFERENCE CENTRE

This 500-suite Hilton features 20 meeting rooms in the Donald Cousens Conference Centre. The largest space holds 1,400 for receptions. Also on site: a spa and fitness centre. (8500 Warden Ave., Markham, 905.470.8500) HILTON TORONTO

This 32-storey hotel has 19 meeting rooms and four restaurants, including Tundra Bar and Restaurant and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. For large banquets, the Toronto Room seats 820. (145 Richmond St. West, 416.869.3456) HILTON TORONTO AIRPORT

This hotel offers 17 meeting rooms, the largest of which measures 10,000 square feet and seats 480. Additional amenities include a business centre and high-speed Internet. (5875 Airport Road, Mississauga, 905.677.9900) HOTEL LE GERMAIN5

This hotel’s library lounge area has a fireplace, an espresso maker, a wall of objets d’art, and cozy white couches. Five meeting rooms hold between eight and 80 guests. The hotel restaurant and bar, Chez Victor, seats 70. (30 Mercer St., 416.345.9500) OPENING SOON HOTEL LE GERMAIN MAPLE LEAF SQUARE

Groupe Germain is opening its second boutique hotel in fall 2010. The 167-room space will have four meeting rooms will accommodate groups of 15 to 70. Suites and apartments, which hold up to 20, are also available. (75 Bremner Blvd., 416.649.7575) HYATT REGENCY TORONTO

The 394-room Hyatt Regency Toronto was reopened in January 2009. In addition to renovated guest rooms and a reconfigured lobby, the revamped hotel includes a new restaurant and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space. (370 King St. West, 416.599.4000) INTERCONTINENTAL TORONTO CENTRE

Located next to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this hotel offers more than 18,000 square feet of event space across 19 meeting and banquet rooms. Capacities range from 10 to 700 guests. (225 Front St. West, 416.597.1400) INTERCONTINENTAL TORONTO YORKVILLE5

The mezzanine of this tony Yorkville property includes eight meeting rooms, the largest of which seats 260 theatre-style. Skylounge, a courtyard patio, holds groups as large as 170. (220 Bloor St. West, 416.960.5200) LE ROYAL MERIDIEN KING EDWARD

The 16-storey “King Eddy” houses a fitness centre and spa, as well as a formal dining room and a mirrored lounge that serves English afternoon tea. The largest of the three ballrooms seats 500. (37 King St. East, 416.863.9700) METROPOLITAN TORONTO HOTEL

Metropolitan is a luxury boutique hotel with 422 guest rooms and 13,000 square feet of meeting space. The largest room, the 3,346-square-foot Mandarin Ballroom, seats 280 or holds 360 for receptions. A prefunction space holds 150 for receptions. (108 Chestnut St., 416.977.5000) MONTECASSINO HOTEL

The largest event space in this family-owned hotel accommodates groups as large as 1,000 for dinner and dancing.

The Woodbridge Room, smaller but also substantial in size, seats 650. (3710 Chesswood Drive, 416.630.8100) NOVOTEL—TORONTO CENTRE

This Novotel property is within easy walking distance of the Air Canada Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the

The 59-room Old Mill is on the site of a mill built in 1793, and has 16 function rooms. The largest, the Brulé, seats 750 or holds 1,000 for receptions, while other rooms hold groups of 40 to 300. The recently renovated spa holds 75.

(21 Old Mill Road, 416.236.2641) PANTAGES HOTEL TORONTO CENTRE

Pantages is a boutique hotel occupying 17 floors of a 45-storey condominium. The property has 6,400 square feet of meeting rooms; the largest can accommodate groups as large as 300. (200 Victoria St., 416.362.1777) PARK HYATT HOTEL5

This hotel houses an upscale restaurant, a rooftop lounge, and a spa with 17 treatment rooms. The property has more than 14,000 square feet of function space, including a ballroom which seats 400. (4 Avenue Road, 416.925.1234) RADISSON ADMIRAL HOTEL TORONTO

The eight-storey Radisson Admiral offers a range of function room choices, from small boardrooms to the Admiral’s Ballroom, which seats 380 for banquets or holds 400 for receptions. (249 Queen’s Quay West, 416.203.3333) NEW RADISSON PLAZA MISSISSAUGA TORONTO AIRPORT

This $36-million hotel opened in September 2009. The venue offers 13,000 square feet of event space. The facility includes a presentation room with theatre seating, an executive boardroom, a garden view event venue, and a ballroom. (175 Derry Road, Mississauga, 905.364.9999) RENAISSANCE TORONTO HOTEL AT ROGERS CENTRE

This 348-room Renaissance adjoins the Rogers Centre.

Seventy guest rooms, a bar, and a restaurant overlook the field. The Northern Lights Ballroom, the largest of the 10 meeting spaces, holds 400. (1 Blue Jays Way, 416.341.7100) OPENING SOON RITZ-CARLTON TORONTO

The 267-room Ritz-Carlton Toronto, a $300 million 53-story hotel across from Roy Thomson Hall, is expected to open in summer 2010. A five-story podium will house two ballrooms, restaurants, meeting facilities, and a 23,000-square-foot wellness floor. (416.585.2500) SHERATON CENTRE TORONTO5

This downtown hotel has 116,650 square feet of event space and 59 separate meeting rooms. The biggest room, the grand ballroom, seats 1,900 or holds 3,500 for receptions. The lobby houses a 2.5-acre waterfront garden. (123 Queen St. West, 416.361.1000) SHERATON GATEWAY HOTEL IN TORONTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT5

This eight-storey venue is connected to Terminal 3. The hotel offers 31 meeting spaces, the largest of which holds 300. (Terminal 3, Toronto AMF, 905.672.7000) SHERATON HAMILTON HOTEL5

This hotel adjoins Copps Coliseum and the Hamilton Convention Centre, and offers 16 meeting rooms. The largest space is the 5,900-square-foot grand ballroom, which seats 480 or holds 600 for receptions. (116 King St. West, Hamilton, 905.529.5515)

THE SUITES AT 1 KING WEST

This hotel was built on the site of a 1912 building that served as head of the Dominion Bank of Canada. Eleven event spaces hold 20 to 500. The largest space, Grand Banking Hall, holds 500. (1 King St. West, 416.548.8100) SUTTON PLACE HOTEL5

This European-style hotel has 10 function rooms, including the 250-seat Stop 33 rooftop ballroom. Seven smaller rooms seat as many as 40. Hotel amenities include Accents Restaurant and Bar and an indoor pool with a sundeck. (955 Bay St., 416.924.9221) NEW THOMPSON TORONTO5

This 16-storey hotel opened in June 2010. The hotel features 102 guest rooms, a 150-seat signature restaurant, a 24-hour diner, a rooftop pool, a 40-seat screening room, and conference spaces. A terrace offers 4,000 square feet of space. (550 Wellington St. West, 416.640.7778) NEW TORONTO AIRPORT CORPORATE CENTRE

Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn by Hilton in March 2010 opened their first dual-branded development in Canada. The buildings offer 126 Hampton rooms and 128 Homewood suites. The properties are joined by a common area. (5515 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.646.4600) TORONTO MARRIOTT BLOOR YORKVILLE

This 258-room Marriott hosts groups as large as 400 in its Forest Hill Room. High Park Ballroom, the venue’s secondlargest event space, seats 170. Breakout rooms are also available. (90 Bloor St. East, 416.961.8000) VALHALLA INN TORONTO

This hotel has 30 meeting and banquet rooms, ranging in size from a 30-seat boardroom to a hall that holds 200. All of the 240 guest rooms offer wireless high-speed Internet.

(1 Valhalla Inn Road, 416.239.2391) NEW VERITY

Verity was designed and decorated by Trianon Design Ltd. Guests of the hotel can access the club’s fitness centre, spa, and flower shop. The restaurant offers three private dining rooms that can accommodate as many as 120 for cocktails. (111D Queen St. East, 416.368.6006) WATERSIDE INN5

This boutique hotel’s ballroom, which is divisible into three spaces, seats 450 and has an adjoining terrace.

Three smaller rooms hold 10 to 12 for breakout sessions.

(15 Stavebank Road South, Mississauga, 905.891.7770) WESTIN BRISTOL PLACE TORONTO AIRPORT

This Westin hotel offers more than 18,000 square feet of meeting space. The largest of the 18 event spaces seats 500 or holds 600 for receptions. Several boardrooms are available for breakout sessions. (950 Dixon Road, 416.675.9444) WESTIN HARBOUR CASTLE

This 38-storey hotel has 977 guest rooms and 70,000 square feet of event space. There are 26 meeting rooms, including a ballroom that holds 3,000 for receptions. (1 Harbour Square, 416.869.1600) WESTIN PRINCE HOTEL

A resort-style hotel on a 15-acre lot, this Westin has eight function rooms. The largest room holds 500 and has an adjoining foyer. (900 York Mills Road, 416.444.2511)

SHERATON PARKWAY TORONTO NORTH

WINDSOR ARMS HOTEL & COURTYARD CAFÉ

This 312-room hotel offers 30 meeting spaces, ranging from intimate boardrooms to a large ballroom that seats 1,000. Amenities include a large fitness centre, a spa, and three pools. (600 Hwy. 7 East, Richmond Hill, 905.881.2121)

This 28-room hotel occupies four floors of a condominium tower. Meeting spaces include private rooms, Club 22 for casual dining, and the upscale Courtyard Café. The hotel holds 200 for receptions. (18 St. Thomas St., 416.971.9666)

SOHO METROPOLITAN5

WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL TORONTO

This boutique hotel offers several artfully decorated rooms for events. The largest space seats 80 guests for banquets.

The 25,000-square-foot terrace holds 205 guests. (318 Wellington St. West, 416.599.8800)

Formerly the Ramada Inn, this hotel was taken over and re-branded in January 2009. The hotel has 14 meeting rooms. The largest is the Yorkland Room, which holds 400.

(185 Yorkland Blvd., 877.602.7666)

Independent Event Spaces ALLEN LAMBERT GALLERIA, BROOKFIELD PLACE5

The 16,000-square-foot galleria, formerly known as BCE Place, is in the financial district and seats 350 for a banquet event and holds as many as 1,500 for receptions. Garden Court, a patio inspired by New York’s Rockefeller Center, is also available for events. (181 Bay St., 416.777.6480) ARTSCAPE WYCHWOOD BARNS5

A $21 million investment transformed the old T.T.C. streetcar-repair barns on Wychwood Avenue into an arts and environmental centre with 60,000 square feet of space. The site, which includes four barns, is surrounded by a new city park and has a number of performance, rehearsal, and event spaces. (601 Christie St., 416.392.7834) ASSEMBLY HALL

On the Lakeshore Grounds in South Etobicoke, this century-old building features a performance hall that seats 265 or holds 130 for receptions. There are also two smaller meeting rooms that each seat 50 for lectures, as well as a gallery space. (1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, 416.338.7255) ATLANTIS PAVILIONS5

This Ontario Place facility features a 450-seat theatre,

64 bizbash.com summer 2010

a rooftop patio, and four ballrooms. The Metropolitan Ballroom, which includes a private mezzanine, seats 500 people for dinners; the Trillium Ballroom seats 275; the Skyline Room holds 150 for receptions; and the Lakeview Room holds 120. (955 Lakeshore Blvd. West, 416.260.8000)

space, referred to as the Top of the Burroughes, can accommodate up to 125 people. The patio can be booked for private events in conjunction with the sixth floor loft area, which holds 500. (639 Queen St. West, 416.203.1334)

BEVERLEY HALLS SPK

One of Toronto’s best surviving examples of Art Moderne, the Carlu is a fully restored National Historic Site in downtown Toronto. The venue offers several event spaces that hold between 10 and 1,500. The famed Round Room dining room features a Lalique fountain and holds as many as 350 guests. (444 Yonge St., 7th Floor, 416.597.1931)

Founded by Polish army veterans after World War II, this hall offers a main function space with a capacity of 250.

The room has a full stage and can be divided into two smaller rooms. A second meeting space seats 40, and the facility offers free underground parking in the evening.

(206 Beverley St., 416.979.2017) BLACK LINE STUDIO

On artsy King Street West, this 2,400-square-foot tattoo and body-piercing studio caters to an upscale clientele.

The airy space, which features designer furniture in the waiting room and art on the walls, accommodates groups as large as 150. (577 King St. West, 416.850.8227) THE BURROUGHES BUILDING

This loft-style space has hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. The 6,000-square-foot venue, which opened in 2008, debuted a rooftop patio in May 2009. The outdoor

CARLU

CN TOWER

The CN Tower plays host to more than 500 events annually.

The facility has several event spaces, including a 144-seat theatre and three meeting rooms with a combined seating capacity of 90. The tower can host functions for as many as 2,000. (301 Front St. West, 416.601.4718) COUPE SPACE

Coupe magazine, a biannual design publication, moved to this 2,000-square-foot space in 2007. The former martial-arts studio seats 110 or holds 175 for receptions.

Furnishings include two dark wooden bars, lounge furni-

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Independent Event Spaces ture, and a restored 100-year-old cedar table. (998 Queen St. East, 416.469.9656) DESIGN EXCHANGE

In the former Toronto Stock Exchange building, Design Exchange is a museum and centre for design research and education. The facility houses several event venues, including the historic trading floor.

This spacious room seats 350 for banquets and holds 500 for receptions. (234 Bay St., 416.216.2140) DISTILLERY DISTRICT5

The district, formerly Gooderham and Worts Distillery, is a collection of shops, cafés, and theatres.

This National Historic Site’s main event facility is the 8,000-square-foot Fermenting Cellar, which seats 400. Patios and courtyards are also available. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 58, Suite 200, 416.364.1177) EGLINTON GRAND

Formerly the Eglinton Theatre, this Art Deco landmark has been restored to its original 1930s grandeur. The ballroom seats 320 for banquets or holds 730 for receptions. Additional space is available on the balcony, which seats 100 or holds 250 for receptions. (400 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.485.5900) ESTONIA HOUSE

The grand ballroom in this venue has a vaulted ceiling and a full stage. The space seats as many as 460 theatre style. The Crystal Ballroom, a smaller venue, holds 200 for receptions, and the gallery accommodates 100. (958 Broadview Ave., 416.461.7963) OPENING SOON EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS5

An environmental centre on the site of the old Don Valley Brick Works, Evergreen Brick Works opens in September 2010. Event spaces include the 125-seat Atrium, which holds 200, and the 27,000-square-foot Eco Pavilion, a covered outdoor space that holds up to 2,200. The Kiln Building can seat 500 or hold 1,250 for receptions and will be available from May through October. (550 Bayview Ave., 416.596.1495)

is at the north end of York Quay Centre. The north wall is lined with large picture windows. The 2,120-square-foot space holds 200 for receptions or seats 175 for lectures. (235 Queen’s Quay West, 416.973.4600) MARKHAM EVENT CENTRE

The Ambassador Group opened this 18,000-square-foot centre in 2008. The facility has two ballrooms decorated in a palette of pale green and cream with gold accents. The ballrooms can be combined to hold 1,200 for receptions.

(95 Duffield Drive, Markham, 905.944.9632) NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL

The National Ballet School’s Jarvis Street campus now offers space for events. Among the facilities are eight large studios in the Celia Franca Centre; Currie Hall, a former Quaker meetinghouse that seats 130 or holds 220 for receptions; and Northfield House, a heritage building restored as a 40-seat meeting room. (400 Jarvis St., 416.964.3780) ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS5

The Ontario Association of Architects building features open, geometric rooms and offers private rooms that seat 50 to 300 guests. The building’s gallery can seat 250 or hold 650 for receptions. A terrace holds as many as 80 for receptions. (111 Moatfield Drive, 416.288.0886) PAWSWAY

PawsWay opened at Harbourfront Centre in 2008. The facility—which operates as an education and event centre focused on the benefits of cats and dogs—offers a 3,700-square-foot ballroom space that holds 200 people.

Three smaller boardrooms can hold groups of as many as 30 people. (245 Queens Quay, 416.360.7297) POLSON PIER AND THE SOLARIUM5

On 23 waterfront acres, this multipurpose venue includes Sound Academy, with state-of-the-art light and sound to showcase live events, and the playground, which has outdoor activities like a 40-foot rock wall and Toronto’s only drive-in movie theatre. Solarium, a glass-enclosed event space, seats 400. (11 Polston St., 416.649.7437) PUCK’S FARM5

This family entertainment complex occupies 170 acres of countryside in King Township. The facility provides several meeting-space options, including the salon, which holds 100 guests; the café, which accommodates 50 people; and a dance hall that seats 100 guests or holds 150 for receptions. (16540 11th Concession, Schomberg, 905.939.7036)

THE FERMENTING CELLAR

THE RICHMOND

This 1859 building was originally constructed to house the distillery’s fermenting tanks. Now exclusively an event facility, the 8,000-square-foot space holds 600 and features vaulted 35-foot ceilings, exposed Kingston limestone, and timber trusses.

There is adjacent parking for as many as 250 vehicles.

(55 Mill St., Bldg. 58, Suite 200, 416.364.1177)

The main floor of this event space comprises 1,400 square feet and seats 80 guests. For cocktail parties, the room will hold as many as 150. Design highlights include a stairway leading up to a mezzanine, 16-foot windows, and bamboo

FILMPORT STUDIOS

Filmport Studios opened on a 45-acre site on the Port Lands in 2008. The facility, which offers 250,000 square feet of production space for filmmakers over seven soundstages, is available for corporate events.

(65 Heward Ave., 416.406.5400) HARBOURFRONT CENTRE5

This multidisciplinary contemporary arts centre occupies 10 acres of lakefront property. The York Quay Centre houses a variety of spaces, including the Brigantine Room, a flexible space with room for 350; the Studio Theatre, which seats 196 for screenings; and Lakeside Terrace, a 250-seat room with a terrace.

(235 Queen’s Quay West, 416.973.4956) HART HOUSE5

This historic building is part of the University of Toronto. The great hall, its largest room, seats 320 guests or holds 600 for receptions. Other event spaces at Hart House include a 450-seat theatre and a dining room that seats 36. A courtyard can hold as many as 500 guests. (7 Hart House Cir., 416.978.8393) HOLLANDER YORK GALLERY

Established in 1975, Hollander York Gallery represents some of Canada’s top contemporary artists.

The bilevel space, featuring warm brick walls and a balcony overlooking a first-floor fireplace, holds 150 for receptions. (110 Yorkville Ave., 416.923.9275) JUBILEE PAVILION AND LAKEVIEW PARK5

“The Jube” is a banquet hall in a picturesque setting along Lake Ontario. It features hardwood flooring and accommodates groups of 450 for dinners around the dance floor and as many as 1,000 for theatre-style lectures. Corporate picnics can be held in the park. (55 Lakeview Park Drive, Oshawa, 905.447.9212) KARL CIESLUK SOCIAL LOUNGE

Richard Lubbers’s furniture store-turned-event space is on three levels. The 1,200-square-foot lower lounge has chocolate-brown furniture and original hardwood floors. An upper-level dining room with a large kitchen seats 80. (1402 Queen St. East, 416.461.1398) KIDSWORKS TORONTO

This 4,000-square-foot kids-oriented venue has a large play area that holds 50 children. There is a party room and a crafts room. The indoor playground includes climbing walls, wavy track cars, and 50 tons of sand in a 1,200-square-foot box. (105 Vanderhoof Ave., 416.483.1367) MARILYN BREWER COMMUNITY SPACE

Part of Harbourfront Centre, this two-storey venue

flooring. The Richmond is Toronto’s first completely green venue. (477 Richmond St. West, Unit 104, 416.368.2801) ROSEHILL

Rosehill comfortably seats 130 with a dance floor or holds 300 for receptions. A full-service event venue, it has six flat-screen TVs and satellite music. The decor features hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, plush leather couches, and a 50-foot bar. (6 Rosehill Ave., 416.923.2232) STEAM WHISTLE BREWERY5

This brewery is in the John Street Roundhouse. The loftstyle venue seats 250 or holds 750 for receptions. It features 30-foot ceilings, large multipane windows, Douglas fir pillars, and exposed red brick. A 3,000-square-foot patio is also available. (255 Bremner Blvd., 416.362.2337) ST. LAWRENCE MARKET COMPLEX

One of three buildings that make up the St. Lawrence Market Complex, St. Lawrence Hall has three event spaces, including a 12-seat boardroom and the 120-seat great hall.

The North Market building houses a 700-seat showroomstyle exhibit space. (92 Front St. East, 416.392.7809) TORONTO BOARD OF TRADE DOWNTOWN CENTRE

The Toronto Board of Trade Downtown Centre has more than 30,000 square feet of newly renovated space. The main dining room seats 320 for dinner, and several smaller rooms can accommodate groups of 12 to 120. Oliver & Bonacini is the exclusive food and beverage partner. (1 First Canadian Place, 416.862.4535) NEW TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY

The Toronto Public Library’s new event centre opened in fall 2009. The 12,500-square-foot second-floor space has views overlooking the Rosedale Valley. Glass walls divide the venue into three areas, including a primary event space that holds 460 for lectures and 360 for seated dinners. (789 Yonge St., 416.393.7193) WHISTLER’S MCNEIL ROOM5

This 4,000-square-foot venue has a 16-foot ceiling and a view of Don Valley. The private McNeil Room on the second floor seats as many as 300 guests and has a terrace that holds 30 for receptions. Whistler’s Grille, on the main floor, seats 200, and there’s also a patio that holds 150 for receptions. (995 Broadview Ave., 416.421.1344) NEW WIDEAWAKE LIBERTY STUDIOS

Open since May 2010, this 6,000-square-foot multimedia facility and recording studio includes the Liberty Ballroom, an 11-sided polygon with 17-foot ceilings. The space is equipped with three isolated booths for sound control, an automated projector screen, four LCD screens, and a surround playback system. (171 East Liberty St., Suite 310, 416.970.4542)

Toronto Venue Directory

Mansions & Homes CALEDON INN5

A historic farmhouse on a 25-acre lot, the inn offers hiking, bird-watching, cross-country skiing, and animal tracking.

The banquet room holds 60, and outdoor spaces include a tent with room for 300, as well as a 2,500-square-foot patio and garden. Also on site: a dining room run by executive chef Alan Coulter and the historic McCartney Pub. (16626 Airport Road, Caledon, 905.584.0033) CAMPBELL HOUSE

Built in 1822, Campbell House is the oldest remaining brick home from the original town of York. The dining room, combined with the adjoining restored 19th-century kitchen, holds 85 for receptions. A separate 600-squarefoot gallery on the second floor features floor-to-ceiling windows and seats 50. (160 Queen St. West, 416.597.0227) CASA LOMA5

The largest event space in this historic castle is the great hall, which, combined with the library and the conservatory (and the outdoor terrace, in warmer months), holds 1,200. An eight-seat boardroom is also available. Catering is provided exclusively by Liberty Entertainment Group.

(1 Austin Terr., 416.923.1171) DI NARDO’S—THE MANSION5

This Georgian mansion’s 480-seat ballroom has 24-foot ceilings and marble floors and can be divided into two rooms that seat 180 and 260, respectively. A rooftop garden holds 400 for receptions, with meals provided by executive chef Domenic Colacci. (400 Industrial Pkwy.

South, Aurora, 905.841.3737) DUNDURN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE5

Since its restaurant closed in 2008, the primary event space at this historic castle, the former home of Premier Sir Allan McNab, is the coach house. Built in the 1870s, the room holds 88 for receptions and dinners and features views of the estate gardens. An outdoor pavilion can accommodate 70. (610 York Blvd., Hamilton, 905.546.2872) EATON HALL INN & CONFERENCE CENTRE5

A French-style chateau built in the 1930s, this inn was once a private residence of Toronto’s Eaton family. The main

guests for banquets or holds 400 for receptions. (9328 15th Side Road, Halton Hills, 905.873.2316) HEINTZMAN HOUSE

event space seats 140 or holds 175 for receptions. There are four rooms in the conference centre, with the two largest spaces each seating 60 guests theatre-style. A terrace seats 300. (13990 Dufferin St., King City, 905.833.4500)

Built in the early 19th century, Heintzman House (also known as Sunnyside Manor Farm), is one of the oldest buildings in Thornhill. Decor highlights include fireplaces, antique pianos, and a glass-enclosed conservatory.

The dining room holds 140, while the boardroom seats 12.

(135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill, 905.889.7980) MACKENZIE HOUSE5

Built in 1948 as a school for immigrant children, this venue is now a museum. The historic classroom holds 89 guests for dinners or 100 for receptions and features hardwood floors and the original desks. The west hall seats 150 or holds 200 for receptions. (106 Trinity St., 416.863.0010)

This restored mid-19th-century row house belonged to William Lyon Mackenzie. It contains a historic print shop as well as artifacts that belonged to the Mackenzie family.

Rental space includes the kitchen and day room, and there are no preferred or exclusive caterers. The space holds 70 for receptions. (82 Bond St., 416.392.6915)

THE ESTATES OF SUNNYBROOK

MILLER LASH HOUSE5

Overlooking the Don River in North York, the estates offer 17 event spaces in two grey limestone mansions. The rooms, which have large windows, seat 150 or hold 195 for receptions. The menu features fresh, seasonal veggies, and summer barbecues can be arranged. Proceeds go to medical research at the Sunnybrook hospital. (2075 Bayview Ave., 416.487.3841)

Built in 1911, this stone house sits in idyllic seclusion amid gardens and meadows. The venue has five fireplaces and a cathedral ceiling in the great room. The largest indoor room seats 50 or holds 75 for cocktails, while the tented patio holds 300 for receptions or seats 220. (130 Old Kingston Road, 416.287.7000)

GEORGE BROWN HOUSE

Ryerson University’s community centre for students, staff, faculty, and alumni is known as Oakham House. The historic site, built in 1848, has 10 meeting rooms, a pub, a café, and a 160-seat patio. The largest room, SCC 115, holds 200 guests for receptions and includes a pull-down screen and a sound system. (63 Gould St., 416.979.5250)

ENOCH TURNER SCHOOLHOUSE

Built in 1876 for Senator George Brown, this fully restored estate home features bay windows, marble fireplaces, and crystal chandeliers. The main function space seats 50 theatre-style or 64 for dinners. The mahogany-paneled Coulson Room doubles as a boardroom and seats 14; the Nelson Room and Servant’s Hall also serve as meeting spaces. (186 Beverley St., 416.314.3585) GRAYDON HALL MANOR5

Leading the restoration of the 1936 manor, founder and managing director Nicole Pieckenhagen opened this 14,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion in 2000. On four acres, it features formal gardens with fountains, plush furnishings, 11 fireplaces, and a library. The main dining room accommodates 180, and a coach house and two smaller private rooms are also available. A stone terrace seats 250. (185 Graydon Hall Drive, 416.449.5432) HALTON PLACE

A 200-acre country estate, Halton Place offers world-class equestrian facilities, including outdoor competition rings and a large indoor arena. The Courtyard Manor seats 275

OAKHAM HOUSE5

PARKWOOD5

Parkwood is a grand estate and museum in Oshawa that features architectural, landscape, and interior designs of the 1920s and 1930s. The McLaughlin Room, the largest indoor space, holds 125 for receptions, while the formal gardens hold 130. The Japanese garden and the Greenhouse Tea Room are also available for bookings.

(270 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, 905.433.4311) SPADINA HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDENS5

The Spadina Historic House & Gardens was built in the 1860s for financier James Austin and sits on six acres beside Casa Loma. The terraces and gardens accommodate groups as large as 100. Inside, the East Sun Room holds 30 for cocktails or seats 25 theatre-style and the third-floor room seats 45. (285 Spadina Road, 416.392.6910)

Museums & Cultural Spaces ART MUSEUMS

TEXTILE MUSEUM OF CANADA

THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO

The only museum of its kind in Canada, the Textile Museum houses more than 12,000 pieces from more than 200 countries. The museum’s meeting spaces include a lounge that seats 30 or holds 100 for receptions. An auditorium seats 75. (55 Centre Ave., 416.599.5321)

The Art Gallery of Ontario, reopened in November 2008, has been transformed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry to include a state of the art event centre, Baillie Court. It includes 7,200 square feet of space and can host a full range of corporate and social events. To provide flexibility, the space can be divided by retractable walls into three separate and distinct event spaces. (317 Dundas St. West, 416.979.6634) BATA SHOE MUSEUM5

This museum is dedicated to the history of footwear and contains more than 10,000 shoes. The four-storey structure has a 1,200-square-foot reception area with a terrazzo floor, two small studios, an atrium with 42-foothigh windows, and a patio. The shoe museum can seat 125 people or hold 300 for receptions. Catering is not available on site, but the museum can provide a list of preferred caterers. (327 Bloor St. West, 416.979.7799) GARDINER MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ART

The Gardiner Museum, on the Queen’s Park Circle, is the only museum in Canada devoted entirely to ceramics. The main function space, Terrace Room, is catered by Jamie Kennedy and seats 100 or holds 200 for receptions. The room has a modern feel with glass walls, wooden floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a view of the Royal Ontario Museum and the downtown skyline. (111 Queen’s Park, 416.586.8080) MCMICHAEL CANADIAN ART COLLECTION5

The McMichael gallery is on two floors, with a third devoted to a restaurant. The lobby and front patio can seat 220 or hold 250 for receptions. The Founders’ Lounge has wooden furniture and a fieldstone hearth and can hold 60. The venue is surrounded by 100 acres of conservation land. Additional satellite buildings are available for events. (10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg, 905.893.1121) ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

The Royal Ontario Museum, commonly known as the ROM, has undergone several renovations since opening in 1914. The most recent space, the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, was unveiled in June 2008 and has a glass and aluminum front. The ROM hosts receptions for as many as 2,000 and seated events for 500. A resident caterer is available, along with a list of preferred caterers. (100 Queen’s Park, 416.586.5571)

66 bizbash.com summer 2010

TODMORDEN MILLS MUSEUM AND ART CENTRE5

On 9.2 hectares of green space in the Don River Valley, the Todmorden Mills Museum and Art Centre is surrounded by historic homes, a brewery, and the relocated Don train station. The grounds hold 120 people, while the renovated historic paper mill seats 80 or holds 100 for receptions.

Catering and alcohol may be brought in, but permits and insurance are required. Free parking is available on site.

(67 Pottery Road, 416.396.2819)

ART SPACES & AUCTION HOUSES BAY OF SPIRITS GALLERY

Bay of Spirits showcases traditional native arts and crafts.

Objects featured include masks, belts, jewelry, blankets, drums, and totem poles from Cree, Ojibwa, Iroquois, and Inuit craftspeople. One event space is available; it holds 200 guests for receptions. An additional room is available for food preparation. (156 Front St. West, 416.971.5190) BLUE DOT GALLERY

Blue Dot is a 2,000-square-foot art gallery. The venue exhibits the work of contemporary artists from around the world in media such as painting, sculpture, jewelry, and mixed media. The open-concept space seats 50 people or holds 80 for receptions. The gallery offers a list of preferred caterers. (55 Mill St., Bldg.

47, Suite 101, 416.487.1500)

gallery space, a small room for food preparation, and a small patio outside the entrance door. The site accommodates 120 for receptions but is not appropriate for sit-down events. Gibsone Jessop exhibits art from the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Asia. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 4, 416.360.6800) HOLLANDER YORK GALLERY

Established in 1975, Hollander York Gallery represents some of Canada’s top traditional and contemporary artists. The gallery is in the shopping and entertainment district of Yorkville. The bilevel space has warm brick walls and a balcony overlooking a first-floor fireplace; it holds 200 for receptions. (110 Yorkville Ave., 416.923.9275) O’BORN CONTEMPORARY5

On Yonge Street just south of Bloor, O’Born Contemporary is a small second-floor commercial art gallery available for private events. The all-white space has light hardwood floors and track lighting, and can hold as many as 70 people for a cocktail reception. A small patio is located at the rear of the gallery. (710 Yonge St., 416.413.9555) PARI NADIMI GALLERY5

This venue in the design and art gallery district specializes in Canadian and international contemporary art and offers a 5,000-square-foot space with skylights. The venue seats 220 or holds 500 for receptions. It can be divided into two spaces that feature wood floors, exposed-wood ceilings, and white walls. (254 Niagara St., 416.591.6464) POWER PLANT CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY5

Open since 1987, three galleries that are available for events make up the interior of this former industrial space. The Royal LePage and J.S. McLean Galleries feature 30-foot ceilings and lighting on an adjustable grid system, while the Canadian Tire gallery has 10-foot ceilings.

Reports on the The venue can host parties of 1,600. (231 city’s newest Queens Quay West, 416.973.4949)

ON BIZBASH.COM

FREDERICK HORSMAN VARLEY ART GALLERY5

This art gallery, which showcases the work of local, national, and international artists, is named after Group of Seven painter Frederick Varley. The Florence and Donald Deacon Room is a 1,000-square-foot space with a cathedral ceiling and seating for 70.

A courtyard is also available. (216 Main St., Unionville, 905.477.9511) GIBSONE JESSOP GALLERY5

Inside a brick building in the Distillery District, Gibsone Jessop consists of a large

event spaces, and a comprehensive, searchable directory of all kinds of venues in every Toronto neighborhood

ROBERT MCLAUGHLIN GALLERY

Conceived by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, this gallery is part of the Oshawa Civic Centre. The venue has two meeting rooms and five spaces for receptions. Each gallery holds 150, while the lobby holds 250.

The Gallery Café and Restaurant seats 60 guests. The E.P. Taylor Room holds 50, and a small meeting room holds 20. (72 Queen St., Civic Centre, Oshawa, 905.576.3000)

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

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

bizbash.com summer 2010 67

Toronto Venue Directory

Restaurants

reflect the freshest catch. The eatery’s interior is designed to suggest nautical adventure, with sailing images on the walls and live fish centrepieces at the tables. It seats 32 inside and 16 on the patio, and can hold 50 for receptions.

(2419 Yonge St., 416.544.1661) CHAKRA INDIAN RESTAURANT

ACQUA RISTORANTE BAR5

This Mediterranean/Italian restaurant has a casual ocean motif in three separate dining rooms that hold a total of 400. The courtyard seats 120 and is protected from the elements under the 85-foot cathedral-style arched glass ceilings of the BCE Building. (10 Front St., 416.368.7171) AMBER5

This restaurant has pristine white decor highlighted by mirrors and chocolate couches. The 100-seat dining room is accompanied by a wooden terrace that seats an additional 100, is heated and partly covered, and includes small private curtained areas. (119 Yorkville Ave., 416.926.9037) NEW AME

INK C.E.O. Charles Khabouth collaborated with Guy and Michael Rubino to rebrand this restaurant. The 5,000-square-foot space is a contemporary Japanese restaurant, which includes a private room for 24, a dining area that holds 100, and a Japanese lounge and sake bar that holds an additional 50. (19 Mercer St., 416.599.7246) ARRABIATA TRATTORIA5

This casual restaurant serves traditional Italian antipasti, salads, pastas, and pizzas. The 100-seat space is spread over two floors; a second-storey garden patio is open in the warmer months. Custom menus are available for events. (692 Yonge St., 416.916.7034) ATELIER THUET5

Marc Thuet’s Liberty Village spot now has a 30-seat restaurant. Thuet and his wife, Biana Zorich, established a casual place where guests can dine on a charcuterie platter, 60-day aged Ontario meats, and local cheeses sold in the store. (171 East Liberty St., Unit 153, 416.603.2777) AUBERGE DU POMMIER5

This French eatery has two private rooms. The Oscar Room seats 48 or holds 60 for receptions, while the Sophie Room seats 40 or holds 50 for receptions. The main dining room seats 120 or holds 200 for receptions. Auberge also offers garden terraces. (4150 Yonge St., 416.222.2220) BALZAC’S COFFEEHOUSE5

The author of The Pleasures and Pains of Coffee is the namesake of this two-storey, European-style coffeehouse.

The entire venue seats 50 or holds 70 for receptions. In the winter, the second-floor space can be rented out for meetings of as many as 25. Outdoor space can hold 35. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 60, 416.207.1709) BAR CHEF

The Queen Street West space that once housed the Opal Jazz Lounge is now Bar Chef. The space can accommodate as many as 87 people. The restaurant’s extensive martini menu is divided into four sections—sweet, savory, sour, and molecular. (472 Queen St. West, 416.868.4800) BEER BISTRO5

restaurant has hardwood floors, an illuminated bar, and space for 150. Executive chef Enzo Perriciolo can create preset menus for functions. (17 Yorkville Ave., 416.921.1471) THE BLUESTONE BISTRO5

With 30-foot ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and wine wall, this bistro offers cuisine that focuses on local fare. The entire venue, including two private dining rooms, seats 180 or holds 300 for receptions. A terrace seats 40. (4261 Hwy. 7, Unionville, 905.475.6999) BOARDWALK BBQ PUB5

This restaurant specializing in barbecued burgers and steaks is set on Toronto’s popular lakefront boardwalk, offering views of Lake Ontario. The eatery seats 100 indoors guests and as many as 400 on the patio outside.

(1681 Lakeshore Blvd. East, 416.694.4599) BOILER HOUSE5

This industrial-style venue features handcrafted timber tables and a 22-foot-high wine rack. Each of the two levels is available for private functions, or the entire venue can be reserved for as many as 450. A courtyard can accommodate 300. (55 Mill St., Bldg. 46, 416.203.2121) BRANT HOUSE5

This King West district bar and restaurant features homestyle decor of exposed-wooden beams, plank flooring, and brick walls, along with long tables for communal dining.

The 7,000-square-foot space seats 120, and an all-season heated patio holds 70. (522 King St. West, 416.361.1880) NEW BRASSAII BISTRO LOUNGE5

King West restaurant Brassaii reopened in March 2010 under new management and with a new look. A limestone, glass, and steel bar serves as a focal point and separates the new café area from the 150-seat dining room.

An event space seats 84 and holds 140 for receptions. A courtyard patio seats 84. (461 King St. West, 416.598.4730) NEW BUCA

Located in a space that once served as a boiler room, Buca is an Italian restaurant with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, dark floors, and bare light bulbs. A wine bar holds 38 and can be booked as a private room. The entire venue holds 102. (604 King St. West, 416.865.1600) BYMARK

This monochromatic green dining room seats 120 around a tranquil waterfall. Three private rooms seat 14 each, and a glass-enclosed patio offers a view of the surrounding skyscrapers. (66 Wellington St. West, 416.777.1144) CADILLAC LOUNGE

Owner Sam Grosso launched a new event space at his Parkdale restaurant in 2008. The expansion doubled the size of the venue. The new space enables the lounge to offer private bookings and brings the total seating capacity to 170. (1296 Queen St. West, 416.536.7717)

Ale is the focus at this bright and open financial district venue, where 95 percent of the menu items are prepared with beer and the bar serves more than 140 varieties of suds. The bistro seats 65 guests or holds 150 for receptions, while an additional private room seats 26. A patio seats 80. (18 King St. East, 416.861.9872)

NEW CAFÉ MADRID

BIFF’S BISTRO5

NEW CALISTO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

This sleek French restaurant has two private rooms; the red room seats 36 or holds 50 for receptions, while the grey room seats 12. The lounge across the main dining room seats 90. (4 Front St. East, 416.860.0086)

Gianfranco Loponte (of Vivoli) opened Calisto Restaurant + Lounge, an Italian eatery inspired by a Roman cave of the same name, in early July 2009. The restaurant holds as many as 210 guests. The main floor holds 110 and a lowerlevel lounge holds 100. (647 College St., 647.351.7576)

BISTRO GRANDE5

A kosher restaurant with cream-coloured walls and chestnut decor elements, Bistro Grande offers a private, 24-seat room for functions. A small patio provides outdoor seating on warm days. (1000 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.782.3302) BISTRO 990

This bistro features blue and beige Provencal decor and a traditional French menu. Two private rooms on the second floor are separated by French doors that can be opened to create a 3,000-square-foot space that seats 70 or holds as many as 250 for receptions. (990 Bay St., 416.921.9990) BISTRO 3335

This warmly lit eatery seats 75. After dinner, a few steps take you upstairs to Menage for dancing and drinks at one of four bars. Menage holds 300 and can be reserved for private functions. A heated rooftop patio offers views of the city. (333 King St. West, 416.971.3336) BLOOR STREET DINER

Open on Bloor Street since 1981, this diner was recently renovated. The restaurant, which relocated to face Bay Street in 1994, was divided at that time into La Rotisserie (the dining room), Le Café (a French café), and L’Express (which offers takeout). (55 Bloor St. West, 416.928.3105) BLOWFISH RESTAURANT AND SAKE BAR5

This 60-seat dining room features white and red decor accented by chandeliers and dark wood. Japanese cuisine is served in both spaces, with a total capacity of 180, and space for 30 seated guests and as many as 100 standing on the patio. (668 King St. West, 416.860.0606) BLU RISTORANTE & LOUNGE

Blu Ristorante & Lounge has a mostly Mediterranean menu as well an extensive wine and cocktail list. The

68 bizbash.com summer 2010

This Spanish tapas bar is the sister restaurant to Embrujo Flamenco. The rustic space holds 40 and is available for private events. A selection of European beers and Spanish sherries is available. Tastings can be arranged for events.

(97 Danforth Ave., 416.778.0007)

CANOE

This venue atop the TD Bank Tower offers impressive views of the city. Canoe has two private rooms: Canoe West holds 30, while Canoe East holds 40, and the entire restaurant holds 250 for receptions. Chef Anthony Walsh specializes in regional Canadian cuisine. (66 Wellington St. West, 54th Floor, 416.364.0054) CASTELLO RISTORANTE ANTICO

The centrepiece of this family-owned restaurant is a sculpted re-creation of a house from Italy’s Ciociaro region. The restaurant’s main dining space accommodates 300 guests, and a smaller lounge is also available.

(3600 Langstaff Road, Unit 12, Woodbridge, 905.264.9248) THE CEILI COTTAGE5

Patrick McMurray, oyster shucker and owner of Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill, opened a 70-seat pub in April 2009.

The 20 beers on tap include many craft brews and local ales. A patio seats 40. (1301 Queen St. East, 416.823.6933) CENTRO GRILL & WINE BAR

This restaurant specializes in New American cuisine with an Italian twist. The eatery’s main dining space seats 150, and several private dining rooms hold eight to 60 guests.

(2472 Yonge St., 416.483.2211) C’EST WHAT BREW/VIN PUB

This subterranean venue serves only Canadian-made brews and wines. Owner George Milbrandt, an architect, designed a series of semiprivate nooks enabling the restaurant to host parties of various sizes, with a total capacity of 340. (67 Front St., East, 416.867.9791) CFOOD5

This seafood restaurant’s menu changes each day to

Designed around contemporary artist Gregory Burns’s sketches of the Rajasthan region of India, Chakra features red and burgundy seating. The main dining room seats 100, while a private room with a full-service bar holds 60.

(2497 Yonge St., 416.487.7188) CHARTREUSE5

This 130-year-old venue has two dining rooms separated

by French doors, with a seating capacity of 45. Longchamp Pub, on the main floor, holds 45 guests, and a smaller private dining room seats 25. An outdoor patio seats 80.

(10512 Islington Ave., Kleinberg, 905.893.0475) THE CHEF’S HOUSE

George Brown College opened this student-run restaurant in late 2008. The ground-level restaurant and event space is the first training facility of its kind in Canada. The 3,200-square-foot space seats 70 and has a 16-seat private dining room. (215 King St. East, 416.415.2260) CHIADO RESTAURANT & CATERING

Specializing in regional Portuguese cuisine, this restaurant seats 110 guests in two adjoining rooms that constitute the main dining area. A second dining space seats 58, while a room in the wine cellar holds 24. (864 College St. West, 416.538.1910) CHIC CHINOISE

Run by Ivan and Pamela Lee, the brother and sister behind Dynasty Restaurant, Chic Chinoise has a pan-Asian menu created by chef Marco Hong. Parties of as many as 275 can be accommodated, and a private room seats 60. (214 King St. West, 416.599.8828) THE CITIZEN

Designer Brenda Bent and the Restaurant Makeover crew helped Rodney Bowers, of Rosebud fame, and Dan Ellery transform the Riverside Café into the Citizen. The space seats 65. Bowers’s menu changes with the seasons. (730 Queen St. East, 416.465.0100) COCO LEZZONE5

This 2,500-square-foot restaurant serves a flavourful Mediterranean menu. The interior features lavish draperies, gilded mirrors, and rich wood furniture. The dining room seats 140 guests, and a patio seats 10. (602 College St., 416.535.1489) COLBORNE LANE

In a 140-year-old building with scarred pillars and beams, Colborne Lane features co-owner and chef Claudio Aprile’s acclaimed Asian-tinged cuisine. Private dining spaces include a six-person table in the kitchen and the Park Lane, a private dining room that holds 14. The entire venue holds 45. (45 Colborne St., 416.368.9009) NEW COPACABANA5

Open since May 2009, this Brazilian-style steak house in Niagara Falls is known for its currascso style of cooking and the knife-wielding waiters who carve meat at the table. The restaurant holds 125 inside and an additional 25 on the patio. (150 Eglinton Ave. East, 416.916.2099) COQUINE

Coquine takes the place of the old Manor Arms Pub. Owners Robert Prete (who is also a co-owner of Grazie) and Amir Karmali opened the restaurant in 2007, inspired in part by a Parisian bistro. The restaurant seats 110 and a private room seats 35. (2075 Yonge St., 416.322.6767) COSTA NUOVA5

This restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine. The venue’s main dining room seats 80, while a basement wine cellar holds 100 people. Two smaller dining rooms can be joined to hold 30, and a small patio provides outdoor seating for 30. (421 Brant St., Burlington, 905.634.7421) COURTHOUSE

A converted 19th-century courthouse, this venue features fireplaces and authentic historic light fixtures. Chamber Lounge, the largest room, seats 150 or holds 600 for receptions. Courthouse transforms into a nightclub on Saturday nights. (57 Adelaide St. East, 416.214.9379) COWBELL RESTAURANT

This restaurant’s owners Mark Cutrara (the executive chef) and Karin Culliton are dedicated to serving naturally raised organic meat and produce sourced from local farmers. Cowbell, which resembles a French bistro, seats 44. (1564 Queen St. West, 416.849.1095) DAZZLING MODERN RESTAURANT & BAR5

This Asian restaurant features a palette of scarlet, brown, and cream. Dazzling has two floors available for private functions: The second-floor space, which holds 128, has its own bar and a patio, while the third-floor space holds 40.

(291 King St. West, 416.506.8886) DELUX

Chef Corinna Mozo’s intimate 40-seat restaurant offers a small menu of classic French bistro fare. The decor is clean and minimalist, with white textured wallpaper, marbletopped tables, and a walnut bar. A private dining room holds 35. (92 Ossington Ave., 416.537.0134) DOCTOR’S HOUSE5

Built in 1867, this venue was formerly a private residence owned by a succession of doctors. Extensive renovations have transformed it into an event facility with a 200-seat

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Restaurants main dining hall and five banquet halls. A partially enclosed verandah is off of the main dining room and seats 60. (21 Nashville Road, Kleinburg, 905.893.1615) NEW EARTH5

Ed Ho, the owner of Globe Bistro, opened Earth in November 2009. The main dining room holds up to 150 and a private room can accommodate as many as 18. Earth is available for buyouts. Two patios hold 23 and 50 in the warmer months. (1055 Yonge St., 416.551.9890) EIGHT WINE BAR

This restaurant offers small plates and entrées created by executive chef Derek Kennedy, with matching wines chosen by sommelier Zoltan Szabo. The room has high ceilings, a rich colour palette, and an illuminated marble bar. It seats 100; a glass-encased private dining room on the second level seats 15. (8 Colborne St., 416.350.8188) EMPIRE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE5

GOSSIP5

JUMP CAFÉ & BAR

Joe Dominelli’s spacious restaurant holds 700 and has room for another 800 on the patio. Gossip’s interior has a chic, modern design with unique overhead lighting, and stand-up cocktail tables inside the main space. A private dining area with a fully exposed wine cellar is available.

(50 Prince Edward Island Cres., 416.596.6492)

This American-style bistro features rich wood interiors and glass atrium ceilings. The private dining room seats 16 and can be combined with a 40-seat semiprivate room.

The main dining room seats 165 or holds 300 for receptions. (18 Wellington St. West, 416.363.3400)

GRACE & GRACE UPSTAIRS5

The Kitchen serves small plates of sushi, meats, poultry, fish, and seafood. The 60-seat dining room is decorated in a dark palette with exposed-brick walls and chandeliers.

The downstairs lounge, which holds 30, can be booked for events. (1186 Queen St. West, 416.536.7700)

Lesle Gibson launched Grace in May 2008. The 60-seat room is decorated in a modern farmhouse style in shades of cream and blue. Glass doors open into a 12-seat courtyard, and a 16-seat front patio. In August 2008, Gibson opened Grace Upstairs, a casual dining and lounge area that accommodates 50. (503 College St., 416.944.8884) GRAND ISLAND SEAFOOD AND STEAK HOUSE5

Grand Island offers a menu of seafood provided fresh by Beaver Fisheries, meat, and a variety of desserts prepared by an on-site pastry chef. The entire space can be rented out, with room for 90 people inside and 40 on the patio.

(538-548 Carlton Road, Unit 201, Markham, 905.479.5999)

This two-storey eatery offers two event spaces. The lower level features a well-lit, open-concept design with a highdefinition projection screen. Upstairs, a room of private booths with chairs made from white ostrich leather seats 85. The two spaces combine to hold 256, and a patio holds 150. (50 Cumberland St., 416.840.8440)

GRANO5

EPIC

HANK’S CAFÉ

In the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, this upscale eatery’s contemporary decor contrasts with the hotel’s grand, oldworld design. Epic rents out a private 14-seat dining space for functions, while the main dining room and lounge can accommodate 266. (100 Front St. West, 416.860.6949)

Next door to Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar, Hank’s is a coffeehouse that offers baked goods and a selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups. The space accommodates the overflow from the bar in the evenings. (9 1/2 Church St., 647.288.0670)

ESPLANADE BIER MARKT

HARBORD ROOM5

This 10,000-square-foot European-style restaurant serves more than 100 beers from 24 countries. There are four dining areas, including the bistro, which holds 50. The cellar can seat 50, and the private Merchant Room seats 12. (58 The Esplanade, 416.862.7575)

Czehoski owner Dave Mitton paired with Drake Hotel chef Cory Vitiello to open this small bar and restaurant in 2008. The 30-seat room has banquette seating, a 17-footlong wooden bar, and marble-topped tables. A back patio seats 50. (89 Harbord St., 416.962.8989)

FAR NIENTE GRILL5

HARBOUR SIXTY

This slick financial district eatery accommodates 450.

Chef Gordon Mackie specializes in modern Continental cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The main dining room seats 176; a patio and two small private rooms are also available. (187 Bay St., 416.214.9922)

The Nikolaou family transformed this steakhouse in honour of the venue’s 10th anniversary in 2009. The 7,500-square-foot space is filled with luxe finishes and fabrics in a blue, plum, black, and cream colour palette.

The restaurant has four private dining rooms. One of these holds 100. (60 Harbour St., 416.777.2111)

FIFTH GRILL AND TERRACE5

Guests ride up in the original freight elevator to access the 92-seat dining room at this 1930s textile warehouse. The steak-and-seafood menu is also served on the wooden verandah-style terrace, and the Black Betty Room features lounge seating. (225 Richmond St. West, 416.979.3005) FLOW RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE5

Wraparound staircases connect the three levels at this bright restaurant. The entire space can seat 240 or hold 500 for receptions. Six smaller private rooms are available for groups, and two separate patios seat 20 and 40. (133 Yorkville Ave., 416.925.2143) FOOTBALL FACTORY

In a former furniture store, this soccer-themed pub is decorated in shades of black, tan, and red and has vintage, soccer-related prints on the walls. Booths can accommodate groups of four to six, and the entire space can seat 65 or hold 90 for receptions. (164 Bathurst St., 416.368.4625) FOUR

With hand-painted tables and walls decked with vintage posters and rotating art exhibits, Grano offers regional Italian cuisine and an Italian wine list. The entire restaurant can be rented out; it seats 150. Another 50 can be seated outdoors. (2035 Yonge St., 416.440.1986)

HARD ROCK CAFÉ5

Launched in 1978, this Hard Rock Cafe was the second location to open in what is now an international chain of dining restaurants. The venue’s main-floor café seats 150.

Upstairs, the lounge seats 200 and accommodates 400 for receptions. A patio seats 75. (279 Yonge St., 416.362.3636) THE HOST FINE INDIAN CUISINE

One of three Host restaurant locations, this bright, colourful venue serves an acclaimed Indian menu. The eatery’s private banquet room can hold as many as 80 guests.

A smaller private room holds 30. (33 City Centre Drive, Ground Floor, Mississauga, 905.566.4678) HY’S STEAKHOUSE & COCKTAIL BAR

David Aisenstat took over the chain his father Hy founded in 1956. With 30-foot ceilings, dark mahogany wood, velvet booths, and wingback seats, Hy’s Toronto location has private rooms that seat as many as 50 are available.

(101-120 Adelaide St. West, 416.364.6600)

THE KITCHEN

KIT KAT 25

This restaurant—a sister location to Kit Kat on King Street—is set in a three-storey row house. The space holds 300. For banquets, the main floor seats 80, and the second floor seats 60. The third floor accommodates 50, and front and back patios each seat 24. (117 John St., 416.977.8890) KIWE KITCHEN

In 2008, this spot got a new look by Ines Risi Designs and a new menu by executive chef Chris Straker. The space, which holds 130 people, has a warm palette of chocolate, mocha, and blood orange. (587 King St. West, 416.203.0551) KULTURA

Social dining is the philosophy at this three-floor rusticstyle restaurant, which is embellished with exposed brick, dark wood floors, and original features dating back to the 1850s. The third-floor private dining room features a communal table that seats 28. The main floor can hold as many as 250. (169 King St. East, 416.363.9000) LAMBROS

Chef Aristedes Pasparakis presents a new take on the traditional souvlaki and baklava offerings found at most Danforth eateries, offering inventive Greek dishes like mussel pilaf and ouzo ice cream. The venue shares a kitchen with the adjoining Avli and seats 70. (397 Danforth Ave., 416.461.9577) LA RESERVE5

Votive candles and mini lights bring out the rich orange and pink hues of La Reserve’s ceiling, walls, and upholstery. This Italian eatery has a 150-seat dining lounge and two small private rooms that seat 14 and 18. The patio holds 65. (8432 Leslie St., Thornhill, 905.881.0477) LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

Belgian bread maker Alain Coument has brought his European farmhouse kitchen to Canada. In the centre of the café is a long wooden communal table, which seats 24.

Natural light floods the dining room, which has space for 82 people. (508 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.485.3000) LE PAPILLION ON FRONT

This French restaurant recently moved into the old Izakaya space after a lengthy stint on Church Street. Le Papillon serves authentic French cuisine, including a vast selection of crepes. Le Papillion seats 140 and can accommodate large groups for events. (69 Front St. East, 416.367.0303) NEW LE PAPILLON ON THE PARK5

After 35 years as partners in the original Le Papillon on Church Street, Paul and Danielle Bigue—together with son Stephane—have opened Le Papillon on the Park.

The restaurant, which offers a selection of French and Quebecois dishes, seats 125. A rooftop terrace holds more than 130. (1001 Eastern Ave., 416.649.1001) NEW LIBERTY NOODLE

Chef Gordon Mackie serves health-conscious food at this 176-seat restaurant. A palette of charcoal grey, chocolate brown, and black is combined with wood and stone, and decor features include a granite wall with flowing images, a rippled wood-slat ceiling, and an uplit glass-topped bar that seats 27. (187 Bay St., Concourse Level, 416.368.1444)

IL FORNELLO

Il Fornello’s King Street restaurant is the only location in this nine-restaurant chain to offer a private dining space for corporate events. The modest-size room seats 35 and accommodates 60 for receptions. The location’s main dining space seats 120. (214 King St. West, 416.977.2855)

With 14-foot ceilings, exposed concrete pillars, slate flooring, and stainless steel accents, this Asian restaurant has an industrial feel. The split-level space, owned by Arshad Merali, opened in June 2009. The main dining room seats 120 and a private room can seat 72. (171 East Liberty St., 416.588.4100)

FOXLEY BISTRO

INN ON THE TWENTY RESTAURANT

LOBBY

Famed sushi/sashimi chef Tom Thai opened this Asian bistro in 2007. It seats 36 guests and features dark wood floors and Victorian-vintage exposed lighting. A wine program offering 80 labels from around the world complements the menu. (207 Ossington Ave., 416.534.8520)

Led by chef Kevin Maniaci, this restaurant, part of Inn on the Twenty, is in Ontario’s lush wine country. Windows on the Twenty, the largest gathering space, holds 200.

Three other rooms have seating capacities ranging from 20 to 48. (3836 Main St., Jordan, 905.562.7313)

This upscale resto-lounge specializes in bistro-style cuisine with Asian influences. The rear dining room seats 40, while a lower-level dining room holds 20. Total capacity for receptions is 175. (192 Bloor St. West, 416.929.7169)

FRANK

INSOMNIA RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

Executive chef Anne Yarymowich and chef de cuisine Martha Wright offer contemporary dishes with a focus on sustainable farming and slow food at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s restaurant, Frank, named after architect Frank Gehry. The restaurant seats 130, and a private dining room holds 35. (317 Dundas St. West, 416.204.2712)

This Annex district eatery features a decor of exposed brick, light wood, and overhead ducts that serve as the backdrop to an eclectic French-Mediterranean menu and late-night DJ sessions. Buyouts are available for as many as 100 guests. (563 Bloor St. West, 416.588.3907)

Occupying 3,100 square feet, this restaurant and lounge is divided into three main areas, including the 80-seat main dining room, a lounge that holds 75, and a loft that holds 30. The menu consists mainly of Mediterranean sharing plates. (511 Danforth Ave., 416.465.5522)

FRIDA RESTAURANT & BAR

Peter Tsebelis of Brant House and Brassaii stayed in the King West neighbourhood to open his latest steak house.

Two private rooms can be combined to seat 32 people. The full restaurant is not available for booking. (12 Brant St., 416.366.0200)

Sylvain Brissonet and Jean-Charles Dupoire opened this French-influenced restaurant—named after France’s Loire Valley, where the friends met as children—in 2008.

The 40-seat restaurant has a private dining room that holds 30, and an outside patio that seats 40 in warmer months. (119 Harbord St., 416.850.8330)

JAIPUR GRILLE

LOLO5

Owner Pawan Mahendro partnered with Meredith Heron—known for her work on Restaurant Makeover and Design Match—to create a new look for his 80-seat Indian restaurant. The result is a modern space with touches of traditional Indian decor. (2066 Yonge St., 416.322.5678)

After almost six years at its Mount Pleasant location, Lolo moved to its new space in 2008. The dining room seats 70, and a downstairs private room holds 20. Chef Massimo Callovini serves a short Mediterranean bistro menu and seasonal desserts. (2590 Yonge St., 416.483.2590)

JAMIE KENNEDY WINE BAR

LUCIEN

Jamie Kennedy may be one of the city’s most celebrated chefs, but his Church Street restaurant is a simple openconcept design, with the decor limited to rows of mason jars filled with ingredients. The venue seats 60, and an adjoining lounge holds 30 for receptions. (9 Church St., 416.362.1957)

Lucien is elaborately furnished with chandeliers, leather walls, and a lit-up iron bar. The menu’s emphasis is on upscale seasonal food prepared by acclaimed former Habitat chef Scot Woods. The space seats 52 or holds 105 for receptions; a semiprivate dining room seats 13. (36 Wellington St. East, 416.504.9990)

Chef Jose Hadad and Steve Newman opened this 56-seat restaurant in 2008. The space, named in honour of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, features contemporary decor and a palette of black, white, blue, and terra-cotta.

(999 Eglinton Ave. West, 416.787.2221) GEORGE5

French doors, wrought iron, and chandeliers set the mood at this 1850s former chocolate factory, which includes four private dining rooms that seat between eight and 80. There is also a private courtyard. (111 C Queen St. West, 416.863.6006 ext. 271) GILEAD CAFÉ

Chef Jamie Kennedy launched a café, food shop, and event space at his company’s production kitchen. In the evenings, the 736-square-foot café is used as an event venue, where as many as 40 guests dine with a view of the commercial kitchen. (4 Gilead Place, 647.288.0680)

JACOBS & CO. STEAKHOUSE

THE LOCAL COMPANY

LOIRE RESTAURANT5

bizbash.com summer 2010 69

Toronto Venue Directory

Restaurants MARO5

A blend of European and Asian design elements highlight the red and black decor at this Euro-Asian restaurant, in a 1912 baking plant. The 12,500-square-foot venue seats 180 in the main dining room and 60 on the lower level, with two patios available. (135 Liberty St., 416.361.1880) MAROLI

Chef Naveen Polapady serves authentic Indian meals in the restaurant’s 26-seat Annex venue. The restaurant’s specialty is Kerala cuisine, which ranges from mild to very hot and spicy dishes such as shrimp malabari and chicken biriyani. (630 Bloor St. West, 416.483.5393) MATCH5

Co-owned by TV chef Domenic Chiaromonte, this facility has three event spaces, including the 110-seat Match restaurant. The modern interior has white walls and dark wood furniture. The larger event rental space holds 300 for receptions. A small private room holds 50, and a patio seats 30. (177 Whitmore Road, Woodbridge, 905.850.5699) MEATING AT THE BOTTOM LINE

When steak house Meating moved in with bar the Bottom Line, this new spot resulted. Chef Jomo O’Reggio offers pub fare and steaks to match the sports-themed decor and the eight beers on tap. The space holds 160 and also has a 14-seat private room. (22 Front St. West, 416.362.7585) MILDRED’S TEMPLE KITCHEN

This new incarnation of Mildred Pierce is owned by executive chef Donna Dooher and Kevin Gallagher. The space seats 110 and has a 25-seat communal table. The menu by chef de cuisine Tyler Cunningham includes braised lamb and root vegetable potted pie and handmade linguine with clams. (85 Hanna Ave., 416.588.5695) MISTURA

This Italian eatery, run by chef-owner Massimo Capra, has room for 80 guests for dinners and 140 for receptions. Two private dining rooms seat 14 and 50; the entire restaurant displays modern decor that blends dark woods, steel blues, and grey. (265 Davenport Road, 416.515.0009) MONSOON RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

This entertainment district restaurant serves Asianinspired organic cuisine in a Japanese-style dining room highlighted by sandblasted pine panels and downlit acrylic wall coverings. The 150-seat dining room is available for buyouts. (100 Simcoe St., 416.979.7172) MOROCO CHOCOLAT

Designed to create the feel of a Parisian café, Moroco Chocolat is a restaurant, boutique, and event space. The 3,600-square-foot restaurant has a palette of deep purple, black, silver, and grey. Moroco seats 90 and can hold 130 for receptions. Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are available daily. (99 Yorkville Ave., 416.961.2202) MORTON’S THE STEAK HOUSE

In the Park Hyatt Hotel, Morton’s has a reputation as one of the city’s finest steak houses. The 1,000-square-foot venue seats 140, and two private rooms can be joined to hold 90. The audiovisual system includes a drop-down plasma screen, a full-screen LCD projector, and 16 speakers. (4 Avenue Road, 416.925.0648) MUSKET5

Known for its German-Austrian cuisine, Musket took its name from its owner’s former hobby of collecting muskets—some of which are still displayed in the restaurant. The 240-seat eatery offers a wide selection of German beers. A banquet hall is available for private events and seats 120. Outdoor seating for 75 is available on the patio. (40 Advance Road, 416.231.6488) NAVA RESTAURANT & BAR5

Founded by husband and wife Mike and Teresa Wilson, Nava is a 10,000-square-foot eatery with a 250-seat dining room. Two smaller indoor spaces, including a loft that seats 40 or holds 60 for receptions, are also available.

The 4,000-square-foot patio holds as many as 500 for receptions. (125 York Blvd., Richmond Hill, 905.709.1933) NORTH 44

Named after Toronto’s latitude coordinates, this elegant uptown restaurant serves upscale modern cuisine with creative international twists. The bright, neutral-coloured dining room seats 180. (2537 Yonge St., 416.487.4897) NOTA BENE

Splendido owners Yannick Bigourdan and David Lee, in partnership with Franco Prevedello, opened Nota Bene in 2008. The seasonal eatery takes a back-to-basics approach for its decor and menu. The space seats 120, with a 20-seat private room. (180 Queen St. West, 416.977.6400) NYOOD

After parting ways with his chef-collaborator David Aprile (of Colborne Lane), Hanif Harji opened this twofloor restaurant. The space seats 80, with a bar and lounge adjoining the dining area. Kultura chef Roger Mooking offers a “nouveau Mediterranean” menu with ethnic flavours. (1096 Queen St. West, 416.466.1888) OLIVER AND BONACINI CAFÉ GRILL

This eatery features white tablecloths, brown leather banquettes, a large open kitchen, and a wood-burning pizza oven. Two private dining rooms seat 14 and 24 guests, or they can be combined to seat as many as 40.

(2901 Bayview Ave., 416.364.1211)

70 bizbash.com summer 2010

ONE5

Mark McEwan’s restaurant inside the Hazelton Hotel features sculptural furniture and cowhide-covered walls.

The bar area flows into the main dining room, which seats 120; a private dining room seats 16; and a street-level patio is also available. (116 Yorkville Ave., 416.961.9600) ONE ELEVEN YORKVILLE5

This champagne and caviar lounge is filled with exotic materials like a bar topped with African bubinga wood and wrapped in mother-of-pearl wallpaper. The menu features 70 varieties of oysters. The space seats 60 or holds 120 for receptions, and a patio seats 40 in the warmer months. (111 Yorkville Ave., 416.935.0111) ONE UP RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

This eatery features warm wood finishings and exposedbrick walls. The menu offers Italian-style items including sweet potato gnocchi, cedar-plank salmon spaghetti, and wild-mushroom risotto. The venue has three private rooms that seat 20 each. (130 Dundas St. West, 416.340.6349) NEW ORIGIN5

A series of wall treatments at this 140-seat restaurant depicts corsets, and the lighting, crafted out of reclaimed brass wire, also takes on the corset shape, drawing inspiration from the Victorian corsets and fashions found in a number of clothing stores formerly housed at this property throughout the 19th century. A patio holds 100. (107 King St. East, 416.603.8009) OSTERIA CICERI E TRIA

The spot that housed Terroni became home to a new Italian eatery in 2008. The 60-seat space, inspired by the informal taverns in Italy, has one long communal table surrounded by a few smaller tables. Osteria is available for private functions. (106 Victoria St., 416.955.0258) PANGAEA

This 3,000-square-foot restaurant features an 18-foot brushed-metal ceiling accented with a skylight, while soft hues of yellows and sandy browns accent the surroundings. The main dining room seats 150, and two private dining rooms seat 14 and 60. (1221 Bay St., 416.920.2323) NEW PARTS & LABOUR5

This 5,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment venue offers live music and a community roof garden.

The 180-seat space includes a 30-foot bar constructed of C Channel steel beams and illuminated by 85 recycled fireextinguisher lamps. (1566 Queen St. West, 416.588.7750) PICNIC

Owner Jennifer Cardella and partners Olivier Centner and Marco Tallarico offer a taste of summer at this Midtown restaurant. The decor features picnic tables, red-andwhite napkins, and a red bicycle mounted on the wall.

Picnic seats 65 or holds 122 for receptions. Catering is available. (2411 Yonge St., 416.487.8609) PRIME STEAKHOUSE

A recent makeover at the Windsor Arms Hotel saw the addition of this steak house, which opened in the old Club 22 space in 2007. Executive chef Stephen Ricci runs the kitchen. The main dining room seats 80, and a private space seats 20. (18 St. Thomas St., 416.971.9666) NEW QUINN’S STEAKHOUSE & IRISH BAR

In the lobby of the Sheraton Centre, Quinn’s Steakhouse & Irish Bar is an Irish pub offering 14 draft beers and 120 whiskies. The space is filled with dark wood tables and leather stools. The menu features traditional Irish pub fare, like lamb shank braised in Guinness. Quinn’s holds 200. Two private dining rooms seat 16 and 32. (96 Richmond St. West, 416.367.8466) REDS BISTRO & BAR

This bistro serves more than 50 international wines by the glass. The dining room seats 120, while two private rooms, with sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, seat 12 and 30. (77 Adelaide St. West, 416.862.7337) RICE BAR5

This eatery offers a design-your-own rice bowl menu from which diners select the ingredients of their meals. Local organic and sustainable ingredients are emphasized. The venue seats 40, with a patio that seats 25. (319 Augusta Ave., 416.922.7423) RODNEY’S BY BAY

John Belknap, a longtime server at Rodney’s Oyster House on King Street West, opened Rodney’s by Bay in the financial district in April 2009. Designed by Brad Denton, the new oyster house seats 40 and feels like a traditional speakeasy. (56 Temperance St., 416.703.5111) RODNEY’S OYSTER HOUSE5

Rodney Clark opened his first Toronto oyster house in 1987 and later moved it to its current location. Personal messages from celebrities and athletes, written on oyster shells, line the walls of the 150-seat dining room. A private dining room seats 20. (469 King St. West, 416.363.8105) NEW THE ROOSEVELT ROOM

The Roosevelt Room is an Art Deco-inspired supper club modeled on Hollywood’s legendary Roosevelt Hotel. The venue has a dining room, three bars, a V.I.P. lounge area, and a dance floor. The menu has been designed in the spirit of social dining in the nightclubs of the 1920s. The Roosevelt Room holds 120 seated and 550 for receptions. (2 Drummond Place, 416.995.4381)

highlights include curved window arches and elaborate ceiling cornices. The main dining room seats about 300 or holds 400 for receptions. The mezzanine holds 60, and a patio seats 20. (19 Toronto St., 416.214.5888) THE ROY PUBLIC HOUSE

The Roy Public House, which opened in Leslieville in March 2009, is a traditional Irish pub that seats 94.

Sunday brunch includes a full Irish breakfast—complete with bangers, Irish bacon, potato bread, toast, baked beans, and black pudding—and a screening of Coronation Street. (894 Queen St. East, 416.465.3331) SASSAFRAZ5

Gutted by a kitchen fire in 2006, this Yorkville hotspot reopened in 2007. The space now includes a 20-foot vertical garden and waterfall, a wine cellar, and a rooftop patio. The main space seats 96 or holds 200 for receptions.

Two private rooms hold 45 and 55, while a balcony table seats 10. (100 Cumberland St., 416.964.2222) SATORI SUPPER CLUB5

Richard Bailey, who is also manager of the Fifth, opened Satori in 2007. The restaurant features natural wood and stone interiors. Executive chef Scott McDonough serves Asian- and Italian-tinged world cuisine. Satori seats 200, and a patio seats 100. (735 Queen St. West, 416.860.1551) SCARAMOUCHE

Set atop a hill overlooking the skyline in Benvenuto, this stone-walled restaurant serves modern French cuisine from executive chef Keith Froggett. The dining room seats 100 and is available for private parties on Sundays only. (1 Benvenuto Place, 416.961.8011) SCHOOL BAKERY & CAFÉ5

Chalkboards, McIntosh apple centrepieces, and encyclopedias fill this Liberty Village spot, opened by chef Brad Moore in December 2008. The restaurant seats 65 and holds 150 for receptions. Two patios seat 30 and 80 people in warmer months. (70 Fraser Ave., 416.588.0005) SENSES BAR AND RESTAURANT

Senses, the dining room in the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel, unveiled a new look and a new menu in 2008. A semiprivate room seats 38, and the chef’s table seats 16. Senses Bar, adjacent to the restaurant, has also revealed a new look. (328 Wellington St. West, 416.935.0400) SEQUEL

This boutique restaurant uses only local ingredients in seasonal menus that focus on comfort food with a French foundation. The 1,400-square-foot venue offers dining on two levels, each seating about 25. A private room accommodates groups of 40 for cocktail receptions and seats 25.

(3362 Yonge St., 416.480.0996) SIMPLE BISTRO

Dark wooden floors and golden yellow walls adorn this uptown space. A second-floor private dining room seats 36 people, with a Juliet balcony that brightens the room in warmer weather. The menu and wine list focus on French classics. (619 Mount Pleasant Road, 416.483.8933) SIX STEPS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

Six Steps unveiled a new look in its lower-level lounge in 2008. The space has dark hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, an open kitchen, and wine cellar exposed by floorto-ceiling glass. The main level seats 125, and the lounge can hold 60. (55 Colborne St., 416.504.4800) SOPRA UPPER LOUNGE

This jazz club and eatery, an extension of Mistura, holds 140 and serves international cuisine. The main dining room offers lounge-style seating and features a grand piano, while a private room seats 30 and holds 50 for cocktail receptions. (265 Davenport Road, 416.929.9006) SORRISO RESTO BAR

Classic Italian movie posters and oak accents furnish this Little Italy space. Chef Saverio Perschilli serves spuntini (small plates of Italian food) alongside a high-end wine list. The dining room holds 59; a private room with a fireplace seats 25. (588 College St., 416.516.5861) SOTTO SOTTO

Florentine frescos adorn the terra-cotta walls of this Rome-inspired venue. Sotto Sotto is known for attracting Hollywood celebrities. Executive chef Marissa Rocca serves authentic Italian cuisine; her mother’s polpetone is a reputed celeb favorite. (116A Avenue Road, 416.962.0011) SOUTHERN ACCENT RESTAURANT5

In a Victorian town home in Mirvish Village, this 2,230-square-foot restaurant offers private dining in five separate rooms. The venue seats 120 guests or holds 150 for receptions. A covered patio that seats 40 is available.

(595 Markham St., 416.536.3211) SPICE ROUTE ASIAN BISTRO & BAR5

Charles Khabouth of the Ink Group and Nick Di Donato of the Liberty Entertainment Group joined forces on this 8,000-square-foot Indo-Chinese bistro. It seats 240 in the main dining room and 120 on a patio. A private room holds 25. (499 King St. West, 416.849.1808) SPLENDIDO BAR & GRILL

Chef and co-owner David Lee offers a rotating menu that emphasizes fresh local and seasonal ingredients in international dishes. The main restaurant seats 65, and the bar holds eight. A second space in the basement seats 34 or holds 70 for receptions. (88 Harbord St., 416.929.7788)

NEW ROSEWATER SUPPER CLUB5

STEAK RESTAURANT AND BAR

Reopened in September 2009, Rosewater inhabits a three-storey building that dates back to the 1850s. Decor

This steak house in the Sheraton Hotel seats 325 in the dining room. Two private rooms seat 16 to 20 each.

5= Venues that offer outdoor event space

Restaurants

94. (57A Adelaide St. East, 416.203.3093; 720 Queen St. West, 416.504.0320; 1 Balmoral Ave., 416.925.4020)

and the corporate crowd. Vdara, which seats 104, has a 116-seat patio. (735 Queen St. West, 416.868.3272),

360 THE RESTAURANT AT THE CN TOWER

VERITAS

Executive chef Scott Saunderson, formerly of Arlequin, offers a menu of beef, chicken, bison, fish, and seafood.

(96 Richmond St. West, 416.366.9600)

This revolving eatery, 1,150 feet above ground, offers a sweeping view of Toronto and Lake Ontario. The steak-andseafood menu is complemented by a selection of more than 500 wines. The restaurant seats 400 or holds 600 for receptions. (301 Front St. West, 416.362.5411)

This open-concept restaurant serves local and seasonal bistro fare crafted by chefs Deron Engbers and Restaurant Makeover’s Brad Long. The bilevel space seats 120. Design features include exposed-brick walls, a concrete bar, and an enclosed courtyard. (234 King St. East, 416.363.8447)

TRIOS BISTRO

VERTICAL RESTAURANT & BAR5

Set in the Marriott Hotel, this bistro serves contemporary Canadian dishes. The 130-seat space, decorated in earth tones, features a wall of windows looking out onto the Church of the Holy Trinity. A semiprivate area seats six. (525 Bay St., 416.204.9018)

This Mediterranean-style eatery includes a main dining room that seats 74, two private dining rooms that seat 12 and 16, and a separate bar/lounge with a 40-foot sandstone bar top. A patio with an outdoor bar and dining area can seat as many as 120. (100 King St. West, 416.214.2252)

This Moroccan eatery, which has a dining room as well as seven private tented dining spaces, features nightly belly dancing performances. Five of the tents seat 14, and two seat 26. The tents can be reconfigured to hold 140. (49 Front St. East, 416.961.0601)

TRUE RESTAURANT5

VIBO

This Mediterranean restaurant specializes in organic fare by chef Batan Zmijanac. The open-concept restaurant, which has white banquettes and marble accents, can hold 150 for dinner. A patio seats 28. (69 Yorkville Ave., 416.925.8783)

SUPERMARKET5

TRUFFLES

After their father retired, brothers Luca and David D’Aprile closed 33-year-old Villa Borghese and opened ViBo, a contemporary eatery with an Italian menu. The main dining room seats 100 guests, while two private rooms hold 26 and 50. (2995 Bloor St. West, 416.239.1286)

Founded by the restaurateurs who created Tom Thai at Tempo and Lava Lounge, this eatery offers Asianinspired finger foods. The main dining room holds 348, while the back room holds 150 and the front patio seats 44. (268 Augusta Ave., 416.840.0501)

This Yorkville venue serves contemporary French cuisine inside the Four Seasons Hotel. The 500-square-foot main dining room is decorated in muted yellows, Italian artifacts, and oil paintings, and seats 80. The smaller Print Room holds 60 for receptions. (21 Avenue Road, 416.928.7331)

VITTORIO’S ON AVENUE5

TABLE 17

259 HOST5

WATERMARK IRISH PUB AND RESTAURANT5

Vintage chairs and a dark grey-painted tin ceiling are among the antique touches at Table 17. A private room seats 30 or holds 40 for receptions, and the main dining room seats 30. (782 Queen St. East, 416.546.2487)

Brothers and business partners Jay and Sanjeev Sethi opened this Indian restaurant in March 2009. The entire space seats 80, with room for 40 on each of the two levels, and a patio can hold 20. The upper level has its own bar.

(259 Wellington St. West, 416.599.4678)

Watermark is a lakeside restaurant in the Queens Quay Terminal. The pub has seating for 240, and a semiprivate room seats 100 or holds 150 for receptions. A lakeside patio holds 220. The menu features traditional pub food with a focus on seafood. (207 Queen’s Quay West, 416.214.2772)

Event planning firm Personal Touch expanded to add this new restaurant and lounge inside the upscale Corso Italia mall. Executive chef Bairion Sisavana serves tapas at the intimate restaurant, which seats 30.

Tapas is available for private parties and also provides off-site catering. (1006 St. Clair West, 416.551.2728)

UPPER EDEN

WATERSIDE BISTRO5

On the shores of Lake Ontario, Upper Eden is an Italian wine and tapas bar on the mezzanine of Eden Trattoria. Owned by restaurateur Marco Mastrangelo, the venue seats 28 and can hold as many as 40 people for cocktail receptions. (58 Marine Parade Drive, 647.502.2715)

Part of Waterside Sports Club, this venue offers panoramic views of Toronto Harbour. Two decks are available. The lower canopied deck holds 88, while the indoor space seats 66. (255 Queen’s Quay East, 416.203.0470)

TATI BISTRO5

USHI ONI

Chef/owner Laurent Brion opened this bistro in 2007.

Brion has created a classic French bistro with Parisian charm. The space seats 65 on the main floor and 35 in the upstairs area, which is available for private functions. A rooftop patio holds 35, and a chef’s table seats eight. (124 Harbord St., 416.962.8284)

Guy and Michael Rubino cut their acclaimed restaurant Rain in half to create Ushi Oni, a 50-seat sushi/sashimi spot.

It stands in Rain’s old bar space, now separated from Rain by a wall. The design presents touches reminiscent of Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji fish market. (19 Mercer St., 416.599.7246)

This downtown restaurant is filled with memorabilia from the career of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and two satellite TVs play nonstop sports. The venue seats 220 indoors and holds 230 on the patio. (99 Blue Jays Way, 416.979.7825)

1055 PLAKUTTA5

The Queen West spot formerly occupied by Habitat and Satori Supper Club is now home to Vdara, a contemporary space designed to cater to the area’s local arts community

STUDIO 995

Restaurateurs Marco Petrucci and Albino Silva recently changed their Oasi restaurant into Studio 99—a restaurant, bar, lounge, and event venue. The 8,000-square-foot venue has a private lounge, a patio, and space for as many as 1,000 people. (99 Sudbury St., 416.849.6567) SULTAN’S TENT AND CAFÉ MOROC

TAPAS

This restaurant offers modern Continental cuisine reflecting the chef’s training in Austria. Two private rooms seat 16 and 22, while the main dining hall seats 172. A small patio at the front seats 10, and a garden patio seats 40. (1055 Yonge St., 416.482.8485)

VDARA RESTAURANT5

1010 BISTRO

This restaurant, set near McMaster University in Hamilton, has a modern interior with a sleek, urban feel. The 1,200-square-foot venue’s dining room seats 54 guests, while a second space in the basement holds 50. (1010 King St. West, Hamilton, 905.526.6642)

This Italian restaurant features homemade pastas, fresh seafood and fish, and a wide selection of meats. The main dining room seats 80. A smaller dining space has a fireplace and access to a patio. (14 Dupont St., 416.924.7441)

WAYNE GRETZKY’S RESTAURANT5

NEW ZIN RESTAURANT5

The space formerly occupied by Boba is now home to this two-storey Asian restaurant. Open since July 2009, black and gold décor fills the main floor. Zin seats 36 on the main floor and 16 in an upstairs lounge. A patio seats 36. (90 Avenue Road, Toronto, 416.923.1515)

Retail Venues

TERRA5

NEW BOSS BLOOR STREET5

NEW THE CABINET SALON

This restaurant serves European country food with Asian twists. Earth tones, glass, and wrought iron adorn the dinning room, which seats 200. Two patios seat an additional 200, and three private rooms seat 19, 22, and 42. (8199 Yonge St., Thornhill, 905.731.6161)

Boss Bloor Street, the new flagship location from Hugo Boss, is a 12,000-square-foot, three-storey boutique that includes an event space. The space, which holds about 150, has a terrace. (83 Bloor St. West, 647.449.2677)

Designed to feel like a private sitting room, the Cabinet is a hair salon and gallery space. The venue, owned by stylists Emma Rose and Alex MacDonald, holds up to 150 for receptions. (577 Queen St. West, 647.344.3132)

AUDI DOWNTOWN TORONTO

FLUID LIVING

TERRONI

This 96,000-square-foot venue consists of two showrooms and the Audi Shop. The venue, which opened in May 2009, also houses the Audi Quattro Café. The space holds 700. (328 Bayview Ave., 416.961.2834)

Fluid Living is a 4,500-square-foot retail store with limestone and brick walls and a concrete floor. The space seats 200 or holds 350 for receptions. (55 Mill St., Bldg.

8, 416.850.4266)

This Southern Italian restaurant has three locations.

The newest space inside the former York County Courthouse has six dining rooms. The largest seats

Stadiums & Arenas AIR CANADA CENTRE

COPPS COLISEUM

This multipurpose entertainment facility is home to the N.H.L.’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the N.B.A.’s Toronto Raptors. The arena seats 19,000. Additional event spaces range from small boardrooms to Lord Stanley’s Mug, a pub-style venue that holds 700. (40 Bay St., 416.815.6196)

This multiuse arena and trade centre has 117,000 square feet of exhibition space and flexible seating for as many as 19,000 people. The facility is climate controlled and is designed to accommodate everything from from sporting events and film shoots to trade shows and conventions.

(10 MacNab St. South, Hamilton, 905.546.3100)

BMO FIELD5

BMO Field, at Exhibition Place, is home to the Canadian National Soccer Team as well as Toronto FC, Canada’s first Major League Soccer team. The open-air structure seats 20,000 spectators. It is owned by the City of Toronto and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. (170 Princess Blvd., Exhibition Place, 416.263.5700) CANLAN ICE SPORTS SCARBOROUGH

This ice-hockey complex houses four National Hockey League-size rinks. The Thirsty Penguin Sports Bar seats 300 or holds 680 for receptions, and a newly renovated meeting room seats 60. Parking is available for about 500 cars. (159 Dynamic Drive, Scarborough, 416.412.0404) CANLAN ICE SPORTS YORK

This hockey centre has six ice rinks, including one Olympic-size pad. The second-floor restaurant, the Thirsty Penguin, serves American cuisine, seats 530, and includes a large private space. Several other rooms seat as many as 70. (989 Murray Ross Pkwy., North York, 416.661.5900)

GARDEN CITY ARENA COMPLEX

This sports complex houses Jack Gatecliff Arena, home of the Ontario Hockey League Niagara Ice Dogs, as well as the smaller Rex Stimers Arena. The complex can host events when it is without ice for three months a year. There are 2,900 spectator seats and a community meeting room and kitchen. (8 Gale Cres., St. Catharines, 905.688.5601) HERSHEY CENTRE

This multipurpose facility’s main event arena has 5,400 seats. The venue, home to the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League, includes a meeting room that holds 80. Three additional rinks can be rented with spectator seating for 250. Also on site: 1,120 club seats, 27 private suites, and two lounge areas. (5500 Rose Cherry Place, Mississauga, 905.615.3291) IVOR WYNNE STADIUM

This 30,000-seat football field, originally called Civic Stadium, is home to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Corporate

tents can be rented for events and tailgating; each tent holds 42 people. Tent packages include an all-you-can-eat buffet. (75 Balsam Ave., North Hamilton, 905.547.2287) POWERADE CENTRE5

This sports complex houses four N.H.L.-size hockey rinks and has arena seating for 5,000. The facility also has a 600-square-foot private meeting room and 28 luxury suites. The centre has a 130-acre outdoor sports park with five baseball diamonds, a rugby field, and a cricket pitch.

(7575 Kennedy Road South, Brampton, 905.459.9340) REXALL CENTRE

Built in 2004, the Rexall Centre, on the grounds of York University, is the main tennis court for the Canada Masters tournament. The full-surround stadium provides seating for 12,500. It also offers several meeting rooms, the largest of which seats 230. (1 Shoreham Drive, Suite 100, 416.665.9777) RICOH COLISEUM

Ricoh Coliseum is attached to the Direct Energy Centre, on the Exhibition Place grounds. The venue holds 9,000 and contains two meeting spaces, a carpeted concourse area with a capacity of 1,260, and an open-concept space that holds 510. (100 Princes Blvd., 416.263.3717) ROGERS CENTRE

Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is a 50,000seat multipurpose stadium. Primarily a professional sports venue, it also hosts conventions, trade fairs, and concerts. The centre has an open-air restaurant with field views, and Windows, a three-tiered banquet facility, can accommodate 1,000 people. The field level has 143,000 square feet of exhibit space. (1 Blue Jays Way, 416.341.2222)

bizbash.com summer 2010 71

Hot Stuff Tips for beating the heat at summer events.

Last night was the first real scorcher of the summer season in New York, 94 degrees, so of course I had plans to put on a wool tuxedo. I almost didn’t leave the apartment, but the knowledge that the gala was being held at one of the biggest, most famous (and expensive) restaurants in the world, one with a gurgling pool no less, promised me an evening in an ice box.

No such luck. I’m always complaining about being hot—one friend told me I’m like a canary in a coal mine when it comes to detecting heat. So I try and keep my mouth shut. That is until I see skinny-as-a-rail ladies in strapless dresses waving the evening programs as makeshift fans.

Then I put my fear of male menopause aside and spring into action.

Which in this case involved asking the legendary owner to turn up the air.

His response: “But we can’t make it too cold, the ladies don’t like it.” Ugh. But I let it go. The truth is, I knew perfectly well there was nothing he could really do. It was too late. It

takes hours to properly cool down a large room. Conversely, once you fill a cold dinner hall with bodies, candles and movement, it takes only a few minutes to warm a space up. I’m not going to pretend to know the science; I just tell you ’cause I know.

Invariably, event planners mean well but are done in by the deliveries.

Caterers with proofing ovens, florists, lighting and sound guys with their mysterious giant black boxes, all constantly going in and out through the biggest door they can find, which they prop open with a sandbag.

You can beg them to close the door until you are blue in the face, but they don’t care. Once the room is all tricked out, they probably all go to some nice air conditioned deli to wait while the $1,000-a-head folks sweat it out in the sauna of a party space they’ve created.

But we can fight back. Here’s some of the things I’ve either done or seen that help beat the heat.

1. In Hong Kong, when you get out of the oppressively hot, humid,

and polluted air, they have a person who stands inside the door at the nice hotels and hands you a cool wet towel with some wood tongs. You lift the thing up to your face…heaven.

Then you just drop it in a little box and keep moving.

2. Pass cool, low- or no-alcohol drinks. At Southampton Hospital, Robbins Wolfe usually starts with champagne cocktails. It’s always sweltering, but the cold, sugary drink is a real lifter. Ditto Pimm’s Cup with fresh mint at Ascot in London. Where as normally I say that a well-lubricated crowd is a happy one, in the heat, your goal is to pace the lubrication.

3. Those spritzy misting fans in tents are great where they originated, in Las Vegas, where the dry, angry pavement sends heat up in waves. In most climates they just add to the humidity. Seems so obvious.

4. A chilled mug is a thing of joy.

Why is it only beer gets this royal treatment?

5. Don’t forget sound and sight perception adds to the mix. If you can’t afford a fountain, which is like an auditory air conditioner, why not some ambient babbling brook noise?

On the other hand, just looking at bright lights can add to the temperature. Make sure no bare bulbs are visible and summer candles (outdoor only, right?) are dimmed with coloured glass vessels.

6. I believe in tons and tons of

ice. Way more than you need. Fill giant metal or plastic containers— almost anything will do—and get the ice out from behind the bar and into the party. Fill the buckets with exotic beers, champagne splits, and coloured sparkling waters and sodas.

Helping themselves gets guests touching cold items and cooling off.

7. On a hot, hot night, a pool party can be such a tease. And I think candles floating in a pool is just about the dumbest thing going.

They always look so dinky. For my pool, I use my dog, Turbo, for entertainment: He goes in for the ball tirelessly. But my new trick is to buy a few funny battery powered toys at the pool store and throw them in one at a time. Give some kid a little cash and make it their project. Half of them don’t work and are a rip-off, which is part of the fun.

8. The still, warm air of a tent can be deadly, even worse with these stretchy latex numbers. God invented fans for a reason. And you know they work just as well outdoors as in, don’t you?

9. Old-fashioned folks, me included, don’t take off our jackets until the host does the same. Some hosts need to be reminded how this works.

10. Why not something cold and fresh on the way out, like a mini popsicle or a tiny cup of frozen yogurt to make the parking valet experience a little less monotonous?

PHOTOS: C. CHESEK/CAMNH, ANDRE MAIER (ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE) , NICK HUNT/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM (CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY)

Ted Kruckel

Where Ted’s Been

Lilly Pulitzer textile designers provided lovely and interesting entertainment at the Museum of Natural History’s Museum Dance. Later their works were auctioned off.

72 bizbash.com summer january/february 2010 2010

The Archeological Institute’s servers wore painted masks. Oooooh.

The flock descending the stairs was quite the scene at the Central Park Conservancy’s 28th annual hat luncheon. Let the preening begin!

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