Here’s a closer look at East Canada's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated East Canada venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Ace Hotel Toronto
In late July, Ace Hotel Toronto opened in the city's historic Garment District, making it the brand’s inaugural home in Canada. The 123-room, ground-up project was designed by Toronto firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects. A series of soaring, poured-in-place, concrete structural arches (pictured) rise from the semi-subterranean restaurant, Alder, to a level above. Alder is a seasonal wood-fired restaurant from critically acclaimed chef Patrick Kriss, who also helms the menus for The Lobby—offering coffee and pastries in the morning and cocktails, wine, beer, and shareable small plates in the evening—as well as the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Evangeline, opening later this year. Additionally, the property features artworks by primarily Canadian artists, including tahsine al hassane, Nadia Gohar, and Dennis Lin. Ace Hotel Toronto offers more than 6,000 square feet of events space, including a pair of multifunctional meeting rooms (Form and Flow), plus a 2,000-square-foot lower level space, Interspace, that can manage major meet-ups.
Photo: William Jess Laird
Muir, Autograph Collection
Muir, Autograph Collection opened in December 2021 in the new Queen’s Marque district on the Halifax Waterfront in the center of downtown. Muir is the first hotel in Nova Scotia to join Autograph Collection Hotels, and the property was designed by celebrated Nova Scotian firm MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects and features a contemporary marine, wharf-like design outfitted with local materials like salt-and-pepper granite, sandstone, and Muntz metal (a copper alloy prominently used in shipbuilding). Muir’s interiors and furnishings are the work of internationally recognized designer Alessandro Munge of Canada’s Studio Munge. Along with 109 guest rooms, Muir also offers a wellness center with a vitality spa pool and a halotherapy salt room; plus on-site restaurant Drift, which is described as a culinary love letter to Nova Scotia's land, people, and history. Muir also features a secret speakeasy, BKS, open to hotel guests and for private events. Planners can host gatherings at the 1,200-square-foot True Colours Art Gallery, which features a rotating collection of regionally curated art pieces. Other event spaces include The Wardroom, a private executive meeting space that can hold up to six guests, and The Watch (pictured)—a 2,100-square-foot space surrounded by the sea on three sides, featuring bespoke furniture, an art collection, two private bars, and a private tasting room.
Photo: Courtesy of Muir, Autograph Collection
Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville
This property's opening marks another hotel brand's debut in Canada: Canopy by Hilton. Slated to open in December, Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville is steps away from the heart of Yorkville and offers 184 guest rooms, 34 premium Canopy rooms, and 11 suites. Studio Munge also worked on the interiors of this property. On-site, yet-to-be-named F&B outlets include a restaurant that will serve local fare representing the vibrant cultural mix of Toronto, and a cafe that will offer gourmet coffees, local craft beers, wines, and cocktails. The hotel will also host an energizing wellness center with a modern pool, yoga and fitness rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, vibrant custom rubber flooring, and graffiti murals representing the local street art community. On the same floor will be five meeting rooms named after iconic Toronto communities, totaling more than 3,500 square feet of space. The spaces will be notable for its natural light, outdoor terrace space, and incubator-style setups to facilitate collaborative work sessions.
Photo: Courtesy of Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville
Black Pearl
In September, the heart of Toronto's Entertainment District welcomed Black Pearl, a new bar experience from Scale Hospitality. The concept was described as part after-work hangout, part late-night cocktail emporium, part live band and DJ show destination, part street art gallery, and part pool hall (just to touch on the highlights). Designed by Block Plan Studios, Black Pearl’s interior pairs street cool with designer comfort via a living room feel and an overall rock 'n roll vibe. On offer are craft whiskeys and classic cocktails available by the glass or in large-format bottles for sharing, like the Orange-Spiced Old Fashioned, the Barrel-Aged Negroni and the Tobacco Manhattan. For noshing, guests can expect smash burgers, onion rings, plus a variety of New York-style pizzas. With a 600-person capacity, Black Pearl has been designed to seat 160 guests and aims to be the ultimate big show/small venue performance space. Full buyouts for private events or film/photoshoot bookings are available.
Photo: Courtesy of Scale Hospitality
Holiday Inn Gatineau – Ottawa
The new Holiday Inn Gatineau – Ottawa is located in Canada's capital region in the Hull district—which means it's only five-minutes driving distance from downtown Ottawa (and 10-minutes walking distance from Casino Lac-Leamy). The property offers 43 modern guest rooms and suites, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and the Bistro Café Leamy. Open for breakfast or dinner, the cafe's menu features shareables like pork meatballs and barbecue pulled pork nachos, plus mains like a chicken club sandwich, bolognese lasagna, and teriyaki salmon. For corporate events, the hotel offers a 143-capacity, multifunctional event space that can act as a boardroom, meeting room, or banquet room.
Photo: Courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts
