Looking to plan an event in the Hollywood of the North? Check out this list of 20 excellent event venues in Vancouver. Featuring kung-fu arenas, comedy clubs, unique restaurants and more.
In 1792 Captain George Vancouver, a British officer of the Royal Navy, spent only a single day on the land that would later be named after him. His travels included Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, moving up the U.S. coastline until he reached what we now know as Canada. After a successful exploration that meticulously documented Canada’s inlets and outlets, Captain Vancouver’s voyage was honored with a city in his own name.
Today, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most beautiful cities, surrounded by sparkling bays and snow-capped mountains. Although one of many places that have been named after our favorite sea captain, Vancouver, Canada holds a special place in the hearts of residents and tourists alike. From Stanley Park to hockey stadiums to the country’s best salmon restaurants, Vancouver has a lot to offer event planners looking to make a splash.
If you’re starting to organize an event in this city, here are some great venue options to add to your event strategy mix.
Table of Contents
- Bring Back the Sunshine at 6Pack Indoor Beach
- 360 Rooftop Views at Penthouse Event & Business Suite
- A Heritage Space at Vancouver Rowing Club
- The Full Service at The Permanent
- A Nautical Experience at The Shipyards
- Timeless Elegance at Brockton Cricket & Rugby Pavilion
- The Classic Venue at Diamond Ballroom
- A Cultural Appeal at Scottish Cultural Centre
- Kung-Fu Theatre, Revamped at Imperial
- Versatile Art Gallery at Vancouver Art Gallery
- A Traditional Gallery at The Beaumont Studios
- Pastry-Catered Spaces at Terminal City Club
- Corporate Competition at Badminton Vancouver
- Customizable Spaces at Brix Studio
- An Eclectic Venue at Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition
- The Local Theatre at Vogue Theatre
- An Event Planner’s Dream at Fairmont Pacific Rim
- The Performance of a Lifetime at The Improv Centre
- A Dinner Experience at Revel Room Supper Club
- Experimental Spaces at Science World
1. 6Pack Indoor Beach
Source: 6Pack Indoor Beach
Location: Mitchell Island
Capacity: 200
Did you know it rains about 160 days a year in Vancouver? This indoor beach bar, sports center and beach activities center can help attendees avoid getting wet. In addition to volleyball, they offer sand castle sculpting clinics, archery tag, and slacklines so everyone can enjoy some fun in the artificial sun!
2. Penthouse Event & Business Suite
Source: Penthouse Event & Business Suite
Location: Strathcona
Capacity: 100
The Penthouse offers an upscale flare with a modern twist. It’s one of the more unique and exclusive places on this Vancouver event venues list. The space is both highly flexible for any event type and offers breathtaking 360 degree views of the city.
3. Vancouver Rowing Club
Source: Vancouver Rowing Club
Location: Coal Harbour
Capacity: 160-250
For an unbeatable view of the Coal Harbour, look no further than the Vancouver Rowing Club. This Vancouver event space has three different rooms to choose from with balcony/deck access. The heritage building, dating back to 1911, adds a fun historical flare to any occasion.
4. The Permanent
Source: The Permanent
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 279
Newly renovated and restored, The Permanent makes for a fresh addition to any best event venues in British Columbia archive. Knowing the competition for event hosting is fierce in this gorgeous seaside city, they offer services that go above and beyond. Their offerings include a complimentary on-site coordinator, security host, lots of drinkware options, and high-quality tech for events that have special sound or lighting requirements.
5. The Pipe Shop at The Shipyards
Source: The Pipe Shop at The Shipyards
Location: Lower Lonsdale
Capacity: 1,550
This Vancouver event space used to be the home of piping construction for ships, a nod to the city’s nautical history. With over 9,000 square feet of open concept space to use and exposed original wooden beams, The Pipe Shop is an exquisite option for any event. They’re currently undergoing upgrades to include full heating and cooling systems so be sure to look out for that in the coming year.
6. Brockton Cricket & Rugby Pavilion
Source: Brockton Cricket & Rugby Pavilion
Location: Coal Harbour
Capacity: 150
Don’t worry - you don’t need to be a member to rent out The Club as it’s also known. Warm Tudor decor, a rugby hall of fame, and lovely views of the grounds make the Brockton Cricket & Rugby Pavilion a win for any occasion.
7. Diamond Ballroom
Source: Diamond Ballroom
Location: South Granville, Fairview Slopes
Capacity: 150
The Diamond Ballroom is set to reopen in 2020 but the waitlist is already filling up, and for good reason. Of the Vancouver event spaces on this list, the Diamond Ballroom offers the best of everything you could possibly want at your event—Superior catering, stunning views, and state-of-the-art exhibition solutions are all par for the course at this classy venue.
8. Scottish Cultural Centre
Source: Scottish Cultural Centre
Location: Marpole
Capacity: 400
The Scottish Cultural Centre offers a lot of interesting classes, entertainment, and dining options for those looking to add a bit of cultural flair to their event. And the reviews are glowing; event planners are extremely happy with the helpfulness of the staff, their small personal touches, and their overall willingness to accommodate special requests.
9. Imperial
Source: Imperial
Location: Downtown Eastside
Capacity: 200
Imperial is where styles meets technology. This multimedia theatre offers the latest and greatest in sound, audio, and video equipment for a fully integrated experience within this vintage theater. Once home to authentic kung-fu movie premieres and a 2.5 million dollar renovation later, this Vancouver event venue showcases a successful marriage of new and old.
10. Vancouver Art Gallery
Source: Vancouver Art Gallery
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 500
There are seven main spaces available for rent here: the 4East, courtroom 301 & 302, rooftop pavilion, lobby, forecourt, and the rotunda. Each offers its own dramatic backdrop. From sophisticated twin marble staircases to colorful displays from the hottest contemporary artists, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the most creative Vancouver event space on our list.
11. The Beaumont Studios
Source: The Beaumont Studios
Location: Mount Pleasant
Capacity: 50-400
There are two main spaces to choose from: the Beaumont 326 and 316. Each gallery offers wickedly customizable spacing options that separate rooms into pods to offer event planners plenty of options.
12. Terminal City Club
Source: Terminal City Club
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 250
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any other Vancouver event venue that boasts its own private pastry chef for event catering. The Terminal City Club’s competitive pricing for members and non-members is a large draw. They also require certain etiquette regarding attire and the use of cell phones throughout this classy space.
13. Badminton Vancouver
Source: Badminton Vancouver
Location: Mitchell Island
Capacity: 25-100
Team build or just blow off some steam at this eclectic Vancouver event space. If you’ve never played badminton before don’t worry. They can provide racquets, coordinators, and coaches so players of all levels can enjoy.
14. Brix Studio
Source: Brix Studio
Location: Gastown, Downtown
Capacity: 100
The Brix Studio has been home to every type of event imaginable. From video production meetings to yoga workshops to exam proctoring, this Vancouver event space has seen it all. They can even assist you with your off-location webinar, should you need one.
15. Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition
Source: Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition
Location: Hastings-Sunrise
Capacity: 250
Super high ceilings and a gorgeous courtyard are what you can expect to find at Deeley. Plus, their eclectic motorcycle showcase can go hand-in-hand with a lot of corporate event ideas.
16. Vogue Theatre
Source: Vogue Theatre
Location: Granville Entertainment District
Capacity: 1,280
The Vogue Theatre is home to countless sold out concerts, lectures, and festivals in one of the most in demand locations of Vancouver. It’s also locally owned and operated so hosting your event here means your supporting local business, and that’s certainly worth celebration.
17. Fairmont Pacific Rim
Source: Fairmont Pacific Rim
Location: Downtown
Capacity: 1,000
Catering options at this Vancouver event venue include locally grown, farm-fresh menus to compliment any event design or theme. Home to lavish affairs and intimate gatherings alike, the Fairmont Pacific Rim also comes with staff performing tray-less synchronized service and a hands-on Director of Conference Services who wants to help make every detail of your next big event perfection.
18. Vancouver TheatreSports League - The Improv Centre
Source: Vancouver TheatreSports League - The Improv Centre
Location: Granville Island/False Creek
Capacity: 186
A mixture of cabaret-style tables and tradition theatre seating, the Improv Centre is one of Vancouver’s most vibrant event spaces. Located in the heart of one of the city’s most colorful areas, the Improv Centre offers a fully-licensed bar & lounge with patio that overlooks the Marina and False Creek.
19. Revel Room Supper Club
Source: Revel Room
Location: Gastown
Capacity: 80-110
The split lounge and mezzanine seating make for a delightful way to enjoy one of the many three course dinner options at the Revel Room. Whether you choose to indulge in their family style meals or not, their cocktails are also best in class. They can host live musical acts and offer dual ceiling projectors to round out your experience.
20. Science World
Source: Science World
Location: False Creek
Capacity: 20-1,400
Built-in fun is guaranteed at Vancouver’s Science World. Hands-on exhibits and outdoors spaces, and theatres offer fun for all ages. Their green roof and patio make for an impressive array of options. No matter what you’re planning, the Science World has something to offer you with the help of some really cool dinosaur skeletons, overnight camp-ins, and live science shows.
Finishing Up: Finding Your Dream Vancouver Event Venue
We know that there are lots of things to consider when choosing the perfect venue for your next big event, but this curated list of Vancouver event spaces should provide ample inspiration! Be sure to select a venue that is tailored to your event strategy and bring people together in these amazing spaces.
If Vancouver isn’t the only city where you host events, check out these venue roundups in other major cities:
- Toronto Event Venues
- Washington Event Venues
- Boston Event Venues
- Seattle Event Venues
- Chicago Event Venues
- San Francisco Event Venues
- San Diego Event Venues
If you're looking for an extra edge with your event planning strategy, consider choosing an award-winning event management software.
