Overview Events Menus & Floor Plans Spaces Technology Gallery History Dinner & Movie Food & Beverage Location

Historic character. Modern possibilities.

The MET is one of Winnipeg’s most distinctive event destinations—a beautifully restored former movie palace transformed into a flexible, full-service venue. Original architectural details, a soaring domed ceiling, grand staircases, balcony views and an impressive stage and screen create an atmosphere that cannot be recreated in a conventional ballroom.

Located at 281 Donald Street, directly across from Canada Life Centre, The MET offers a collection of spaces for intimate gatherings, large seated dinners and full-venue receptions. With in-house culinary service, event support and built-in presentation capabilities, our team can help bring together every element of your event in one unforgettable setting.

Quick-fact strip

  • Downtown location across from Canada Life Centre
  • Up to 1,000 guests for a full-venue standing reception
  • Up to 350 seated guests for fully catered functions in the Grand Hall
  • 35-foot projection screen
  • 49-foot-wide stage
  • Multiple event spaces across the venue
  • Downtown location across from Canada Life Centre

Events

One extraordinary venue. Countless ways to make it yours.

The MET’s architecture makes an immediate impression; its flexibility allows every event to feel entirely its own. Our team can help create a layout and experience suited to your guest count, program, dining style and production needs.

Corporate Events & Conferences
Host presentations, conferences, awards, holiday celebrations, client receptions, product launches, trade shows and team gatherings in a venue designed to hold attention.

Weddings
Exchange vows, dine and celebrate beneath the Grand Hall’s historic dome. From intimate moments to a full evening of dinner and dancing, The MET offers a wedding setting with genuine character and scale.

Galas & Fundraisers
Create a memorable guest journey with dramatic arrival spaces, seated dining, stage programming, live entertainment and reception areas throughout the venue.


Special Events
Built around a true theatre setting, The MET is a natural fit for screenings, concerts, fashion shows, award ceremonies, cultural events, boxing events and other produced experiences.

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Spaces & Configurations

Space Description
The Grand Hall The centrepiece of The MET, the Grand Hall combines the scale and drama of a historic theatre with the flexibility required for modern events. Its domed ceiling, balcony, stage and large-format screen create a striking setting for dinners, galas, conferences, weddings, performances and receptions.
The Allen Located on the second floor, The Allen offers a refined setting for private dining, receptions and event-related gatherings. Its connection to the building’s original identity makes it a natural part of The MET story.
The Promenade Lounge An elegant transition space with heritage character, the Promenade Lounge can support guest arrival, cocktails, registration, intermissions and pre-event gatherings.
The Parlour A private room suited to meetings, planning sessions, smaller gatherings and event support. Catering and audio-visual options may be available to create a self-contained experience.
The Rooftop Patio A seasonal outdoor setting with views of downtown Winnipeg, Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the Millennium Library. The rooftop is well suited to private gatherings and pre-event receptions when weather and season permit.
Lobby & Arrival Spaces The MET’s lobby and grand staircases establish the experience from the moment guests arrive. These spaces can support welcome moments, registration, cocktail service and event photography.

 

Room Square Feet Rounds – No Dance Floor Rounds – With Dance Floor Boardroom Reception Classroom Theatre U-Shape Hollow Square Notes
Grand Hall 6,037 350 300 N/A 450 208 400 N/A N/A
Upper Balconies 5,598 200 — N/A 225 N/A N/A N/A N/A Tables of 4 & 6
Allen Restaurant 2,350 110 80 N/A 160 N/A N/A N/A N/A
The Met Lounge 1,979 64 64 N/A 80 N/A N/A N/A N/A
The Parlour 1,193 60 50 24 80 36 80 32 40
Patio 2,269 140 120 N/A 180 N/A N/A N/A N/A 7 chairs per row x 11 rows on long side; 11 chairs per row x 6 rows; approx. 143

Technology, Stage & Production

From keynote presentations and film screenings to live entertainment and awards, The MET offers built-in features that support ambitious event programming. Our team can coordinate venue technology and connect you with the right technical support for your event.

Feature Details
Projection screen 35 ft.; source property sheet lists a 16:10 aspect ratio—confirm the second dimension before publishing.
Projector Barco HDX-W18; 1920 x 1200; 18,000 lumens; HDMI and SDI; not 4K. Confirm current equipment and connection workflow.
Stage 49 ft. wide x 15 ft. 9 in. deep; 28.2 in. above floor. Current property sheet says stair access only and not wheelchair accessible—confirm current accessibility plan before publishing.
Venue displays Four flat screens in the Lounge, three in the Theatre/Grand Hall and two in The Allen; confirm names, counts, sizes and current playback capability.
Technical support In-house AV technician available. Do not publish the property sheet’s $75/hour, three-hour-minimum rate until Sales confirms current pricing.
Sound and lighting Add a verified inventory of included equipment, microphones, inputs, house lighting, production power, rigging restrictions and external-vendor requirements.

From movie palace to landmark event destination.

Before it became The MET, the building at 281 Donald Street was the Allen Theatre—one of Canada’s early grand movie palaces. Designed by prominent American theatre architect C. Howard Crane, it officially opened in 1920 with an auditorium created to welcome more than 2,000 moviegoers.

The theatre was renamed the Metropolitan in 1923 after Famous Players acquired it. Its architecture and story reflect the growing cultural importance of moviegoing in the 1920s, as well as the intense competition between the Allen and Famous Players theatre chains. After nearly 70 years as a cinema, the Metropolitan closed in 1987.

Canad Inns acquired the property in 2007 and undertook an extensive restoration led by Canad Inns Founder and Chair Leo Ledohowski. Working with skilled artisans, architects, contractors and community partners, the team preserved the building’s defining architectural character while preparing it for a new life as a multi-purpose entertainment and event venue. The restored building reopened in 2012 as the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre—The MET.

In 2018, Parks Canada commemorated the theatre’s national historic significance with the unveiling of an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. Today, guests continue to gather beneath its historic dome, extending a century-long tradition of shared experiences in the heart of Winnipeg.

  1. 1919

    The Allen Theatre is constructed in downtown Winnipeg.

  2. 1920

    The theatre officially opens as one of Canada’s early grand movie palaces.

  3. 1923

    Famous Players acquires the theatre and renames it the Metropolitan.

  4. 1987

    The Metropolitan closes after nearly 70 years of cinema operation.

  5. 2007

    Canad Inns acquires the property and begins planning its restoration.

  6. 2012

    The restored building reopens as the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre.

  7. 2018

    Parks Canada unveils the commemorative National Historic Site plaque at The MET.

  8. Today

    The MET continues its story as a venue for events, dining and entertainment.

Dinner, a classic film and a setting unlike any other.

Experience Dinner & Movie in the spectacular Grand Hall. Each event pairs a featured film on The MET’s large screen with a buffet dinner, fresh hot buttered popcorn and dessert served during intermission—all within one of Winnipeg’s most memorable historic settings.

View Upcoming Dinner & Movie Events

Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Canadvantage points cannot be used for third-party purchases. Direct ticketing questions to Ticketmaster support.

Food & Beverage: Made in-house. Designed around your event.

Food and beverage are an essential part of the experience at The MET. Our culinary team prepares thoughtfully crafted menus in-house, bringing contemporary flavours to everything from working meetings and cocktail receptions to plated dinners, buffets and late-night service. Our event team will help you select a service style and menu that complement your schedule, guest experience and vision.

View Banquet Menu Request a Proposal

Location

281 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB

In the centre of downtown Winnipeg.

The MET is located at 281 Donald Street, directly across from Canada Life Centre and within walking distance of downtown hotels, restaurants and major attractions.

  • Impark — adjacent to The MET
  • Radisson parking — entrance from Smith Street
  • Millennium Library parkade — entrance from Donald Street

Parking is operated by third parties and availability and rates may change. Link to current parking information rather than promising availability.

Bring your event to The MET!

Request a Proposal