Spotlight on Mississauga BACK

From a planner's perspective, urban sprawl never looked so good as the demands of Mississauga's growing business sector, population and tourism nurture a thriving event industry infrastructure.

If your event agenda requires a Mississauga location, take a look at our snapshot of a few of the city's unique venues:

Squeeze Resto Lounge
Straddling the border of Mississauga and Oakville, the nondescript exterior and mall location of this resto-lounge club belies the hipster scene inside. Awash in warm red and citrus hues, plush accents and smart furnishings, is a fabulous 10,000 sq. ft. playing field for events for 50 to 800 people. The restaurant area, serving a tapas style-menu, seats 60 with a curtained alcove private dining for 10.

The grand attraction is the main room. South-beach-meets-Morocco draping treatments line the walls and billow down from the atrium-window ceiling above the sunken central area. Have some décor fun with the funky oversized swinging chairs or clear the space for versatile set-up configurations and presentations (three drop-down projector screens and topnotch audio-visual). Perimeter seating, including VIP areas, bars and a mezzanine provide ample mingle room. www.squeezeclub.ca

Living Arts Centre
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this striking architectural showpiece offers a great arts and culture entertainment option along with event space ranging from three theatres to 10 meeting rooms (Capacity: 12 to 210) and an on-site restaurant (Capacity: 120). When only big will do, check out Hammerson Hall, the three-level theatre with seating for 1,300. Retractable seating in the 310-seat RBC Theatre transforms the space into a sit-down for up to 200 guests. More intimate staging needs can look to the 110-seat Rogers Theatre.

A soaring floor-to-ceiling stained glass window in the centre's atrium-lobby makes a dramatic backdrop for receptions and sit-downs for up to 350 guests. For something a little different, call upon the resident artists in the Studio Art Department to lead teambuilding workshops that enhance creative thinking skills through hands-on visual and performing arts activities. www.livingartscentre.ca

 

Wave Room
We love hidden gems! Perched atop the Lagoshore Restaurant on Lakeshore Road East, this year-old meeting enclave has a decidedly upscale private club feel. Rich dark woods, leather couches and a handsome bar area dress the 1,500 sq. ft. open-concept space. The front area boasts the lounge, bar and working gas fireplace and walk through to the back, where a magnificent macasa ebony boardroom table with data networking connections and seating for up to 20, presides.

Equipped with wireless and high tech audio-visual, the Wave Room is ideal for executive retreats and presentations for up to 40. Remove the boardroom table to reconfigure a reception space for up to 60. Use the on-site catering kitchen, or coordinate a dine-around with Lagoshore and other local eateries. www.waveroom.ca

West 50 Pourhouse & Grille
This upscale pub, tucked discreetly into the bottom of the Sussex Centre at the crossroads of Mississauga's City Centre, is the newest offering from Hip Restaurants group. Laying claim to Canada's largest draught beer selection, West 50's elegant burnt umber palette and mod steel accents veer far from the traditional pub setting.

Two seating levels enjoy natural light spilling in through an atrium window wall: a steel-topped bar winds the opposite length of the restaurant. Tap into the spacious main level dance floor and projection equipment for presentations and receptions. For private events up to 45 (a tutored beer tasting may be in order), head to the Pourhouse Room, complete with multi-media connections, another plasma screen and fireplace. The sunken living-room area of The Den offers semi-privacy for 45. Total restaurant capacity: 380. www.hiprestaurants.com

Museums of Mississauga
Add a slice of history into your event with the country-like settings of the Bradley Museum and Benares Historic Home. Both properties, circa 19th and 20th century respectively, offer a unique ambience for small groups. At the Benares House, include a tour of the home's interior or host a break-out session for up to five people. Larger meetings (up to 40 people) are held in the property's Visitor Centre, complete with a large projector screen and basic audio-visual.

At the Bradley House, two private rooms are available in The Anchorage, a Regency-style building housing a gift shop and galleries. Featuring rich jewel tones and fireplaces, each room is ideal for boardroom set-ups for up to 15 people. Receptions for up to 50 can use the open foyer to flow between both rooms. Groups in search of a rustic retreat will welcome the property's summer opening of an historic log cabin with overnight accommodation (Capacity: 14 people). www.museumsofmississauga.com