WINNIPEG, MB – The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre manages to pay homage to the historic building’s past while reinventing itself daily.
“Every day I ask ‘am I in bride mode or corporate mode, or who am I today?'” says general manager, Janet Harder. “We see everything from awards shows to weddings to rooftop parties – you name it for an event type, this space has held it.”
While developing The Met as a wedding venue and optimal rooftop party space, plus running the multi-tiered restaurant, the team at The Met has held strong to the 1919 building’s original function as a grand theatre for film and live entertainment.
Linking with the Gimli Film Festival for a screening, for instance, was a major win staff hopes to repeat.
“To associate their production with our theatre is monumental, especially for what we’re trying to accomplish,” says Harder.
The Met plans to evolve into a known destination for documentary screenings and dinner-and-a-movie dates, plus, it’s in the plans to welcome touring bands and local artists to its stage, with space to host crowds of up to 600 with standing room.
With the theatre and balconies, plus the lounge and seasonal patio space, The Met can host upwards of 1,000 attendees, putting it on the map for many of the heavy-hitting event opportunities that breeze through Winnipeg.
Hosting Grey Cup and WE Day affiliated functions, plus the infamous signature Export “A” and Red Bull parties have been some of the more memorable capacity events for The Met.
But it’s not just the big ones that show off The Met’s glitzy appeal.
From a catered lunch meeting to a fashion show packed with stage cues, sound and lighting, The Met is well-equipped to facilitate an event of any size, in a location that evokes Old Hollywood glamour.
“A lot of our guests don’t always have event planners – we do that for them,” explains Harder.
“We have an unbelievable amount of combined experience – and we give that up. All those elements coming together are what drive us.
“When it blows the guests’ minds, that’s exactly why we do this.”
Any budget-conscious bride-to-be may already be connecting the dots, but having trained, professional staff on-hand to assist on the day helps make things run exponentially smoother, and cuts out the need for hiring extra help (even relieving the bridal party of excessive duties!).
“We’ve really been able to develop the wedding market (at The Met),” says Harder.
“Half of it really decorates itself.”
The Met is open to diners Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and later on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer months. Visit www.themetwinnipeg.com/events for a list of upcoming events and availability.
By Downtown BIZ
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