Choose Halifax for any number of reasons; incredible oceanfront views and a walkable downtown core, or its world-class convention centre and thriving cross-sector innovation. No matter the reason, the outcome is always the same: inspired meetings, engaged delegates, and lasting impressions.
Discover Halifax’s extraordinary selection of historic and modern venues and accommodations—all offering versatile settings to host inspiring meetings, unforgettable receptions against the backdrop of our beautiful sea-side city.
Unlock a world of curated supplier partnerships, sustainable planning tools, and exclusive delegate-saving privileges designed to elevate your event and not your budget.
Find the support you need to simplify logistics, maximize ROI, and create a bespoke event that is tailored to your group in a way that only Halifax can. As a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) we’re here to help every step of the way, free of charge.
ASIA Restaurant & Bar
Location: 1341 Lower Water Street
Capacity: 45
Privacy: Semi-private
Accessible: Yes Contact
Halifax is growing, with new offerings downtown that reflect our scaling population and diverse community. ASIA is one of a number of newer restaurants to be added to the waterfront as part of the new Cunard District, located on Halifax’s famous waterfront boardwalk.
ASIA offers a semi-private dining space that can accommodate up to 45 seated guests. Featuring a blend of elegantly set tables and a cozy, open banquette, the space is suited for a number of event types, from sit-down dinners and cocktail receptions to canapé soirées. The room rate is based on minimum spends for food and beverage as well as the specific date and times, so prices can range.
ASIA also offers full restaurant buyouts as well as rentals for its two patio areas during the warmer months. Get in touch with the ASIA team here.
Five Fisherman
Location: 1740 Argyle Street
Capacity: 36
Privacy: Semi-private
Accessible: Yes Contact
The Five Fisherman is one of Halifax’s iconic seafood restaurants. The building it is housed in was built in 1817 and was the centre of many key historical events in our city’s history, the details of which might be too grim to share in a restaurant listicle (but we encourage you to ask the staff about the lore!). The restaurant features a semi-private dining room with space for up to 36 seated guests. Explore the space through this virtual tour.
When booking your private dinner or event, talk to their team about wine pairings, customized menus and your AV equipment. They offer these services in-house.
The Five Fisherman team can also handle large group reservations and buyout options at their adjacent establishments, Little Fish Wine Bar and The Auction House.
The CUT Steakhouse has a semi-private dining space that is separated from the rest of the restaurant by a curtain and can seat up to 24 guests. The tables on the other side of the curtain can be booked as a semi-private space for 33 guests. A restaurant buyout is available for up to 60 guests. CUT’s menu features dry-aged New York Striploin, delicious AAA Atlantic Rib-eye, PEI Blue Dot tenderloin or Wagyu beef, all cooked to personal specifications.
CUT sits above another restaurant, Shuck Seafood + Raw Bar. Guests can relax in a more laid-back atmosphere and sample some of the best East Coast oysters, and other top-notch seafood caught straight from our waters. Shuck also has some semi-private spaces that could be explored.
GIO
Location: 1725 Market Street (Prince George Hotel)
Capacity: 24
Privacy: Private & Semi-private
Accessible: Yes Contact
Just steps up from the Halifax Convention Centre and a very convenient choice, especially if your team is already staying with our friends at the Prince George Hotel. Gio is a modern and chic option that is able to host your group’s dinner. Gio has three dining options for groups:
Table 14 – A semi-private area at the back of the restaurant for up to 10 guests
The Private Room – A private space for 10-24 guests. This room has audio-visual capabilities
Restaurant buyout – Reserve the entire restaurant for up to 60 guests.
Their simple and sophisticated menu is rooted in French culinary traditions, handmade with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. They may also offer tailored menus for groups.
The art featured in Gio changes with their artist-in-residence program. At the time of this article, they are featuring art from Katzman Art Projects.
The Mercantile Social
Location: 1579 Hollis Street
Capacity: 30
Privacy: Private & Semi-private
Accessible: Yes Contact
Perfect for classy cocktails and sit-down dinners, this modern venue has three private rooms available to host your group:
• The Rhino: 30 guests
• Bare Knuckle 20 guests
• Peacock: 10 guests
Their menu features signature seafood dishes, including a tuna tartare and maritime crab dip, gourmet classics like pasta and burgers and shareable plates. Just like the others on this list, Mercantile Social is conveniently located, just a short walk from the convention centre and steps away from the waterfront and nightlife.
Salt + Ash Beach House
170 – 1741 Lower Water St. Queen’s Marque
Capacity: 20 seated, buyout options avail.
Privacy: Semi-private
Accessible: Yes Contact
Chic and relaxed, the Salt + Ash Beach House features a semi-private dining room that can seat up to 20 attendees. The room is separated from the rest of the diners, however there is no door to enclose the space entirely.
The menu at Salt + Ash is an elevated reimagining of East Coast favourites, like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and wood fire pizza which is cooked in their signature open fire kitchen. And right outside Salt + Ash you’ll find the Queen’s Marque staircase which descends right into the ocean. You’re really as close to the water as it gets!
(Fun fact, in Nova Scotia you are always no more than 70 kilometers away from the sea. We’re known as Canada’s Ocean Playground for a reason!)
The Salt and Ash Beach house is one of a number of restaurants found within the new Queen’s Marque District on the Halifax waterfront. Darya, Drift, Cafe Lunette, and Bar Sofia, all of which feature their own private dining accommodations as well.
The Old Triangle
Location: 5136 Prince Street
Capacity: 72
Privacy: Private
Accessible: No Contact
This iconic Irish Pub is a crowd favourite if you are looking to host a small or medium-sized group in a laid-back setting. Atop the Triangle is their Seanchai (pronounced Shan-A-kee) room, a 72 person capacity room, regardless of a sit-down dinner or standing reception. The space as its own bar and stage area, complete with audiovisual systems – karaoke anyone?
This room can be catered from the Old Triangle’s menu featuring hand-crafted Irish & Maritime dishes, or from their selection of private event menus, including tray passed hors d’oeuvres, sit down dinner or buffet dinner options. And if those don’t suit your needs they can accommodate a special menu tailored to the tastes of your group.
Their rental rates for their Seanchai room vary on the day, with daytime rentals starting at $300 and evening rentals starting between $250 – $500.
Black Sheep
Location: 1496 Lower Water Street
Capacity: 34 (up to 60 for standing reception)
Privacy: Semi-private
Accessible: No Contact
Black Sheep, found inside the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery building, is perfect for groups looking for elevated comfort food. Their “locally sourced and globally inspired” menu will give your group a taste of Nova Scotia’s incredible flavours.
You have the option to book their Mezzanine level for a seated dinner for up to 34 or a standing reception for up to 60 guests. The space is open to the main floor below, so not ideal for highly confidential presentations, but the space does feel private with a sliding door that separates the space and a private bar if needed.
If you’re looking for more space, they also offer a full restaurant buyout that can accommodate a seated dinner for 100 or a reception of 120 attendees. Black Sheep can also host your group for brunch.
The Lower Deck Tap Room
Location: 1887 Upper Water Street
Capacity: 20- 200
Privacy: Private
Accessible: No Contact
Black Sheep, found inside the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery building, is perfect for groups looking for elevated comfort food. Their “locally sourced and globally inspired” menu will give your group a taste of Nova Scotia’s incredible flavours.
You have the option to book their Mezzanine level for a seated dinner for up to 34 or a standing reception for up to 60 guests. The space is open to the main floor below, so not ideal for highly confidential presentations, but the space does feel private with a sliding door that separates the space and a private bar if needed.
If you’re looking for more space, they also offer a full restaurant buyout that can accommodate a seated dinner for 100 or a reception of 120 attendees. Black Sheep can also host your group for brunch.
Water Polo
Location: 1325 Lower Water Street
Capacity: 8 – 28
Privacy: Semi-private
Accessible: Yes Contact
This sea-to-table restaurant serves both locally caught and globally sourced seafood with an elegant yet approachable take on a wide array of seafood dishes, from maki sushi rolls to a Bluefin tuna carpaccio.
Water Polo has two private dining rooms to choose from, the smaller of the two can accommodate up to 10 guests, while the larger room can seat up to 28 guests. With a private booking, the room is exclusively yours from 4 PM to 11PM, allowing your group to arrive at your preferred time. Guests order from curated set menus, which can of course be customized to accommodate any specific preferences or needs.
Water Polo’s menu changes based on what’s fresh and in season, so connect with their team to see what’s on the menu during your visit. And to top it off, Water Polo’s in-house sommeliers are there to help you choose the perfect wine pairings for your meal.
Those are just ten choices located in the downtown core of Halifax. But there are hundreds of more restaurants we could have added to this list that extend even further across the city limits. So if you are still curious about all we have to offer, get in touch with Team Halifax today!
BONUS: Anemone Dining
Location: 109-1496 Lower Water Street
Capacity: 20 seated
Privacy: Private
Accessible: Yes Contact
Also found in the Alexander Keith’s Brewery building, Anemone only offers private dining. Treat your group to a team of expert chefs for the evening and relish a menu of seasonally curated dishes in a cozy and rustic setting.
Their Lower Water Street location, roughly a 10-minute walk from the Halifax Convention Centre, can accommodate up to 20 diners in its private dining space or standing receptions for up to 40 guests. Anemone offers five different packages to host your group in a price range between a $750 to $1500 minimum spend. The Anemone team can also come to you with their private catering services.
Other restaurants with private dining rooms to explore:
