Venue Partners/North Vancouver Shipyards
Catering at MONOVA
Museum of North Vancouver on the Shipyards waterfront — multiple intimate rentable spaces with an outdoor courtyard.
MONOVA (the Museum of North Vancouver) at 115 West Esplanade occupies over 2,000 sq ft of rentable space on the Shipyards waterfront. Unlike the Pipe Shop or Wallace next door, MONOVA breaks into several distinct smaller rooms — ideal for intimate weddings, private corporate dinners, and boutique receptions.
The main spaces are Monova 1 (448 sq ft, 70 guests reception), Monova 2 (656 sq ft, 70 guests reception), and a 600 sq ft outdoor courtyard. The Streetcar 153 Lobby (400 sq ft, 50 guests) and Boardroom (169 sq ft, 10 guests) cover meetings and breakout needs. Combining Monova 1 + 2 gives you a 1,100 sq ft main event space with up to 140 combined reception guests.
For clients who want the Shipyards waterfront setting at an intimate scale, MONOVA is the right-size option — small enough to feel personal, large enough for 80–140 guest weddings or corporate receptions.
From our coordinators
Why we love catering here
Shipyards waterfront location at an intimate scale (70–140 guests)
Multi-room layout works for ceremony + separate reception room
Outdoor courtyard extends the footprint in summer
Seabus + bus loop at the door — downtown guests arrive easily
Museum collection adds gravitas without the scale of MOA or larger museums
Capacity
How many guests fit?
Menu & service
What works at MONOVA
Passed canapés
From $22 / guest
The multi-room layout suits passed cocktail service that uses both Monova 1 + 2 simultaneously, with guests circulating between.
See menu →Family-style dining
From $61 / guest
Intimate scale (40–80 covers per room) is perfect for shared-platter dining — feels personal, not formal.
See menu →The details
Event logistics
Operational notes from our coordinators — the things that affect how a quote comes together for this venue.
- Rental setup
- MONOVA's rental structure is tiered across individual rooms (Monova 1 + 2), combined use, and the Courtyard, with 4-hour and 8-hour options. We'll confirm current rates with the venue and fold them into your proposal.
- Kitchen
- Many Vancouver venues have warming or prep kitchens only (not full hot-cooking lines). We bring our own mobile induction + convection units when needed — already factored into the per-guest rate for this venue.
- Bar
- For venues without an in-house liquor licence, we coordinate through our hospitality partners under a BC Special Event Permit — one itemised wine/beer/spirits line on your quote, no hidden markup.
- Transit
- Direct Seabus + bus access at the building entrance. For downtown guests, transit can be a legitimate option instead of parking/taxi.
Plan your event at MONOVA
Tell us about your event and we'll send a written proposal tailored to MONOVA's kitchen setup, logistics, and guest capacity — usually within 48 business hours of our first call.
Smart Event Planning
Plan your event at this venue
FAQ
About catering at MONOVA
Can I rent multiple rooms at once?
Yes — combining Monova 1 + 2 + the Courtyard gives you about 1,700 sq ft plus outdoor space, suitable for ~180 standing cocktail or ~100 seated. The venue offers combined pricing.
Is MONOVA right for a wedding?
For intimate weddings (60–140 guests), absolutely. Ceremony in one room, cocktail hour in the courtyard, reception in the other room — natural flow. Larger weddings work better at the Pipe Shop or Wallace nearby.
Are there time restrictions?
Rentals work in 4-hour and 8-hour blocks. Late-night (past 11 PM) typically needs a special arrangement — museum spaces generally close earlier than dedicated event venues.