Outremont Theatre
A historic cinema and performing-arts venue on Bernard Avenue West in Montreal's Outremont borough.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Outremont Theatre is a historic cinema and performing-arts building in the Outremont borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Located on Bernard Avenue West, the venue was designed by architect René Charbonneau and constructed in 1928. It opened to the public in 1929, establishing itself first as a movie theatre and later also as a concert and live-performance hall. The building's identity has been shaped by its dual role as a cinema and cultural venue. Over its history, it has hosted film screenings as well as performances by prominent French- and English-language musicians, including Pauline Julien, Louise Forestier, Félix Leclerc, Diane Dufresne, Paul Piché, Richard Séguin, Tom Waits, and The Beautiful South. These appearances place the theatre within Montreal's broader history of popular music and performing arts, while its location in Outremont connects it to one of the city's established cultural neighbourhoods. The theatre was recognized locally as a historic monument by the City of Outremont on June 29, 1987. It subsequently received federal recognition as a National Historic Site of Canada on November 20, 1993, and was recorded as a historic monument by Quebec's cultural heritage registry on June 28, 1994. The heritage designations acknowledged the importance of the building and helped create the framework for its preservation. After closing in the early 1990s, the theatre was acquired by the City of Outremont in 1994. The municipal purchase was intended to support restoration and protect the building's cultural and architectural value. Following renovation work, the venue reopened on March 20, 2001. Its reopening returned the building to cultural use and reaffirmed its role as a public-facing venue for cinema, concerts, and other performing-arts activities. Outremont Theatre is best understood as a civic cultural venue rather than a conventional commercial product brand. Its principal offering is access to a restored historic auditorium and stage for film exhibition, concerts, and related live programming. The theatre's positioning rests on the combination of architectural heritage, neighbourhood identity, and multidisciplinary cultural use. Information in the supplied reference material does not establish a separate corporate parent, a public listing, a founding individual, or a detailed current operating structure.
History
Outremont Theatre was built in 1928 in Montreal's Outremont borough from designs by architect René Charbonneau. The building opened the following year on Bernard Avenue West. From the beginning, its principal cultural function was as a cinema, although its later history also includes use as a concert hall and live-performance venue. The theatre became part of Montreal's cultural infrastructure through its combination of film exhibition and musical performance. Artists associated with performances at the venue include Pauline Julien, Louise Forestier, Félix Leclerc, Diane Dufresne, Paul Piché, Richard Séguin, Tom Waits, and The Beautiful South. This range reflects the theatre's ability to accommodate both Quebec musical figures and internationally known performers, as well as French- and English-language programming. The building's heritage status developed over several decades. The City of Outremont listed it as a historic monument on June 29, 1987. At the federal level, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada on November 20, 1993. Quebec heritage recognition followed on June 28, 1994, when it was designated a historic monument in the province's cultural heritage registry. These recognitions established the theatre as a protected and culturally significant building rather than merely an operating entertainment property. The theatre closed during the early 1990s. In 1994, the City of Outremont purchased the property in order to restore it. The municipal acquisition linked the building's future to public preservation efforts and reflected its perceived architectural and cultural value. Renovation work subsequently prepared the theatre for renewed use. It reopened on March 20, 2001. Following the reopening, Outremont Theatre continued to be identified with cinema, concerts, and performing arts. Its history therefore has three connected dimensions: an original role as a neighbourhood movie theatre, an expanded role as a music and performance venue, and a later role as a restored heritage building supported by municipal ownership. The supplied reference material does not provide detailed architectural specifications, renovation costs, programming figures, current leadership information, or a complete account of operations after the 2001 reopening. Accordingly, the theatre's documented significance is clearest in its construction, cultural programming, heritage designations, closure, municipal acquisition, restoration, and reopening.
- 2001
Reopening after renovation
[1]The theatre reopened on March 20, 2001, after restoration and renovation work.
- 1994
Municipal acquisition and Quebec heritage recognition
[1]The City of Outremont acquired the closed theatre for restoration, and Quebec recognized it as a historic monument on June 28.
- 1993
National Historic Site designation
[1]The theatre was designated a National Historic Site of Canada on November 20, 1993.
- 1987
Municipal heritage designation
[1]The City of Outremont listed the building as a historic monument on June 29, 1987.
- 1929
Public opening
[1]The theatre opened the year after construction and operated as a cinema before also becoming a concert venue.
- 1928
Construction of the theatre
[1]The Outremont Theatre was built in 1928 according to plans by architect René Charbonneau.
Products and positioning
A municipally preserved heritage venue combining cinema, concerts, and performing arts in Montreal's Outremont neighbourhood.
Film exhibition · 1929
Cinema screenings
Film exhibition is one of the theatre's original and continuing cultural functions. The building began its public life as a movie theatre and remains associated with cinema programming, although the supplied reference material does not specify particular titles, screening schedules, or current programming volume.
Live music
Concerts
Outremont Theatre has also operated as a concert hall. Documented performers associated with the venue include Quebec artists such as Pauline Julien, Félix Leclerc, Diane Dufresne, Paul Piché, and Richard Séguin, alongside Tom Waits and The Beautiful South.
Performing arts
Performing-arts presentations
The restored theatre provides a setting for live cultural presentation beyond film and music. The available material identifies the venue broadly with performing arts but does not enumerate specific theatre, dance, comedy, or other presentation series.
Brand decisions
1994
Municipal purchase to preserve and restore the theatreStrategyBackground
The theatre had closed in the early 1990s and had already received federal heritage recognition in 1993.
Action taken
The City of Outremont purchased the property in 1994 with the aim of restoring it.
Aftermath
Renovation followed, and the venue reopened on March 20, 2001.
Recent events
- 2001
Outremont Theatre reopens after restoration[1]
Other
The historic theatre reopened on March 20, 2001, following renovations undertaken after its acquisition by the City of Outremont.
- 1994
City of Outremont acquires the closed theatre for restoration[1]
Other
The City of Outremont purchased the theatre after its closure in the early 1990s, with the stated purpose of restoring and preserving the building.
- 1994
Outremont Theatre receives Quebec heritage recognition[1]
Other
The theatre was recognized as a historic monument in Quebec's cultural heritage register on June 28, 1994.
- 1993
Outremont Theatre designated a National Historic Site of Canada[1]
Other
The building received federal National Historic Site of Canada designation on November 20, 1993.
Sources2 sources
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