Like a cat, MTELUS seems to have been gifted with nine lives. The building first housed a skating rink in 1884, then a summer theatre the following year. Renamed the "Théâtre français" in 1893, it presented theatre plays for 30 years, welcoming the great Sarah Bernhardt in 1905.

Converted into a cinema in 1923, it fell victim to fire as the 1930s opened. Renovated and decorated shortly thereafter by Emmanuel Briffa, the man responsible for the décor of the Théâtre Outremont, the building returned to its first love, the theatre, before housing an adult cinema from 1960.

After closing its doors in 1981, it reopened six years later, this time as a discotheque under the name “Metropolis”.

Following L’Équipe Spectra’s acquisition of the building in 1997, the location became a live performance venue, highly appreciated by both the public and the many artists who’ve performed there. Twenty years later, in 2017, the place was renamed MTELUS after undergoing major renovations.

Located on Ste. Catherine St., in the heart of downtown Montreal, the venue has a 2,300 capacity. It has hosted an array of memorable concerts by artists including David Bowie, Prince, Beck, Les Rita Mitsouko, Radiohead, Green Day, the White Stripes, Björk, Bran Van 3000, Ben Harper, Coldplay, Corneille, Pierre Lapointe, Les Cowboys Fringants, Plume Latraverse, and Jean Leloup—the artist who has performed the most concerts in the venue.

While hosting live performances remains its primary purpose, MTELUS occasionally returns to its old habits, transforming into a discotheque or a reception hall for launches, corporate events and meetings of all kinds.

MTELUS also features an annex, the M2, with a capacity of 220. With its chandeliers and intimate ambience, the décor of the M2 calls to mind the Belle Epoque of the cabarets. A unique cachet, a unique location.