Maison Amex: a lounge for Cardmembers during the Montreal Grand Prix
Are you an American Express premium Cardmember? For the third consecutive year, the Maison Amex Montreal opens its doors to eligible cardmembers for the FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026, from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24, 2026.
To make the most of it, see how to experience the Grand Prix with your points and card benefits, as well as our F1 experience with the American Express Platinum Card.
This year, the lounge is moving to a new address: 2120 Rue de la Montagne, right in the heart of downtown.
Below, you’ll find the eligible cards, hours, the menu curated by chef Danny Smiles of Le Violon, as well as our feedback from previous editions. To make sure you don’t miss any Amex perks, sign up for our newsletter.
Eligible American Express cards
To enter Maison Amex Montreal in 2026, you must present one of the following American Express cards, along with a government-issued photo ID matching the name on the card.
- American Express Platinum Card: the issuer’s iconic premium card
- American Express Business Platinum Card: the corporate version of the Platinum
- Aeroplan American Express Reserve Card: the premium co-branded card with Air Canada
- Aeroplan American Express Business Reserve Card: the business version of the Aeroplan Reserve
- Air Canada American Express Card: available by invitation only
- American Express Centurion Card: the famous “Black Card,” also by invitation
- American Express Business Platinum Card: the SMB version of the Platinum
- Aeroplan American Express Business Reserve Card: designed for Aeroplan business travellers
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $799 | |||
| $799 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $599 |
2026 dates, address, and hours
Maison Amex is changing locations this year. The lounge will now be in the heart of the Quartier de la Montagne, near Peel metro station and the Festival Grand Prix. Here are the key details.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 2120 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1Z7 |
| Dates | From Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24, 2026 |
| Schedule | Daily from 2 PM to 10 PM (ET) |
| Capacity | Maximum 125 people |
| Booking | None — first come, first served |
Note that the hours differ from last year. The lounge opened at 11 AM in 2025, versus 2 PM this year. Closing time also moves from 11 PM to 10 PM. Plan your visit accordingly, especially if you’re hoping to stop by earlier in the day.
On-site food and drinks
Montreal chef Danny Smiles, at the helm of Le Violon, is once again curating the menu at Maison Amex Montreal in 2026. As a reminder, Le Violon is ranked among Canada’s best restaurants in the Canada’s 100 Best list.
On the food side, you’ll enjoy:
- Free canapés: bites prepared by chef Danny Smiles, offered to eligible cardmembers and their guest
- Cocktail bar: a selection of well-crafted cocktails and drinks available for purchase (payment by American Express card)
- Lounge area: comfortable leather armchairs and TVs to watch the race live
What’s more, Le Violon is one of the restaurants eligible for the $200 annual dining credit on the American Express Platinum Card. Take advantage of being downtown to book a table before or after your visit to Maison Amex.
Lounge access conditions
Entry to Maison Amex Montreal follows specific rules. Here’s what to know before you go.
- One cardmember and one guest: each eligible cardmember may bring a maximum of one (1) guest
- Legal drinking age: the cardmember and their guest must be 18+ to enter
- ID required: government-issued photo ID matching the name on the card
- Guest must be accompanied: the guest must be present at the same time as the cardmember
- Time limit: depending on crowd levels, your time inside may be limited
No advance registration is required. However, due to the maximum capacity of 125 people, expect possible wait times during peak hours, especially Saturday evening and before Sunday’s race.
Our experience from past editions
The Milesopedia team visited Maison Amex Montreal in 2024, 2025, and 2026. The photos illustrating this article are from these three editions, providing a good overview of the lounge’s atmosphere and format over the years.
In 2026, American Express is opening Maison Amex in the heart of Montreal: a private lounge reserved for eligible members and their plus-one. It features leather armchairs, crafted cocktails (available for purchase), and appetizers by Chef Danny Smiles of Le Violon, recognized as one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada. It is the perfect place to unwind between the weekend’s highlights.
In 2025, the lounge was located on Stanley Street, just steps away from the Peel metro station.
At the entrance, a quick check of the card and ID was all that was needed to access the ground floor, which was furnished with several small tables and televisions broadcasting the race live.
The menu curated by Danny Smiles included a spring vegetable skewer, stracciatella focaccia, whipped baccalà with trout roe, and a barese sausage skewer.
The 2024 edition, closer to Crescent Street, offered a slightly different setup, with an outdoor terrace, more enveloping armchairs, and self-serve snacks (including much-loved truffle fries). Atmosphere-wise, a DJ hosted the space both years, which sometimes made conversation difficult during peak hours.
Conclusion
Maison Amex Montreal remains one of the most anticipated spring perks for premium American Express cardmembers. For the 3rd year in a row, the lounge offers a welcome place to unwind in the middle of a packed downtown during Grand Prix weekend. If you have an eligible card, take the opportunity to meet other enthusiasts and sample chef Danny Smiles’ cuisine.
Beyond this one-off event, American Express cardmembers enjoy plenty of other perks throughout the year. To compare all available options, visit our best credit cards page in Canada.
- The Hotel Collection by American Express (perks at over 600 hotels)
- Front Of The Line, Amex’s platform for concert and show tickets
- American Express online offers, to save with partner merchants
We might see you at Maison Amex! Part of the Milesopedia team is planning to go!
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuation
- $1,700Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 100,000 points
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
on American Express's website
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Maison Amex Montreal – Frequently asked questions
What are the dates for Maison Amex Montreal in 2026?
Maison Amex Montreal is open from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, daily from 2 PM to 10 PM (Eastern Time). These dates coincide with the weekend of the FORMULA 1 LENOVO GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2026.
Where is Maison Amex in Montreal in 2026?
The exact address is 2120 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1Z7. The venue is downtown, a short walk from Peel metro station and the Festival Grand Prix held on Crescent Street.
Which American Express cards give access to the lounge?
Eligible cards include the Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, Aeroplan Reserve Card, Aeroplan Business Reserve Card, Air Canada Card (by invitation), Centurion Card (by invitation), Business Platinum Card, and Aeroplan Business Reserve Card. Gold, Cobalt, and Green cards do not provide access to Maison Amex.
Do you need to book to enter Maison Amex?
No, reservations aren’t available. Access is first come, first served, up to a maximum capacity of 125 people. However, expect possible wait times during peak hours, especially Saturday evening and before Sunday’s race.
How many guests can you bring?
Each eligible cardmember may bring a maximum of one (1) guest. Both people must be 18+ and the guest must accompany the cardmember to enter the lounge.
Are food and drinks free?
Canapés curated by chef Danny Smiles are free. Drinks (cocktails, beer), however, are available for purchase and must be paid in full with an American Express card. No accommodations are planned for dietary restrictions.
Is my mobile wallet enough as ID?
For business cards, you must present your physical card. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay are not considered sufficient identity verification. Also bring a government-issued photo ID, regardless of card type.
Who is the chef behind the Maison Amex menu?
For the second year in a row, the menu is curated by Danny Smiles, chef of Le Violon in Montreal. Le Violon is ranked among Canada’s best restaurants in the Canada’s 100 Best list, and is also one of the restaurants eligible for the $200 annual dining credit on the American Express Platinum Card.
Is the lounge the same as in 2025?
No, the address is changing. In 2025, the lounge was on Stanley Street, while in 2026 it’s moving to 2120 Rue de la Montagne. Hours are also different: the lounge opens at 2 PM in 2026 (vs. 11 AM last year) and closes at 10 PM (vs. 11 PM in 2025).
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