Live Nation Canada is bringing its “History” music venue brand to downtown Ottawa with a new 2,000-capacity, two-level space set to open at 47–57 Rideau Street.
The new venue is set to open in early 2026, according to the company’s website. History Ottawa will occupy the former Chapters bookstore, which opened in 1996 and closed in 2022. History Ottawa will feature a flexible layout that includes a general admission floor and reserved seating on the upper level. It will accommodate a range of events from concerts and comedy acts to galas and community programming.
A full-service bar offering a wide selection of alcoholic beverages will also be a key feature of the venue, supporting its aim to deliver a high-end nightlife experience alongside live entertainment. Premium seating, hospitality services, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting are also planned.
The development marks the first expansion of the History brand outside Toronto. Live Nation launched the original History venue in partnership with Canadian rapper Drake in 2021, and the Ottawa location will similarly include Drake as an investor.
“This is going to bring so much activity and so much life to the ByWard Market,” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said at a press conference announcing the project. “I feel like this is really going to springboard the downtown economy and our nightlife.”
Live Nation Canada is leasing the building from the National Capital Commission, which acquired the property in 2024. Renovations are already underway.
“Ottawa has always had a love affair with live music,” Erik Hoffman, President of Music at Live Nation Canada, said in a news release. “This is a great bridge between the classic sort of cutting-your-teeth smaller club and the hockey arena or large theatre.”
Live Nation plans to host up to 200 events annually at the venue, positioning History Ottawa as a new anchor in the city’s cultural and nightlife scene.
