Fono, a hi-fi lounge emphasizing audiophile-quality sound and creative programming, is getting ready to open in Ottawa at 473 Bronson Avenue.
The new venue will debut in the former home of a headstone-carving shop at the corner of Bronson and Gladstone avenues, and is expected to open on December 1, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Renovations are underway to convert the historic brick building into a fully accessible, two-room space designed for music-focused gatherings and events. Customers can expect a front hi-fi lounge with state-of-the-art built-in speakers and a back room for small-scale music and DJ events.
Fono is led by Matías Muñoz, founder of the Ottawa Showbox blog and a member of the team behind Cinqhole, a DIY arts venue in Hintonburg that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new project reflects Muñoz’s continued investment in Ottawa’s independent arts scene, offering a more intimate setting for creative events. With a capacity of approximately 100 patrons, Fono aims to complement, rather than compete with, larger concert halls like the 2,000-capacity History Ottawa, scheduled to open next spring.
The space will serve as a hub for diverse programming, including dance parties, jazz nights, and after-dinner events. The beverage program will feature local beer, natural wines, and small-plate dishes inspired by Spanish tapas. The concept’s name, “Fono,” comes from Spanish slang for “phone,” a nod to Muñoz’s Latin heritage and the venue’s focus on connection and sound.
“We can do all kinds of events here, whether it’s a dance party, a jazz night, or a chill after-dinner night,” Muñoz told the Ottawa Citizen. “It’s going to be a little different from the normal venue space model. We just want to get people in here doing interesting things, like a testing ground for all kinds of experimental ideas and types of music.”
