From Bookstore To Backstage
The building that once held rows of paperbacks at Rideau Street and Sussex Drive has been transformed into History Ottawa, a two storey live entertainment venue with room for about 2,000 people. The National Capital Commission purchased the property in 2024 and later partnered with Live Nation Canada to bring the space to life, with Canadian hip-hop star Drake also involved in shaping the project.
Ali Shafaee, regional vice-president with Live Nation Canada, gave a tour ahead of opening day and pointed out just how close fans will get to the action. Standing about 30 feet from centre stage on the main floor, he noted, puts concertgoers almost close enough to see their favourite artist’s every move.
A Room Built With Drake’s Input
Shafaee shared that Drake’s team played a hands-on role in designing the venue, right down to selecting the furniture for the upstairs premium lounge. The main floor is set up as general admission standing room, though the space is also convertible for concerts, galas and other events.
Upstairs, guests will find 112 premium seats available individually or as part of group lodges, along with standing room accessible to general admission ticket holders. As for when Drake himself might take the stage in his hometown venue, Shafaee kept things open-ended, saying only that the timing is still to be determined.
A Packed Lineup Ahead
History Ottawa is wasting no time filling its calendar. Around 60 shows are planned for the remainder of 2026, with roughly 35 already announced, and another 150 shows are on the books for 2027.
General manager Bronwyn Campbell, who previously managed Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom, says she can’t wait to see the room filled with energy again. She described the joy of watching people connect over live music as one of the best parts of the job.
Joining Ottawa’s Big Stage Lineup
With a capacity in the same range as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s concert space and the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall, History Ottawa slots right into the city’s growing roster of major live music venues. Live Nation Canada already runs similar rooms in Toronto and Montreal, and Shafaee says adding an Ottawa stop rounds out an important touring circuit.
He also pointed to the wave of new hotels, restaurants and investment flowing into the ByWard Market right now, calling the momentum in the neighbourhood especially strong.
Opening Night Details
History Ottawa opens its doors to the public on Thursday, with American rock band The Wallflowers headlining the very first show. The venue sits at the corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive, just steps from Rideau Station and the Rideau Centre, making it an easy addition to a night out downtown.
With dozens of shows already on the calendar for the rest of the year and well over a hundred more planned for 2027, this corner of the market is shaping up to be one of the city’s liveliest new stops for live music.
