13 Best Spots in the Ottawa Music Scene

4. Heart & Crown Byward Market

Pub-style restaurant by day, raucous party place by night, Heart and Crown is one of the most fun live cover band locations in Ottawa.

5. Vertigo Records

Vertigo Records is the record epicentre of Ottawa. Aside from being walking distance to the Market, Vertigo is the main location for buying tickets to local shows.

A photo posted by Z (@azeeluna) on Jun 6, 2015 at 2:41pm PDT

6. Chateau Lafayette

The Laff’s soundtrack is fuelled by patrons choosing music on the jukebox. Classic rock is usually the sound of choice and it is not uncommon for a bar-wide sing-along to Bohemian Rhapsody to occur in between sips of one of Ottawa’s best Caesars.

7. The Odds & Sods Shoppe

The Shoppe offers up great memorabilia mixed in with new and used albums and classic treats. It’s the kind of place where the owners — who get to know you by name — will give you way better music and/or movie suggestions than Google.

A photo posted by The ODDs & SODs Shoppe (@oddsandsodsshoppe) on Dec 10, 2015 at 12:39pm PST

8. The Rainbow

Though the heart of The Rainbow lies deep in the blues, you can be sure to catch some great acts ranging from solo acoustic sets to big band performances.

A photo posted by Jesse Whiteley (@jesserwhiteley) on Jan 8, 2016 at 10:53pm PST

9. Cafe Dekcuf

Bigger name acts won’t be found here, but here is where Ottawa’s up-and-comers congregate. Usually a ticket costs no more than $5, and you can bet you will hear some of the best unknown music coming out of Ottawa.

A photo posted by Alex – Photography Account (@amac.ulate) on Mar 1, 2015 at 4:43pm PST

10. Birdman Sound

The Bird isn’t concerned with stocking the shiny new releases, but rather unique curation.

A photo posted by Holly Friesen 🎨 (@hollyriver7) on Jul 26, 2012 at 3:02pm PDT

11. RBC Ottawa Bluesfest

Bluesfest hits Lebreton Flats for a couple weeks mid July and brings all of Ottawa together. It is impossible not to find something or someone to get excited about at Bluesfest.

A photo posted by Aesthetic Magazine (@aestheticmagazine) on Feb 24, 2016 at 10:56am PST

12. Babylon

Babylon not only staffs some of Ottawa’s coolest bartenders who all seem able to concoct delicious mystery drinks, but you won’t find better DJs in the city.

13. Zaphod Beeblebrox

A night out at Zaphods is a rite of passage for every 19+ Ottawa music lover. The sound that includes metal and hip hop nights, and dance-your-face-off Electric Ballroom Saturday nights is easy to crave during the rest of the week.