Drake Celebrates the Opening of History Ottawa: The Second Chapter of His Visionary Music Venues

Drake Celebrates the Opening of History Ottawa: The Second Chapter of His Visionary Music Venues

Today marks a major milestone for live music in Canada's capital. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Drake (under his @champagnepapi handle) announced the official opening of History Ottawa the second venue in his growing partnership with Live Nation.

Here's the full info from Drake:

Today we open the second History.
A venue for outstanding artists and the incredible fan bases that seek that communal family experience. Thank you to Live Nation for giving me the continued trust on a journey that I hope is shared with every city and country worldwide.

These venues are where our stories are born, elevated, shared, and hopefully revisited. I will be there to drop off my personal touch to Ottawa soon.

In creating this I think about every artist that had to play a venue and ask themselves ‘is this what making it feels like’ because I know we respect all the heritage and all the years of inheritance but hope to create a better experience for our budding artists moving forward
H I S T O R Y”

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A New Home for Live Music in the ByWard Market

History Ottawa is a sleek, 2,000-capacity, two-level venue located at the prominent corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive (the former Chapters bookstore site). Owned by the National Capital Commission and operated in partnership with Live Nation Canada, the space has undergone a major transformation over the past couple of years. Unlike arena shows or smaller clubs, History is designed for that sweet spot of intimacy and energy. The main floor offers general-admission standing room right up close to the stage (patrons are never more than about 30 metres from the performers), while the upper level features 112 reserved seats and a premium VIP/corporate lounge that can host up to 200 people. Drake and his team personally helped curate the furnishings for the green rooms and premium spaces, ensuring the venue feels elevated yet welcoming. This is the first expansion of the original History in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood, which opened in November 2021 and quickly became a favourite for both emerging and established acts. Ottawa’s version brings a few unique touches of its own including a wider stage, higher ceilings, and what organizers call the largest LED video wall in the city while keeping the signature high-end sound, lighting, and hospitality that define the brand.

The doors officially swung open20, 2026)with a sold-out show by American roots-rock band The Wallflowers, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their classic album Bringing Down the Horse. It’s a fitting start for a venue that aims to host a wide range of genres. More than 30 shows have already been announced for the rest of 2026, with plans for around 150 events annually going forward. Early highlights include:

Kaleo

Modest Mouse
Marianas Trench
Two Door Cinema Club
Wolf Parade
Bahamas

And many more still to come

The goal is clear: give artists a space that feels special and give fans that communal, “family” experience Drake describes so well.

Ottawa has long needed a mid-sized, modern indoor venue that bridges the gap between intimate clubs and big arenas. History Ottawa fills that void while injecting new energy into the ByWard Market entertainment district. For Drake, it’s more than a business venture it’s personal. He’s spoken about wanting to improve the experience for the next generation of artists, respecting the past while building something better.And true to form, the 6 God has already teased that he’ll be in Ottawa soon to “drop off my personal touch.”Whether you’re a local music lover, a touring artist, or just someone who appreciates a thoughtfully designed space, History Ottawa is poised to become one of the city’s most important cultural additions in years.Welcome to the next chapter of History.