Don’t miss a beat
Sign up to get event news, show announcements, hiring updates, and private event details — directly from us to you.
Your home away
from home
Your home away
from home
What sets us apart
Fully accessible
Everyone is welcome here. From our physical spaces to our events, we design FONO so all can feel at home, move freely, and enjoy the night without barriers. Our space is a fully accessible venue designed to welcome all guests in the downtown core.
Tech-Forward
FONO isn’t just hi-fi ready, it’s built for every kind of gathering. From intimate listening sessions to large-scale events, our spaces are equipped with premium sound, full technical hookups, and the tools you need for corporate meetings, presentations, and seamless events of any size.
Community first
This is everyone’s living room. Built by locals, for locals, FONO is a space to connect, share, and enjoy the night together. It’s a place where Ottawa’s creative community comes together, and where every night is an opportunity to celebrate connection, culture, and the joy of being together.
The building
Welcome to 473 Bronson, a Centretown landmark with over 100 years of history. Built in 1925 as a monument and memorial stone manufacturer by George Brown and Sons, the building has long been a part of Ottawa’s local story. Before FONO, it was home to Re-Cycles, a not-for-profit bike shop and DIY community space. Over the years, its iconic overgrown vines and “wild” exterior made it a familiar sight—until we gave it a haircut and breathed new life into the space.
Stepping inside, you’ll discover high ceilings, impressive windows, and a sense of history woven into every corner. Our goal with FONO was to revitalize 473 Bronson as a community hub, a place where locals can gather, connect, and celebrate music and culture. Extensive renovations have preserved its character while creating two dynamic spaces: The Hi-Fi Lounge and The Ballroom, each available for private events and community gatherings.
SHOWS AND CONCERTS
The Ballroom is built for moments that move you. From live concerts and DJ nights to art shows, vernisages, dance parties, and everything in between, this versatile space adapts to the vibe of the event. With high ceilings, excellent acoustics, and room for the community to gather, every night at FONO becomes a shared experience.
DAY AND NIGHT SERVICE
By day, FONO is a cozy café serving high-quality drip coffee, premium tea, and delicious food—perfect for remote work, meetings, or catching up on our comfy couches. At night, we transform into a hi-fi bar featuring cocktails, natural wines, a curated selection of beers, tasty snacks, and shared dishes meant for friends. We’re not a full-scale restaurant, but we celebrate the art of gathering over food and drink. (We close briefly during the day to reset for evening service).
PRIVATE EVENTS
FONO is your go-to spot for private events. Whether it’s a dance party, wedding, corporate retreat, or creative gathering, we make it simple to book a single room—or the full space—and transform it to fit your vision. From setup to sound, we provide everything you need to make your event seamless and memorable.
CURATED MENUS
Our menus are crafted with sharing in mind. From daytime bites to nighttime snacks and cocktails, each dish is approachable, tasty, and designed to bring people together. Think small plates and shareable bites rather than a full dinner—perfect for grazing with friends, enjoying the music, and soaking in the moment. Nothing too fussy—just delicious, communal eats for friends to enjoy in Ottawa’s living room. Affordable, thoughtful, and always ready to complement the conversation.
Food and drink
FONO is all about keeping it simple, intentional, and delicious: day and night.
BY DAY
We offer a small, carefully crafted menu featuring high-quality drip coffee and pour-overs, alongside tasty sandwiches made for sitting down, connecting, or getting a little work done.
BY NIGHT
We transform into a hi-fi bar, where cocktails, natural wines, a curated selection of beers, and small bites set the tone for meaningful evenings with friends. We spotlight crafted cocktails and approachable drinks, but if you’re in the mood for something classic—like a PBR or gin and soda—you’ll find that too.
