We have many special events coming up this summer so come out and celebrate!
Canada Day July 1, 2010 the biggest birthday all year happens at The Rainbow all day starting with Kinnexa Cross and then grooving into the evening with Roots Movement

This year as the Rainbow Bistro celebrates its 25^th anniversary as being the cornerstone of Blues in Ottawa, we decided that it would be appropriate to use our name and reputation to showcase the great local talent we have right here in our own backyard to all the tourists who flock to Ottawa to partake in the Ottawa Cisco Bluesfest and the after hours party at the Rainbow Bistro.

July 6 - 18, 2010 Bluesfest after hours Opening and closing the party is The Jesse Greene Band
Winners of The Ottawa Blues Society's Road To Memphis 2009 and top 10 band finalists in The 26th International Blues Competition..Jesse has been part of the Rainbow family since she was in her early teens, We are thrilled at her recent success!
Monkey Junk with Special Guest Jumpin' Johnny Sansone from New Orleans, J.W. Jones, Dusty Drifters and many others will rock the Rainbow after hours! Check our schedule for the complete line-up.

August 19 - 22, 2010 Reggaefest after hours The after hours tradition is being extended and for the first time ever, we have partnered up with the Ottawa Reggae Festival and as such, we will be hosting the Official After hours Party starting with Ottawa's own Roots Movement

September 24, 2010 The beginning of fall brings in The O-Town Hoe Down featuring Ottawa's best alt-whatever country music‚ from folk-rock to punk-country and everything in between.

      Live Entertainment                 Check our schedule out for details on upcoming shows.


The Rainbow Bistro celebrates 26 years of bringing live Local, National and International acts to it's stage featuring many types of music, particularily, the Blues. With entertainment 7 days a week and free matinée shows 5 days a week, The Rainbow features a diverse range of entertainment.

We seem to have a pretty tight ship here for our FREE AFTERNOON MATINES (4:20 shows):

• Every Wed afternoon its Dr Dave's Blues and Jazz Ensemble
• Every Thursday afternoon we rotate b/w two bands: Kiinexa Cross and Linda Marie
• Every Friday afternoon its Classic Rock with The Frank James Band
• Every Saturday we have a local/ touring artist grace the stage, this month we have:
  Saturday June 12th Hot Jupiter
  Saturday June 19th Krystal Dos Santos
  Saturday June 26th- Our Monthly All Ages Ska Party (Cover for this monthly show varies from $5-10 depending on the act touring)
• Every Sunday we have our Open Blues Jam which is the longest running blues jam in the Nation's Capital (Entry is free for jammers, $3 for those coming to seek some of the best blues entertainment in Ottawa).

In addition to being Ottawa's most active Blues bar, the Rainbow brings in a diverse range of entertainment from around the globe. Alternative, Pop, Ska, Reggae, Country, Funk, R & B, Soul, Jazz, Rock, pretty well every musical style out there have all found a home at The Rainbow. From one person acoustic shows to full out 15 piece bands The Rainbow, has a time slot and entertainment style for everyone.

A Huge Thanks goes out to Jim Roy for previously keeping The Rainbow online and up to date for years and for his tireless support & contribution to the Ottawa Music Community and public.
Sorry It's Taken so long Jim!
Jim Roys Blues, Jazz & Swing Guide

Check back often, browse the schedule, sign the guestbook and above all, continue to support Live Music!