The Barley Mow Gastropub

2pm to 5pm Biweekly session with a focus on tunes and styles from Cape Breton Island. Intermediate to advanced skill levels, usually a moderate to fast pace. Sheet music for tune sets commonly played at the session are posted on the website and music stands/books are permitted as long as space is available. Mostly group playing, but some solo or duets performed, especially if there are visiting musicians. Occasionaly stepdancing. Good session for listeners as it’s a friendly crowd of regulars, including lots of displaced Cape Bretoners. Lovely setting by the Ottawa River, pub has very good food. Lots of parking, some of it underground.

Cape Breton and some Irish music, happens on the first Sunday of every month at 2pm at The Barley Mow 1541 Merivale Rd. From the 416 take the Maitland Ave. exit southbound, you’ll end up right on Merivale Rd. There is parking in front of the building, enter off Capilano Dr. or Merivale northbound. Tons more parking just behind the building (by the gas station). On bus route 176. Tunes played can be found on the website Sessions are led by Aylene, or sometimes other folks. This session is mostly group playing with a few solos. Sheet music permitted. Generally a pretty fast pace. Jam ouverte avec concentration sur le pieces de l’ile du Cap Breton, de l’Écosse et de Glengarry. Apportez un instrument ou venez partager une chanson avec nous. Ou, venez savourez la musique et notre plaisir. On ne sait jamais qui s’y présentera, mais c’est certainement toujours un groupe avec un accueil amical avec qui passer l’après-midi.

This session is still going strong on the first Sunday of every month. It can be a pretty big group sometimes, completely filling the available space. To photos from the session, or to ask questions about the session go to the Facebook group page: www.facebook.com/groups/cbsession.

This session has changed to the third Sunday of each month as of Nov. 2018. It’s still going strong and welcoming listeners and players alike to join in the fun. It’s a good idea to always check the website cbsession.com, or the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cbsession/ just in case something happened to change the schedule. This is a great location with good food and good beer, and lots of room for musicians. The Barley Mow 1541 Merivale Rd. From the 416 take the Maitland Ave. exit southbound, you’ll end up right on Merivale Rd. There is parking in front of the building, enter off Capilano Dr. or Merivale northbound. Tons more parking just behind the building (by the gas station). On bus route 176. Tunes played can be found on the website Sessions are led by Aylene, or sometimes other folks. This session is mostly group playing with a few solos. Sheet music permitted. Generally a pretty fast pace. Jam ouverte avec concentration sur le pieces de l’ile du Cap Breton, de l’Écosse et de Glengarry. Apportez un instrument ou venez partager une chanson avec nous. Ou, venez savourez la musique et notre plaisir. On ne sait jamais qui s’y présentera, mais c’est certainement toujours un groupe avec un accueil amical avec qui passer l’après-midi.

As the east end location for the Ottawa Cape Breton Session is no longer in business, all pub sessions are now held at The Barley Mow Gastropub at 1541 Merivale Rd. Sessions are on the first and third Sunday of each month. An exception is made for January 2023 where New Year’s Day is a Sunday. For Jan. 2023 only, the sessions are switched to 2nd and 4th Sunday.