The twenty-minute drive from downtown Ottawa to the winding hills of Chelsea, Quebec, is short and scenic, and by the time I pulled up to 1418 Route 105, the city felt far behind. It was a night in early February, and our destination was a dinner-and-show at Motel Chelsea, a world away in feel.
The Oiseau Bleu Restaurant and bar at Motel Chelsea make a strong first impression. The room is set up so you can have dinner first and then settle in for the show, all in the same cozy space. It’s warm and intimate, with just enough room between tables to feel comfortable while keeping that close‑up, supper‑club vibe.
The menu leans into local ingredients: wood‑fired pizzas, burgers, seasonal salads, and a rotating selection of comfort‑driven specials. The bar keeps things simple but well done, with local craft beers, a solid wine list, and cocktails like their Maple Old Fashioned and the Chelsea Sour. The whole place has an easygoing, welcoming feel, the kind of room where settling in for dinner and a show just works.
Sam Polley and the Old Tomorrows were on the bill, a band that’s been turning heads everywhere they play, and they didn’t disappoint.
Frontman Sam Polley (lead vocals, guitar) is an exceptional performer: funny, relaxed, and completely at ease onstage. Between songs, he recounted stories about life on the road, the odd corners of the music business, and the strange ways lyrics come together. He delivers them with the timing of someone who could easily hold his own at a comedy club. If he weren’t a musician, comedy would be calling; instead, the music scene gets the benefit.
Polley formed the band in downtown Toronto in 2017, pulling together musicians who shared his love of vintage rock ’n’ roll, country twang, and Motown swing. The lineup clicked immediately. In addition to Sam Polley, the band includes Fraser Melvin (electric guitar), Tally Ferraro (bass), and Gianni Ferraro (drums).
Their first show at Toronto’s The Cameron House sold out, and by early 2018, they were in the studio recording their debut EP—literally in a single day—aptly titled EP in a Day. That release sent Polley across Canada as a featured artist on the Jim Cuddy Band’s Constellation tour, and the group spent the rest of the year building a loyal following across Ontario. Their full‑length album Time Forgot followed, blending ’50s and ’60s rockabilly, old‑school country, and groove‑heavy hooks. That mix of influences came through clearly at Motel Chelsea.
“Gonna Be Mine” was the song that really stood out. It has that timeless feel—the kind of tune that sounds like it’s been around for years, even though you’re hearing it for the first time. You could sense the room pick up on it right away. It was an easy high point for Polley and the band.
“Something to Do” hit in a similar way: upbeat, tight, and played with the kind of confidence that comes from a group that knows each other well onstage.
“Rude Girl” was another fun moment. Polley leaned into his red Gretsch, rocking it up with the comfortably cool Fraser Melvin who held the whole thing down beside him—steady, sharp, and the ideal wingman for a song built on that kind of groove.
Their covers said a lot about them, too. The band’s take on John Prine’s “There She Goes” had real warmth, and their giddy yup version of Barney Bentall’s “Come Back to Me” got the room moving. And when they kicked into “Sixteen Guns,” they showed they can turn things up and effortlessly get a groove going. It all pointed to the same thing: Sam Polley and the Old Tomorrow are the real deal, a gem on the Canadian music scene—no gimmicks, all talent, and just solid songs played really well.
Between sets, Polley and the band mingled with the crowd, chatting and posing for photos. The whole thing felt genuinely warm — no ego, just real appreciation that the audience was enjoying the night.
In Motel Chelsea’s intimate setting, every lyric lands and every harmony sits exactly where it should. The space is tuned in a way that makes the music feel close without ever feeling loud for the sake of it. You can tell the owners put real thought into the setup — the speakers, the mix, the way the room carries sound. It’s a small detail to some, but it makes a big difference. This is a supper‑club stage built by people who care about how music actually feels in the room.
Motel Chelsea’s programming continues to raise the bar for live music in the National Capital Region. On top of the upcoming calendar is The Barra MacNeils, performance on Wednesday, March 4 at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts in downtown Ottawa, part of the LOVE TO FOLK Prime series. For more than three decades, the Cape Breton‑based family group has thrilled audiences with their sparkling repertoire, rich harmonies, and vibrant showmanship.
Bringing Motel Chelsea’s signature “big acts, up close” experience to a larger venue ensures fans get the same curated intimacy in a space tailored to the band.
Motel Chelsea isn’t just a place to catch a concert. It’s a seven-room inn along with two apartments and a glamper, the Oiseau Bleu Restaurant and bar, and a gathering spot tucked into the Gatineau Hills, where a mix of locals, travellers, and music fans end up crossing paths.
The setting does a lot of the talking. Forest trails and river views surround the property. It feels like a break from the city without requiring much effort to get there. Whether you’re there for dinner and a show or staying overnight, the atmosphere is easygoing and genuine.
It’s the mix of music, good food, and the surrounding landscape that gives Motel Chelsea its character. It’s close enough to Ottawa for a spontaneous night out, but far enough to feel like you’ve stepped into something different.
You can spend the afternoon on a nearby trail, grab a locally inspired meal, and end the night a few feet from musicians giving everything they’ve got onstage. On top of all the strong acts scheduled for Motel Chelsea this season, the Barrow Gang will be hitting the stage at the end of March for a show you won’t want to miss — one of Ottawa’s favourite live bands performing on one of the region’s most intimate stages.
Photos of Motel Chelsea, courtesy of Motel Chelsea
