43 Best Bars in Ottawa

“My husband and I visited the Spin Kitchen bar for drinks to celebrate our anniversary. We came to Ottawa to celebrate. We met some amazing people that were also visiting. It truly was a great evening and the staff are very friendly and social.“

“The Manx pub is a great place. Not very big, lots of atmosphere. Food is great, large portions and reasonably priced 😁 *****“

“I don’t even know where to start. Back in November 2024, we went to tour Umbrella Bar as a potential wedding venue. It was beautiful, but just a bit small for the number of guests we were planning. Kim then brought us down to see Lago… and we were immediately hooked. We went home that night and booked it for our September 2025 wedding. We didn’t tour a single other venue because Lago was that perfect. Right on the water, stunning views, and such an incredible space overall. The pricing was unbelievably reasonable too, which made our decision even easier.

A few months after booking, we went in for our tasting — and I still dream about that food to this day. Everything was so well prepared, so flavourful, so delicious. We also got to meet Gyneya (the owner) that day, and let me tell you… she is a ray of sunshine. Over the next several months, we emailed back and forth regularly, and she answered every question and concern with so much patience, kindness, and reassurance. I didn’t hire a wedding planner or day of coordinator, but she made me feel completely at ease. She promised everything would be perfect — and she delivered.

During our final meeting, we went through every single detail — from how I wanted the napkins folded to the exact second of the song I wanted to walk down the aisle to. I explained the décor vision I had for each table, and she brought it to life flawlessly. The morning of the wedding, they even sent me photos of the setup so I could see everything before arriving — which, as a Type A bride, I appreciated more than anything.

Gyneya and Kim hit the nail on the head with every single detail. They accommodated absolutely everything I hoped for. Throughout the night, guests kept telling us how beautiful the venue looked, and I owe that entirely to them.

And the food? Four months later, people are still talking about it. Our guests said the chicken was juicy, the steak was cooked perfectly, and everything tasted incredible. The staff working that day were also exceptional — professional, kind, attentive — and we are so grateful for them.

I wish I could re live that day over and over again. There is no doubt in my mind that if we had to choose a venue again, we would choose Lago every single time. It was perfect.

I HIGHLY recommend Lago for any event. Thank you so much for making the biggest day of our lives so unforgettable.

- Hailey and Brendan“

“The perfect downtown Ottawa pub, great crowd, friendly staff and the best, best BEST burger in town !“

“Amazing all around! Great food, great prices and great people! Who can ask for more?!“

“Had a fantastic time at Bier market! Ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was excellent! Ryann was our server, great personality! Funny, efficient and helpful! really enjoyed our experience and will definitely return!

Thank you Ryann! And yes I’m happy with my haircut hahah“

“Excellent service. Food amazing especially the crêpe. Very warm atmosphere. Will definitely go back 😊“

“Amazing customer service, one of the best bars in Ottawa.“

“Finally was able to get into Natural History after many months.

FOOD: While the Beyond Meat Smash Burger (2 for $15) isn’t as good as beef smash burgers (e.g., at Smash Daddy), it comes pretty close. Though this is way more affordable (they also have beef smash burgers here to be clear).

DRINKS: The anticuado ($15) was good but a bit strong for my taste. The cocktails are very well priced.

SERVICE: Great and friendly

VIBE: Great atmosphere. Laid-back, unpretentious place with great music choices and decor.

OTHER: They accept amex / American Express“

“City Afterlight exceeded all expectations as an event hosting venue. The ambiance was enchanting, with sophisticated lighting creating a captivating atmosphere. The staff's attention to detail and impeccable service added to the overall experience. From the well-appointed spaces to the seamless coordination, City Afterlight proved to be the perfect choice for our event. Highly recommended for those seeking a blend of elegance and functionality in their event venues.“

“Excellent staff, friendly, fun and welcoming. Like a home away from home. Best fish and chips.“

“I absolutely love love love love this bar. Just spent 3 days in Ottawa and was there every night. Sam, Tony, Jess and the rest of the team are one word; AMAZING!!!! Every time I’m going back I’ll be there! Xoxo Paris“

“Great atmosphere and amazing food and service. Don’t miss out on this gem if you are visiting Ottawa!!“

“cortese gentile professionale“

“Had a great time tonight! The staff was very accommodating for my friends wedding party, and made sure we had a great time!“

“Comedy how was off the chain hook.“

“Incredible spot, great beer!“

“Nice retro bar in Ottawa!“

“Tonight there was a group of men promoting white supremacy and confederate flags in Maclarens. They confirmed this verbally to us when we asked about their shirt. When we told the manager in an attempt to help their business and let them know what kind of space they are promoting and allowing, and that they were losing us as customers, they said "their money is green". They told us loudly that they do not care. BOYCOTT THIS BAR IF YOU ARE ANTI-SLAVERY, ANTI-WHITE SUPREMACY. PS I do not know why this shows as me recommending the place. NO I DO NOT RECOMMEND. 0/5“

“if you need to find your glow or wife's glow come here...the performers and staff are fantastic they are so fun and they bring joy and laughter into your life. highly recommend...always tip them cause they have such wonderful hearts 💕“

“How disgraceful. No fundraiser for the millions of Palestinian Men, Women and children devestated, dead, dying during an ongoing massacre. DO SOMETHING! 🇵🇸🖕🇮🇱“

“We stopped by while walking the streets of Downtown Ottawa and didn't want to leave! Thank goodness we had other plans otherwise we'd have stuck around for far too long, lol!! Great quint spot serving fabulous, ice cold Kilkenny!! (Heart & Crown Irish Pub)“

“Really good burgers, great service, nice cocktails. I really liked the Umbrella Burger with a side of fries. My wife liked their Chicken Sandwich Burger. They also have Vietnamese Iced Coffee that is very good. Parking can be a bit tricky, particularly during the weekend.“

“Had a great time!!! Staff are friendly“

“This has been my favourite place to go on a night out for 11 years. They have a nice beer selection and the peppercorn gravy poutine is, in my opinion, the best poutine in Ottawa. The people here are great, too. The staff are always courteous and prioritize guest comfort, even on busy nights. It's a friendly, cozy, and fun atmosphere and a perfect place to grab a drink and a bite with friends.“

“A great experience from the service to the food. Fast and affordable! Loved the range of the menu - especially some healthier options!“

“Really Nice Job, everything was just perfect, 13yr Anniversary! Greek/Lebanese waitress was amazing and professional and so fast! ....sorry we forgot your name. Food was top notch, complements to the Chef and Sous Chef. Steak cooked perfectly😋😋 Had a bad experience before, but after this we will be back. Thank you to the team at Huntmar! 5*“

“very friendly atmosphere...“

“Awesome space for group events!“

“Cheap shots & drinks with a great vibe ! Love coming here with my friends !“

“10/10 recommend! Delicious food & friendly owners! Will continue to come back :)“

“Great experience at Lupus while celebrating an important birthday. Refined menu with a palette of dishes offering varied textures and tastes. Superb service. Thanks Graham for a no nonsense, efficient and attentive stewardship of our table. A bit noisy but this was due to some customers not caring about other restaurant’ guests ( a major peeve of mine. Thank you.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The food is great and the staff is amazing!“

“Excellent food drink and service“

“We visited D’Arcy McGee’s as a family while spending the weekend in Ottawa. The service was amazing, the food was spectacular, and the live music made the atmosphere so much fun. We can’t wait to return.“

“Being everyone you know here. Friends, family, Hinge dates - the atmosphere and food here will delight anyone.
The food was fresh and flavourful; good portions that left us feeling full but not uncomfortable.
There is a wide range of beers imported from Japan, as well as fun cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
You can even shop at the back for figurines, stickers, buttons, etc. from various anime!“

“was a great experience 10 outta 10“

“Really great place to enjoy awesome food!!! ambiance and service are great 👍 can't go wrong. Bring her there and you are set lol“

“I've been coming here for 8 years. We come for burgers, chicken fingers, nachos and delicious spinach dip but my favourite are the breaded chicken wings. Update: Now obsessed with the steak stacker! Wing night is still Thursday (half price). If you're gluten free there is not much to choose from on the menu. Matt and Tony are fantastic servers. Every time we need a place to meet friends or family we always come here.“

“My new favourite wine. Steak was done amazingly.“

“The best bar in Ottawa.“

“Le service, l'ambiance, la carte des vins et cocktails! La bonne bouffe 🔥 wow belle découverte merci ☺️“

“This place is a hidden gem if you're looking for a chill lounge atmosphere with great cocktails, great prices but a small but mighty kitchen for sandwiches and the like. The service is impeccable and our waitress always remembers pur names when my girlfriend and I usually go for a couple of drinks for a night put in Hintonburg. Really like this place and they even have some boardgames for the adventurous minds. Cheers!“