36 Best Cocktail Bars in Ottawa

“Great place and amazing creativity with the cocktails!“

“Amazing food, great cocktails, and the staff was just great!“

“Unpretentious, unique menu, great service & great people!“

“The best bar in Ottawa.“

“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!“

“Excellent vegan option. Atmosphere was nice and cozy. Will definitely come back!“

“The pandemic shutdown has been tough on Queen Street Fare. We stopped in to Q Bar on a Friday night for some pre-dinner drinks. Service behind the bar was first rate. Fast, friendly, funny & charming. They have a nice selection of beers on tap & cocktails. I would ask them top possibly step up their wine game. Selections are not of superior quality.\n\nThe bar is a perfect place to meet up with friends or make new friends before heading out for dinner. Lots of seats around the bar + a few scattered tables. We want this place to survive !“

“If you enjoy retro video games or all forms of board games, this is the place to be, I promise you that you will be delighted. The food and beverages are also top notch and the friendly staff often have at least decent working knowledge of many of the games so as to give you a kick start in the learning department. Do call ahead to see if a reservation is necessary, as the tables do not free up quickly.“

“Great staff! Great food!“

“The atmosphere and staff made the night magical.. very intimate and romantic setting. our drinks and food was next level. being downtown we planned on parking further away and walking the byward market enjoying the down town night life .the Rabbit hole speak easy basement is a bucket list gem. Will be back for more great cocktails and ambiance“

“Visited here on a Saturday night to spend time in a place that was a little more relaxed than other options. A great spot for the more introverted crowd who do not want to be in huge groups or have incredibly loud music playing. Very cozy and nostalgic with quick service. Only complaint is that the cocktails are a little bit on the pricier end. However, there are $5 bar rails which is very affordable. There are also games on site that visitors can play which is appreciated.“

“Always love the Apothecary and it’s beautiful decor, not to mention Brent, our most favourite bartender…great guy and mixologist. The rooftop is awesome with a super vibe, good music and view, always a treat! Highly recommend this place, cheers! ❤️“

“First time here to celebrate an anniversary and everything was fantastic - corn cavatelli and meatballs were amazing, delicious focaccia, but the star of the show was the tomato and watermelon salad (added burrata as per the server’s suggestion and it was absolutely perfect).“

“We have visited twice so far and the food is always délicieux. We can't get enough of the Rosebowl Platter for 2. Can't go wrong with this option. You get a little bit of everything.“

“Great service and great brunch experience!“

“Love this wonderful wine bar. Great wine with delicious charcuterie boards. The ambiance is very cozy and it is an inviting atmosphere.“

“Amazing service and a culinary experience !!!“

“One of the best atmospheres and great employees!“

“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.“

“Amazing sights and great atmosphere. Had a wonderful date night!“

“Had a date night and it was nothing short of magical, the drinks were perfectly made The stake was properly cooked, the grilled shrimp and my wife enjoyed her salmon overall it was 10/10 I didnt enjoy the chocolate raspberry cake but my wife loved it but the banana bread was very very good. I will def go back looking forward to be on the roof“

“GREAT FOOD. Gyoza, Mediterranean Bowl, Sushi Cones, Guacamole, and great drinks“

“My new favourite hangout! The live music scene is top notch! Great that they are supporting local music! Amazing Scotch menus as well as fab cocktails! Love the ambience! The lighting is perfect. Great service! The music in between sets is perfect. Come out and show some love ❤️“

“Especially the music, curated by the finest bar owners around!“

“Incredible spot, great beer!“

“Lexington Smokehouse and bar is one of my favorite restaurants to go to. The space is great, the wait from ordering to service is not long at all, the staff is always great, and the food is amazing! The selection on the menu is great. Lexington needs to be in your rotatio on your dining list.“

“congrats on the new restuarant.“

“I love it all. Great vibe, fresh ingredients, delicious and unique dishes. You can feel the true passion in the presentation, and the flavour, and we love the creativity. Five stars!!“

“Have visited this place a couple times now, absolutely amazing place for a late night drink or snack. Highly recommend for a cozy date night.. trust me the vibes are there! Staff are extremely friendly and kind, some of the best people I’ve interacted with! Definitely give it a visit!“

“Love Banditos. Great food. Sweet potato fries are awesome.“

“I caught up with an old friend today for lunch and we couldn't have picked a better restaurant. The food was delicious and the margaritas amazing - both the regular one and the strawberry one. The decor is charming, fun and colourful. Our server took good care of us. We will definitely be back!“

“Was there to celebrate a 50th birthday. Food was delicious and great service/friendly staff. Manager even sent over complimentary dessert on hearing it was a 50th birthday.“

“Long time since I was in the area, I visited for Trivia night and had a great time. My only inconvenience was a set of kids who where walking between the tables.

The dip and fries we had where great and the drinks we ordered were quick. The server was great especially since I think the trivia groups would be chaos as people moved tables.

Regardless great experience, I hope to visit again.“

“We had such a great time here! I came for my birthday wanting a dim, fancy dinner vibe and this place didn't disappoint! We loved the atmosphere. The food was great and what's best is it was Halal so me and my friends weren't limited to anything. And shoutout to our server Jenny who was the sweetest person to us and made the experience so nice. Definitely would come again“

“I had a great date night with my spouse, the relaxed, yet intimate atmosphere created a space for us to connect over food and drink. We went because the the craft beer selection was diverse and different from the norm. We were pleasantly surprised that food offerings. We live in Orleans but we will make the effort to come back because we enjoyed ourselves so much our cheeks hurt!“