35 Best Cocktail Bars in Ottawa

“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 !“

“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“

“Really excellent food quality and presentation. We chose the winter three-course menu, and I loved everything we ordered. I made the reservation five days in advance, but we were seated in a less interesting hall on the upper floor. The service could also be slightly improved, with servers checking on guests more frequently. That said, the overall experience was very good.“

“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! ❤️“

“Absolutely amazing bar!! Excellent staff! Beautiful Christmas decor!“

“One word: WOW!!! We were greeted by the warm and inviting presence of our incredibly attentive server, Shaw. She was beyond stellar, going above and beyond to create a fantastic and personal guest experience. My partner and I dined here for the Valentine’s day special, visiting this spot for the first time - and were SO impressed with the food, drink selection, service, speed of service (!!), and atmosphere. In my opinion, this is the go-to spot for date night in Ottawa. I could not say more than .. total perfection!! We will be returning and requesting a table in Shaw’s section for SURE!!! Thank you to the kitchen team and service staff for an exceptional evening. I have not been this wowed by the Ottawa food scene in a long time. Absolutely visit this spot if you are looking for a welcoming but upscale dining experience. It simply cannot be beat.“

“Amazing service and a culinary experience !!!“

“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.“

“Had a fabulous lunch there while visiting family in Ottawa from Nova Scotia over the holidays. I was wearing a Green Bay Packers hoodie as I do, being a fan and shareholder. One of the two guys serving and running the bar gave me a thumbs up and said they were big Packers fan. The food and service was outstanding, and when the bill was presented to our friend as he requested, he was informed that they weren't going to charge for the coffees for the Packers fans, lol. Simply awesome - highly recommended whether you are a Green Bay Packers fan or not :)“

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

“We decided to try Sussex and Co with no prior knowledge of the restaurant. What an outstanding surprise. We enjoyed every one of our courses and we did not skip a single one. We even took advantage of the special tasting option they had that night. Highly recommend No notes.“

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

“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.“

“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 ❤️“

“Had the roasted brussell sprouts to start, highlight of the meal they were to die for. Pulled pork sandwich and a brisket sandwich both very good, garden salad was disappointing. Drinks were average for the price. Overall would definately go back while in the area“

“Amazing. Everything was excellent. Our waitress Amanda was on point even though it's a busy Valentine's day Saturday it felt like she went out of her way to make our experience the best.

Definitely a restaurant to visit again“

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

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

“Incredible spot, great beer!“

“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.“

“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!!“

“I still feel the glow from the night I met someone truly special here.

There’s something about this place that’s hard to put into words. It’s not only the dim, warm lighting or the thoughtfully made cocktails, but the way it immediately makes you feel settled. The atmosphere is intimate and inviting, and before you realize it, time passes without you noticing.

It’s the kind of place where you get so caught up in conversation that the bartender gently lets you know they closed 15 minutes ago. That’s how easy it is to get lost here, in good company and in an ambience that makes every conversation feel personal.

If you’re looking for something quietly special in Ottawa, this is the place 🤍“

“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!“

“I came here for a birthday party and the service was amazing. We were served by Joe and George, and they were incredible and really nice. The service was great and the food was absolutely amazing (kudos to the chef!). I will definitely come back 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!“

“We are regulars here. The food is delicious and the service is always warm and friendly; especially their hostess, Macey, who greets us with a smile, remembers our names and favourite table.
P.S. Best French onion soup in Orleans.
P.P.S. They’re ghost pepper wings are a piece of cake. No milk needed ;)“