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 !“

“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“

“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! ❤️“

“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.“

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

“We visited Citizen back in Feb 2026 and had a good time so this is an overdue review.

The service was excellent and server was very attentive. The restaurant atmosphere was nice, quiet, perfect for a date night.

The food was really good overall but nothing blew me out of this world (except for the panna cotta). The scallop ceviche with Tom yum sauce was good. I appreciate the combination but feels like something is lacking (maybe the lack of acidity from lime that you would normally expected from a south east asian-inspired dish). The rabbit croquette was sooo good and with the great amount of spiciness. Though I feel like the dish is missing something that will bring it to the next level. The ravioli with escargot was surprisingly alright. I love snails and escargot but thought that the flavour was a bit too safe. Quail and pork belly was cooked to perfection, so tender!

The star of the meal has to be the dessert. We got chocolate cake with orange sauce (?) and apple pana cotta. The chocolate was creamy and the tangy sauce is such a good combo but very classic. The apple panna cotta is out of this world. I can dedicate a whole paragraph on how delicious it was! The sweetness is perfect with light airy panna cotta. The apple bits and sauce was soo good and flavorful, combining with crunchy oats. I don't like apple dessert until I had this one. I would give the panna cotta 100/10.

Overall rating is for ottawa food scene.“

“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.“

“Amazing service and a culinary experience !!!“

“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.“

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

“The food and service was incredible. I had the lamb dish and even with allergies I was able to enjoy every component. Special thank you to Haley who gave us phenomenal service, and to Adam who catered to every single one of our requests with cocktails at the bar. Every staff was knowledgeable with allergies and menu questions! I will definitely recommend and will come back“

“One of the best atmospheres and great employees!“

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

“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 ❤️“

“Lexington Bar and Grill has long been one of my favourite places to celebrate whether it’s a birthday, a date night, or any special occasion. The atmosphere is warm and stylish, and the service is consistently excellent. Their servers are friendly, attentive, and genuinely make you feel taken care of.

When it comes to food, Lexington can be incredible. My usual order includes the burnt ends, the fork‑and‑knife chicken, and their world‑famous potato salad. The chicken and potato salad are always spot‑on from comforting, flavorful, and reliably delicious.

Where things get tricky is with some of their barbecue items, especially the brisket and burnt ends. My favourite dish is the brisket, and when it’s done right, it’s unforgettable. There have been times when it’s arrived perfectly smoked, tender, and genuinely melt‑in‑your‑mouth good.. the kind of brisket that’s so juicy and rich you barely need to chew. Moments like those are exactly why I keep going back.

But unfortunately, those highs are inconsistent. I usually order the two‑meat platter with a piece of brisket and a rack of ribs, and more often than not the brisket shows up cold. That’s a real letdown, especially knowing how incredible it can be when everything lines up.

The burnt ends fall into the same pattern. At their best, they’re caramelized, smoky little cubes of perfection (Glossy, tender, and packed with flavour). But too often, they come out dry or lacking the depth and richness they’re known for. It’s disappointing because I know what Lexington is capable of on their best days.

All of this leaves me feeling like I’m playing a bit of Russian roulette with my plate. The potential is absolutely there, and when they hit their stride, the food is truly outstanding. I just wish the consistency matched the quality they can deliver.

That said, I still recommend Lexington especially if you stick to the standouts, like the fork‑and‑knife chicken and that legendary potato salad. When the kitchen’s on point, the experience is fantastic, and it remains one of my go‑to places for a special night out.“

“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“

“Incredible spot, great beer!“

“Love the new renovations!“

“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!!“

“congrats on the new restuarant.“

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

“Went here for some drinks with my in-laws and honestly I loved it.
Thought it was pretty unique how they wpuld give you the bill with a classic book and the menus were vinyl 😍
I haven't seen any restaurants like that downtown and thought that was nice.
The waitress was so lovely. Staffed was nice and welcoming 😊“

“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 ;)“