Ottawa Bars & Pubs in Downtown
Find the best bars in Downtown, Ottawa.
Mill Street Brewpub
A heritage brewpub inside the 1842 Thompson-Perkins Mill at LeBreton Flats — Ottawa's oldest surviving stone mill, with on-site-only specialty beers, brewery tours, and live music.
The Auld Dubliner & Pour House
A two-story Irish pub on William Street with carved wood interior, a mezzanine balcony, two patios, and live music 4 nights a week. Open until 2am daily, kitchen to 1am.
Heart & Crown – Byward Market
Ottawa's "Irish Village" on Clarence Street — 5 pubs under 1 roof with 6 patios including a rooftop, live music daily on 3 stages, and sports on every screen.
Lieutenant''s Pump
A quintessential British pub on Elgin Street with a cozy setting, dance floor, and alternative/rock programming — one of Elgin's longest-running late-night spots.
The Brig Pub
A popular ByWard Market pub on York Street with fusion pub food and drinks until 2am every night.
Flora Hall Brewing
A Centretown brewpub combining a full restaurant menu with house-brewed beers in a heritage building. Known for some of the best food among Ottawa breweries.
Deacon Brodie''s Pub
A Scottish pub on Elgin Street with 400+ whiskies, live music Friday/Saturday 9pm–1am, traditional haggis and fish & chips, and a large pet-friendly heated patio.
The Standard
A self-styled "Luxury Tavern" on Elgin Street with a live DJ every night at 10pm, electronic/dance-floor programming, and service until 2am.
Queen St. Fare / Bar Robo
Bar Robo inside Queen St. Fare food hall — a downtown café by day (breakfast sandwiches, specialty coffee) that becomes a cocktail bar and multi-genre live music venue at night.
Lowertown Brewery
A craft brewery and live music venue in the ByWard Market — open mic Thursdays (8:30pm), live country Saturdays, and live band karaoke Tuesdays.
Speakeasy Tapas Lounge
An elegant ByWard Market tapas lounge on York Street with creative global small plates, crafted cocktails, and live jazz every Friday and Saturday in a candlelit setting.
The Waverly
An Elgin Street gastropub blending London SOHO style with Ottawa charm — shared plates, cocktails, two distinct sides, and a permanent patio. Late nights Thu–Sun until 2am.
Avant-Garde Bar
Ottawa's only Russian-themed bar — Soviet posters and memorabilia, pelmeni and borscht on the menu, vodka on the shelf, live bands and DJs playing folk to electronica.
POA Tiki Bar
Ottawa's only dedicated tiki bar — Hawaiian/pirate décor, curated tiki mug collection, visual cocktails with fire garnishes, and regular burlesque shows in the ByWard Market.
Nostalgica Pub & Beer Garden
A University of Ottawa campus pub on Cumberland Street since 1994 — creative cafe fare, live jazz nights, Thursday open mic, and a patio beer garden.
Beyond the Pale – ByWard Market
Beyond the Pale's ByWard Market taproom on George Street — three distinct rooms, the full BTP beer lineup, live music, and trivia nights in the heart of the Market.
Night Oat
The evening "night" concept from Oat Couture café on Gladstone — jazz jams with the Peter Hum Trio (3rd Wed/month, $12), plus monthly comedy, trivia, and open-stage nights.
T''s Pub
An LGBTQIA+ community pub on Somerset Street West — Thursday and Sunday karaoke at 8pm, Friday #TGIF Drag Show, and Saturday DJ/Leather Knights/Gear/Pup Nights.
Afterlight
Speakeasy listening bar on Bank Street in a heritage building, serving crafted cocktails and natural wines to a soundtrack curated by prominent local DJs.
The Other Room
Weekend-only Elgin Street bar (Fri-Sat 10 PM – 2 AM) with beer, wine, cocktails, live music, sports TV, and outdoor seating — popular group spot.
The Palace Restaurant & Lounge
A two-storey upscale ByWard Market nightclub (~500 capacity) combining authentic African cuisine (Suya, Jollof Rice, Egwusi) with touring DJ sets, pop-up concerts, and comedy.
Abby's Wine Bar
Ground-floor wine bar at Harmons Steakhouse on Elgin Street — wine-focused list paired with small plates and select Harmons steak highlights in a historic 130-year-old building.
theUNDERGROUND
The basement-level house music room inside the 56 ByWard complex (alongside Berlin Nightclub and KRUSH Cocktail Bar). Resident DJs playing house, techno, and D&B.