Still one of the cooler, more laid back hangouts in Ottawa. Truly deserves the "lounge" part of…read moreits name. Note that this isn't a go early and have beers type of place, most nights it's not even open for business before 10pm and even then, people don't really start coming in until 11 - midnight. Go early (10pm) and you're guaranteed a spot on one of its few loungy sofas (very comfy), but you'll also probably be alone with your companions. Great music as advertised, they always have good DJs.

This is one of my favourite spots I've been to for live music. It's a pity I haven't returned…read more Don't read anything into that though! It's a really awesome lounge. The Mercury Lounge mainly specializes in variations of jazz music, but it also includes some of the other stuff as well. The atmosphere is very relaxing with warm reds and yellows. The stage is a perfect focal point as it's framed by two twelve foot high (at least) windows that look out into the market from this heritage building. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of space, especially if you arrive with a large group and want to stick together. You may have to resolve yourselves to separate a bit for the night if you want to sit down to enjoy the music. Unlike many bars in Ottawa, this place is open until 3AM.

Amazing and quaint place to hang with friends or with a date for live music, During the Ottawa Jazz…read moreFestival they sometimes host free jazz shows (reservation required!). Love the cozy and intimate ambiance. Will definitely come back!

Great music venue. Located upstairs on Elgin Street. Cosy feel. Art on the walls. Good stage…read more You can usually get food but their source is being renovated so just drinks and snacks for the next couple weeks.

Maverick's is a stripped down bar with lots of empty space, dirty vibes and no panache. But it's…read morestill a good place to see a show. When I've gone, it wasn't too cramped: I actually had lots of room to dance. However, this bar can attract some popular indie bands, so lots of space isn't always the case. If you're into punk, this is one of the better places to go. I have no interest in the music, but I often see hefty line-ups for their punk shows. I don't recall the bar's selection being that fantastic, but generally all I want is a beer when I go to a show anyway. Some of the clientèle can be a bit sketchy at times, but that just adds to the flavour.

I love to hate Mav's. It has pretty much nothing going for it, but that's also its charm. It is…read moreliterally a hole in the wall, yet it is packed if the band is right. Great atmosphere, good booze prices and the occasional amazing band lineup. Take it or leave it, its doing fine with or without you, and I think that pretty much is their stance on it.

This joint brings a smile to my face. It's a hole in the wall music hall with good beer,…read moreuncomfortable seating and great music. To the best of my knowledge there's no food - just music and beer. Love it. We tend to head over later on Sunday afternoons, for the 4p Blues Jam. They get some great hosts in and many of the people that get up on stage to play a few songs are fantastic. (Yup, there's a few I could do without too - but that's the fun of the format.) Depending on the night, it can be a university student magnet, but every time we've been there, every age is represented in some proportion, so it's all good. Would I return: Yes Would I recommend: Like music? Like Beer? Then yes.

I highly enjoy this bar and I wish I went more often. The Rainbow is a unique establishment that…read morehas been around for almost 25 years, although I'm surprised it isn't older than that judging by its niche popularity from its patrons and traveling musicians. This bar has at least one live band every evening of the week and free matinée shows five days of the week. They also have an open jam on Sundays. They mainly specialize in Blues music from local, national and international bands, but they also showcase some other styles too. The atmosphere is unique with high stone walls, huge windows, dark lighting and an elevated stage in front of a respectable dance floor. I think their website best describes it as looking like a chalet. I love the misfit clientèle the most because there doesn't seem to be a stereotype that frequents this bar. The people seem to come from all walks of life. So maybe you'll like it too?

Was a nice, casual night out. Comfort food and enthusiastic, friendly service made for a nice…read moreenvironment to chat. Does what it says on the tin!

We come here a few times a year for music and fund raising events. It's always fun…read more Staff are great. No matter how busy it gets they are on top of things. The kitchen can get a bit slow when it's super busy, but I think it's a size limitation, not a process problem. Luckily they have a good beer and other beverage selection, all of which get delivered quickly, so, hey, my beer is my appetizer. It's a fun music venue. Check the website for what's coming up. The room is rustic and cozy with a well worn floor and carved signatures in the wood tables. Lots of character and charm. In nicer weather there's a pleasant patio off the side. Food is pub fare.

We were here last evening for a live show, and i enjoyed myself. There's a variety of seating, the…read moredrinks are actually reasonably priced for being in the market. The staff were friendly and made very good drinks. The bands were good and loud. Definitely a chill place to hang out, with some cool artwork strewn about. They also have pool tables on non live show nights :). I'll definitely add this to my bar crawl list. Definitely a dingy metal head kind of place and that's said with love! If you want upscale and snobby, Definitely not for you lol.

Always a good drink and entertaining people to talk to…read more You can always count on music that is real! Jags are always cold!

Great arcade, bar, music and perogies. Service is great. The perogies are always delicious. The…read morestaff is friendly. I enjoy the live music and the people who come, the regulars.

I think there was a Yelp event here years ago that I couldn't make it out to because I ended up…read moreworking late, but House of Targ has been on my list to try ever since! I'm not in this area often, especially during the pandemic, so when I saw that they were offering frozen pierogis through Burrow Shop's online grocery delivery service, I had to buy them. I got the traditional pierogis made with flour, sour cream, eggs, potato, cheddar cheese, and salt. It was a 12-pack of frozen pierogis sealed in plastic in a little cardboard box with the instructions at the bottom, which included boiling and panfrying. I was lazy and starving at that point and looking for something fast, so I decided to brush six of them with olive oil and stick them in the air fryer. I should've taken them out sooner because the potato started leaking out the ends, but they were still great. Of course, if I had followed the instructions, I'm sure they'd be even better (I saved the other half to try it making it the way they said). Simple and comforting, not lacking flavour, but not too tame, and not too salty. The six were a great snack for just myself - I can see how people could easily take down plates of these!

There is a special place in my heart for the Laf, and it all began in my university days: I was…read moredoing a first year project and the assignment was "study something do to with being in first year" - my partner and I chose...Drinking! We went to all sorts of pubs and bars around Ottawa, tried the food and drink, filmed our experiences, and reported back to the class on the best deals and safest ways to get tipsy - keep in mind, this was long before Yelp was around. As the Laf is one of the oldest bars in Ottawa, it was first on the list. This bar is old school, down to earth, casual, low lighting, seemingly impersonal... so you'll need to use your imagination to picture a peppy, dolled-up first year bouncing (loudly) through the door with a video camera who then immediately thought "this might not go well" - I was SO wrong as it was AMAZING! The staff as well as the patrons we so welcoming, helpful, full of laughter, and even offered me free pop and snacks all night long since I was the DD (and professional videographer) of the night. Our intent was to spend about 15-20 minutes in each bar for a quick drink and experience: we stayed for most of the night and had a blast! All this to say, the environment in this place is awesome! I recently returned to grab some take-out and it was great. Simple food, cooked well, and packaged in a compostable take-out box. We ordered the burger and fries, and demolished it promptly. Service was so pleasant and brought back such happy memories.

Oldest bar in Ottawa - dumpiest dive with decent live music nightly and a security guard with…read moreattitude that thinks he is Hulk Hogan. Lol..! I think one can only drink beer here, it's all I've ever seen. Staff are... there.. but not really. Gruff! The bathroom is tiny but operational. Somehow it all works and I'm sure most like it just how it is! Curious to know how much has really changed in so many decades of it being here. It's not unclean..it's just older than dirt. It is for sure, a destination place and just come as you are. No one is really looking!

The New Bayou is the very definition of a hole in the wall, and I mean that in a very positive way…read more It's a one of a kind joint. It doesn't come to mind when you think of a place to go to listen to music, but it has some great bands come through. Now, keep in mind a lot of the bands the come through are punk bands. If that isn't your style of music, I don't think I would suggest heading to The New Bayou. As a bar, it's....well it's...I don't actually know. Once you find the place (it hasn't much of a sign out front) you walk down the stairs and meet The new Bayou. There is a bar, and it is limited. Beer, your standard booze, and that is about it. The bartenders are there, but don't expect them to be making Gin Martini's in a dirty glass. they have a limited staff, so don't expect table service either. The first time I went there I was told to come back again on that Friday because the girl bartending was also going to be body painted. Soo, is this a bar, a music venue, a burlesque house? It sounds like a dump, right? No. It's not. It is unique though. there are not a lot of places you can walk into that not only have a stage but a set of couches straight out of 1986 and a big screen TV playing a dinosaur movie from the '60s. Are you confused yet? You should be. That is exactly what The New Bayou is, a very confusing but enjoyable place. Leave your worries at the door and take it all in. You'll quickly become accustom to the venue. Once that happens you can enjoy the music. there is a lot of punk bands that go through and for some reason they can bring in some fairly notable bands, if you're into Punk. Remember SNFU, they play The New Bayou, along with bands from throughout North America. I don't know how they do it, but this little hole in the wall is able to create its own little place in Ottawa's music scene.

Ever been along Bank at Sunnyside late one night and heard the sound of awesome live music? No, you…read moreare not going insane. What you are hearing are the sounds emanating from the New Bayou - an underground (literally) club beneath the Framed! store. The place is small, but vitally atmospheric. Expect the unexpected - couches, weird stuff on the TVs and the hottest underground punk and alternative bands in Ottawa. It is such an oddity in what is essentially a quiet, suburban school zone (yes, there is a school kitty corner to the bar). If you are at all overly sensitive and want to quietly sip a mojito while discussing environmentally friendly cleaning products with your BFF, then you should probably go elsewhere. But, if you like your scene loud and raw and in a place where anything can happen, go to the Bayou.

Just went for the show and loved it. I had a lot of fun and wished it had gone on even longer…read more Definitely recommend, especially for Canadians who will recognize many of the songs.

First time I went in 2022 it was amazing show, good food, staff are awesome and polite. I have been…read moregoing back every now and then since then. The show is never the same. The food is so good. Home made soup not to salty. There are times the staff also change.