this place is horrible! for monday? asking for id! we go here for 4 years! and this security stopped us and ask for id even though we went only for pool not to drink alcohol!!! thanks again read more

From back when I was living in Ottawa, this was a favorite hangout of mine. The tables are in good shape, there's plenty of them, and the food is good. It's nice without being pretentious. Not much has changed since I was here last, which was about 7 years back, and before that, 15 years back? I was in town to see friends and chose this place. We grabbed apps (fries, curly fries, and deep fried pickles). The food is still pretty good, but the regular fries are much better than the curly ones and the pickles were tasty. All three are very small servings for $10 each or $9 each when you order two. The tables are still in good shape and the vibe is good. The service is a mish mash. First, we had Sarah. She was the highlight of the service night. Attentive, friendly, professional and able to switch gears from small chat about her team the Oilers to what the best IPA they had was, and came by to check on us regularly. The next server wasn't around much, and forgot items, then we got Lee (I think I got that name wrong) who was also a total pro. The staff seem really good except for that one in the middle and I think overall their staff is really good. Not sure I get all the 3 stars, but I don't live in the city anymore and my experience is limited at this place. Overall, I'd say go! read more

I went with a group of about seven people to play pool. We had our own table which was nice. The pool tables are pretty big and spacious. We ordered two pounds of wings, chicken taco nachos and curly fries. The honey garlic wings were really good, the nachos were loaded with veggies and pulled chicken and the curly fries were really good and came with a delicious sauce. I was really please with the food, the pool tables are charged by the hour (12$ an hour). Overall the food was good and ambience was pleasant. Why I gave it two stars: when my husband went to pay for the food in the middle of the game he went to the young blond cashier lady at the bar. We paid for the food, for the pool game she said we can only pay once we're done which is fair. Then she said "make sure you pay don't just walk out, it happens at least three times a week." I found that so unbelievably offensive. We just paid over 50$ for food what makes her think we'd walk out on a 12$ game? We were planning to stay so much longer, but at that point we just finished up the game, PAID and left. For that horrible service I would never go back. Such a shame for I really liked everything else. read more

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First time visiting MacLaren's for food and not just to play pool. We came to watch the football games for American Thanksgiving and were pretty impressed with the setup. There are large tvs all around the place with one section that just has a row of tvs and tables to sit and watch the game. The food wasn't half bad, I tried 2 different items while I was here. The meat lovers nachos which consists of pepperoni, sausage, and bacon on them. It was pretty tasty of a dish. It came with 2 sides of sour cream, I found that it would have been better with more salsa on the nachos or a side of salsa with it. I also tried the wings. I had the honey hot wings which were alright, only real issue I had was that they weren't really that hot compared to most other places I have tried. Overall it is a pretty good place. There is a good selection of beers and ciders to choose from, both in bottles and on tap. Everything is also reasonably priced. read more

MacLaren's On Elgin - Meat lovers nachos - Pool Halls Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Large family celebration back of the house. Food was amazing and plentiful. Staff was attentive in keeping the platters full, drinks replenished while many enjoyed a game of pool. Perfect size venue for our group. read more

Incredibly rude staff!! While waiting for a pool table, one of the staff tells us to either sit at an empty dining table (which did not exist on the Saturday night we were there) or wait in the patio. I asked her if she meant waiting outside in the cold weather and she said "yes, that's what a patio is!" I have never encountered such abysmal customer service. read more

Incredibly rude staff!! While waiting for a pool table, one of the staff tells us to either sit at an empty dining table (which did not exist on the Saturday night we were there) or wait in the patio. I asked her if she meant waiting outside in the cold weather and she said "yes, that's what a patio is!" I have never encountered such abysmal customer service. read more

We chose MacLaren's as we were staying at the Business Inn and were pleased to find they had a fairly extensive gluten free menu. First off, this establishment is much more "bar" than restaurant and the decor is dated at best. My daughter and I both ordered off the gluten free menu and when I inquired about the "seasonal vegetables", I was informed that the menu was outdated and that I would be provided with peas and carrots. These were FROZEN and tossed on the grill to warm them up. I live in Toronto where the climate is the same as it is in Ottawa and while peas may be seasonal in May, I can assure you that carrots are NOT. When it came time to order dessert, my daughter and I chose the chocolate lava cake and pointed out that the dessert was INCLUDED in the cost of the meal (written on the GF menu). We were informed again that the menu was outdated and that dessert being included was no longer the case. I don't know where the "customer service" went, but where I work if I customer sees something plainly written on a menu or otherwise, we HONOUR that request whether it is outdated or NOT. If it's still printed there, it's your DUTY to honour the request. That's just good customer service. I have no idea where all these "good" reviews came from, but I can assure you that will not be returning and will absolutely NOT recommend this place to anyone. read more

It was "lovely" visiting your establishment last night. Especially when I went into the ladies room and I had a woman and one of your male security guards banging on every stall door trying to "find the man" in the ladies room. What exactly were you going to do if I was a man and not a lesbian? Throw me out? Tell me I was in the wrong washroom? Thank god you realized I was a woman and referred to me as a "bearded" lady. How else was I going to prove it to you? It was also great when your security guard told me "they didn't want trouble" and that "its probably best I leave". Your place is not a safe space for lgbtq+ individuals and you should be ashamed. Your homophobic, ignorant and transphobic pool hall should be shut down. Not to mention your waiter and service staff suck too. Pretentious asshats. 0/5 wont be returning and I dont think any of my friends will either. read more

This spot was literally a block away from where I lived. I was really excited to check it out, seeing as it has nice pool tables and tons of TVs always playing sports games. Seemed like a good spot for after work beers or whatever. Service was AWFUL. Anytime I went the bartenders treated myself and my friends like a total burden and like we were just a bother anytime we needed anything. Always very rude and abrupt. Felt very uncomfortable, prices weren't great either. Tried to go a few times but the workers have ruined the cool atmosphere. Won't go back. read more

I've been there often with friends. Also, we have our Christmas party every year at this place. Never had any issues. There's a lot of pool tables, and the place is huge. Lot of space for large groups. The staff is really friendly, take the time to explain their menu. Minor issues are : When it's really busy, the service is getting a little bit slower and the prices are little bit higher compared to other places around. Overall, great for casual night with friends or large groups. read more

This place does not look like a restaurant or bar outside, it wasn't until I got in that I saw all the dining tables (which are actually nicely spaced out so you don't have to be forced to sit right up against your neighbour) and the nice bar in the middle of the place. I found my friends quite easily since it was one in the afternoon on a Sunday and there were at least 5 different sports games going on in the bar (since they had like 20 televisions). I ordered a pint of mill street (7.50, which is pretty standard for Elgin street) and my friends ordered the nachos and the poutine. I shared with them, the nachos were ok - the cheese was great but they have small portions for the amount that you're paying. The poutine had some of the best gravy I've ever tried, it was seasoned and peppered, but the fries were not very crispy. The service was good, the waitress was attentive and when I sat down they came by pretty quickly. It was kind of odd that they had so much stuff for a Sunday afternoon, but as the football game we were watching started whinding down, I saw that there started to be a lot more people playing pool around us. All in all, a good place to go for casual sports, a beer with friends - it does have lots of space so it would be good for big groups and it has quite a few billiards tables for people to use. read more

Always enjoyed the ambiance at Maclaren's sitting at its massive island bar surrounded by television sets able to catch everything that is happening in the sports world. Less did I know that they have this excellent filet mignon steak deal for $24 that includes a Cesar salad starter with lemon zest and real crispy-to-perfection bacon. Their sitting tables also have a great view over Elgin street. Great place and amazing happy service. read more

MacLaren's On Elgin - Maclaren's - Pool Halls Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Many people have mentioned that the food at MacLaren's isn't spectacular. While that may be true, you shouldn't really come here for the food. If you're looking for a fantastic place to play pool, have drinks with a large group or watch the game this is the place to be on Elgin. I have to agree with Darren M in saying this is the best pool hall in the city. Most pool halls have a grungy, run-down kind of feel, but MacLaren's is tasteful. I've been to MacLaren's several times, most recently for my Dad's birthday on a Saturday and we had a great experience. I called and made a reservation for a pool table the day before and they had no trouble accommodating us. We got there about an hour early and they still let us start playing early. We were in a private back room that has about 4 other pool tables and a great fireplace. It was super nice to be able to actually have a conversation without all the hustle and bustle of the larger room. Bonus? You have a server who is yours for the night and always makes sure you have what you need. Our drinks were never empty for long and they were decently priced. There's flat screens everywhere so you can catch whatever sporting event is on. We did decide to have some dinner after a few games, and while I don't remember anything show-stopping about the food, it wasn't awful either, just kind of normal pub fare. My four stars are really all about the atmosphere, experience and staff. If they kick up their food a notch this would really be a five-star joint! read more

This really is a great place to unwind. The beer selection is great and they do have some pretty knowledgable bartenders when it comes to mixed drinks. Asked for an old-fashioned and it came to me perfectly. Pool prices have come up in price over the year, but considering there are 4-5 massive tv's all with sports on I'll live. If your a sports fans and enjoy pool in a nice environment this place is for you. It is for me!! read more

On a December 4th, Sunday afternoon, this was the best location to watch all the available football games. There also seemed to be many people enjoying a few rounds of pool. We had ordered wings and fries which were oven baked. While the fries were fine- only a touch dry - the wings were very disappointing. Of 20 wings, we might have eaten 3 each and were completely turned off. They were soggy, slimy and fatty. I have had baked wings at other establishments as well as at home and they have been far better than these heated pieces of chicken. When the server came over to check on us - my water nearly empty - he asked how things were and I explained that the fries were good, but we were not enjoying the wings and why. He apologized, but did not offer a solution. After watching the games to half-time, with my water 10 minutes empty, we were ready to go and it took another 5 minutes before we could ask for our bill. With the plate of uneaten wings remaining, we were further disappointed to be charged full price for them. We would not go back for food, but if looking for the games and drinks only, it would be fine. read more

Looking for a place to watch some basketball on a Friday night with not too much going on, and was advised to come here. Its hard to describe this place because of what it offers. When you walk in, lined up around the perimeter are tables with really comfortable seating and has a restaurant feel. The servers are dressed in black tie's and white button ups, and the bar in the centre of the place had multiple taps and a good selection of alcohol. But as you look around there are lots of pool tables (even more in the back on the way to the washroom). So then you think pool hall. Then at the back of the restaurant you see 6 huge TV screens (at least 60") all in REAL hi definition (not that fake stretch stuff some restaurants would have you believe) and multiple smaller tv's on pillars scattered throughout the place. The staff is more than happy to turn a hi def tv to whatever sports you want to watch. Most of the pool tables were in use, but there were not any rowdy patrons ruining my night. Tab selection is your standard stuff, and only had the foccacia garlic bread to eat. I'd recommend this place for an evening of doing something without partying hard. I'm sure this place is great during playoffs and NFL sunday's read more

Met a couple of friends here this weekend for some drinks. I was completely expecting it to have the whole, dingy pool hall vibe to it, and it didn't, which is cool. But it certainly had the dingy crowd going on, but that's another story for another time. We started off by splitting a pitcher of sangria, which was good. I'm far from a sangria expert but the group said it tasted too wine-y for them, I wasn't complaining, you could certainly taste the wine but it still tasted like any other sangria I've had. My friends ordered a few beer but I of course, was hungry. So I ordered the spinach artichoke dip. WOW! It is so good! It reminds me of Kelsey's spinach dip but it might even be better, imagine that! It came with fried pita chips, and the dip had like an inch of melted cheese on top. Mmmmm, whoever said MacLaren's food was no good obviously has never tried their spinach dip. Besides that, the second drink I had was called the jolly rancher and it was fantastic, my friends gave the thumbs up on their drinks too. We had a great time at MacLaren's, and we didn't even play pool, but I'm sure it'd be even better for anyone that actually knows how to play! read more

Pretty good Thin crust pizza is good; service is no good. Place needs security - not the classiest clientele. read more

Maclaren's was the place we use to come to watch the Sens games. If sports and playing pool is your game then this beer hall dressed as a pub is a decent choice to enjoy it. Huge- massive televisions encompass the walls. Honestly if I closed my eyes and Marty Mcfly took me back I his Delorean to 2005 I wouldn't know the changes other than perhaps upgraded TVs and perhaps a bit more decor. Otherwise setup and look are the same. There are many pubs on Elgin and this one has the most amount of TVs but I'd concur lacks a bit more character and soul of the other pubs. However as mentioned if playing pool , drinking draft beer and watching sports is to your affinity then you will enjoy this place! Pitchers are in the $20+ range (seems a bit expensive) but they do fill them full. We came to watch some NHL playoff hockey. A good time was had by those in my group! read more

Grey Goose for $5.50. That about sums it up! I've been to Maclaren's a couple of times now, and it's always been a good experience. The bartenders are friendly, the top chelf drinks are strong and cheap, and the atmosphere is clean and inviting. If you want entertainment, the pool tables and tv screens are everywhere, but it's also quiet enough in here to have a good conversation. Highly recommended as the bar of choice to start off an evening, or for just a casual drink or two. read more

This place is a great place to meet with a large group of people for a birthday party, to watch a game, or just eat. I have gone here several times, and each time has been pleasant. The clientele are respectful, the prices are reasonable, and the air is positive and vibrant. There is also free pool. The restaurant is a large size, which makes it comfortable to stretch out a bit, which I like. I have tried a variety of the burgers, and wings, and they are typical pub food fare. No surprises. It comes at a decent price in a nice environment. 4/5 stars. If the food offering was better, even if it was more expensive, id give it 5/5. read more

Great after work place if you work downtown (or even if you don't). Plenty space so the tables aren't jammed against each other like some other pubs in the city. Clean and new look, they aren't going for that old fake beat up look. The chairs are really comfy and it's not so loud as to not be able to have a conversation. Plenty of pool tables, a wall of giant screen tv's, so great place to be for major sporting events. read more

Good place to watch the game, with a fairly good selection of beers on tap. Food is typically sports bar/pub grub. Be warned, if you plan on spending a lot of time on a bar seat. The bar stools can be extremely uncomfortable. read more

Customer comes LAST. Takes forever to get a beer, staff never makes eye contact! So frustrating, I had to get up and walk 10 ft to get in their face. They're too busy counting glasses, zombies. I wasn't alone to feel this way, people rolling their eyes around the bar. Imagine people "far away" at tables!!! Wasn't even that busy, just Sunday evening and at least 5 staff members. It's unfortunate because they make a mean pizza and have decent taps. But I ain't going back anytime soon. Many better choices on Elgin. read more

Really don't like this place. The food is horrible and overpriced as are the drinks. The building feels old and archaic which impacts the ambiance. Seating is poorly planned when available and you can't watch the TV's they have in any comfortable way. They don't show any good sporting events and the pool table area has no area to relax when your not the one shooting. If your party is bigger than 3-4 ppl you will need two tables and the only reason I'm giving this place 2 is because of the staff. Otherwise this place is horrible. read more

Me and my wife went to MacLearen's to watch a Sens game a last week. I got a pizza and she got nachos. Both our entree's literally had grease pooling in the middle of them, with what looked like random deep fryer residue all over the nachos. Later that night I went into the MEN'S WASHROOM and there were cooks carrying UNCOVERED FOOD THROUGH THE BATHROOM, I'm not joking. There is a good chance that urine splashed from the urinals onto the prep food. This place is a total dive and it's only a matter of time before it gets shut down. I've already made complaints to Ottawa Public Health. read more

My wife and I discovered the party district of Ottawa one Saturday night - it is Elgin Street, near Ottawa U. We went for a drink at a local pub and then, bored, left the pub to wander the strip. There were lots of options open, and one of them was MacLaren's. MacLaren's is a pool joint, but not a dive pool hall like your old man used to hang out in. This place is strictly nice. The menu is not bar food - thin crust pizzas, smoked salmon, steak. They have a full bar and a wine list! But, the atmosphere is not stuck up. There are flat screens all over the place, featuring the big game. And, the dress code is whatever is comfortable. MacLaren's is also HUGE - at least 20 tables, so you don't have to leave a quarter on a table to reserve your spot. Also, you can book in a large party if you are looking for something different for a work event. I kinda wish it was smaller so it would have a more intimate atmosphere - it does feel a little big and sterile. But, maybe that's just me. read more

MacLaren's On Elgin - a crowd of people standing outside - Pool Halls Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I've been to this place several times and most of the time it's been a pleasant experience. It's a fantastic place to watch sports and play pool with friends. You can see and hear the game from any location. I went there last week to watch the NBA final game and play some pool, but the service was terrible. I've had better service on busier occasions. When we arrived we waited by the cash for someone to allocate a pool table for us. Three staff carried on conversations and barely looked at us until they finished what they were doing (getting drinks, moving dishes, placing orders, reminding Ione another of things to do, etc). No one acknowledged us or said "It'll just be a minute". Once we got a table it took 40 minutes before anyone approache our table to take any orders. We had to go up to the bar to order drinks. From them on, someone was attentive, but it was frustrating because they were not their friendly outgoing usual staff. The staff seemed flustered and too busy for customers, even though the place was only half full (PR less). You can't even blame it on new staff because it was the regular staff that's waited on us before. Disappointing.I will say that the service was better on other occasions though. read more

Three strikes your're out. I now refuse to go here after the last time when I walked out after 15 minutes (I timed it) waiting at the bar with money in my hand trying to order a beer. The time before I finally asked someone if they worked there before I managed to get a drink. If you're there with a big group it's not as bad but good luck at the bar unless you're staff. Never again. read more

Unassuming neighbourhood par on Elgin St, perfect for lazy nights out with close friends in casual clothing or when you just want to play pool. There's a dozen of pool tables available, first come first serve: they're the main reason where the university crowd comes to this bar. The alcohol selection is just enough to come by, and same can be said about the food offered. Polite and quick service directly at the pool tables. read more

My two boys took me here for Father's Day to play some pool.I have not played pool in 10 to 15 years but it all worked out, it's a little bit like riding a bike.Loved Maclarens it's a big place with TV screens all over the place showing tons of sports, pool tables and sticks in good shape.Good beer menu did not try the food but what I saw looked good.They have a nice outdoor patio lined with astro turf with tables and chairs and umbrellas. My son said they have a large room available for groups as well.I will take a trip back when I want to play some pool. read more

This was a cool place to hang out, shoot a couple rounds of pool, and have a drink. My boyfriend and I are visiting from Toronto, and wanted to find a place to watch the Super Bowl. The service was casual, which I quite enjoyed, and there was a variety of drinks to choose from. Even though we didn't have anything to eat, the food looked and smelt great. There were lots of huge tvs to watch the game! Our server was very friendly, and even though it was quite busy, she seemed calm and made sure we were taken care of. I would definitely recommend this place if your looking for a casual atmosphere to hang out. read more

It's a decent sports bar, actually surpasses St Louis down the street for sports watching and playing pool. Where it fails is the FOOD. To avoid at all costs. Bland, not very tasty and several friends of mine had food poisoning there. Overall, not bad if you're into pool. I've experienced better in terms of sports bars. They definitely play the location card (on Elgin, close to other bars). read more

I went to Maclaren's tonight with a friend and the service was awful. We arrived at 6 PM, seated ourselves, then waited the better part of 30 minutes until wait staff even acknowledged our presence,after which he dropped off two menus and walked away. After several more minutes of waiting, another waiter came and took our order. The food arrived in a timely fashion but before we could even finish eating we were informed that the restaurant was closing in 10 mins for a private party so we'd have to leave. As if we couldn't have been informed of this when we first arrived instead of feeling like we were being rushed out the door before our meal was over. However, in spite of this, , they couldn't be bothered to bring us the bill despite my asking three waiters for it who categorically ignored me so we just left without paying, which more than serves them right. read more

Absolutely amazing place. I brought about 12 or so friends there last night and I was amazed by the service we received. Special thanks to our main server Sean he really enhanced the experience. read more

Staff are horrible , I went with my husband and the bartender didn't even come over and take our order . Waited 15 minutes at the bar and nothing ! What looked like the main bartender a gentlemen with dark hair and full beard had no expression on his face and looked angry , sorry but if this is your job your in the wrong profession . He just looked so unapproachable . TERRIBLE SERVICE . We took our business elsewhere . read more

Excellent service, food and atmosphere. Daniel was on the bar and serving the floor today and he was fantastic. I am visiting from Montreal for the Easter weekend and was not let down. Thanks for the good times! read more

Bad service and paper in food. The girl brought out drinks after we finished our dinner when we ordered them with dinner. There was wax paper in the pizza - we told the waitress and she did/said nothing about it. Highly disappointing experience. Heavily watered down drinks and bad food, so avoid at all costs. read more

Went at MacLarens on a thursday night because I stay at the hotel attached to it. My own experience; bartender (middle age man) cold, i ask for menus and only brings me food menu. I am at a bar, i shall drink something too?! I take my order, he doesnt say a word and go do his thing. Anyway, I didnt like his manners. read more