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!

Cute cocktail bar/lounge with a very instagrammable bathroom, if you're into that :) the drinks are…read morestrong and tasty. The bites are vegan but still so delicious. The broccoli was perfectly charred and came with a vegan spread that was yummy.

Such a fun spot on Elgin St. Love the lounge/living room vibe. Ample seating and nice ambient…read morelighting. Very aesthetic. Nice drinks but on the pricier side.

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!

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.

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.

The Collection/Bar 56 is a martini lounge in the heart of the Byward Market. It attracts a random…read morecrowd, casual to dressy, early to late 20s. I tried a few different martinis, all of which were yummy and strong! The DJs were surprisingly good and kept the crowd entertained. I'll be going back for Martini and a Manicure Monday!

I've only been here on Monday nights, when the "Crimson & Blues" features live blues and jazz music…read morewith amazing local vocalist Renee Yoxon, and the equally awesome Francois Gravel, along with occasional guests. The bar is quite small, but it's the perfect place to sit and listen to jazz while sipping on a martini. You have a choice between booths with tables, which give you a little bit of intimacy, or simply sitting at the bar. Since it's part of The Collection they also serve food, including a delicious interpretation of poutine and some great sandwiches. Swing dancers come here on Monday nights, and on the third Monday there's usually a short swing/blues dance lesson early in the evening. Overall it's a stylish, hidden-away place that would make a great date, or a place to talk with some good friends.

Overall: D // 2 stars…read more This bar does not live up to the great name of the Andaz hotel chain it shares presence with. Their drinks had quite unmemorable flavors and mundane aesthetic. I also found their bar menu to fit the theme very well as the dishes sounded more like plated dining rather than finger foods or sharable plates. Additionally, while the establishment has very pleasant rooftop views of the city, I found the staff to be generally aloof or neglecting throughout service and failing to take advantage of this great ambience; we had to actively chase them down for water, the menu for bar snacks, and the check among other things which lowers my opinion of this establishment. (Golden Hour: B) - An easy to palette, fruit and sugar-forward cocktail that works well. I do wish the presentation was more elaborate. (Sights & Spritz: C) - Another drink thats lightweight and easy to palette. There are notes of lemon and lavender that come through, but it feels like its missing character. Food: E Presentation: E Price: E Atmosphere: +1 Service: -1 Menu: -1 Overall: 2 stars Insta/Beli/Yelp/TikTok: @amei_eats

Located inside the Andaz Ottawa hotel on the top floor, this is an patio restaurant with appitizers…read moreand cocktails. The venue was very busy so try to book ahead if you want to get a seat. The main attraction of this place is that is has the absolute best view of the Ottawa skyline overlooking parliment hill. A great chill spot to get a few drinks and get in the views. If you can try to book so you can see the sunset over the city. My only gripe was they imposed a strict 60 min limit for the next guests so make sure you make your time worth it.