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.

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!

Been coming here for years, parking around the area can be a little tight so be prepared to walk a…read morebit. There are two shows! They open the doors sharp, by that time there a line has formed. They allow 30 mins for everyone to be seated and served! Absolutely no phones allowed during the show, they go around making sure you put it away. Don't get caught using your phone during the show you will be exposed. There is a bar downstairs with a pool table and upstairs there is the stage & bar! The music pre show is great! The servers attended to our large group quickly! They checked up a few times along the way. We ended up staying after the show! The ambiance was great! We came to see Eric Johnston and we are glad we did! He was hilarious!! Kept the crowd engaged the whole time. All others were fine (hit & miss). My only negative comment is the volume of the speaker, I wasn't sitting too close yet there were times I had to plug my ears due as it being very loud when the comedians spoke. My Apple Watch also kept promoting me that there was loud exposure to sound above 80dB. Maybe that's a me problem.. I dont know haha

I love absolute comedy! The staff are always friendly, but crazy busy as it gets quite packed in…read morethere. The comedians have all been top notch and I've frequented this establishment frequently. It is a fairly small space so you're definitely sitting real close to neighbouring tables, so this isn't good for the claustrophobic. I haven't tried much of the food but the nachos and fries were good. Their drinks are definitely well priced, and made well. It is not wheelchair accessible, the stage is up a flight of stairs. A bit of a design flaw for the folks with disabilities but otherwise a great place.

I've been to Barrymore's a few times with some friends and I've always had a pretty good time. It's…read morea concert venue and a nightclub, but a lot more casual, which I love. On top of that, the cover charge is either free or cheap, so generally you don't have to worry about paying a high cover. 80s night on Sundays and 90s night on Thursdays are definitely the most popular. It's fun to jam out to all of your old favorite hits, whether it be dance, pop, rock, or old school, and pull out all of your corny dance moves. The screen plays old TV shows and music videos while you dance, and you may even get some bubbles blown from the ceiling. The drinks are also good and completely affordable so it's an all-around great time without having to get all dolled up or spend and arm and a leg.

90s night on Thursday! 80s night on Sunday! TV shows from the chosen decade projected on huge…read morescreens about the dance floor! Stories upon stories of fun! Just a few reasons why I like Barrymore's. The line moves quickly and the cover, if any, is cheap. You then walk up a sweeping staircase and into an enormous concert venue, being used as an epic nightclub. I recently went on an 90s night and was surprised to hear barely any 90s. I suppose it depends on the DJ that night and regardless, the dance floor was packed. So was the stage where both guys and girls can dance it out! *Not sure if it's every single Thursday but on this one, $3 drinks! The glory of it all is that anything goes. You can dress up, dress down, dress as your fave 80s or 90s star, nobody cares. I rolled up in cut-off jean shorts, a tank top and gladiators and no one had a thing to say about it. Everyone's too busy dancing/drinking/having great times!

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.

Most of my favourite theatre experiences in Ottawa have been at the GCTC; my favourite being their…read moreplay adaptation of Alistair MacLeod's "No Great Mischief." I enjoy their ability to choose the best mix of professional and provocative plays. They take risks with their choices like an amateur theatre, but usually produce quality work like a professional theatre. Their old location relied solely on a cozy theatre with terrible seats, but they have recently moved to new digs in Westboro. The new theatre features a large theatre, small theatre, art gallery, cafe, bar, apartments and a lobby available for functions. Although it's not as nearly as small as it used to be, the new large theatre still maintains a close space with the audience and play. Prices are $32 for matinées, $42 for evening shows and $30 for students. However, at the first Sunday of each performance, admission price is pay what you can. So get out to the GCTC on Oct. 26th to take advantage of this deal for their new show "Zadie's Shoes."

I'm such a theatre nerd that I have to adore anyplace that gives me good - and often great -…read moretheatre at reasonable prices. For all that I'm thankful for Ottawa's National Arts Centre, it's nice to know there's a place in stodgy Ottawa where gay rap opera (yep, and it was amazing) can thrive. Or simply that another big theatre can thrive at all. I've seen more than a few shows here, and I'm consistently impressed with the enthusiasm, talent, skill, and venue itself. I check the schedule every new season to see what's coming up. Once we just eenie-meenie-miny-mo'd and went to the play my finger landed on. Wins every time.

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?

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!