Bouncers are rude and unpleasant to talk to. I went to the bar with my girl friend and our boyfriends (4 people in total), we waited 1.5 hr in line to get in, finally made it to front and the bouncer let me and my friend in but not our boyfriends.. saying it would only be 15 min wait.. They wouldn't even let us wait outside with our bfs they made us go in. We waited and then they closed the line and said it was full. We were inside and it was in-fact NOT full.. Our boyfriends were left outside with our money, and phones. We ended up leaving and going to happy fish with our boyfriends! Way nicer people:) Hire new bouncers cuz that shouldn't have happened. read more

I had dinner with a friend here. It was Monday Night - Trivia Night. If you are keen to play get there early as space is limited. My friend had the massive club sandwich. Think Chicken BLT. Issue #1. The bread was Texas Toast cut. Issue #2 - If you want mayo and a lot of it. ask your server. The tiny Dixie cup that came with the meal only managed to be enough for one layer on the first half. Issue #3 - the French fries were like match sticks. Tasty but they cool very quickly. By the time they arrived they were cold. But it is a meal unto itself. Only if you are super hungry should you add fries to your meal I had the 2 lbs of naked wings. Served hot and fresh Slight issue #1. Don't get the fries. They were cold before I had finished my fourth wing. Slight issue #2. If you do get 2 lbs consider mixing flavours 1 lbs of this and 1lbs if that. 2 lbs of anything and the taste can be overwhelming. Slight issue #3. Save room for the sticky toffee pudding. Big issue #1: Noise!! In my group were at least 17 bodies and given a low ceiling at the entrance and with regular patrons it was almost impossible to hear anyone or anything above the din. read more

I had dinner here with my husband recently. We used to go to The Lieutenant's Pump much more frequently when we were dating and he lived in the area, but since we moved to another part of town, we rarely go, and our last visit prior to our most recent visit was probably 5-8 years ago. If I were to have written this review based on my memories of the place, I would have given them 4.5 stars. Now maybe it's true that we look at our pasts through rose-tinted glasses, or maybe The Pump has changed over the years, or maybe I have changed over the years (my Buddhist father would remind me that "you can never set foot into the same river twice" (since both you and the river has changed)), but maybe these concepts are too existential for the purpose of this review! Based on my most recent experience, I would give The Pump 2.75 stars, rounding up to 3. So my first indication that we weren't going to have a stellar experience was when my husband ordered a beer on their menu and the server said it wasn't available. So he ordered another beer, also on their menu, and it too wasn't available. So he asked what was available that was the type of beer that he wanted (I'm sorry, I'm not a beer drinker, so I don't know what all the fancy terms are). The server listed a few and then said she would go and double-check, then came back and listed a few more. My husband ordered something and then she said "that one's not available, weren't you paying attention?" Maybe she was trying to be funny, but I found it condescending. He finally ordered something that they actually had. I ordered the Protein Salad Bomb from the gluten-free menu ($8.95) with dressing on the side, and I added grilled chicken to it (additional $5.95). My husband got the ribeye steak sandwich with fries from the regular menu ($12.95). When my salad came out I was happy to see that the dressing was on the side, but disappointed to see that it had no chicken. I told the person who brought me my food (was not our original server) and they went back into the kitchen and then brought out a piece of uncut grilled chicken breast on a plate with a knife. I had to cut up my own chicken, which I thought was unusual. The salad itself I thought was ok. Greens were fresh and not wilted, but I kind of felt like it was trail mix dumped into a bowl with greens thrown on top (and a piece of uncut chicken on a plate on the side). I did however love the honey curry vinaigrette. It was sweet and slightly spicy and tasted great. My husband thought his meal tasted ok. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the fries were shoestring fries (my favourite kind). I had one fry and it was fantastic! My husband and I were meeting some friends at a different pub later that evening (ironically, I didn't want to eat at the other pub because I didn't have good experiences with their food in the past and suggested to my husband that we eat at The Pump instead). We are pretty quick and decisive people so shortly after we were given our menus we were ready to order and my husband glanced at our server. She said "are you in a hurry?" and maybe she was being inquisitive, but I interpreted her tone as condescending, especially after the previous comment she made. The decor itself, is usual pub-like decor. It's a bit dark and cave-like (but not in a bad way). Overall, I was not wowed by the food and the service was not my style. read more

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May 20, 2022: Ate on patio at Lieutenant's Pump. Beautiful setting, nestled in courtyard of an old apartment building. Lots of people of all ages sitting on patio, making for a casual, lively atmosphere. Our waitress was caring and attentive, bringing us more water unasked. I asked if she could make my burger keto-friendly, with a lettuce wrap. She thoughtfully offered a gluten-free bun but I said that didn't address the carbs. So she got it done in lettuce. It was yummy and filling. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - I got my Super Burger keto style. My mom got the Classic Club, on rye (which turned out to be marble rye, which she was delighted by.) - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Amazing brunch spot. Incredible amount of space at this location. The food has been nothing but awesome. Cute mimosas. Wait times are long but it is great if you are trying to have a long chatty brunch. Also, a great spot to party. Fun and busy spot with lots of rooms and dance floors to pursue. It has a rustic vibe and their bar snacks are decent also (deep fried pickles). In the evenings, the clientele is mainly university students. As a mid 20s adult, im usually on the older side there. The staff is sweet and the pump is a great spot to mingle with others and recover in the morning with your crew. read more

I've been here for multiple purposes. I'll start off with breakfast. It's actually pretty good breakfast for the price ! And they have a lot of choices of breakfast foods. Seating is plenty. Service is always good. I have also been here for lunch. It wasn't overly busy, but again the food was good! I got grilled cheese and cheddar maple soup and I was pretty happy with it. It turns into more of a club pub place at night. So if you want to get in I suggest arriving before 11:30 as the line up is huge. There is no cover which is great. The line goes at a moderate pace. Once you get in, the place is huge. It's like a maze. Usually coat check is 2-3 $. Drinks I would say are on the expensive side. Their nachos are pretty good! The dance floor is pretty small , and the music is okay. But usually you can find a spot to sit in or stand around. Overall it's a good time at night! And service is friendly read more

It was wonderful! I was served by a spirit-bearing Florence Nightingale named Shauna. Life-affirming, nay, spiritual service. Not to be missed! read more

Nothing like a few good pints and some tasty comfort food after a 5 hour drive from Toronto to Ottawa. I was overwhelmed by choice on the food menu, lots of options. Plus the beer menu was full of choices. The beer was a bit on the expensive side but I didn't mind because I knew I was getting good quality based on the selection. I indulged in the Table 23 burger, which has Brie cheese, mushrooms and bacon. Talk about perfection. We tried to come back on the next night but it was super busy and no tables were available. I would definitely hit this place up again during non-peak evenings. Yum! read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Group of 5 stopped by for a quick drink to waist time as we were on a wait list for another restaurant. Love how even though it was pretty busy, it was no problem finding a seat. They have plenty of booths, tables and hidden nooks everywhere. We sat ourselves and chose a nice quiet booth. We had the whole area all to ourselves. It was pretty nice. It was a nice vibe, but did not feel the cleanest. Washrooms were pretty off putting. Our group of five ordered a selection of drinks. A couple of martinis and beers. They were meh. We also ordered hummus and pita which was good. The naan bread was grilled perfectly. Hummus was pretty tasty as well. Service was quick but we were questioning our waitress. We were not sure if she wanted us to stay and order more or if she was pissed that she had to serve our table. She checked up on us appropriately, made sure we had what we needed but every time she would come by she would be humming and singing under her breath. It was not a happy hum...it was more like an irritated hum...*awkward* From what I was told this place is fantastic, but myself and our group agreed that it was not the best experience. At least the hummus was good... read more

Mothers Day Brunch Perfect brunch . Their cranberry scones are wonderful as are the turkey sausages which the menu says are homemade . Lots of fresh fruit pieces on the breakfast/brunch specials. Friendly service and comfy ambiance . Sadly for them , luckily for us ,the usual crowds are way down due to the construction on Elgin . My only complaint is charging 3.75 for a diet coke . read more

When you visit Ottawa for a weekend, invariably you take on a brunch of some sort. As such, everyone tends to have their favourites, so when it was one of my party's turn to pick, we hit Lieutenant's Pump. Found downtown on Elgin Street, you figure it's going to be packed with a line-up out the door. A quick glance as you approach confirms your fears. The layout of the Pump is kind of, for lack of better description, all over the place. An atrium of seats exist immediately as you enter the pub, with a narrow hallway past the bar leading you to a large L-shaped area at the back. It's small enough that you can find your way around and find others in your party, but I feel sorry for the folks who may be drunk and trying to find a bathroom. The place is definitely pubby in style and does not have any of the airs or affects of a franchise pub. This has the warmth of a local neighbourhood pub and I've experienced it several times at night. However it's on the brunch that it staggers a bit. The menu is genuinely wide enough to please most-to-all and as such does make it a great place to go. Sadly, it's in the service end where things begin to fall apart. The staff seems somewhat overwhelmed with the rush that they inevitably get every Saturday and Sunday morning, leaving you waiting for a longer time than expected, and reasoning exactly why it is they have a line-up outside. Once it's there the food is decent enough, though I wonder at times if it is genuinely worth the wait. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - Lieutenant's Pump - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

We come here weekly after our teams volleyball games as they have a promotion with our league. The Pump is in the basement of the building and has a nice cozy feel. Yes it can get a little cramped in there but it's a nice feel. This place has the best playlist for any of the pubs I've gone to multiple times in Ottawa. The food is ok at night but I don't like the brunch to much. The wait staff is pretty fun and I do like the beers that they carry. read more

I love coming to the Lieutenant's Pump for their Sunday roast beef dinner; it is a great way to end the weekend and when it is too hot to cook. The beef is tender and the sides are fresh and seasonal. I also love coming for their weekend brunch; the two eggs standard is excellent value for the price point. Their chorizo scrambled egg burrito is also very good. The staff is always friendly and service is very prompt. It is a popular place for friends to meet up. Also, on weekends, their mason jar drinks are only $12.00 before 5:45 pm; their grapefruit refresher is perfect on a scorcher of a day. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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I went to this place for a friend's birthday. When we walked in, it was quite nice and there were quite a few large groups there as well so it looks like a fairly popular place for birthdays/parties. When we walked in, the staff was kind of rude and every time we caught their attention they would just walk away from us - didn't feel too welcomed. When we got to our seats, the server was much nicer. She showed us their table signs that have all 32 beers they had on tap - it was a pretty big selection. The beer was good and brought to us quite quickly. I asked the server if she could switch the game that was on TV from one game to another and she said yes, but didn't change it until I asked about an hour later, when she stated that she completely forgot about it. The service itself knocked the place down a bit. The food was okay - my friends ordered mostly appetizers and I tried some of the zucchini fingers and those were quite good - on the expensive side, but tasted crispy and fresh. The bar itself is interesting, as they had buses that were bussing people from the Leafs/Habs game that night back to the bar, so after the hockey game was over, the bar was flooded with people! It was interesting as during the day, it aws like a regular British bar and during the night was a crazy night club. The only problem was that there was shattered glass all over the floor and it was difficult to try to get any water. All in all, a really busy and great place to go if you want something that is bar like - before 10pm and club like afterwards. read more

I ordered the salmon - don't bother - I t was over cooked and a really small portion. We were there for a friends birthday - the clientele was filled with privileged douche bags with no manners. The servers were ok, but acted like they were too good to be there. Over all not an authentic place - if you want a nice organic place to enjoy a nice evening - don't bother. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - Salmon ....~ - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

This place is amazing every time I come. One of the best caesars in Ottawa! Breakfast here is delicious, large and affordable. The English breakfast comes with some garlic mushrooms that are to die for. The only issue I have is they use these little plastic cups (think jello shooters) to put the beans and mushrooms in. While it's a good idea to keep the juices from spoiling the rest of the food on the plate, they are a little diner-esk. A small dish would be more elegant. The staff are always friendly and ready to make your experience great. Additionally, the owner actually makes rounds here and there to say hi and be a friendly face. It is quite dark throughout most of the place I personally love it but some may not. There are some areas with more light tho for those of you that need it! read more

I had been to the Lieutenant's Pump (pronounced Leftenant's as we are in a commonwealth country) for drinks a few years ago and enjoyed myself but I went back for brunch today for the first time and I was super impressed! We got there around 11:00 with a group of 8 people and they were able to seat us no problem (the place is pretty big). The pump is really comfortable and has very nice decor, plus I could catch some Premier League Soccer, which was a nice touch. The service was impeccable, we got our food within minutes of ordering, and it was really good, I had a great roast beef breakfast sandwich with home fries (which were super tasty) while some of my friends had the standard breakfast, which they enjoyed, and others had some of the many egg options. Of the 8 people the only complaint was that the brie in the cheese omelette wasn't flavourful enough, but I maintain that is just nitpicking. For me the major asterisk is that, unlike most places that serve breakfast, coffee isn't included in the price of the breakfast, and coffee is $3.00. Dear the pump, please charge less for coffee or include it in the price of brunch. Oh, and you get a piece of chocolate with your brunch, which is a very nice touch. Apart from the coffee price, this is the best place to go for brunch on Elgin in my opinion. It is really tasty, the service is great, and if you get there at or after 11:00 you can have a beer with your brunch (who needs coffee anyways). As for beer they have a very good selection (including some microbrews) , although it is a bit pricey ($7.50+ for pints). read more

I came here for lunch with my mom today and I'm definitely a fan of this place. First of all, they have a big patio, and plenty of seating in the shade or under umbrellas for those of us who want to escape the heat and humidity while still enjoying the outdoors. Our server was friendly, helpful, appropriately attentive and we didn't wait too long for our food. Mom and I ordered two dishes and split them both. The baby spinach salad was pretty good. The spinach and the fruit tasted quite fresh and the candied pecans were delicious. I was also impressed with the plating of the dish itself. Not so much a fan of the dressing, but my mom seemed to like it. We also ordered the veggie cheese club sandwich with sweet potato fries. The fries were good, but I wish they would've given us a bit more chipotle mayo instead of the small McDonald's-sized ketchup container it came in. The sandwich was phenomenal and they give you a choice of bread. Highly recommend the rye! Toppings tasted well together and the sandwich was crunchy and delicious, but not too dry and chewy. Additionally, they have a HUGE selection of draft beers - 32 brands to be exact, including local choices like Kitchessippi 1855 (highly recommend - it's a dark amber ale and tastes amazing). Brownie points for this. The reason this place gets four stars instead of five is because there is no parking lot. Not unusual for most of the restaurants on Elgin, but it is nonetheless a pain in the ass since most of the side street parking is only one hour. For those of us who can't access public transportation, this is quite an inconvenience. read more

Popular pub located on Elgin Street. Many rave about te prime rib on Sunday. Food is good and drinks are very reasonably priced. Waitress was very good. But their daily menu was deceiving. They listed the soup without a price, which led us to think soup came with the meals listed. The meal came without soup so when explained to us we suggested they list the price for the soup. At this point, not our regular waitress but another, made a derogatory facial expression and refused to listen. We were not impressed. read more

This is one of my absolute favourite spots in the city, and my recent dating adventures have led me to believe it's the perfect spot to meet someone for the first time. The lighting is dim (read: flattering), it's quiet enough on a weeknight to have a legitimate conversation and they have someone for everyone on their food and bar menus. Right in the heart of Elgin's best spots, you head down a couple stairs (though they're using the Elgin entrance lately - I think it might be a winter thing?) and you've entered a dimly lit, cozy pub filled with tons of private nooks just begging for secrets. The velvet curtain, leather and wood always charm me and the music is always excellent. They have a wonderful brunch (with several gluten-free options), as some people here have mentioned. The food is really outstanding for a pub, and I am so, so, happy there's a place on Elgin with a gluten-free menu. Another one of my favourite things is their spiked hot chocolate menu: I'm in love with the Peppermint Patty and the Raz oh Chocolate. Divine. What better way to warm up on a cold Ottawa night? read more

The Lieutenant Pump is possibly the largest pub on Elgin Street. With a large patio and indoor space, it's an ideal place for large groups. However, this pub has managed to balance large space with comfy nooks. There are many different areas of the pub to inhabit, depending on your mood, interest in the hockey game on the TVs and the size of your group. Their drink selection is pretty swell, with wine, liquor and approximately 15 beers on tap. The service I've had has been consistently good. However, sitting out on the large patio on a summer night watching the people go by is probably the best feature of this bar. read more

Hidden gem, weird cool layout where you can't see the whole bar unless you walk around into the different sections. Amazing patio in the summer and the vibe is amazing. Cons: the music is too loud for a place without a dance floor and the service is very slow. read more

In town from Oklahoma and friends took me straight to the L.P. I had the two eggs any style for only SIX dollars and my plate was endless. Toast, fresh fruit, eggs, hash browns, and bacon! All with a nice little after meal dark chocolate to go along. (Someone must have told them about my chocolate weakness.) Everything on my plate was done well, which is surprising since there were so many different items. And in my group of 13 people, everyone's food looked fresh and delicious. read more

By bf and I went for lunch here a week or so ago as it's super close to my work and has a gluten free menu which makes life so much easier for me as a celiac. We arrived just as they were opening for lunch. Service was ok, nothing special. The waitress took our food order, said all the food was good and told us about the specials. I ordered the southwestern turkey sandwich on gf bread of course with a caesar salad. My bf ordered the special- sliders with soup as a side. He said they were good, but that was about it. My sandwich was definitely the star of the lunch. The turkey was an actual turkey breast, the gf foccaccia bread was obviously homemade and very tasty. I scarfed the whole big sandwich down. The caesar salad though was so over dressed that it was swimming in salad dressing. The flavors were there and there was roasted garlic on top with fresh parm but next time I'll ask for dressing on the side. Now what I didn't like is the price of drinks. It cost almost $4 for a coke or ice tea! I know it's unlimited refills, but that's a little excessive. Next time I will ask for water. It was $35 plus tip for a lunch for 2 which is more than I like to pay for lunch, but it would've cost much less without the pop. I will be back since there gluten free menu is quite large and the they have a nice selection. This seems to be a rare thing, especially at pubs. read more

Keep in mind when you read this review that I don't like pubs in general. The good is that it's fairly quiet, even though the place is expansive. It feels cozy because it's labyrinthine. I ate french fries and they were not good. I think the oil was old. I was there on a Thursday night. There were TVs everywhere, which is bad in my opinion but I know some people like that. read more

This place is one of the best in the city for breakfast. It's a great option for a few pints. As for dinner or lunch, there are better options but hey if your in the mood for pub food then go for it. read more

I like the ambiance of this place quite a bit. I think it'd make a good venue to meet someone for the first time as it's both warm, quirky, but not too secluded from others. I met a friend here this past weekend for their brunch/breakfast menu and I found my omlette with portobello mushrooms, brie, and red peppers to be pretty good. The fruit on the plate was fresh and tasty as well, and this is winter. The homefries were meh -- but I think homefries are *meh* anyway. Bathrooms were fine. Noise level is more than i prefer when hanging out with a friend, though. If you want to have a private conversation, I wouldn't recommend this place, as you tend to sit closer to strangers than you may want. read more

Had cravings for some pub curry flare and read about Lieutenant's Pump and their beef curry pie. I was not disappointed. The pie was very well made. The crust was well baked and very flaky. The curry is well flavoured without being too strong, and the beef is tender with a right balance of gravy. The pie also comes with a nice accompaniment of lightly stirred fried potatoes garnished with green onions. A small dish of plum sauce was provided, a nice surprise that juxtaposed well with the pie. On a grand scale the pub has a nice vibe and is a cozy environment to dine at. The service was prompt and attentive which was also very much appreciated. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - Curry beef pie - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Went here because they have a blackened chicken dish that they can make gluten free that is quite tasty. They have a really large drink menu. I also had the curry pot pie which was also very good. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - a bowl of soup and a plate of food - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Great food. Even better service! It is a ​classic pub and an Ottawa institution that never disappoints! A great local​ - even if​ you don't live or work nearby! read more

Strolled into this cozy little cellar pub for a few cold brews with a few cool friends. We opted for pitchers of Creemore and that was just what we needed to quench our thirst and get the laughs rolling at our table. We chatted about everything from politics to first jobs and from travels to trips ;). The conversation was pleasant but even better was watching the Sens make a beautiful comeback on LA in the 3rd period. We're hoping for a playoff spot but who really knows. Cellar vibes. read more

Great casual atmosphere for hanging out with friends. Good beer selection on tap, including local microbreweries. For food, brunch is average. As for lunch and dinner, it's pub food done well, their burgers and sandwiches are hardy and flavourful. My only regret is they removed the lentil vegetarian stew and the hummus and veggie platter they used to have on the menu. For desert - Toffee pudding is decadent and delicious. I've never been for Monday trivia, but I know friends have had a good time there. read more

Fun place to go out. All the young crowd goes there. Would recommend. Dance floor gets too sweaty though

Went by this place one late Sunday morning, and the place was absolutely packed- but they managed to get a table for a friend and I :). So at this time- I hadn't really heard much of this particular spot- but was very pleasantly surprised! Yay :3 So aside from the thrill of a mimosa to start the morning- the breakfast itself was very yummy (eggs Benny) and the service was quite good for the business that morning. The establishment/building is also something that's pretty quaint/cute/awesome :P... In needing to find the washroom I was told "follow the yellow"... Oh yuss- I will and did follow the "yellow brick road" ;D they also have open mic nights and such... The place is worth it and the people are nice :) enjoy your time at the lieutenants pump :P! read more

It's so cute! In the basement of an old building reminiscent of the flat iron pub in Toronto read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - a view of a bar - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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As much as having a few drinks on your favourite night of the week is always a good time at Lieutenant's Pump, but I'm more about the brunch. Head there on the weekend and be treated to some delicious brunch options. Yes, grab a caesar/beer/mamosa/sangria, but don't forget to checkout their whole brunch menu. Fresh sandwiches, classic brunch options and they are always willing to adapt the food to fit vegan and other options the best they can. Needless to say, get a seat on the patio on a Sunday morning and you have the makings of a great end to the weekend. read more

Never had food here but do yourselves a favour and go get yourself a Caesar and a table outside and you'll be happy! Get there before 5.45pm and you can have a mason jar cocktail (caesar) for just $10 all in! Our only complaint was that last time we were there they were seriously holding back on the caesar rimmer. We did keep asking the server to layer it on though. read more

Great breakfast, best nachos in the city, and various craft beers to choose from in a large place. Servers are amazing. Especially Sarah in the back section. read more

The Lieutenant's Pump - Best nachos in Ottawa! - Pubs Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Stopped in for lunch had soup and sandwich combo for 11$. Spicy tortilla soup the waitress suggested was hearty and pretty good. The chipotle turkey croissant was fresh with a large portion of spring mix as lettuce, fresh tomato, real avocado, chipotle mayo (on side), real shaved turkey breast and fast, friendly prompt service. I will return again. About ten different sandwich choices and five different soups on here on lunch menu. Was busy enough for a Friday at noon. read more

4 Words: The Pump is happenin'! Awesome bar to go to for drinks. Situated on Elgin with neighboring bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is great, especially for an older crowd (21+). Love that it has an outdoor patio - perfect for that outdoor drinking. Also love that it's always so dark inside. Gives it more of a romantic/secluded feeling. Some days it offers movie showings (usually old movies). If you plan to attend one of these events, I suggest coming a bit earlier. This place gets PACKED. Packed like, nowhere-to-sit-no-choice-but-to-leave kind of things, and I speak from experience. Large selection of beers is a real plus. Would come here a thousand times again. read more