A little something for everyone and other Ottawa, Canada Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Minglewoods

This bar has three stories, each one has it own different vibe. The first floor is more like a pub, the music isn't that loud (it's open all day), t.v.'s,etc. At night this floor get pretty packed (roughly 9:30 -10pm)and it's impossible for you to find a seat. The second floor (no bar on this floor, but their is a waitress) has couch's, tables & chairs for you to eat, a big screen T.V., and 2 or 3 pool tables, and it only gets full when the third floor is about to open. The third floor opens around 10:30-11pm, and it's where Minglewoods is the craziest. There'a a DJ cramed into the corner of the already cramped space, the dance floor is tiny, there's a pool table on this floor also, but can be difficult to play because of all the people. There is a bar on this floor, but it's small. When the bar is really packed, they make you wait in lineups by the staircases to go up, which can suck, and the bouncer's can be dick's. So don't get into a fight unless ya want one of these monkey's re-arranging your face (i have unfortunately seen it happen to often)

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: you can dress like a bum and you'll get in! Generally guys dress down, and girls do the same, or in club-type clothes.
Address: corner of York & Dalhousie
Directions: The Byward Market (downtown Ottawa)
Website: www.minglewoods.com

Nightlife Spot: The "Great Canadian" Cabin

Similar to Minglewoods (same crowd, etc), this university student bar, plays dance music, and alittle rock, generally a good selection of tunes. There's a basement with a bar, and a bunch of pool tables, couches, booths. The Upstair's is separated into two sections, the dance section, and the more sit-down, pub-kinda place. In the summer it has a pretty good feel to it, and makes the bar feel less cramped then in the winter.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Anything goes
Address: On York St., by Dalhousie
Directions: In The Byward Market, next to The Keg, and The Hard Rock Cafe

Nightlife Spot: Griffin's

A dance bar on Elgin Street, this attracts abit on an older crowd (24-30), and the drinks are pricey. You don't come here to have a pint & conversation, the music is really loud. Good music, good drinks, good times. It's in the proximity of a lot of other bars on Elgin Street.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: you generally have to be dressed nicely (i don't mean a suit, or coat & tie!) to fit in here, i don't think anyone has been rejected for dress code.
Phone: (613) 567-2746
Address: 284 Elgin St
Directions: Somewhat close to Lisgar

Nightlife Spot: Patty Boland's

The place looks incredible, it has a real stone fire place, which adds to it's homely feel. there are three bars, two on the bottom floor, one on the top. The grub is fairly good (i'm a veggie so my experience in this department is limited), and it usually has a good Celtic band playin' music on Friday's and Saturdays. the size of the upstairs is limited, so if you wanna grab a booth or table close to the band, some up around 9pm. The crowd that comes is very mixed, you get students, people in the late 20's and up. Always a good atmosphere.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: none
Address: Clarence (a stone throw away from the famous Heart
Directions: The Byward market (Downtown Ottawa)
Website: http://members.rogers.com/pattybolands/

Nightlife Spot: Heart & Crown

This place is amazing!! This is an Irish pub! There are four Irish pubs connected to one (Heart & Crown, Snug Pub, Mother McGee's i think, and another one) You can do a pub crawl and never have to go outside!!! Each pub is somewhat unique in it's atmosphere, music, seatin arrangement etc. Some play current music, some play celtic music, some have live music, etc. No matter what you'll find something here guaranteed. This place is a must! irish or not. Pours in my opinion the best pint o' Guinness in the Capital. Has a very diverse crowd, and people are very friendly here. In the summer, they have a patio in the middle, somewhat removed from the downtown streets, and you almost feel like your in a pub in Dublin.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: none
Address: Heart & Crown is on Clarence.
Directions: Byward Market (Downtown Ottawa) The pub has entrances on three streets.

Nightlife Spot: Quinn's

This place is a nice, little corner Irish pub. It has a good atmosphere, and can get pretty tight at times. People are very friendly here, and you can always find a good conversation at the bar. They have live music usually on the weekends. the food is fairly good pub grub, and the intimate patio in the summer, opens things up alittle. Unfortunately there aren't too many pubs like this in Ottawa!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: none
Address: Close to Bank & Sunnyside (On Bank St.)
Directions: Right next to the Mayfair Theatre, sorta in the Glebe

Nightlife Spot: Patty's Pub

As you can probably tell this is an Irish Pub, but unlike most North American "Irish Pub"s" this one is good! A lively atmosphere, good bar staff, and an interesting set up make this place a good spot to sit down with a pint o' Guinness, and a bag of chips and talk the night away! They have some solid celtic acts here on the weekend. St. Patrick's Day here is awesome!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: none
Phone: (613) 730-2434
Address: 1186 Bank Street. (In the Glebe)
Directions: In between Billings Bridge and Lansdowne Park (or Frank Clair Stadium)

Nightlife Spot: Dominion Tavern

I love this place, it is by far the most down to earth bar you'll find in Ottawa. The pints are really cheap, nice big screen T.V. They have live shows every now and then (some great local, and not-so-local punk bands). It has two pool tables, and a nice patio in the summer. This is an awesome place to relax, there's no BS here, it feels like home! (You don't have to listen to punk to enjoy this place!)

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: absolute no dresscode, however if you come here dressed like a gap model, you may feel alittle out of place!
Phone: (613) 241-7706
Address: 33 York St
Directions: Byward Market (Downtown Ottawa)
Website: www.dominiontavern.com

Nightlife Spot: Honest Lawyer

Not only does The Honest Lawyer offer all kinds of new taste sensations to fascinate the palate, they have a selection of games and that will compliment your dining adventure. Patrons love the bowling lane as well as the 3D video games like racing, football, hunting and golf.
There'a tiny dance floor, with rock, top 40, rap, dance being played, but no too many dance. It gets pretty packed on the weekend. They have live bands too sometimes.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: They have a lax, 21+ code, so they expect you to dress better then casual.
Phone: 613-562-2262
Address: 141 George St.
Directions: close to Dalhousie & George, in tyhe Market (Downtown Ottawa)
Website: http://www.honestlawyer.com/ottawa.html

Nightlife Spot: Cafe Paradiso

Skating on the canal, need a place to warm up? Well I have the perfect place, cafe Paradiso has a warm and calm atmosphere. Their service is impecable and their food and drinks are sensational. If you are in the area this is a must stop. And if you are there make sure to try some of their martini specialties...such as their Black Martini, Blue Moon martini or Buttery nipple martini...a delicious treat!!

They have dj's some nights who play acid jazz, etc. Good music for sure!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: it's not a coat and tie, but it's a notch underneath, if that makes sense. Khakis, and a nice sweater for guys will do fine, i don't think i'd be able to explain how or what girls should wear
Address: Downtown, Bank St.