Last Updated: April 21, 2026
Ottawa’s cocktail scene has quietly become one of the most interesting in Canada — and most people outside the city have no idea. From a hidden speakeasy beneath York Street to a 16th-floor rooftop overlooking Parliament Hill, the capital’s best bartenders are doing things with agave, local botanicals, and zero-proof spirits that rival anything on Dundas West or Saint-Laurent Boulevard.
This guide covers every worthwhile cocktail bar in Ottawa and Gatineau for 2026, organized by neighbourhood and vibe. Whether you need a moody cellar bar for a first date, a rooftop with fire pits for out-of-town guests, or a no-frills whisky den where you can nurse an Old Fashioned past midnight, you will find it here. Expect honest takes — including which spots are overpriced, which ones have gone downhill, and where the city’s own bartenders drink on their nights off.
Cocktails in Ottawa typically run CA$17–22 before tax. Add 13% HST plus an 18–20% tip and your real cost per drink lands between CA$23 and CA$29. Worth knowing before you sit down.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa has 30+ serious cocktail bars spread across ByWard Market, Centretown, Elgin Street, Little Italy, Hintonburg, and Hull. The standouts are Riviera (classic cocktails in a former bank vault), Stolen Goods (innovative cellar speakeasy), Copper Spirits & Sights (rooftop views), and Jackalope (reservation-only bespoke experience). Play Food & Wine closed in January 2026 after 17 years — a significant loss.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📊 Total Bars Covered | 35+ |
| ⭐ Top Pick (Overall) | Riviera — Stephen Flood’s cocktail program |
| 🥃 Best Whisky | South Block Whiskey Bar (Elgin) |
| 🌴 Best Speakeasy | Jackalope inside Rabbit Hole |
| 🌆 Best Views | Copper Spirits & Sights (Andaz rooftop) |
| 💰 Best Value | Sidedoor — $10 margarita specials |
| 🕐 Latest Night | South Block (2 AM) or cross to Hull (3 AM) |
| 💸 Typical Price | CA$17–22 per cocktail + 13% HST |
ByWard Market: The Heart of Ottawa’s Bar Scene
ByWard Market remains Ottawa’s densest concentration of quality cocktail bars.
The Market is where most visitors start, and for good reason — within a few blocks you can hit a rooftop lounge, two different cellar speakeasies, and one of the country’s most talked-about new openings. The downside is weekend crowds and tourist-trap pricing at the wrong spots. Here is where to go and where to skip.
Copper Spirits & Sights (Andaz Ottawa)
The 16th-floor rooftop at the Andaz is still the single best view you can pair with a cocktail in Ottawa. Parliament Hill glows across the river, the Gatineau Hills fill the horizon, and on clear summer evenings the sunset turns the whole thing cinematic. It is Ottawa’s tallest rooftop bar, and they know it — expect to pay for the privilege.
Cocktails lean seasonal and spirit-forward. The Sights & Spritz (CA$19, or CA$21.47 with HST) is their house pour for warm weather; the Toki Skyline (CA$21 / CA$23.73 with HST) brings Japanese whisky into the mix. They have leaned hard into the agave-forward trend for 2026, and their mocktail and nozecco options have expanded from afterthought to proper menu section — a reflection of the zero-proof wave hitting Ottawa.
Reservations are strongly recommended for rooftop access, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. OpenTable handles parties up to six; larger groups need to email [email protected]. Hours shift seasonally — the rooftop runs roughly Sunday to Thursday 5 PM–midnight, Friday and Saturday to 1 AM, but check the Hyatt site for winter indoor-bar adjustments.
Best for: Impressing visitors, date nights with a view, sunset cocktails. Skip if: You want an intimate, low-key vibe — this is a scene, especially on weekends.
Bar Ocelli
The newest serious addition to ByWard’s cocktail landscape, Bar Ocelli opened in 2025 on William Street and quickly earned a reputation as one of Ottawa’s most creative rooms. Apt613 described it as “a 40-seat, London-style cocktail bar,” and that nails the format — small, tight, and focused entirely on what is in your glass.
Witek Wojaczek runs the program, and his menus rotate seasonally with a playfulness that has Reddit regulars calling the place “cozy and super creative.” Reservations are limited to parties of six or fewer, bookable up to one month ahead. Walk-ins are possible on quieter weeknights.
Best for: Cocktail enthusiasts who want something beyond the classics, couples looking for an intimate room. Skip if: You are with a large group — 40 seats fills fast.
Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar
Tucked into a cellar at 54 York Street, Stolen Goods is the bar that keeps appearing at the top of every Reddit thread asking “best cocktail bar in Ottawa?” One user called it the place with the “best Espresso Martini” in the city, and the space lives up to the hype — intimate, conversational, with a curated list that changes seasonally. House-infused whiskeys and gin-based botanicals feature heavily, and the spirit-forward sours are consistently excellent.
Cocktails run CA$17–21, with shareable snacks integrated into the experience. Walk-ins are usually fine on weekday evenings, but reserve for weekends. The cellar format means the room stays cozy year-round — one of Ottawa’s best options for a winter night out.
Best for: Cocktail nerds, intimate conversations, winter dates. Skip if: You want loud music and a party atmosphere — this is a talking bar.
Apothecary Lounge
Sharing the same 54 York Street building as Stolen Goods, Apothecary Lounge takes a different approach — think Victorian apothecary décor, botanical-heavy cocktails, and occasional live jazz sessions that turn the room into something out of a period film. The vibe is dark, intimate, and deliberately un-modern. House-made syrups and bitters form the backbone of a menu that skews herbal and citrus-heavy.
Cocktails are slightly more accessible at CA$16–22, and walk-ins are the norm — though the room can pack out on weekend evenings. If Stolen Goods downstairs is full, this is not a consolation prize; it is a genuinely different experience.
Best for: Jazz lovers, date nights with atmosphere, herbal cocktail fans. Skip if: You prefer clean, modern aesthetics — this is deliberately moody and dark.
Sidedoor Contemporary Kitchen & Bar
Sidedoor at 18B York Street bridges the gap between serious cocktail bar and fun night out. The Asian-fusion kitchen drives the cocktail program — think yuzu, lychee, and miso-butter rinses alongside more conventional spirit-forward builds. Their happy hour is one of the best deals in the Market: margaritas and spritzes at CA$10 each (CA$11.30 with HST), which makes it a strong pre-dinner stop before heading to fine dining elsewhere.
Regular cocktails run CA$17–21, and the patio in summer is one of the more pleasant spots in ByWard. Reservations through OpenTable are recommended, especially for groups.
Best for: Groups who want cocktails and food in one stop, happy hour seekers. Skip if: You want a pure cocktail-focused experience — the kitchen takes centre stage here.
Métropolitain Brasserie
At 700 Sussex Drive, on the edge of where ByWard meets the diplomatic quarter, Métropolitain plays the French brasserie card with a cocktail program that leans classic European. This is not where you go for experimental drinks — it is where you go for a properly made Negroni or Kir Royale in a room that feels like it belongs in the 7th arrondissement. The Sussex Drive location means foot traffic from the National Gallery crowd, which gives the bar a slightly more international feel than most Ottawa spots.
Best for: Pre-theatre or post-gallery drinks, Francophile vibes.
A Note on Play Food & Wine (Closed)
After 17 years as one of ByWard Market’s anchor restaurants and wine bars, Play Food & Wine closed its doors at 1 York Street in January 2026. The Ottawa Business Journal reported the closure, noting it as “closing its doors in the ByWard Market after 17 years.” If you see older guides still recommending it, they are out of date. The space’s future tenant has not been announced.
Centretown and Sparks Street: Where the Serious Programs Live
Sparks Street houses two of Ottawa’s most celebrated cocktail programs — Riviera and The Rabbit Hole.
If ByWard Market is where tourists drink, Centretown is where Ottawa’s cocktail culture actually lives. Sparks Street alone holds Riviera and The Rabbit Hole — two bars that have put Ottawa on national “best bars” lists. The surrounding blocks on Somerset, Elgin, and Bank add enough depth to fill a month of Friday nights without repeating a venue.
Riviera
There is a reason Riviera keeps landing on Canada’s 100 Best Bars list: Stephen Flood. The head bartender and mixologist has built a program around precise, classic cocktails served from behind what the list called “the glamorous, 25-metre-long brass bar” — a former bank vault on Sparks Street that feels like stepping into a 1930s supper club. Flood is particularly known for his Negroni variations, and “sitting at the bar is a quintessential Ottawa experience,” as one Reddit user put it.
The food program matches the bar, which means this is not a cheap night — expect cocktails in the CA$18–22 range alongside elevated bistro fare. Reservations are recommended via the website or OpenTable. Hours typically run 5 PM to 10 or 11 PM.
Best for: Anniversary dinners, impressing someone who knows cocktails, sitting at the bar solo. Skip if: You are budget-conscious — this is a splurge spot.
The Rabbit Hole, Jackalope, and Sneaki Tiki
At 208 Sparks Street you get three concepts stacked into one building, each with a distinct personality. The Rabbit Hole is the ground-floor operation — creative cocktails, small plates, and an inviting atmosphere that works for both casual evenings and proper dates. Pear-based cocktails and seasonal agave-driven builds feature on a menu where most drinks land at CA$17–21.
Descend to the Jackalope and the experience shifts entirely. This is a reservation-only speakeasy that once topped “Best Cocktail Bar in Canada” rankings. The format is bespoke — bartenders build drinks around your preferences in an intimate, list-driven format. Expect CA$20–25 per cocktail and an experience closer to omakase than a bar visit. Thursday through Saturday evenings only, roughly 7 PM to 11 PM.
Above it all, Sneaki Tiki adds a rooftop option with tropical builds that play well in Ottawa’s brief but intense summer. The three-in-one format means you could spend an entire evening here, moving between floors and never getting bored.
Best for: Jackalope is a bucket-list speakeasy experience. Rabbit Hole works for casual dates. Sneaki Tiki is summer-only fun. Skip if: You want walk-in flexibility — Jackalope requires planning ahead.
Union Local 613, The Staffroom, and Jabberwocky
Another three-in-one building, this time at 315 Somerset Street West. Union Local 613 is the restaurant anchor — southern-inspired comfort food with a cocktail program that Reddit users describe as having “fantastic price points and known for their craft cocktails.” Above it, The Staffroom operates as a hidden speakeasy with adventurous builds. And Jabberwocky, also upstairs, runs a more experimental, high-concept cocktail lab that Gemini research flagged as sometimes cash-only and home to “some of the most creative drinks in town.”
The triple-concept model means there is something here for every mood, from a casual dinner with drinks to an all-night cocktail crawl without leaving the building. The Somerset West location also puts you within walking distance of Natural History (opened February 2025) and Antheia (opened December 2025, plant-forward fine dining with a serious cocktail program) — making this stretch of Centretown an emerging cocktail corridor.
North & Navy and Aiana
A few blocks east on 226 Nepean Street, North & Navy runs an Italian-style Bacarro bar from 5–7 PM and again from 9–10 PM, offering a tight window for a proper Negroni or Aperol-based build in an upscale setting. The attached restaurant is a Canada’s 100 Best regular, and the bar benefits from that fine dining pedigree without requiring a full dinner.
Nearby at 50 O’Connor Street, Aiana Restaurant Collective represents the newer generation of Ottawa cocktail-forward restaurants. The collective format means multiple chefs contributing to a single menu, and the cocktail program follows that collaborative spirit — rotating signature drinks that pull from diverse culinary traditions.
Fauna
At 425 Bank Street on the edge of Centretown and the Glebe, Fauna rounds out the area with a cocktail program that leans seasonal and ambitious. It sits in the same quality tier as the restaurants on this list — expect CA$18–22 cocktails in a room that works equally well for casual drinks and special-occasion dinners.
Elgin Street: Late-Night Whisky and Lively Crowds
Elgin Street packs more cocktail options per block than almost any other Ottawa strip.
Elgin Street runs south from the war memorial and packs bars, restaurants, and patios shoulder to shoulder for about a kilometre. The cocktail quality varies wildly — some spots are more about the scene than the glass — but the standouts are worth the walk.
South Block Whiskey Bar
If you want the best Old Fashioned in Ottawa, South Block at 232 Elgin Street is where Reddit will send you. And Reddit is right. This is a no-frills, whisky-heavy den that opens around 4 PM and stays open until Ontario’s 2 AM last call. No reservations — walk-in only. The bartenders know their rye from their bourbon, and the house-infused whiskeys add enough local character to keep regulars coming back.
Cocktails run CA$16–22, which is the lower end of Ottawa’s craft cocktail pricing. The atmosphere is cozy and deliberately un-fancy, which is exactly the point. This is the bar where off-duty bartenders from other Ottawa establishments come to drink, and that tells you everything you need to know.
Best for: Whisky lovers, late-night drinkers, people who think most cocktail bars are pretentious. Skip if: You want a beautiful room — the charm here is in the glass, not the décor.
Datsun
At 380 Elgin, Datsun blends Asian-fusion small plates with a creative cocktail program and a late-night patio that gets rowdy on summer weekends. This is not a quiet cocktail bar — it is a lively spot where the food and drinks compete for your attention. The cocktail list rotates seasonally, and the agave-forward trend has found a home here alongside more classic builds.
Best for: Groups who want food and drinks together, summer patio energy.
El Camino
El Camino runs two Ottawa locations — one on Elgin and one in ByWard Market — and the cocktail program at both is built around agave. The margaritas are the draw: La Manana at CA$18.50 (CA$20.91 with HST), El Fuego at CA$18, and the premium Abuelo at CA$21 (CA$23.73 with HST). The ByWard location has a rooftop patio that turns into one of Ottawa’s best summer drinking spots.
Best for: Margarita and mezcal fans, lively group dinners. Skip if: You want something refined — El Camino is energetic and loud by design.
Charlotte and Citizen
Two more Elgin entries worth noting. Charlotte plays the mid-century modern lounge card — “stylish living room” per Reddit — with relaxed craft cocktails early in the evening that give way to DJ sets later. Citizen, its neighbour, is known for skilled bartenders who excel at “dealer’s choice” cocktails — tell them what you like and they will build something on the spot. Both are solid choices for a pre-dinner drink or a low-stakes evening out.
Little Italy and Preston Street: Neighbourhood Cocktails Done Right
Preston Street’s cocktail bars offer a quieter, more neighbourhood-focused alternative to downtown.
Preston Street and the surrounding blocks of Little Italy have developed their own cocktail identity — less about being seen, more about being comfortable. The bars here tend to be smaller, the crowds more local, and the prices slightly friendlier than ByWard or Centretown. If you live in Ottawa and want a neighbourhood spot rather than a destination, this is where to look.
The Moonroom
At 43 Preston Street, The Moonroom has been a Little Italy anchor for years. The room is small, dark, and candlelit — genuinely romantic in a way that feels natural rather than manufactured. The cocktail program centres on Old Fashioned variations and Manhattan-style builds, with house-infused whiskies adding depth. Cocktails run CA$15–20, which is notably below downtown pricing.
Reddit users consistently call it one of Ottawa’s best date bars: “Vibes unmatched for a date,” though some note occasional slow service and prices that have crept up. Reservations are not taken, so arrive early if you want a seat — the room is small enough that a 15-minute wait is common on Friday and Saturday.
Best for: Romantic date nights, whisky-based cocktails, neighbourhood feel. Skip if: You are impatient — the small room and no-reservation policy mean waits happen.
Perch
Perch at 300 Preston Street operates in a different league from most bars on this list. The ground-floor restaurant runs a tasting-menu format — “9 courses at $145,” as one r/OttawaFood user noted — and has earned a spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. The rooftop bar above it is the cocktail play: seasonal, chef-driven drinks built with house syrups and local botanicals, served in a courtyard setting that feels miles from the Market’s chaos.
The rooftop bar hours shift seasonally, roughly Thursday through Monday 4:30 to 10 PM in warmer months, with reduced winter hours (Wednesday through Saturday 6–10 PM). This is not a walk-in-and-grab-a-drink spot — the tasting-menu DNA means everything is deliberate, including the pace.
Best for: Special occasions, cocktail-and-food pairing experiences, rooftop drinks without the tourist crowd. Skip if: You want a quick drink — the pace here is intentional and slow.
Ek Bar, Salt, and Drip House
Three more Preston-area spots worth your radar. Ek Bar (opened May 2025) brings luxury Indian-inspired cocktails to a neighbourhood that needed more flavour diversity — think sophisticated spice profiles and unique infusions. Salt Dining + Lounge at 345A Preston offers cocktails alongside a modern sharing-plates menu. And Drip House in nearby Mechanicsville runs the café-by-day, cocktail-bar-by-night model with a happy hour that draws the after-work crowd.
Westboro, Hintonburg, and Wellington West: The Neighbourhood Circuit
Wellington West and Hintonburg have quietly built one of Ottawa’s strongest bar corridors.
West of downtown, the Wellington Street corridor from Hintonburg through to Westboro has matured into a proper cocktail destination over the past few years. The vibe out here skews neighbourhood — these are bars where the bartender probably knows your name by your third visit.
Supply and Demand
At 1335 Wellington Street West, Supply and Demand has one of Ottawa’s most underrated cocktail programs. The Caesar 2.0 (CA$17 / CA$19.21 with HST) is a modern riff on Canada’s national cocktail, and even the Crodino Spritz at CA$9 (CA$10.17 with HST) punches above its price. But it is the food that generates the most passionate Reddit commentary: “I can’t get over the Tuna Crudo at Supply and Demand,” one r/OttawaFood user wrote, and that energy extends to the entire menu.
Best for: Cocktails paired with an excellent dinner, Wellington West locals.
Bar Laurel and 10Fourteen
Two Hintonburg gems that reward exploration. Bar Laurel brings Spanish-inspired cocktails with a particular strength in gin-based builds — Reddit users consistently recommend it for gin lovers. The room is sophisticated without feeling stuffy. A few blocks away, 10Fourteen is a narrow, intimate bar with a spirits selection that punches well above its size. This is the kind of place where you walk in knowing nothing about rye whisky and leave having discovered a new favourite. Both are walk-in friendly and priced a notch below downtown.
Allium and Lexington Smokehouse
Allium at 87 Holland Avenue brings craft cocktails to Westboro with a focus that matches its neighbourhood — polished but approachable. Further down Richmond Road, Lexington Smokehouse at 375 Richmond Road is a steakhouse first, but the bar program is whisky-centric and serious: bourbon and rye Old Fashioneds, mezcal-smoked builds, and premium pours up to CA$25–30. If you are heading to Westboro for dinner, the bar here is worth arriving early for.
Hotel Cocktail Bars: Beyond the Lobby Drink
Ottawa’s grand hotels have stepped up their cocktail programs — Zoe’s Lounge leads the pack.
Ottawa’s hotel bars have historically been afterthoughts — places you drank because your room was upstairs, not because the cocktails were worth crossing town for. That has changed. The Andaz rooftop (covered above) set the standard, and the Fairmont Château Laurier has responded.
Zoe’s Lounge (Fairmont Château Laurier)
At 1 Rideau Street, inside one of Canada’s most recognizable hotels, Zoe’s Lounge got a proper refresh in 2024 that brought its cocktail program back to relevance. The setting is everything you would expect — elegant, with dim lighting, deep sofas, and a whisky selection that leans heavily into Scotch and Canadian rye. Old Fashioned variations and Manhattan-style builds are the strength, with cocktails running CA$16–24.
The bar is walk-in for drinks, though dining reservations are recommended. Hours vary seasonally, roughly 5 PM to midnight on weekdays and to 2 AM on weekends. A new Japanese concept, Akira Back, was announced for early 2026 with a sake and Japanese whisky focus — worth checking if it has opened by the time you read this.
Best for: Visiting dignitaries (seriously — this is where diplomats drink), whisky collectors, hotel guests who want quality on-site.
Poa Tiki Bar
Ottawa’s dedicated tiki destination lives on Bank Street in Centretown. The room is neon-lit and eclectic, the drinks are deliberately over-the-top with garnishes and presentation, and the whole thing feels like it was designed to cure seasonal depression — which, in an Ottawa winter, is not a small thing. If you want something that looks as good on Instagram as it tastes, Poa is your spot. If tiki drinks are not your thing, you will hate it — and that is fine.
Crossing the River: Gatineau and Hull
Hull’s 3 AM last call makes it Ottawa’s unofficial late-night cocktail destination.
Here is the advantage Quebec gives you: Ontario’s last call is 2 AM. Quebec’s is 3 AM. That extra hour is not trivial when you are deep into a Saturday night, and the bridges to Hull are short enough that the taxi ride is under CA$15 from most downtown Ottawa bars. If you plan to ride the OC Transpo late-night routes, the 200-series buses cross the river on weekends.
Maison Charron
A 2025 opening on the Gatineau waterfront, Maison Charron has brought a cocktail-focused concept to a side of the river that previously lacked one. Details on the specific program are still emerging — this is a newer venue that locals are still discovering. The waterfront setting and Quebec pricing (no HST, though QST and GST apply differently) make it worth the trip.
La Petite Primrose
At 60 rue Bégin in Hull, La Petite Primrose opened in April 2025 with elevated craft cocktails in a cozy setting. The Quebec side tends to be less expensive for spirits (SAQ pricing vs LCBO), and the intimate format has drawn early positive comparisons to Ottawa’s best small rooms.
L’Épicerie
At 300 Rue Jacques Cartier in Gatineau, near Jacques-Cartier Park, L’Épicerie is primarily a craft-beer destination but runs a proper cocktail program alongside it. Quebec-distilled spirits feature heavily, and the river views from the terrace are a genuine draw. Cocktails run CA$14–18, which is the most affordable pricing on this entire list. Not a cocktail bar first — but the drinks are solid and the setting is hard to beat in summer.
2026 Cocktail Trends Shaping Ottawa’s Bar Scene
Agave spirits, zero-proof options, and Ontario craft distillers are reshaping what you will find in Ottawa glasses.
The Agave Takeover
The strongest trend across Ottawa’s cocktail bars in 2026 is the shift toward agave-based spirits. Mezcal and tequila have moved from niche to default at places like El Camino, Copper Spirits & Sights, Bar Ocelli, the Rabbit Hole’s Sneaki Tiki, and Datsun. Where vodka once dominated as the base spirit for house cocktails, agave is now doing that work — and the price premium that once came with ordering mezcal has largely disappeared as bars adjust their cost structures.
Zero-Proof Goes Mainstream
The sober-curious movement has hit Ottawa hard. Copper Spirits & Sights now runs explicit mocktail and nozecco sections on its main menu — not tucked away at the bottom, but presented alongside the alcoholic options as equals. This is not just a health trend; it is an economic shift, as bars realize that a CA$14 mocktail has better margins than most spirit-forward builds. Expect every serious Ottawa bar to have at least three dedicated zero-proof options by the end of 2026.
Ontario Craft Spirits on the Rise
Distillers like Top Shelf Distillers, Dubh Glas, and North of 7 are producing spirits that compete with imported brands, and Ottawa bars are beginning to feature them prominently. The local-first sourcing trend aligns with the broader sustainability movement in hospitality — fewer kilometres between distillery and glass.
Why Ottawa Cocktails Cost What They Do
A common complaint: “Why is my Old Fashioned CA$20?” The answer is the LCBO. Ontario’s government-run liquor monopoly means bars pay near-retail prices for their spirits — there is no wholesale discount system like you find in most other provinces or American states. When a bar pays CA$45 for a bottle of bourbon that yields six cocktails, the math gets tight quickly. Add rent, labour, and Ontario’s 13% HST, and CA$18–22 per cocktail is not gouging — it is survival. Quebec bars sourcing through the SAQ can sometimes achieve slightly better margins, which partly explains why Hull-side cocktails trend CA$2–4 cheaper.
Ottawa’s Best Cocktail Bars at a Glance
| Bar | Neighbourhood | Vibe | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riviera | Sparks St | Elegant, classic | $$$ | Anniversary, bar seating |
| Stolen Goods | ByWard (cellar) | Intimate speakeasy | $$$ | Cocktail nerds, dates |
| Copper Spirits | ByWard (rooftop) | Upscale views | $$$ | Visitors, sunsets |
| Jackalope | Sparks St (basement) | Bespoke speakeasy | $$$$ | Bucket-list experience |
| South Block | Elgin St | No-frills whisky | $$ | Whisky lovers, late night |
| Bar Ocelli | ByWard (William) | London-style intimate | $$$ | Creative cocktails |
| The Moonroom | Preston St | Candlelit romantic | $$ | First dates |
| Perch | Preston St (rooftop) | Chef-driven | $$$$ | Special occasions |
| Sidedoor | ByWard (York) | Asian-fusion fun | $$ | Happy hour, groups |
| El Camino | Elgin + ByWard | Agave-forward lively | $$$ | Margarita fans |
| Supply & Demand | Wellington W | Underrated all-rounder | $$-$$$ | Dinner + drinks |
| Apothecary | ByWard (cellar) | Victorian botanical | $$ | Jazz, atmosphere |
| L’Épicerie | Gatineau | Casual, river views | $$ | Budget cocktails |
Best Bar for Every Occasion
| Occasion | Go Here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First Date | Riviera or The Moonroom | Moody, intimate, impressive without trying too hard |
| Anniversary | Perch (tasting menu + rooftop) | Multi-course experience, chef-driven cocktails |
| Group of 10 | Copper Spirits & Sights | Space, views, and enough menu variety for everyone |
| Whisky Night | South Block Whiskey Bar | Deepest selection, most knowledgeable bartenders |
| Speakeasy Experience | Jackalope (Rabbit Hole) | Reservation-only, bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime |
| Summer Patio | Copper rooftop or El Camino ByWard | Views (Copper) or energy (El Camino) |
| Winter Cozy | Stolen Goods or Apothecary Lounge | Cellar bars that feel warmer the colder it gets outside |
| Late Night (past midnight) | South Block (2 AM) or cross to Hull (3 AM) | Ontario stops at 2; Quebec gives you an extra hour |
| Budget | Sidedoor happy hour (CA$10 cocktails) | Best value-to-quality ratio in the Market |
| Zero-Proof | Copper Spirits & Sights | Most developed non-alcoholic menu in Ottawa |
| Wine-to-Cocktail Pivot | Wine tours near Ottawa then Supply & Demand | Start the day in wine country, end it at a cocktail bar |
What Opened and What Closed in 2025–2026
| Venue | Status | When | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Ocelli | Opened | 2025 | 40-seat London-style cocktail bar, William St |
| Little Sussex | Opened | April 2025 | Craft cocktails on Clarence St, ByWard |
| Natural History | Opened | February 2025 | Neighbourhood watering hole, Somerset W |
| Ek Bar | Opened | May 2025 | Indian-inspired luxury cocktails, Preston |
| Antheia | Opened | December 2025 | Plant-forward dining + cocktails, Somerset W |
| La Petite Primrose | Opened | April 2025 | Elevated cocktails in Hull |
| Maison Charron | Opened | 2025 | Gatineau waterfront cocktail bar |
| Play Food & Wine | Closed | January 2026 | 17 years in ByWard Market — significant loss |
| Akira Back (Fairmont) | Expected | Early 2026 | Japanese concept, sake + whisky focus |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best cocktail bar in Ottawa right now?
Riviera on Sparks Street consistently tops local and national lists, thanks to Stephen Flood’s cocktail program and the iconic 25-metre brass bar. For a more intimate experience, Stolen Goods in the ByWard Market cellar rivals it for quality in a completely different format.
Q: Where can I find a speakeasy in Ottawa?
Jackalope (inside The Rabbit Hole at 208 Sparks Street) is Ottawa’s most acclaimed speakeasy — reservation-only, bespoke cocktails, Thursday through Saturday. The Staffroom above Union Local 613 on Somerset is another hidden option. Stolen Goods and Apothecary Lounge on York Street have speakeasy energy without the reservation barrier.
Q: How much do cocktails cost in Ottawa?
Most craft cocktails run CA$17–22 before tax. Add Ontario’s 13% HST and a standard 18–20% tip, and your real per-drink cost is CA$23–29. Happy hour deals like Sidedoor’s CA$10 specials exist but are the exception, not the rule.
Q: What time is last call in Ottawa?
Ontario’s last call is 2 AM. If you want to keep going, cross the river to Hull or Gatineau in Quebec, where last call extends to 3 AM. The bridges are short and taxis run all night.
Q: Where should I take a date for cocktails in Ottawa?
For a first date, The Moonroom on Preston Street offers candlelit intimacy at reasonable prices. For a more impressive setting, Riviera’s bar seating or Bar Ocelli’s 40-seat room both work beautifully. Avoid anywhere too loud — El Camino and Datsun are fun but not conversation-friendly.
Q: Are there good non-alcoholic cocktail options in Ottawa?
Yes, and improving rapidly. Copper Spirits & Sights runs the most developed zero-proof menu, with mocktails and nozecco options presented alongside the main cocktail list. Most serious cocktail bars now offer at least a few non-alcoholic builds, though quality varies.
Q: What are the best rooftop bars for cocktails in Ottawa?
Copper Spirits & Sights at the Andaz is the clear winner — 16th floor, Parliament views, serious cocktail program. Perch’s rooftop bar on Preston Street offers a quieter alternative. El Camino’s ByWard location also has rooftop patio space.
Q: Where do bartenders drink on their nights off?
South Block Whiskey Bar on Elgin Street is the closest thing Ottawa has to an industry bar. The no-frills format, walk-in-only policy, and late hours (until 2 AM) attract off-duty hospitality workers from across the city.
Q: Is the cocktail scene better in Ottawa or Montreal?
Montreal has more bars, more variety, and later hours (3 AM last call across Quebec). Ottawa’s scene is smaller but concentrated — you can hit the best spots in a single weekend. Ottawa also benefits from being less pretentious about its cocktail culture; the best bars here feel like neighbourhood joints, not temples. Montreal wins on volume; Ottawa wins on intimacy.
Q: What cocktail trends are big in Ottawa for 2026?
Agave-forward spirits (mezcal, tequila) are the dominant trend, with El Camino and Copper leading the charge. Zero-proof cocktails have gone mainstream — every serious bar now offers them. Ontario craft spirits from distillers like Top Shelf and North of 7 are also gaining shelf space.
Q: What happened to Play Food & Wine?
Play Food & Wine closed in January 2026 after 17 years at 1 York Street in ByWard Market. It was one of Ottawa’s pioneering cocktail-friendly restaurants, and its closure marks the end of an era. The space’s next occupant has not been announced.
Q: Where should I go for a comedy show and cocktails?
Yuk Yuk’s on Elgin puts you within walking distance of South Block, Charlotte, Citizen, and Datsun. Absolute Comedy near Preston is close to The Moonroom and Ek Bar. Either route gives you a solid evening.
Final Summary
Ottawa’s cocktail scene in 2026 is deeper and more varied than it has ever been. The headline names — Riviera, Stolen Goods, Copper Spirits & Sights, Jackalope — deserve their reputations, but the real story is the breadth. From Hintonburg gin bars to Little Italy whisky dens, from Hull’s late-night advantage to ByWard’s cellar speakeasies, the city now offers enough range that you could drink well for months without repeating a venue.
The loss of Play Food & Wine stings, but the wave of 2025 openings — Bar Ocelli, Ek Bar, Antheia, Natural History, La Petite Primrose — more than compensates. If you are visiting Ottawa and think the cocktail scene starts and ends with the ByWard Market, you are missing the best of it. Cross the canal to Elgin, walk west to Wellington, or cross the river to Hull. The capital rewards exploration.
Sources: Canada’s 100 Best Bars, Apt613, Ottawa Business Journal, Hyatt Andaz Ottawa, OpenTable, Perch Ottawa, El Camino, Riviera, Fauna Ottawa, Aiana, r/ottawa, r/OttawaFood
