Nightlife · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Ottawa, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Ottawa's nightlife is smaller and earlier than Montreal's, centred on ByWard Market pubs and patios, Elgin Street bars and late-closing clubs across the river in Gatineau. The main areas are ByWard Market, Elgin Street, Bank Street and the Village and Promenade du Portage, Gatineau.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- ByWard Market and Lowertown
- Local drink
- Caesar
Where to go out
ByWard Market
The densest cluster of pubs, cocktail bars and clubs, with summer patios.
Elgin Street
Pubs, restaurants and sports bars popular with locals.
Bank Street and the Village
The LGBTQ+ district and a range of bars in Centretown.
Promenade du Portage, Gatineau
French-speaking bars and clubs that stay open until 3am under Quebec rules.
Nightlife tips
- Ontario bars stop serving at 2am; Gatineau bars can serve until 3am.
- In winter, walk carefully on icy pavements after a night out and take a taxi when it is very cold.
- The ByWard Market can be rowdy around closing time on weekends.
Evening sights
Market · ByWard Market and Lowertown
ByWard Market
Come in the morning for the outdoor vendors, and return in the evening for patios and bars.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- After dark
What to drink
- Caesar — Canada's national cocktail: vodka, Clamato (tomato and clam juice), hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce in a celery-salt-rimmed glass, garnished with celery or more elaborate toppings.
- Local craft beer — Ottawa and the surrounding Ottawa Valley have a large number of craft breweries, from Hintonburg taprooms to farm breweries in eastern Ontario.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 16°C (61°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:45 | -15°C (5°F) | 12 |
| April | About 19:48 | 1°C (34°F) | 12 |
| July | About 20:49 | 16°C (61°F) | 11 |
| October | About 18:18 | 3°C (37°F) | 12 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, the National Gallery, the canal locks and Confederation Square are all close together; the Museum of History is a 20-minute walk across the Alexandra Bridge.
- Bus — Check the OC Transpo website for current fare options before you travel.
- Ride-hailing — Uber, Lyft and taxis are widely available and useful for the Aviation Museum, Rideau Hall and Gatineau Park.
Late-night bites
- BeaverTails — The George Street stand in the ByWard Market and kiosks along the Rideau Canal Skateway in winter.
- Shawarma — Dozens of shawarma shops across the city, especially on Bank Street, Elgin Street and in the suburbs.
Staying safe at night
Ottawa is generally calm for visitors. Take normal precautions in the ByWard Market late at night, where some street disorder and rowdiness occur around bar closing time. In winter, the main risks are extreme cold, wind chill and icy pavements, so dress properly and wear boots with good grip.
- Emergency number
- 911
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and couples
ByWard Market and Lowertown
The ByWard Market, laid out in the 1820s, is a grid of streets around a central market building with food stalls, outdoor produce vendors in season, and dozens of restaurants, pubs and patios. It is a five-minute walk from Parliament Hill, the National Gallery and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, which makes it the most popular base for first-time visitors.
- Good
- Walk to most major sights; Huge choice of restaurants and bars; Lively in all seasons
- Watch out
- Noisy late on weekends; Some street disorder at night around the market
- Nearby
- ByWard Market, National Gallery of Canada, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Major's Hill Park
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Ottawa?
ByWard Market, Elgin Street and Bank Street and the Village. The densest cluster of pubs, cocktail bars and clubs, with summer patios.
+Which area of Ottawa is best for nightlife?
ByWard Market and Lowertown: Market stalls, restaurants and the city's busiest bar streets beside Parliament.