10 Best Bars has released this year's list of top cocktail bars in the national capital region
Ottawa isn’t known for its cocktail bar scene. For the longest time, we’ve been more of a pub city. It’s common for locals to travel on weekends to experience Toronto and Montreal’s reputable nightlife.
Many refer to national and international best bar lists to find great spots. These lists, coupled with bar critics and bloggers, provide quick and reliable information to locals and tourists alike.
Ottawa is not fortunate in that regard. We don’t garner the attention of bar guides, and there may not be a sufficient audience for local content creators to focus solely on the region’s cocktail bars.
Exasperated by the lack of information about the region’s cocktail scene, we took it upon ourselves to provide concise information and change the Ottawa narrative.
Most people don’t have the time to extensively research Ottawa bars and restaurants to find the best spots. Our platform shares our recommendations for the best cocktail bars in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
Every year, we produce a list of the 10 best cocktail bars and other great establishments worth visiting. Our list is published on May 1st and is available on our website and Instagram page.
We hope this year’s 10 Best Bars list will be an easy reference and a jumping-off point for those eager to explore Ottawa’s cocktail bar scene.
The 10 best cocktail bars of the national capital region in 2025 are:
New on the list in 2025:
Zoe’s Lounge: After extensive renovations in 2024, accompanied by a food and beverage program do-over and customer service improvement, Zoe’s has significantly improved their cocktail bar experience. These changes placed them in our 10 best bars list.
Bar Lupulus: Although focused on craft beer, natural wines, and small plates, their cocktail program is not neglected. In our opinion, it’s the most well-rounded bar in Ottawa.
Mati: Located above Sidecar, this establishment takes its cocktails very seriously. It’s a small restaurant/bar with great food. The kitchen’s live fire is visible from the bar and adds great taste to their grilled dishes.
Perch: This small establishment offers a unique take on craft cocktails, which makes it one of the best destinations for cocktail enthusiasts. They make an impressive effort to use locally sourced ingredients as much as possible, resulting in innovative libations.
New cocktail bars in 2025:
- Natural History (835 Somerset Street): This bar has been very busy since opening in February 2025. This watering hole serves craft cocktails and simple savory dishes, like its sister bar Ward 14, at great prices.
- La Petite Primrose (60 rue Bégin): This small restaurant opened in April 2025 in Hull’s Val Tétreault neighborhood, where Chez Edgar once was. They serve innovative craft cocktails as part of their beverage program.
- Jackson Cafe (10 Daly Ave): Pre-pandemic, this lavish establishment was a food & cocktail destination. It has resumed its dining & cocktail offerings as of April 2025.
- Little Sussex (15 Clarence Street): This Byward Market cocktail bar opened in April 2025, replacing Fairouz. They serve craft cocktails using in-house syrups, cordials, infusions, and tinctures.
- Ek bar (225 Preston Street): This luxury Indian cocktail bar by restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani will replace Little Italy’s Katha and open on May 21st.
- Mousse Buvette (39A rue Laval): This wine and cocktail bar will open in the Vieux-Hull
Our recommendations are based on the experiences of a select group of local hospitality enthusiasts and well-travelled gourmets.
Changes to our ponderation
Every year, we improve the quality of our list. Last year was our first time publishing. We gained a lot of insight since then.
This year, we examined cocktail programs more closely. We evaluated how often bars update their menus and prioritized bars that create signature cocktail menus using in-house ingredients. We also considered food and beverage pairings more closely. We prioritized establishments that have nailed down unique cocktail and food programs.
The focus for 2025
Our primary focus was identifying establishments that serve unique and expertly crafted cocktails. Then we considered other factors such as customer service, atmosphere (design and decor, music and light levels, etc), food program, and public hype. We avoided establishments with TVs or loud music (such as nightclubs).