We went down the rabbit hole to find Ottawa's best speakeasy
Jackalope
Below Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON
Open 5PM – late
Closed Sunday & Monday
Hours: Jackalope is open until late, but you may need a reservation.
Parking: We parked at the corner of Kent Street and Queen Street, which offers 6$ parking until midnight.
There’s a certain thrill in stepping through an unmarked door and into a hidden bar. The kind of thrill that makes a date feel more like a secret rendezvous, and an ordinary night out feel like a small adventure.
Jackalope, which quietly opened in early 2020 — mere weeks before lockdown froze Canada’s nightlife — has only deepened that allure over time. A sister to Rabbit Hole, this speakeasy has refined itself into one of Ottawa’s most distinctive cocktail experiences. We’ve visited often enough to watch it evolve, and each return feels just as magical as the first.
Jackalope’s layout rewards both the social and the solitary. The bar seats are prime real estate—close enough to watch the precision of every pour and, when the rush quiets, to trade a few words with the bartenders. But virtually anywhere else in this bar is just as amazing: the narrow curving corridor with the vintage furniture and candles has its more intimate vibe. Perhaps the most intriguing sight is the white jackalope head overlooking the patrons. Overall, it feels very special to spend time in this space.
True to speakeasy form, there are no windows here. Sunlight never intrudes, and the mood holds steady from the first drink to the last. Tea candles glow without competition, the room’s darkness lending it a timeless quality — romantic, cinematic, and ever so slightly conspiratorial. At Jackalope, it’s dark and moody all the time.
Except for the bartenders, who are anything but moody.
The Service
There are many beautiful venues to discover, but it takes great bartenders to create consistently great customer experiences. In this regard, their bartenders are a big part of what makes Jackalope such a great bar.
A great example is Jackalope’s head bartender Georges Haddad. Sitting at his bar, you’ll find that he’s an easy-going conversationalist and a master at his craft. All the bartenders at this speakeasy know about classic cocktails and creating balanced drinks. They do a good job of steering their guests in the right direction and can talk about the flavour profile of the drinks on the menu.
The Menu
Unfortunately, we did not take many notes about what we ordered at Jackalope. We ordered a pasta dish, a whisky sour, a Trinidad sour, and two other signature cocktails. The food and the drinks were great. The signature cocktails were beautifully garnished and well-balanced.
Jackalope has a no-photography policy, which only adds to its mystique. That said, I did capture a few unobtrusive shots during my first visit—a Bartender’s Choice tailored to my spirit and flavour preferences, and a classic Mint Julep made off-menu.
The Bartender’s Choice: The bartender asked about a preferred base spirits and the desired the flavour profile to concoct this cocktail.
Mint Julep: I requested this classic cocktail, which was not on the menu.
