A well-crafted drinks program, Asian-inspired flavours, and an atmosphere that never slows down.
Datsun
380 Elgin Street
Open Monday to Thursday, 5 PM to 10 PM
Friday & Saturday, 5 PM to 11 PM
Closed Sunday
Ottawa’s Japanese dining landscape remains surprisingly sparse. Beyond a scattering of sushi counters, the city offers just one teppanyaki spot, a handful of ramen shops, a couple of izakayas, and a grill or two. Japanese-style bars are entirely missing from the map, leaving a notable gap in the city’s food and drink scene.
That may soon shift. In 2026, Akira Back is set to open at the Château Laurier, and there are whispers of a Japanese speakeasy coming to Preston Street. Until then, Datsun stands as Ottawa’s most visible nod to Japanese-inspired drinking.
Datsun has been a fixture of Ottawa’s nightlife since opening in October 2015 beside its sister bar, the Mexican-inspired restaurant and bar, El Camino. As a modern Asian bistro on Elgin Street with a Japanese-inspired beverage program, Datsun positions itself closer to a lively, high-functioning restaurant than a hushed cocktail lounge.
From behind the bar, Bartender Zack orchestrates drinks, pouring sake or double-shaking cocktails. His casual demeanour hides a deep understanding of technique and flavour balance. His firsthand exposure to Japanese bars, both in Canada and in Japan, helps him craft a solid cocktail program featuring Japanese flavours.
The menu has shifted significantly since Datsun’s inception. A decade ago, the bar served tiki cocktails. I remember having my first Hurricane and Zombie at this very place. Nowadays, however, tiki mugs are nowhere to be seen.
The rotating beverage program leans heavily Japanese, with sake, Japanese beers, spirits, and liqueurs taking up most of the menu. The cocktails employ Japanese ingredients, such as umeshu, matcha, Japanese whisky, sake, shochu, and sesame, combined with Southeast Asian ingredients such as palm, Thai chilli, and coconut. Prices range from $16.50 to $20. Non-alcoholic options are also available, with four mocktails priced at $10 each. A well-curated sake list, sold by the glass or bottle, rounds out the offering.
Is Datsun a Japanese bar? Not quite. The bar at Datsun draws inspiration from Japanese cocktail culture without attempting to replicate it entirely. Traditional Japanese bars emphasize meticulous technique, clear hand-carved ice, restrained service, and often operate without menus. They rely on low volume to deliver high-attention service. Datsun adapts those ideas to a North American context, operating at a higher volume with a single bartender serving a full room. The result is not a Japanese cocktail bar, but a Japanese-leaning program that fits Ottawa’s pace, expectations, and dining culture.
Tokyo Drift ($20): A Manhattan riff made with Toki whisky and Islay scotch. Stirred to precision, its aromas of oak and spice open first, followed by a warming, balanced mid-palate and a lingering, slightly smoky finish. A slow sipper.
Big in Japan ($17): Inspired by the Montreal speakeasy of the same name, this cocktail showcases umeshu, a sweet plum liqueur rarely found on Ottawa menus. Shaken with gin, sake, lime, and palm syrup, it delivers on a familiar gin sour foundation, refined with subtle plum notes.
While the establishment’s seating arrangement leans more toward a restaurant than a cocktail lounge, the food elevates the experience beyond just drinks. The menu features Chinese and Japanese small plates, including bao buns, wontons, dumplings, and ramen.
Pork belly bao ($8.25): Fluffy buns cradle savoury, caramelized pork belly topped with crisp cucumber for contrast. These bites pair well with a cold libation.
Datsun’s drinks are reliable, satisfying, and consistently well executed. While this establishment doesn’t offer the classic Japanese bar experience, the influence is clear from the ingredient choices to Zack’s firsthand knowledge of Japanese drinking culture. All things considered, Datsun offers an engaging intersection of Asian-inspired drinks, casual sophistication, and thoughtful small plates.