I 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: I always park at the corner of Kent Street and Queen Street. The paid parking lot charges 6$ for the evening.
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 the first Covid lockdown), has become Ottawa’s favourite speakeasy. A sister to Rabbit Hole, this hidden bar 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.
True to speakeasy form, there are no windows here. Sunlight never intrudes, and the mood holds steady from opening to closing. As tea candles glow, the room’s darkness lends it a timeless quality: romantic, cinematic, and conspiratorial at times. At Jackalope, it’s dark and moody all the time.
Except for the bartenders, who are anything but moody.
There are many beautiful venues to discover, but it takes great bartenders to create consistently great customer experiences. In this regard, the bartenders are a big part of what makes Jackalope such a great bar. All of them are well-versed in classic cocktails and balanced drinks, and do a good job of steering guests in the right direction while discussing flavour profiles from the menu.
A great example is Jackalope’s head bartender Georges Haddad. Prior, he led the bar at Zoe’s Lounge in 2019, after honing his craft at the Andaz in 2018. Sitting at his bar, you’ll find that he’s an easy-going conversationalist and a master at his craft.
Jackalope’s layout suits both the social and the solo drinker. The bar seats are prime real estate: close enough to watch the exceptionally skilled team at work, and, during calmer moments, to trade a few words with the bartenders. Elsewhere, the narrow curving corridor with vintage furniture and candles offers a more intimate vibe. Overlooking it all is the white jackalope head, one of the bar’s most intriguing details. Overall, it feels very special to spend time in this space.
Unfortunately, we did not take many notes on what we ordered. We had a pasta dish, a whisky sour, a Trinidad sour, and two signature cocktails. The food and drinks were great, with beautifully garnished and well-balanced cocktails.
Jackalope also has a no-photography policy, which only adds to its mystique. That said, I did capture a few unobtrusive shots during my very first visit:
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.
Jackalope is a great bar. The fact that it is hidden only enhances the experience, adding intimacy, secrecy, and a sense of exclusivity. It holds its own against world-class bars, both in design and in the overall quality of the experience. If you plan to visit, be sure to call Rabbit Hole in advance to book a spot.