Ottawa's 10 Best Bars of 2025
Are you visiting Ottawa and looking for the best bars in town? Or perhaps a local trying to figure out where to go for a date or a night out with friends. This list is for those who enjoy establishments offering great food, amazing drinks, and smooth music. We have compiled a list of the 10 best bars in Ottawa for you to try.
1. Stolen Goods
Stolen Goods plays a big role in elevating Ottawa’s cocktail scene. This establishment stands out because it has it all: an intimate small bar, producing experimental cocktails, and serving expertly crafted small plates. Their beautiful menu, innovative cocktails, excellent service, intimate vibe, and extensive liquor selection make Stolen Goods Ottawa’s best cocktail bar.
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106 Sparks Street
2. Bar Ocelli
Bar Ocelli is an expression of excellence. There is an astonishing attention to detail going on at this establishment. Bar manager and co-owner Witek Wojaczek applies his international experience to make this a world-class bar in terms of quality, customer service, staff knowledge, and bar design.
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17 William Street
3. Jackalope
Jackalope is a great bar. The fact that it’s a speakeasy makes the experience even better by adding a sense of secrecy and exclusivity. This bar holds its own in terms of the design and quality of the overall experience. Contact Rabbit Hole to book a spot before you visit.
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Somewhere Beneath Sparks Street
4. Zoe’s Lounge
Zoe’s Lounge is a great cocktail bar that meets the level of excellence that you would expect from Fairmont. The majestic entrance of the Chateau certainly adds something to the experience. The layout, design, and historic character of the lounge provide the perfect atmosphere for the cocktail enthusiast.
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1 Rideau Street
5. Riviera
Riviera is known as a restaurant, but there’s a major focus on the bar program. Considering the excellent service, the great libations, and the historic location, this is a place worth going to (more than once) for any cocktail enthusiast. We also believe that Riviera is the best bar for Negroni aficionados. If you’re only in the mood for cocktails, grab a seat by the bar or in the cocktail area.
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62 Sparks Street
6. Apothecary
We find here a bar with a winning recipe: a cocktail lounge tucked in the stone-walled cellar of a century-old building in a crowded market. It is in the location of the once-beloved Vineyard Wine Bar which the Pandemic unfortunately took away from Ottawa. When the Apothecary Cocktail Lounge opened in 2021, they had big shoes to fill and they did just that. The cocktail lounge is a very welcome addition to the Ottawa bar scene. You will find here libations of a pharmaceutical nature with menu sections such as “doctor recommends”, “cure for hunger”, “remedy cocktails” and “placebos”.
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54 York Street
7. Drip House
Drip House is well known locally as one of Ottawa’s favorite coffee shops. Their Somerset location turns into a cocktail bar in the evening. Between the chill music, the beautiful ambiance and great customer service, this is a excellent place to spend the evening. From the food to the drinks, everything they do, they do it extremely well. Call it double dipping if you must but we believe it’s worth stopping here twice: in the day for a coffee and sandwich, then again in the evening for some amazing cocktails.
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692 Somerset St W.
8. Bar Lupulus
Bar Lupulus has a great reputation, both in terms of food and beverages. It’s a cozy spot serving elevated dishes, making it a perfect venue for friends or a romantic date night. If you enjoy craft beers & cocktails, or natural wines, you will find that Bar Lupulus is right up your alley. It’s impressive that they have so many specialties (food, beer, wine, cocktails) and execute perfectly on all these fronts.
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1242 Wellington Street West
9. Mati
Mati is a restaurant and bar that we have visited many times and will visit again. You won’t regret an evening at this venue. The food, the drinks, and the service are always excellent. It’s a beautifully designed space with great seating options. It can get pricey, but the quality is always at the rendezvous.
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428 Preston Street
10. Perch
Perch is one of the best fine dining establishments in Canada. That doesn’t take away from the fact that beverage manager Shannon Marshall puts a significant effort into creating innovative cocktails using Canadian ingredients. Perch opened in late 2021, and we are very thankful that they survived the COVID lockdowns, as they are now an establishment helping to place Ottawa as a big player on the Canadian culinary map.
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300 Preston Street