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• Entertainment in Ottawa

Whether you’re looking for a cool alternative hangout, somewhere to dance all night or a comfy pub where you can relax with numerous beers, you'll have plenty of choices once the sun sets on the Canadian capital.

In and around ByWard market is where you’ll find some of the city’s most popular bars including Zaphod Beeblebrox, as well as the various venues that make up the ‘Irish Village’.

Keep in mind, this is far from the only area where you’ll find bars and clubs in Ottawa. Plenty of other neighbourhoods including The Glebe and more all sport lots of cool nightspots for you to check out.

Don't forget that the legal drinking age in Ottawa is 19. It’s a good idea to bring some ID with you when heading out to bars and clubs in the city.

Entertainments in Ottawa

• Zaphod Beeblebrox

  27 York Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa, Canada

  Named after a character from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy books, this alternative hangout is one of Ottawa’s coolest bars. There’s plenty of entertainment to enjoy here including bingo on Sunday nights, live bands and vintage video games. Drinks specials change regularly and run the gamut from Jägerbombs to cocktails with awesome names, including the 'Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster'.
  
  Open daily 4pm-3am.

• Babylon

  317 Bank Street, Centretown, Ottawa, Canada

  A popular spot on the Ottawa party scene, Babylon offers a huge variety of different theme nights including weekly Mod Club dance parties on Sunday nights, rock nights on the first Saturday of every month, regular live bands and plenty more. There's a great selection of drinks on offer too, including some very tempting drinks specials.
  
  Open daily 9pm/11pm-2am/2.30am; cover charge changes with event.

• Highlander Pub

  115 Rideau Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa, Canada

  With 200 single malt scotches on offer at the bar along with plenty of other drinks, it’s no surprise that this is a pretty popular place for a few drinks. All the staff, both guys and girls, wear kilts in keeping with the Highlander’s Scottish theme. There’s a big screen TV inside which shows all the major sporting events.
  
  Open daily 11am-1am/2am.

• Barrymore’s Music Hall

  323 Bank Street, Centretown, Ottawa, Canada

  Located inside an old theatre, this long-running club has played host to a huge variety of live music acts in its time. These days, each night has its own theme; Thursdays are student night, Saturdays are rock night and on Sundays it’s an ode to the 80s.
  
  Open Thurs, Sat & Sun 9pm-2am; cover charge changes with event.

• Aulde Dubliner

  62 William Street, ByWard Market, Ottawa, Canada

  With lots of tables both inside and out, this pub is part of Ottawa’s popular ‘Irish Village’. Not overly ‘Oirish’, it’s a good spot with really cool light fixtures, a welcoming vibe and a great selection of drinks including Guinness and Harp on tap.
  
  Open Mon-Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 8am-2am.

• Gay/Lesbian Ottawa

  Various, Ottawa, Canada

  Along with an annual Pride Festival, the Canadian capital is home to a growing LGBTQ scene. Some of Ottawa’s top gay nightspots include the Lookout Bar (41 York Street), Centretown Pub (340 Somerset Street West) and Swizzles (246 Queen Street). If you’re in the mood for a drag show, head to Mercury Lounge (56 Byward Market Square) for HUMP on Wednesday nights.