Best Bar Games in Ottawa
Ottawa's best spots for pool, shuffleboard, darts, ping pong, and bar games — all with drinks in hand. Here are 5 venues with verified prices.
Sometimes you want a night out that's more than just sitting at a bar. Pool, shuffleboard, darts, ping pong, bocce — Ottawa has dedicated venues where you can drink and compete at the same time. Here are 5 spots, all with full bars and food.
Indoor Lawn Games
1. Playback Games Bar — Shuffleboard, Bocce & More
Playback Games Bar is Ottawa's only dedicated indoor lawn games bar. Five game lanes with bocce, shuffleboard, cornhole, darts, foosball, and beer pong. The "indoor backyard" vibe — craft beer, cocktails, and a food menu (burgers, poutine).
| Games | Bocce, shuffleboard, cornhole, darts, foosball, beer pong |
| Lanes | 5 game lanes (included with visit) |
| Hours | Tue-Fri 4pm-12am, Sat 11am-12am |
| Age | 19+ |
| Food/Drink | Full bar + food menu |
| Private Events | $325/hr (3hr min) |
| 4.1 |
Best for: Group nights, corporate events, date nights who want something active.
Neighbourhood: South Ottawa (1860 Bank Street)
Pool & Billiards
2. TailGators — 43 Tables + Sports Bar
TailGators on Merivale Road is Ottawa's biggest bar games venue — 23,000 sq ft with 43 pool tables, 8 ping pong tables, and 6 foosball tables. The sports bar side has a 22ft jumbo screen and 35 LCD TVs. Wings are legendary. The daytime unlimited deal makes it the best value in the city.
| Pool Tables | 43 (Ottawa's largest) |
| Also | 8 ping pong, 6 foosball, 2 golf simulators |
| Daytime | $8.50/person unlimited (noon-6pm) |
| Evening | $20/hour/table |
| Hours | Sun-Thu 12pm-1am, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am |
| Food/Drink | Full bar + full kitchen |
| 4.1 (1,786 reviews) |
Best for: Big groups, daytime value, sports watching + pool combo.
Neighbourhood: Nepean (1642 Merivale Road)
3. MacLaren's on Elgin — 25 Tables on Sens Mile
MacLaren's on Elgin has been on Sens Mile since 1997. 25 pool tables, 30+ 4K UltraHD TVs, 6 massive 90-inch screens, and authentic sports memorabilia. Full kitchen runs until midnight. The downtown spot for pool + game night.
| Pool Tables | 25 |
| Pool | $15/hour |
| Hours | Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am, Sun 5pm-12am |
| Food/Drink | Full bar + kitchen (until midnight) |
| 4.2 (1,817 reviews) |
Best for: Downtown pool, game night on Elgin, Sens game nights.
Neighbourhood: Downtown (301 Elgin Street)
4. The Orange Monkey — Ottawa's Snooker Spot
The Orange Monkey Bar & Billiards has been running since 1986 — 14 pool tables, 6 dedicated snooker tables (the only ones in Ottawa), and darts. Home of the Canadian Snooker Championships. The Sunday all-you-can-play deal is the best weekend value.
| Pool Tables | 14 |
| Snooker Tables | 6 (Ottawa's only) |
| Also | Darts |
| Pool | $7.50-$17/hr (time and group size) |
| Snooker | $8.50-$21/hr |
| Sunday Special | $14.99 all-you-can-play (10am-5pm) |
| Tuesday | $5 domestic beer |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 9:30am-2am, Sat-Sun 10am-2am |
| 4.4 (870 reviews) |
Best for: Snooker players, budget Sunday sessions, serious billiards.
Neighbourhood: Downtown (250 City Centre Ave, near Preston)
5. Minnesota's Billiards — Kanata's Pool Hall
Minnesota's Billiards Pub on Hazeldean Road is Kanata's pool hall. Multiple pool tables, a snooker table, dart boards, and a pinball machine. Full bar and food. The only dedicated pool hall in the west end.
| Pool Tables | Multiple |
| Also | Snooker, darts, pinball |
| Daytime | $8/person unlimited (noon-6pm) |
| Evening | $12/hour |
| Hours | Daily 12pm-2am |
| Food/Drink | Full bar + food menu |
| 4.3 (378 reviews) |
Best for: Kanata/west end locals, afternoon pool sessions.
Neighbourhood: Kanata (442 Hazeldean Road)
The Quick Comparison
| Venue | Games | Best Deal | Neighbourhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playback | Bocce, shuffleboard, cornhole, darts, beer pong | Lanes free with visit | South Ottawa |
| TailGators | 43 pool, 8 ping pong, 6 foosball | $8.50 unlimited (noon-6pm) | Nepean |
| MacLaren's | 25 pool | $15/hr, downtown location | Elgin Street |
| Orange Monkey | 14 pool, 6 snooker, darts | $14.99 Sun all-you-can-play | Downtown |
| Minnesota's | Pool, snooker, darts, pinball | $8 unlimited (noon-6pm) | Kanata |
Tips
- Cheapest pool — TailGators or Minnesota's: $8-$8.50/person unlimited before 6pm.
- Snooker — Orange Monkey is the only place in Ottawa with dedicated snooker tables.
- Downtown — MacLaren's (Elgin) or Orange Monkey (near Preston).
- Kanata — Minnesota's is the only option out west.
- Not pool? — Playback is the only venue with bocce, shuffleboard, and cornhole.
- Big group — TailGators handles the most people (43 tables, 23,000 sq ft).
- Sunday deal — Orange Monkey $14.99 all-you-can-play 10am-5pm.
- Best wings — TailGators is known for it.
FAQ
Where is the best pool hall in Ottawa?
TailGators on Merivale Road is Ottawa's largest with 43 pool tables, 8 ping pong tables, and 6 foosball tables in a 23,000 sq ft venue. MacLaren's on Elgin has 25 tables downtown. The Orange Monkey near Preston has 14 pool tables plus Ottawa's only 6 snooker tables.
How much does pool cost in Ottawa?
TailGators offers unlimited play for $8.50/person before 6pm, $20/hour/table after. MacLaren's is $15/hour. Orange Monkey ranges from $7.50-$17/hour depending on time and group size, with a Sunday all-you-can-play for $14.99. Minnesota's in Kanata is $8/person unlimited before 6pm.
Where can I play shuffleboard or bocce in Ottawa?
Playback Games Bar on Bank Street is Ottawa's only dedicated indoor lawn games bar with shuffleboard, bocce, cornhole, darts, foosball, and beer pong across 5 game lanes. It's 19+ with a full bar and food menu.
Is there a pool hall in Kanata?
Minnesota's Billiards Pub on Hazeldean Road is Kanata's pool hall with multiple tables, snooker, darts, and pinball. Unlimited play is $8/person before 6pm, $12/hour in the evening. Open daily noon to 2am.
Where can I play snooker in Ottawa?
The Orange Monkey Bar & Billiards near Preston Street has Ottawa's only 6 dedicated snooker tables, plus 14 pool tables and darts. It's been operating since 1986 and hosts the Canadian Snooker Championships. Snooker costs $8.50-$21/hour.
Where can I play darts at a bar in Ottawa?
Playback Games Bar has darts along with shuffleboard, bocce, and cornhole. The Orange Monkey has dart boards alongside pool and snooker. Minnesota's Billiards in Kanata also has dart boards.
📍Featured Places
Playback Games Bar
19+ indoor lawn games bar on Bank Street with bocce, shuffleboard, cornhole, darts, and foosball plus a full bar and food menu.
TailGators
Ottawa's largest pool hall with 43 tables, 8 ping pong tables, 6 foosball tables, a 23,000 sq ft sports bar, and a 22ft jumbo screen.
MacLaren's on Elgin
Elgin Street sports bar and pool hall with 25 tables, 30+ 4K TVs, and a full kitchen — on Sens Mile since 1997.
The Orange Monkey Bar & Billiards
Ottawa's snooker destination since 1986 with 14 pool tables, 6 snooker tables, darts, Sunday all-you-can-play, and Canadian Snooker Championships hosted here.
Minnesota's Billiards Pub
Kanata's go-to pool hall with multiple tables, snooker, darts, pinball, and a full bar and food menu open daily until 2am.
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