Best Cocktail Bars in Ottawa

Ottawa's cocktail scene has exploded. Bar Ocelli earned a 2025 Spirited Awards nod, Riviera won Canada's 100 Best Restaurant Bar, and new spots like Stolen Goods and Jackalope are pushing the craft further. Whether you want a $5 rail drink or a $99 tasting menu, there's a bar for you.

Award Winners

1. Stolen Goods — Ottawa's #1 Bar

Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar on Sparks Street was named Ottawa's best bar by 10BestBars.ca in 2025. Low-waste, experimental cocktails — sawma-flavoured gimlets, chamomile Ramos gin fizzes, rhubarb negronis — paired with chef-driven small plates (oysters, beef tartare, scallops).

The $99 Whole Menu tasting is the ultimate experience. Industry Hour starts at 11pm for late-night deals.

Cocktails: $16-$22 | Tasting: $99 | Hours: Wed-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am

Neighbourhood: Downtown (Sparks Street)

2. Bar Ocelli — Spirited Awards Honoree

Bar Ocelli is the only Ottawa bar to receive a 2025 Spirited Awards honoree nod for "Best New International Cocktail Bars (Canada)." Co-owner Witek Wojaczek trained at London's Beaufort Bar and Artesian. The intimate space — no TVs, no loud music — lets the cocktails speak.

Twelve seasonal signatures rotate alongside five spirit-forward classics. Sundays bring $2 oysters and $17 martinis. Aperitivo runs daily 5-7pm.

Cocktails: $19-$24 | Classics: up to $95 | Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-1am

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (William Street)

3. Riviera — Canada's 100 Best Restaurant Bar

Riviera on Sparks Street won the Canada's 100 Best Restaurant Bar Award 2025. Mixologist Stephen Flood's program includes 10 negroni variations and seasonal creations. The food matches the drinks — this is a full dining experience with a serious bar program.

Neighbourhood: Downtown (Sparks Street)

Speakeasies & Hidden Bars

4. Jackalope — The Hidden Speakeasy

Jackalope is hidden beneath the Rabbit Hole on Sparks Street — enter through a concealed door and vintage elevator into a candlelit, windowless basement. Named #3 on 10BestBars.ca's 2025 Ottawa list.

Eight signatures use fat-washed, infused, and clarified spirits. The absinthe fountain ritual (4 varieties, 110-140 proof, traditional Pontarlier glass) is the showpiece. Wednesday whisky is half price.

Cocktails: $23-$26 | Absinthe: $22-$26 | Hours: Tue-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 7pm-2am | Reservations required, 19+

Neighbourhood: Downtown (Sparks Street)

5. Apothecary Lounge — The Jazz Speakeasy

Apothecary Cocktail Lounge beneath Starling on York Street is a vintage speakeasy with craft cocktails, dim lighting, and Thursday live jazz (7-11pm). The late-night happy hour (Sun-Thu 10pm-midnight) cuts martinis, draft, and wines by 50%.

Late-night HH: 50% off martinis, draft, wines (Sun-Thu 10pm-12am) | Hours: Check website

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (York Street, basement)

Rooftop & Hotel Bars

6. Copper Spirits & Sights — The Rooftop

Copper Spirits & Sights on the 16th floor of the Andaz Hotel is Ottawa's highest cocktail bar with panoramic views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River. The cocktail program is solid, but the view does half the work.

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (Andaz Hotel, 16th floor)

7. Zoe's Lounge — The Chateau Laurier

Zoe's Lounge inside the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is Ottawa's most iconic hotel bar. Chandeliers, heritage architecture, and Yousuf Karsh's famous Churchill portrait on the wall. Classic martinis and champagne set the tone.

The Afternoon Tea service ($79/person, champagne upgrade +$21) is a daytime draw.

Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am | Dress code: Smart casual | Reservations: OpenTable

Neighbourhood: Downtown (Rideau Street)

Craft Cocktail Bars

8. Ember — Japanese Fusion Cocktails

Ember on Clarence Street pairs Japanese-inspired fusion cocktails with charcoal and live-fire cooking. The cocktail program uses sesame butter-washed Japanese whisky, strawberry-infused Campari, and acidity-adjusted honey syrups. The Berlin Back Forest — an espresso martini twist with herbal amaro, cherry liqueur, and cold brew — is a standout.

Hours: Tue-Thu 5-11pm, Fri 5pm-2am, Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12-11pm

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (Clarence Street)

9. Charlotte — Elgin Street Lounge

Charlotte on Elgin Street has a mid-century modern living-room vibe with rotating craft cocktails, DJ nights (Fri-Sat), and board game nights. The cocktail-on-tap at $12 is the value pick.

Cocktails: $17-$19 | On Tap: $12 | Shots: $10 | Hours: Wed-Thu 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am | Dress code: Business casual

Neighbourhood: Elgin Street

Whisky & Spirits

10. Montgomery Scotch Lounge — Whisky + Jazz

Montgomery Scotch Lounge in Hintonburg has 80+ single malt whiskies, live jazz, and an intimate atmosphere built around Scotch. Happy hour brings Glenmorangie for $8 and cocktails for $12.

Happy Hour: Wed-Sat 5-7pm, Sun 5-10pm | Scotch: from $8

Neighbourhood: Hintonburg (Gladstone Avenue)

Day-to-Night

11. Drip House — Café by Day, Cocktail Bar by Night

Drip House on Somerset West transforms from a coffee café during the day to a cocktail bar at night. Named #7 on 10BestBars.ca's 2025 Ottawa list, the dual concept makes it one of the more versatile spots in town.

Neighbourhood: Chinatown (Somerset Street West)

Budget Pick

12. Nan's Parlour — $5 Cocktails

Nan's Parlour is a "grandma's dive bar" on Clarence Street with eclectic vintage decor and Ottawa's cheapest cocktails. $5 rail cocktails Thursday through Sunday, all day. A full night out for $20-$30 per person.

Rail cocktails: $5 (Thu-Sun) | Beer: $10 | Wine: $9/6oz | Hours: Mon-Sun 4pm-12am (Fri-Sat until 1am)

Neighbourhood: ByWard Market (Clarence Street)

The Quick Comparison

Tips

• Splurge night — Stolen Goods $99 tasting menu or Bar Ocelli seasonal signatures.
• Best speakeasy — Jackalope (reservations required) or Apothecary (walk-in).
• Best view — Copper Spirits & Sights, 16th floor Parliament Hill panorama.
• Date night — Bar Ocelli (Sunday $2 oysters + $17 martini) or Ember (live-fire + cocktails).
• On a budget — Nan's Parlour $5 rail cocktails Thu-Sun.
• Whisky lover — Montgomery Scotch Lounge, 80+ single malts, live jazz.
• Afternoon — Zoe's Lounge afternoon tea at Chateau Laurier.
• Late night — Apothecary 50% off martinis Sun-Thu 10pm-midnight.