Drinking in Ottawa can be a fraught endeavour — while there’s certainly no shortage of watering holes, it can feel like the options are overwhelmingly dominated by so-so pubs dealing in pints of Molson and soggy nachos.
But there are options — fantastically cozy neighbourhood pubs like the Manx and Irene’s are diamonds in the rough, as are no-fuss dives such as the Dominion Tavern. Then there’s a growing number of craft breweries offering on-site tap rooms like Beyond the Pale or Tooth and Nail.
The city isn’t as strong in the wine and cocktail realm, but spots like the Moonroom for wine or speakeasy-inspired Union Local 613 can easily compete with big-city equivalents over in Montreal or Toronto.
Take note: this map sticks to venues that tilt towards being bars more than restaurants — wine bars like Soif make the cut, but restaurants like Riviera, Fauna, Play Food & Wine, and Bar Laurel have been left out.
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