A Night Out in the Capital: What to Expect
Written by Travel, Trek & Tour Contributor, May 17, 2018
Ottawa is a thriving hub of entertainment. This sprawling city features a rich cultural heritage. There are 7 national museums scattered throughout Ottawa, recounting the fascinating history of the country. Tourists from far and wide flock to Ottawa to enjoy the glittering ensemble of majestic attractions, artistic appeal, and adventure-laden escapes. Ottawa offers the thrill-seeker pulse-pounding entertainment 24/7, with bars, clubs, games, and escapades galore.
Ottawa sits snugly in the southeast state of Ontario, Canada. It is nestled between the US border and the French province of Québec. Within this stately domain is the pride and joy of Canada. It is flanked by the Ottawa River, across the water from the Gatineau. Merrymakers have an endless stream of options available, from song and dance to barhopping, nightclubs, and live gigs. The city’s sports teams readily attract throngs of fans well into the early hours. If sports games aren’t your thing, there’s always a healthy dollop of exciting card and table games at Ottawa casinos – winners wanted.
Perhaps the most endearing district is the Byward Market in downtown Ottawa. It is here that you will find live music, interesting activities for folks of all ages, bars, theatres, and plenty of A-grade restaurants. If a casual night of strolling is up your alley, there’s always the milieu around La Promenade du Portage. While the farmers, florists, retailers, and artisans congregate in this district during the daytime, they allow this area to blossom in the evenings. Ottawa is a symphony of sounds. The nightlife in this city encompasses the crème de la crème of musical attractions, spanning the spectrum from pop, rock and roll, classical, jazz, techno, funk and beyond.
For folks looking for clubs and mainstream bars, the North end of Byward Market is where you want to be. Look out for Dalhousie St., Clarence Street, and York Street – they are lined with popular bars as far as the eye can see. You’ll be able to dance up a storm with DJs mixing it up to packed houses. You can also enjoy star-studded entertainment at venues like Zaphod Beeblebrox and The Mercury Lounge. The Loft Board Game Lounge on Waller Street offers exciting board games, and video games too. Don’t miss this one for an entertaining night out.
For an altogether different experience, there’s always the Velvet Room where you can temper things down. If you listen closely, you may hear chatter about the Irish Village. This is a reference to the high-octane Kavali Club. Be advised that the final bell for drinks is 2 AM in Ottawa – be sure to stock up well in advance. The legal drinking age in Ottawa, Canada is 19, but don’t be surprised if private bars and nightclubs refuse entry to anyone under the age of 21, perhaps even 25. If theatre is your thing, few cities around the world can hold a candle to Ottawa. The National Arts Centre is a respected enclave for hosting the finest plays and productions. The Ottawa Little Theatre is ideal for uncovering local talent.
You may enjoy some premier Ottawa venues like the Foreign Cinema on Clarence Street. This American contemporary restaurant sits in the heart of the Byward Market, in the city. Mixed drinks, fine ale and a decadent ambience await revelers. Other exciting venues include the Kat & Kraken which features Jamaican jerk chicken, Creole jambalaya, and pub grub. For fine wine and super sumptuous cocktails, the Moonroom is a premium-grade venue. The Flybar, Mingle Room, and the Bourbon Room each feature prominently with nighttime revelers. Le Petit Chicago, Château Lafayette, and North and Navy are memorable destinations for enjoying a night out on the town.
Comedy, Jazz, and Good Food
You would be forgiven for assuming that Ottawa is all about fine dining, cocktails, and musical melodies. There are so many premium-grade nightlife venues, that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a handful of selections. There are dozens of bars and clubs, dance clubs and discotheques, jazz clubs, comedy clubs, gay clubs & bars, and even the occasional karaoke bar. Top-tier venues like the Highlander Pub, Absolute Comedy Ottawa, Options Jazz Lounge at Brook Street, Green Fields, the Earl of Sussex, the Barley Mow, Fat Tuesdays New Orleans Experience, the Lookout Bar, Latin Sparks, the Rainbow, City Nightclub, and Royal Oak-Blair Road at Pineview Golf.
Casino Entertainment in Ottawa
Ottawa is renowned for its incredible casino nightlife. One of the most illustrious venues of all is Casino du Lac-Leamy. Various themed evenings are featured at this glorious entertainment paradise, such as the recently hosted Now Boarding theme. Among others, players get to sample a glorious selection of tropical cocktails, sumptuous delights and a smorgasbord of casino games. The in-house restaurants are among the best in the business, including casual food at Banco Bistro, Hilton Lac Leamy Ballroom, the award-winning Le Baccara, and mouthwatering seafood selections at Arome. The spectacular theatre is a great venue for tributes to Vegas legends like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Barbra Streisand, and even Supertramp.
Land-based casinos are hot-ticket venues for revelers. Ottawa’s finest export is its signature venue – Casino du Lac-Leamy. This WLA certified level 4 casino adheres to the strictest responsible gaming standards in the business. Located at 1 Boulevard du Casino in Gatineau, Québec, this star-studded environment has the widest possible range of games. Players can enjoy Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, Spanish 21, Interactive Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Blackjack Switch, Texas Holdem Poker, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride Bonus Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Ultimate Texas Holdem, High Card Flush, Roulette, Interactive Roulette, hundreds of Slot machine games, Keno, War, Craps, Sic Bo and beyond. Beyond land-based fund, players can also enjoy online casino gaming in Ottawa, courtesy of this prestigious casino. Minimum bets start at CAD $0.01, and there are some 175+ games for players to enjoy.
This stately venue is just 15 minutes away from Parliament Hill. Once you arrive, there’s no reason to leave – everything is there for your entertainment pleasure. If Vegas glitz and glam is your thing, there is no place better than the nightlife at Club Alea. This pod-shaped haven is kitted out with LED lights that will have you moving and grooving well into the early hours. If you fancy a little privacy, be sure to book a VIP booth and enjoy bottle service. It’s always a good idea to make a booking at Theatre Du Casino with its impressive solo performances and grand musical extravaganzas. If all the buzz is a little too much to bear, take a load off with the spa facilities offered at the hotel. Enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pool, the magnificent backdrops and stellar lounge options.
Of course, you will want to fine-tune your gaming skills before you take to the Blackjack tables, Roulette Wheels, and Slots Games. It’s always a good idea to brush up on your casino game knowledge before you wager for real. You may want to take a refresher on how to win at a roulette before you throw down big bucks at the tables. Roulette is an entertaining game of chance, with a smidgen of strategy to keep you in the hunt. Gaming aficionados recommend picking Roulette games with a low house edge such as European Roulette at 2.70% and French Roulette at 1.35% (with La Partage and En Prison). Players typically practice in demo play mode before they ante up for real money play. It’s easy to stretch your bets further by claiming deposit bonuses and promotional offers that are available. For the night owls, it’s good to know that the casinos run 24/7 and the entertainment never stops!
