8 bars and restaurants in Ottawa that'll serve you a perfectly crafted cocktail
These are seriously good drinks.
Drinks from some of the best cocktail bars in Ottawa.
An expertly crafted cocktail can be as impressive as a well-made dish — it takes skill, balance, a strong palate, innovation and a knowledge of ingredients and history.
So where should you go to enjoy some of the best cocktails in Ottawa? I'm happy to fill you in.
Anywhere worth its salt nowadays knows how to make a good drink, but these are some of the spots that stand out for me.
Cocktails, like food, are a matter of preference, but I'm certain that when you walk through any of the doors listed below, you'll find something that keeps you coming back.
So without any further ado, here are eight spots in Ottawa that will serve you an absolutely perfect cocktail every time.
Stolen Goods
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
Address: 106 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Stolen Goods has become synonymous with the elevated cocktail scene in Ottawa. It's now almost impossible to have a discussion about cocktails in this city without bringing up what they're doing. Stolen Goods prides itself on being an innovator in the cocktail world, stating on its website that its goal is to change minds.
It is a 20-seat, beautifully built cocktail bar that's constantly evolving. It was a no-brainer to lead off the list with Stolen Goods.
Bar Ocelli
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
Address: 17 William St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This is the new kid on the block, and it's acting like it. The concept of Bar Ocelli (and of course the execution) is what truly sets it apart for me. This dimly lit lounge in the Byward Market breaks its menu up into 3 sections — "The Ingredient," which focuses on a global ingredient as the main idea for the cocktail; "The Recipe," which highlights a global recipe as the cocktail's inspiration; and "Fusion," which takes an ingredient from one part of the world and pairs it with a recipe from another to create a cocktail that pushes boundaries.
As a whole, Bar Ocelli aims to garner inspiration from global markets, and the Indian spice trade, to influence its creative process.
In my opinion, it's working.
Riviera
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Steakhouse-Inspired
Address: 62 Sparks St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: This is the first spot on the list that isn't a cocktail bar, but rather a more traditional restaurant that also has good cocktails.
It's easy to argue that the success of Riviera's cocktail program is a result of the efforts of one man. Stephen Flood is an Ottawa legend who's had his hand in much of the city's cocktail reputation. The Amaro-loving barman has been shaking cocktails as Riviera's bar manager for a long time, and his skill set and bank of knowledge are evident in every cocktail he produces.
Flood represents the pairing of tradition with innovation, creating cocktails not just at Riv, but across the city that will have guests raving for weeks.
Bar Guapo
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
Address: 324 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Those of you who've read some of my other work probably knew that Bar Guapo would end up on this list somewhere. I haven't been shy about my admiration for the affordable hidden 16-seat bar tucked into a hairdresser's building.
It's special, and It's my personal favourite on the list.
Guapo brings a few things to the table — the first being its continued desire to make the guest the star! You can choose from a short list of industry-inspired cocktails and you'll have a great time, but you can also leave it up to the bartender's choice, who, with your notes, will produce something stellar every single time.
Another thing I love about Guapo is that it thrives on guest-bartender spots. On any given night, you can walk in and see a new face behind the bar bringing their own unique flair and cocktail repertoire to the table. I myself have done a few spots at Guapo, and as a veteran bartender, it's the most fun I've had in a very long time.
I could write a whole article on Bar Guapo alone, but until you've experienced a Margeroni by candlelight, you just won't get it.
Giulia
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Coastal Italian & Pizza
Address: 350 Elgin St. & 61 York St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Giulia is a spot close to my heart. Full disclosure: I've worked there, I have friends who work there, and I frequent it still. But I'll do my best to express how awesome their cocktail program is in the most unbiased way possible.
Both the Elgin and York Street locations have a unique cocktail list run by different teams, but both have found a way to incorporate their environment into their beverage list.
Giulia is a king of variety. From spirit-forward cocktails, to clean and simple classics, to sours, to fresh and sweet — if you have a taste preference, you'll find it on both of the Giulia cocktail lists.
Union Local 613
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Southern U.S.
Address: 315 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The name of the game at Union Local 613 is collaboration. While they do boast two of the city's most innovative bartenders in Hayley and Eric, Union prides itself on coming together and giving everyone a chance to showcase their stuff.
With each seasonal menu, the whole front-of-house staff has an opportunity to create a cocktail with the hopes of having it put on the menu. This allows creativity to thrive and ultimately, for delicious beverages to be served.
Not a fan of choices? Head downstairs to the in-house speakeasy, the Staffroom, where the barkeep can cook you up an off-menu drink tailored to your tastes.
Thr33's Co. Snack Bar
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Globally Inspired Small Plates
Address: 589 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: I am here to talk about one cocktail and one cocktail only.
The Peanut Butter Old Fashioned at Thr33's Company is an industry legend. People from all across the city rave about this cocktail, and for good reason... It's delicious!
Old Fashioned purists need not comment here — this is not the classic bourbon cocktail you're used to, but rather an innovative rendition that's like nothing else I've ever had.
The Moonroom
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Cocktail Lounge
Address: 442 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: You didn't think I was going to leave the Moonroom off, did you?
The Moonroom is a beautiful space that takes inspiration from the classics and flips them on their heads to make something new and unique.
There isn't much to be said about the Moonroom other than that it's really, really, really good. When you look up the phrase "really awesome cocktail bar" in the dictionary, Moonroom pops up.
For this Little Italy gem, it's not about standing out for being the most unique of the group — it's about consistently putting out an elite product every single time. Get a cocktail from here and tell me I'm wrong.
Cheers, friends.
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