I'm a bartender in Ottawa — here's what drink you should order based on your neighbourhood

Wellington West

What's your drink?

Wellington West is a neighbourhood I know all too well, as it's the one I hail from. This area is loaded with bars, restaurants, shops, and everything else you could imagine to make it a really walkable part of the city.

You don't have to leave Wellington West for anything if you don't want to, which makes it ideal for the enthusiastic restaurant go-er.

Living here means you hardly ever have to cook because it's all too easy to just step outside your door and stumble across one of the hundreds of restaurants worth dining in. I truly believe this is the best neighbourhood in the city, and it's definitely my favourite. It's well rounded, balanced, in your face, and just a little hard on the wallet.

So what does that mean for it's matching drink?

This screams Negroni to me — a classic with strong flavours and a balanced touch. But be careful! If you indulge too heavily you will find yourself hurting and broke the next morning. Just like after a night in Welly West.

Where you can get it?

Ventuno is a spot I talk about a lot, and it represents Wellington West, and the Negroni in so many ways.

It's in an Italian grocery store, and is an Amaro bar. It's a one-stop shop for everything you need for a wonderful day.

Ventuno for a Negroni, the Wellington West way.

Address: 1355 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON

Chinatown

What's your drink?

Chinatown now is what Hintonburg was five years ago. A blossoming neighbourhood that is a little rough around the edges, but continues to add amazing touches that are pushing it firmly into Ottawa's hospitality spotlight.

Chinatown is a wonderful melting pot of small, under-the-radar restaurants, and popular heavy-hitters that contribute to its allure. Where else can you get dim sum on Monday afternoon and then eat at one of the most creative restaurants in the city that night?

With the new additions of shops and stores in the area like Miam Miam, and coffee shops like Drip House and Ten Toes, it's easy to see why Chinatown is becoming more desirable for those of us who love a good night out in Ottawa.

So what drink is it giving? Easy. Orange wine!

An acquired taste that at its best is the best. It might not be for everyone, but those who appreciate it tend to love it more than they can competently explain.

I personally love orange wine, and personally love Chinatown. I am going on record saying I think it's the next mass moved-to area in Ottawa, as its only getting more interesting every year.

Where can you get it?

Whether it's in their restaurant, or in their bottle shop, Corner Peach feels like the obvious answer here.

A gorgeous display of food and wine, Corner Peach has a reputation that precedes them for good reason!

Corner Peach for a glass of orange. That's up next!

Address: 802 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON

Centretown

What's your drink?

Centretown is the simplest of good times. There is no frills. It's just a cool area, with bars, restaurants, and shops as far as the eye can see. It's not the most luxurious neighbourhood but folks love it nonetheless, and for good reason. Centretown feels like my favourite spot to go when I need to keep it low-key but still have some fun.

That is quintessentially beer. Specifically Pale Ale, but I won't get nit-picky about your choice of hopped beverage.

Where can you get it?

When it comes to casual beer, there is probably no better place to enjoy one than The Gilmour. Its slogan of "an average Canadian bar" is both its truest statement and biggest asset. Like Centretown as a whole, its ability to be both so simple and so loved truly represents Centretown.

Address: 313 Bank St., Ottawa, ON

The Glebe/Old Ottawa South

What's your drink?

I'm doing a 2-for-1 area here because, with all due respect to those of you who live in these areas, they may as well just be the same place. Old Ottawa South was my most recent place of residence (don't get me wrong I was way out of place here), and I believe my year and a half there makes me qualified enough to speak on this.

It's boujee. There is no beating around this bush. Between Lansdowne, and the central-south end of Bank Street, this area just gives off the scent of financial freedom. This is not to say that is all that exists here (because I existed here), but we're talking vibes right now. You could have whatever you want here, really, but I think there is one drink that really represents what the Glebe and Old Ottawa South are.

The Aperol spritz.

The Aperol spritz is not an inherently class restricted drink, but the vibes of wearing all white in a costal Italian town sipping on a bright orange Appy spritz come immediately to mind.

Where can you get it?

Finding an Aperol spritz in an Ottawa is like finding an Aperol spritz at an Aperol spritz factory. They are everywhere. However, if it were up to me I'd be getting mine at Cantina Gia.

Why not continue to lean into the Italian vibes, right? Grab a plate of pasta and an Aperol spritz and start planning your next trip to Europe.

Address: 749 Bank St., Ottawa, ON

Byward Market

What's is your drink?

The Byward Market is a lot of things. It's a classic hang for Ottawa restaurant-goers, with long-standing favourites like The King Eddy or Chez Lucien, and new contributors like Bar Ocelli or Ember. The Byward market feels so familiar yet so distant all at the same time.

Cue the Margarita! The dangers of this tequila-based classic are evident yet alluring all the same. Before you know it you've had six of them and you're partying with strangers at an after party when you planned on being home before midnight.

This is the Market. You went for a casual dinner on a Tuesday, blinked, and now you have a story you can tell for years to come. This is no one's favourite, but it's everyone's ol' reliable. The Marketarita? The Margket?

Where can you get it?

El Camino. Where else? I could've done some big lead-up and teased at the idea of other places, but let's not play games. Two pig head tacos and a spicy marg, please.

Address: 81A Clarence St., Ottawa