8 Country Bars In Ottawa Perfect For A Night Out

While country music is not huge in Ottawa, there are still some bars out there for country music fans to visit and enjoy country music. Here are some of the places that might be worth checking out if you are into the country lifestyle.

Nash Boîte Country

Address: 325 Bd Gréber, Gatineau, QC J8T 8J3
Business website: https://www.nashvillequebec.com/

Line Dancing at Nash Boite Country

Nash Boîte Country (also called Nash Bar Gatineau) is a new country bar that has opened up in Gatineau. Previously this place used to be called as X Lounge. This bar has a large dance floor than the other bars however it can still get quite packed with people during weekdays. If you are looking for line dancing then this would be the place to go.

  • Best Country and Western Bar
  • Best days to go: Friday and Saturday
  • Line Dancing Lessons on Wednesday
  • Large dance floor (relative to other bars)
  • Plays mostly country music
  • Live Musical performances
  • Only bar for proper line dancing in Ottawa
  • Lots of slot machines
  • Attracts relatively older demographic

My personal favorite western themed bar in Ottawa has been Nash Boite Country. The reason being almost always they have country music playing at the venue. This is the only bar in Ottawa where you will find people doing line dancing to country music almost everyday!

Crazy Horse Saloon

Address: 115 Roland Michener Dr, Kanata, ON K2T 1G7
Business website: https://www.thecrazyhorse.ca/

Crazy Horse Saloon (Nepean)

If you are really into country music and dancing then Crazy Horse Saloon would be your best bet! Out of all the places I have gone to so far, Crazy Horse Saloon offers the best experience in the city for country music folks. The place regularly has live music events and it can get quite busy so if you want to get a table, make sure that you arrive early! They also have a mechanical bull on certain days.

  • Best days to go: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
  • Western themed Bar and Restaurant
  • Regular live music performances
  • Plays country music and hip hop.
  • Attracts a younger demographic
  • Free to enter but cover might apply on busy days
  • Can get very busy
  • Relatively small dance floor
  • Offers food and drinks
  • Bit of a drive from Ottawa downtown

Heart and Crown – Byward Market

Address: 67 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P5
Business website: https://heartandcrown.pub/location/byward/

Heart and Crown Byward Market

If you are living in downtown Ottawa, then Heart and Crown is going to be the most convenient spot for enjoying country music. They have live band playing the top country music and you will see people dancing as well. I must say that the dance floor is a bit small but you can make it work.

  • Best days to go: Thursday
  • Live country music
  • Small dance floor
  • Attracts mixed demographics
  • Free to enter
  • Offers food and drinks
  • Conveniently located in Byward Market

Lowertown Brewery

Address: 73 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T2
Business website: https://www.lowertownbrewery.ca/

Mechanical bull at Lowertown Brewery

The Lowertown Brewery in the Byward Market is another spot in the downtown area that features occasional country music. They also have country nights with mechanical bull on the last Saturday of each month. Even though the bar is massive, they have a bit of limited dance floor unless there are hosting special events.

  • Best days to go: Saturday
  • Limited dance space
  • Live country music
  • Attracts mixed demographics
  • Free to enter
  • Offers food and drinks
  • Located in Byward market

Pop-O-Bar

Address: 75 Bd Gréber, Gatineau, QC J8T 3P9
Business website: https://restaurantpopobar.com/

Le Bum Du Country at Pop-O-Bar

Based out in Gatineau, Pop-O-Bar is a popular bar among locals for live music. Just make sure to check their schedule as sometimes they have other things like Karaoke going as well!

  • Best days to go: Friday and Saturday
  • Nice atmosphere
  • Live country music in both English and French!
  • Attracts a slightly older demographic
  • Lots of slot machines
  • Small dance floor
  • Small cover charge on weekends
  • Free coat check

Pop O Bar has a variety of events going throughout the year so make sure to check what event is going on as they are not always country. Regardless, if you are living in the Gatineau region, it is a bar that is worth checking out on the weekends.

Lunergans Pub and Eatery

Address: 1661 Montréal Rd, Gloucester, ON K1J 9B7

Lunergans Pub and Eatery

Lunergans Pub and Eatery has local country music nights every then and now! If there is a band performing then there wouldn’t be much of a dance floor at this place. I would recommend this place if you want to have chicken wings and beer while listening to country music.

  • Best days to go: Wednesday
  • Dive bar feel
  • Attracts older demographic
  • No dance floor

La P’tite Grenouille Gatineau

Address: 9 Rue Aubry, Gatineau, QC J8X 2H1
Business website: https://laptitegrenouille.ca/

La Petite Grenouille

I haven’t tried their food yet but this place gets packed on Weekends! La P’tite Grenouille usually has live music early in the night and then this place converts into a dance bar late into the night. The place tends to attract younger crowd on the weekends. Live music is usually country however once this place is a dance club then the place has a variety of hip hop, or dance music.

  • Best days to go: Friday and Saturday night
  • Bilingual live country music (French and English)
  • Drinks are cheaper (compared to bars in Ottawa)
  • There might be an entry fee over the weekend if you arrive late
  • Large dance floor on the second floor

Chateau Lafayette

Address: 42 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S6
Business website: https://www.thelaff.ca/

The Laff Bar in Ottawa

The Chateau Lafayette is the most convenient spot to go to if you are in the Ottawa Downtown area. Located in the Byward Market, the venue has live country music every weekend! The Laff is quite well known for the its local performers who have been performing at the location for more than a decade now and previously the place has been visited by many popular celebrities including Justin Bieber!

  • Best days to go: Friday and Saturday
  • Dive Bar
  • Jukebox machine to play whatever music you want
  • Seating capacity for large group
  • Small dance floor

If you are looking for other options for country music in Ottawa, your best bet would be when the weather is warmer, as there are internationally known country music artists performing at different festivals in the city.

Feel free to share your experience if you have been to these places or know any other bar in the region.

5 Best Dance Bars For Salsa Dancing In Ottawa-Gatineau!

Here are some of my favorite salsa dancing dance bars that I think are worth visiting in Ottawa-Gatineau region. If you are looking primarily for lessons then I recommend these Salsa Dancing places instead which do lessons followed by social events.

Latinos Resto Bar

Address: 665 Bronson Ave, Ottawa, ON K1S 4E7
Business website: https://latinosrestobarottawaon.com/

Latinos Resto Bar

I found Latinos Resto Bar to be the best place in Ottawa for hangouts. Not only do they have Latin events on weekends, but occasionally on weekdays as well. Sometimes they also do Spanish Karaoke really late into the night. The crowd is very friendly and you can even ask people to dance here. Though I must say that the dance floor is a bit small.

  • Latin Dancing on both Fridays and Saturdays.
  • No cover if you arrive early.
  • This venue attracts both local as well as hispanic crowd.
  • Serves both food and alcohol.

Mill Street Brew Pub

Address: 555 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1R 1C5
Business website: https://millstreetbrewery.com/

Mill Street Brew Pub

Mill Street Brew Pub does weekly events and is surprisingly packed on a Monday night. They also do beginner lessons if you have never done salsa or bachata before. I have heard that if you spend on food at this place then you might be able to get free entry to the event.

  • This place is ideal for individuals.
  • Cover charge always applies.
  • Large dance floor
  • Attracts primarily local Ottawa crowd.

The Mill Street Brew Pub is one of the few spots that is busy on a Monday. You would barely find any other dance bar in Ottawa that is busy on a Monday night. Great place to hangout with friends.

Amigos Sports Bar

Address: 858 Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5Z4

Live performance at Amigos Sports Bar

Amigos does occasional salsa/bachata events as well. Usually they do the Latin nights on Tuesdays and sometimes the place can get quite packed. I did like that they have a huge dance floor and a sports bar section as well with pool tables.

  • Salsa/Bachata socials on Tuesdays
  • Pool tables and slot machines
  • Large dance floor
  • Dance performances
  • Lessons before socials

The Amigos Spots Bar is great for Tuesday Nights. I have been there a couple of times so far and it’s always been packed! Their lessons are a bit pricey compared to other dance bars however the overall atmosphere is great! They have a limited food menu but do allow you to bring food items from other restaurants.

Bar 7 @ Lake Leamy Casino

Address: 1 Bd du Casino, Gatineau, QC J8Y 6W3

Salsa Dancing at Lake Leamy Casino

Almost every Thursday, the Bar 7 at Lake Leamy Casino turns into a late night Latin dancing spot! Not only do they have a DJ for the night but also sometimes have live music! Definitely a place to check out if you love Latin Dancing. Unlike some of the other places, you won’t get any dance lessons here so make sure you are a bit prepared before heading here. Even though the bar has a large floor, the place does get quite packed during the night.

  • Salsa Dancing on Thursdays
  • Free entry
  • Live Spanish music
  • No lessons
  • Mixed demographic

Speakeasy Tapas Lounge

Address: 55 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9B8
Business website: https://speakeasyottawa.com/

Speakeasy Tapas Lounge

The Speakeasy Tapas Lounge is a Spanish restaurant; however, on Friday nights, their basement gets converted to a salsa dancing spot. Even though it has a small dance floor, you are going to have a blast as it has live musical performances.

  • Latin nights usually on Fridays
  • No cover charge (usually Free)
  • Live music
  • Plays salsa, merengue, bachata and reggaeton music
  • Attracts a mixed demographic
  • Located in Byward Market

What I really enjoy about the Speakeasy Tapas Bar is their Oyster Specials that cost about a dollar! You won’t find a better deal in Ottawa for that price and they taste great! Note that the Speakeasy Tapas Lounge doesn’t always have Latin nights so make sure to check with the business before heading there.

Other places for Salsa Dancing –

Rouge Lune Resto-Bar (Address: 70 Prom. du Portage, Gatineau, QC J8X 2K1)
Usually having Latin nights on the weekends, Rouge Lune can sometimes get quite packed. This Dance Bar is located in Hull which makes it very convenient if you are doing a bar crawl in Hull, having a couple of drinks and then heading down to Rouge Lune to end the night dancing with your mates!

Mavericks (Address: 221 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5X8)
Mavericks does do Latin nights often on weekends. This place might be convenient for those who are around the Byward Market area However, I found the place however too crowded to be able to dance. Mavericks often has live music performances.

Chez Putters (Address: 181 Principale St, Gatineau, Quebec J9H 6A6)
Chez Putters occasionally hosts Latin nights where they play salsa/bachata music. They have a large bar that has multiple pool tables, a virtual golf simulator, and other game machines. Usually Latin Nights take place on Saturdays and they often have live music. This might be ideal location for those who are located in Aylmer/Gatineau region and don’t want to drive down to Ottawa.

Billard Club Latino (Address: 173 B Boulevard Saint-Joseph, Gatineau, Quebec J8Y 3X1)
I have found this place to be a hit or miss. It might be worth going to Billard Club when they have a live music event and you will see people dancing. If you are not much into dancing they do have billiards to play and a bar to order your drinks. The place is usually busy on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pub Italia: Ottawa’s Church-Themed Pub

I have found a place in Ottawa that ticks all of the boxes that you might be looking for when visiting a pub for a meal and drink! The place is called Pub Italia and is located in Little Italy.

They have a really nice patio during summers, and the indoors remind you that you might be in a Church! Combine that with great food and service and you get the perfect hangout spot!

Once you get your table, you don’t get a drinks menu but instead you get their ‘Beer Bible’ which has a large variety of drinks that they offer! You are probably going to find so many options that you might not have tried before!

Pub Italia Ottawa

I ended up ordering one of their pizzas which turned out to be great! The portion size for one person is more than enough! You might want to share it with someone if possible! Also the drink was served chilled! Service times were reasonable despite having a big group and I didn’t really have anything to complain about!

While Pub Italia is more popular to have drinks, their food is great as well. There is ample space at the place for really big groups, and you can even arrange private space for events at the pub.

Popular Menu Items

Wondering what to order at Pub Italia? Here are some of their popular menu items –

  • Lasagna
  • Abruzzi Pizza
  • Dante Pizza
  • Bread Basket
  • Coffee
  • Sangria
  • Delerium Blonde
  • Pesto Pasta

About Pub Italia

Established in 1994, Pub Italia has become a popular destination for beer drinkers and pizza lovers. The Pub is known for its church-themed decor featuring glass windows and statues.

  • Italian gastro pub
  • Church themed decor
  • Casual upscale dining
  • Large beer collection
  • Known for pizza
  • Great for dates and large groups
  • Large patio

Contact Pub Italia

Address: 434 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N4, Canada
Phone: +1 613-232-2326
Business website: https://pubitalia.ca/

How has your experience been so far with Pub Italia? Do you think there is another great themed restaurant in Ottawa that does it better? Please let us know!

Fancy Cocktails In Ottawa At Montgomery Lounge!

I have been to Montgomery Scotch Lounge a couple of times and whenever I go there, I find something new! Turns out the place has some really nice specialty drinks so I decided to try them out this time!

Cocktails at Montgomery Scotch Lounge

The first drink I ordered was called the Cruising Altitude which is made of Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and Lemon. If you like sweet flavor then this would be the drink for you.

The second drink was a bit of a different experience though – it was the Pompatus of Love which is part of their Enlightment Series. This drink consisted of Aberfeldy Scotch Single Malt, Aperol and Amaro Averna! What’s unique about this drink as you actually get a Smoke Bubble on top of your drink! Blow it up before you sip your drink!

Both drinks had a strong flavor and I had to drink them out sip by sip. It is really hard to chug these drinks even if you are thirsty.

Whenever I have been there, there is always a band performing! I was thinking that the lounge always plays country music but that is not the case. They were actually playing a blend of soul, funk, jazz, reggae and latin music this time and the performance was great!

Mecca of Stank band

I have enjoyed all my visits at this place and recommend it! However there wwere two things that I noticed about this place that I didn’t like. While I have been to the place before when they perform live music, I have never been charged a cover before. But during this visit, there was a cover charge ($10). While it’s okay to charge a cover, none of us were told upon entering the venue that there would be a cover charge.

The other issue was that one of the persons in the group got a sample of the drink and was charged for it. I think it’s important to let the customers know about such charges especially when other bars do not charge for trying out a drink.

Address: 1154 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X6

Business website: http://montgomeryscotchlounge.com/

Rating: 8/10

Jenga Night At Chateau Lafayette In Byward Market!

After visiting Chateau Lafayette, I feel like this bar has a really good potential to become my favorite bar in the city! While the lafayette is a dive bar, it’s one of the few bars in the downtown area that plays country music!

There is limited seating in the patio however their indoor is quite spacious and is suitable for large groups. I didn’t knew this but the bar also has some games that are available to be played for free. My group was able to get a hold of the Jenga, which we played through the night and what made it even awesome was that each piece of Jenga had a dare written on it so it was fun playing them out at the bar.

Chateau Lafayette

Apart from Jenga, the bar also has Pacman arcade and some other games that are available on request. You might have to just look around as there does seem to be some interesting stuff in the bar.

Since this bar actually plays country music, even though the dance floor is quite limited, you will end up seeing people do line dancing sometimes! They do have a DJ playing music on the weekends but also you have the option to play your own music using the touchtunes machines on other days.

Chateau Lafayette promises to be a really good spot for group hangouts. Drinks are priced a little higher than what the other dive bars like Dominion Tavern charge but this one offers a very different experience.

Address: 42 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S6

Rating: 8/10

Drinking Cold Beer In The Patio At The Manx!

If you are looking to have drinks in the Patio, then definitely checkout The Manx located on Elgin Street, Ottawa! Initially I was planning to head inside, but the nice weather convinced me to try out their patio instead!

I went for their Manx 20 Stock Ale which I was told is from the Kichesippi Beer Company. It’s a light beer and was served cold, which is how I enjoy my beer.

The Manx

One thing I noticed is that the service at the place is much better than other bars out there. The server tended to me almost the moment I arrived, and kept checking regularly if I needed anything.

Manx 20 Stock Ale

While the patio is located right across the streets close to the intersection, it is not that noisy and can be a great hangout spot for small groups.

There is only limited capacity in the patio and the tables can have 4 people at most though it might be possible to combine the tables (as long as the walkway is not blocked)

Rating – 8/10

Address: 370 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1

Live Country Music and Drinks at Montgomery Scotch Lounge!

Last year I had bookmarked a place called Montgomery Scotch Lounge but never got a chance to visit it until now! While I was walking towards the place, I didn’t really know what to expect. Part of me felt that it was going to be a run down location or have a dive bar feel but boy I was wrong!

This place looks absolute stellar and is a perfect place to hangout with your date, close friends and family members! The venue has nightly live music during weekdays where the musicians play some of your favorite country music (maybe other genres as well).

Live Country Music

For my drink I ordered – Reginald De Koven, a cocktail consisting of Glenfiddich, Sweet Vermouth, Maple, Citrus and Bitters. Even though my drink looked small, I could appreciate the amount of alcohol in it and a couple of these would be enough to get me buzzed for the night!

Cocktail – Reginald De Koven

The venue does have a couple of local artists perform live music and will rotate as the night goes. Even though my stay at this scotch lounge wasn’t too long, I enjoyed it and plan to visit it again in the near future!

My rating : 9/10! Highly recommended!

Address: 1154 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X6