10 Best Jazz Bars In Ottawa, Canada

Shamika
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
jazz bars in ottawa

Over the years, the jazz scene in Ottawa has grown to be an unmissable experience for any traveller who happens to be a music-lover. There is nothing quite like enjoying a comfortable sit-down dinner to a soothing live performance right before you. Ottawa is known for its quieter and more cultured nightlife. If you are travelling with your spouse especially, and are looking for romantic ideas for a night out, a live jazz performance is a right choice for you. Ottawa is overflowing with its smooth jazz scene waiting to be experienced. If you are a localite or simply visiting this city, you must read on as we explore some of the best jazz bars in Ottawa, Canada.

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1. The Rainbow Bistro

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This is an Ottawa classic when it comes to live jazz entertainment. With great seating and good-quality acoustics that offer great sound no matter where you are seated, you are sure to have a good time. This venue has a variety of jazz bands that are local favourites, and it all comes with a very friendly and awesome bar staff. Therefore, for those looking for some soul-touching music, walk into the Rainbow Bistro and have a great time with your gang.

The Rainbow Bistro

Address: 76 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B5, Canada

Website: The Rainbow Bistro

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 8pm - 2am; Wed - Sun: 3pm - 2am

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2. Brookstreet Hotel

Brookstreet Hotel
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user P199 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

With beautiful warm and peaceful decor, this restaurant promises a fresh ambience coupled with an unforgettable dining experience. The jazz lounge offers a table d'hote, which allows you to enjoy a multi-cuisine meal at a fixed total bill amount. Check out the ceviche and the Caesar salad as well as the seared duck breast. If you’re looking for beverages, the restaurant recommends the blackberry mango margarita.

Brookstreet Hotel

Address: 525 Legget Dr, Kanata, ON K2K 2W2, Canada

Website: Brookstreet Hotel

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 9pm (closed on Sat - Sun)

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3. Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Enjoy a true vineyard experience alongside having a great meal in a restaurant. Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro offers over a hundred choices in just beer and wine, and a casual atmosphere alongside a great live music experience. What’s not to like? This is a local favourite joint, and you are sure to have a grand time here. Wondering how the food is going to be? Check out their spicy crab cakes, which are very popular here!

Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro

Address: 54 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T1, Canada

Website: Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 12am

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4. Bar Robo

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Looking for a more relaxed coffee house where you can spend an evening snacking on cake and coffee, and continue into a night with live music? By day, one, by night, another: this cafe offers quintessential coffee shop ambience and food, coupled with tons of cool events such as karaoke nights, shows and live music once it’s sundown. If you love jazz, then this is a place that you must keep an eye on.

Bar Robo

Address: 692 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6P4, Canada

Website: Bar Robo

Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)

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5. Chez Lucien

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

For a more comfortable and offbeat atmosphere in a quaint tavern-decorated bar, this joint is a perfect find and is quite popular amongst locals, which is a testament to how good it is. It features comfort food such as the Bourgeois Burger with homemade ranch and seafood linguine, along with great seating. You have a choice of upstairs balcony seating which is more private, or head on downstairs for the live music performances.

Chez Lucien

Address: 137 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M7, Canada

Website: Chez Lucien

Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)

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6. DasLokal

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are looking for a different and unique cuisine to try out, check out this German restaurant with a bistro ambience and live jazz music. With really interesting decor and warm and cosy lighting, you can truly relax as you take in the live piano performance while people watching through the patio outside. The place also offers an amazing menu for a great experience altogether. Check out the KeiserSchmarm, which is a guest-recommended dish.

DasLokal

Address: 190 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7C7, Canada

Website: DasLokal

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30am- 10pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 10pm

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7. Grill 41

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This is an in-house restaurant belonging to a popular hotel chain, Lord Elgin, and features luxurious fine-dining meals such as steaks and seafood, along with a wide selection of beverages. Boasting of a great ambience that is sure to relax you, and a bar with high top tables at which you can try their popular choice, the seafood linguine. Check out the cocktail menu they have here, as it is highly recommended.

Grill 41

Address: 100 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5K8, Canada

Website: Grill 41

Opening hours: 6:30am - 11pm (daily)

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8. Madisons Restaurant & Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This upmarket fine-dining restaurant offers a very classy and upscale ambience, modern decor and comfortable lighting, making it the perfect option if you’re looking for a fancy venue for a romantic date. The spread is delicious, and you are sure to love almost everything from the steaks, seafood, starter options, sides and the beverages. Guests highly recommend this venue if you’re looking for great quality in food and service.

Madisons Restaurant & Bar

Address: 189 Lyon St N, Ottawa, ON K1R 5C1, Canada

Website: Madisons Restaurant & Bar

Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)

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9. Mercury Lounge

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are looking for a pub-like atmosphere where you can enjoy a night of drinking and partying, look no further than Mercury Lounge. Featuring live music and incredible beverage options galore, this is the perfect venue for a great night out with your friends or your partner. However, there is also a more intimate second-floor space where you can simply relax and enjoy the lovely music.

Mercury Lounge

Address: 56 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 7A2, Canada

Website: Mercury Lounge

Opening hours: Mon: 5:30pm - 12am; Tue - Sat: 7pm - 2:30am (closed on Sun)

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10. The Arrow & Loon Pub

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Looking for some in-house craft beer selection to enjoy to some great live music? This casual tavern-decorated pub features great craft beer options along with a classic American menu of burgers, pizzas and more. They bring some of the best musicians to keep you company through your dinner, so you can truly take in a live music experience while not having to sit in a stiff fine-dining establishment.

The Arrow & Loon Pub

Address: 99 Fifth Ave, Ottawa, ON K1S 2M3, Canada

Website: The Arrow & Loon Pub

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 1am; Sat - Sun: 9am - 1am

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Swing to the sounds of jazz in Ottawa

Ottawa Jazz Festival
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jacqieblue used under CC BY-SA 4.0

While being a much more cultured music experience, jazz holds a special place in every music lover’s heart as the kind of music one can get lost in. instead of finding yourself in a restaurant that plays light jazz in the background just to mask unnecessary noise, why not make incredibly moving memories with your dinner experience by exploring how beautiful jazz can really be? A lot of these venues are some of the lesser known obscure places that only locals know about, making them some truly hidden gems. Don’t miss out on this awesome experience when you find yourself in Ottawa.

Book a reservation at one of these wonderful restaurants, and make yourself a lifelong fan of this lovely genre.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Being a military kid, Shamika has lived and travelled all over India, and her nomadic childhood has fueled an immense hunger and fascination for new cultures and languages (she's a polyglot!)...Read more

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