10 of the Best Jazz Clubs in Ottawa for an Evening of Live Music
There’s nothing like a cold beer and live music to break the monotony of a rough week at work. Along with colleagues and friends, we usually cap off the week at our favorite bars, where we can have lively conservations, good music, and refreshing drinks.
Living in Ottawa, we’re very lucky to have bars, pubs, and restaurants that offer all of that. Whether you’re looking for a chill spot to listen to jazz or a swanky club for a night of dancing, this city has got it all.
Here, we’ve made a list of the best jazz clubs in Ottawa for every mood and occasion.
1. Options Jazz Lounge at Brookstreet
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Website: https://www.brookstreethotel.com/
Location: 525 Legget Drive Kanata
Phone: +1 613 271 1800
Operating hours: Daily 11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Entry fee: No cover charge
Hosting live jazz performances 7 days a week, Options at Brookstreet Hotel is great for spur-of-the-moment jazz nights and special occasions.
It’s no surprise that they were voted the best jazz lounge. Each night, you can expect a local artist to serenade you with the classics and jazzed-up hit songs, creating the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner.
Cauliflower bites and kimchi dumplings are a requisite part of the entire experience. We usually just munch away while we listen to smooth jazz music and admire the manicured grounds of the Marshes Golf Course.
Pro tip:
If you want to see a specific artist, check their website for their list of performers and reserve a table in advance on your preferred date.
2. Montgomery Scotch Lounge
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Website: http://montgomeryscotchlounge.com/
Location: 750 Gladstone Avenue
Phone: +1 613 230 6287
Operating hours: Wed-Sat 8 pm to midnight
Cover charge: Yes, per set (some events may have additional cover charges)
Montgomery Scotch Lounge is another personal favorite, where you can vibe to the best of Ottawa’s jazz scene and have a boozy good time. You’ll hear a lot of jazz classics, fusion, and original compositions from artists across Canada.
Serving everything from martinis, cocktails, bubbly, and 77 single malt scotches, their extensive liquor menu makes it the perfect place for a nightcap. They also have small plates that complement the liquor they serve.
The vibe at this lounge is the cherry on top. Thanks to its small, intimate setting, every performance feels like a personal concert.
Pro tip:
Check their website to find a list of the weekly and monthly jazz performances at the lounge. You’ll see more information about the artists, set times, and ticket prices there.
3. Speakeasy Tapas Lounge
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Website: https://speakeasyottawa.com/
Location: 55 York Street
Phone: +1 613 241 6221
Operating hours:
Tue-Wed 11:30 am to midnight
Thu-Sat 11:30 am to 1 am
Sun 9 am to 8 pm
Cover charge: None
Tickets: Yes (varies per performance)
Speakeasy Tapas Lounge, a popular brunch spot in the Byward Market, comes to life every night with live music, laughter, and dancing.
We’d come here just for Ben Joseph, a saxophonist who is a regular performer at this lounge. He’ll mesmerize you with soulful renditions and infectious rhythms of classic hits while you munch on tapas and sip prohibition-era-inspired cocktails.
Their shows can range anywhere from stand-up comedy and magic shows to burlesque performances.
Pro tip:
They don’t host jazz performances every night, so you must check the lineup of acts beforehand. You’ll find it on their website and socials.
4. The Laff
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Website: http://www.thelaff.ca/
Location: 42 York Street
Phone: +1 613 241 4747
Operating hours: Daily 11 am to 2 am
Cover charge: None
Built in 1849, Chateau Lafayette is older than the city of Ottawa itself. Now known as The Laff, this small, unassuming spot is still the most iconic tavern and pub at the heart of the ByWard Market.
What we like the most about this place is that it’s open 365 days per year, except for a few hours on Christmas Day. No matter what day of the week, they’ll have live entertainment on stage to jazz up your night.
They host 10 shows per week, including regular performances from The 5-Star Monday Band and The John Carroll Show on Wednesdays.
Pro tip:
They don’t accept reservations for live entertainment so show up early to get a table.
5. The Rainbow Bistro
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Website: https://therainbow.ca/
Location: 76 Murray Street
Phone: +1 613 859 5123
Operating hours: Thu-Sun 7 pm to 1 am
Tickets: Yes (tickets vary per act)
Housed in a two-story building made of exposed brick, The Rainbow Bistro is an iconic music hall in Ottawa where you can enjoy live music performances and indulge in refreshing cocktails.
Some of the most famous acts that have performed here include Jeff Healey and John Hammond. Once dubbed The House of Blues, this music hall now welcomes a wide range of genres, such as rock, funk, and even opera—but they still do jazz nights!
Ticket prices can range anywhere between $10 to $30, which excludes beer and cocktails. It’s a pretty sweet deal for a night of good music and great company.
Pro tip:
If you want to see a jazz performance here, you’ve got to time your visit right. Just go to their website to check their monthly lineup, and then buy a ticket so you can secure a spot inside.
6. Irene’s Pub Restaurant
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Website: http://irenespub.ca/
Location: 885 Bank Street
Phone: +1 613 230 4474
Operating hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm to 2 am
Sat-Sun 11 am to 2 am
Cover charge: Yes (varies per event)
Tickets: Yes (varies per event)
Irene’s Pub Restaurant is another snug, hole-in-the-wall spot where you can enjoy jazz music and other live entertainment until the wee hours of the morning. They host everything from jazz and blues sessions to folk revues.
It’s a great place for a casual date night because they offer hefty meals and cold craft beer. Serving classic BLTs, veggie burgers, and smoked meat sandwiches, you won’t leave this pub hungry.
What we like the most about Irene’s is that kids are allowed to dine here and watch a jazz show with you—at least until 9 pm. After, only 19+ can enter the pub.
Pro tip:
Some performances at Irene’s pub will require a ticket, while others are free.
During such events, a ticket won’t guarantee a seat as they have a first-come, first-serve policy, so show up early to get the best spot.
7. Bar Robo
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Website: http://www.barrobo.com/
Location: 170 Queen Street
Phone: +1 613 695 5483
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 8 am to 4 pm, 7pm
Cover charge: None
Bar Robo has an incredible brunch menu consisting of freshly baked goods, premium coffee, and breakfast sandwiches. While most of you might know it as a chill brunch spot, it’s also a fun and vibrant entertainment space at night.
Here, you can catch the most soul-stirring and captivating performances from homegrown artists. Jazz acts come on stage every Wednesday, which you can typically watch for free.
We like that the jazz sets are wide-ranging, encompassing classic and modern tunes to fusion acts. Of course, you can enjoy the sets with some liquor, either a glass of cold beer or a craft cocktail.
Pro tip:
Check their website for the schedule of performances they’ve lined up for the entire month. You’ll also find more detailed information about the acts, the ticket prices, and set times.
8. Apothecary Lounge
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Website: http://www.apothecarylounge.ca/
Location: 54 York Street
Phone: +1 613 421 0820
Operating hours: Sun-Thu 6 pm to midnight, Fri-Sat 6 pm to 1 am
Cover charge: None
Located in the cellar of Starling Restaurant, the Apothecary Lounge is a speakeasy-style bar and jazz lounge with a touch of sophistication.
Everything about this place, from its prohibition flair and its chic yet comfy industrial decor to its culinary treats, will keep you glued to your seat for hours. It’s the perfect spot for romantic dinners, friendly get-togethers, and other special celebrations.
Jazz nights are only on Thursdays, so swing by at 7 pm to catch a live performance and a craft cocktail made with real botanicals, homemade syrups, and tinctures. If you drop by from 10 pm to midnight, martinis will cost half the price.
Pro tip:
There are no cover charges and reservations are required only for large groups. However, we still recommend booking a table in advance as the place can get packed really fast.
9. Chez Lucien
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Location: 137 Murray Street
Phone: +1 613 241 3533
Operating hours: Daily 11 am to 2 pm
Chez Lucien is a small, cozy restaurant serving some of the best poutines in Ottawa alongside quintessential pub-style cuisine. It’s a charming place that looks like a sitcom, where guests are regulars who have been coming here for years.
Your evenings here can be graced with live jazz performances from homegrown artists. Unfortunately, they no longer occur as frequently as we want them to.
On the other hand, you can play some tunes on their jazz jukebox. The restaurant isn’t exactly made for dancing, but their friendly staff and patrons won’t judge if you bust a move in the corner.
Pro tip:
As far as we know, they don’t announce any of the acts on their socials, so you should ask the staff before dropping by.
10. Queen St. Fare
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Website: https://queenstfare.ca/
Location: 170 Queen Street
Phone: +1 613 782 3885
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 8 am to 8 pm
Cover charge: Yes (varies per act)
Tickets: Yes (varies per act)
Queen St. Fare is a food hall and event space that hosts regular jazz nights featuring local artists and famous jazz figures across Canada. If you can’t decide where to go for dinner with friends, this spot will make things easier.
Housed in this hall are six local restaurants that you might be familiar with already—Bar Robo, Wicked Good Pizza, Mercadito, Green Rebel, Sen Kitchen, and Capitol Burger Counter. You can simply pick and choose so everyone gets what they want.
You can get drinks from Q Bar, which typically serves them from 11 am to 10 pm for most of the week. On Fridays and Saturdays, they’ll serve liquor until 1 am because of the live shows, but they close at 3 pm on Sundays.
Pro tip:
Live jazz shows usually start at 7 pm. You’ll find a lineup of their performers on their website and information on tickets.
Some shows will have cover charges and tickets, while others will be free for all.