Game on, Ottawa: The City’s Most Exciting Spots for Game Nights
It’s time to leave the comfort of your couch, take your hands off the PS5 controller, and take your gaming experience to new heights!
Presenting Ottawa’s most exciting game nights – where trivia, board games, VR experiences, and even combat archery await, poised to crown you as the next Katniss Everdeen.
Join us as we embark on the journey through Ottawa’s nightlife and what adds an extra dose of vibrancy to the scene.
1. Level One Game Pub
Website: https://levelonegamepub.com
Address: 14 Waller St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-695-7529
Operating hours:
- Monday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 2 PM to 12 AM
- Friday – 2 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday & Sunday – 12 PM to 2 AM
Considered one of the most sought-after spots on this list, Level One Game Pub stands out as a thrilling location where you can indulge in game nights with friends.
They have an assortment of games that appeal to any kind of player including D&D, video and board games, and even geek trivia on Monday nights!
Hold on, the fun doesn’t stop there! There’s also a food and drink menu, inviting you to stay for hours, so you have enough time to devour your enemies.
2. Unlocked Ottawa
Website: https://unlockedottawa.com
Address: 329 March Rd Unit 202, Kanata, ON K2K 2E1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-509-1322
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – closed
- Thursday – 4 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 7 PM
Want to challenge you and your friends in an immersive experience like no other? Take your game nights to Unlocked, an escape room center that features five exciting rooms, each with three levels of difficulty.
Superheist is undoubtedly our favorite, where you and your friends get to transform into a group of cunning supervillains in the hunt for the world’s most powerful weapon.
Your goal is to sneak inside the Emma Frost Experimental Weapons Facility to steal it. The room is jam-packed with puzzles, challenging you like never before!
3. Funhaven
Website: https://www.funhaven.com
Address: 1050 Baxter Rd, Ottawa, ON K2C 3P1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-828-4386
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 4 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 3 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
Here’s another exciting option for your game night – Funhaven. Offering a multitude of attractions, this might just be your next one-stop shop for anything fun and entertaining!
There’s an escape room, an arcade, a jungle gym, a bumper car, VR games, laser tags, and believe it or not, there’s so much more. The best part about it is that it’s perfect for all ages, so the entire family can even tag along!
4. Ward 14 (trivia night)
Website: https://www.wardfourteen.com
Address: 139 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1R 7P4, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-421-1446
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 2 AM
Ward 14 is a charming little bar with an intimate and hip ambiance, perfect for those in search of a stylish location for their night out. It stands as one of the most ideal locations on this list for those who want to stay out until late.
They’re considerably popular for their game night, transforming the lovely location with an intimate vibe into what feels like a tight-knit community.
To join in the fun, make sure to sign up on their website beforehand. Sip on some wine and their own concoction of cocktails to add a little spice to your evening.
5. Pour Boy
Website: https://www.pourboypub.com
Address: 495 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5J7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-695-7687
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 2 PM to 2 AM
Pour Boy is a cozy neighborhood spot, calling out to a lot of locals in the area. If you want to fit right in the city by fully relishing the vibe, you know where to go!
They’re well-loved because of their delectable bar grub, but they transform into an exciting location after sundown thanks to their fun trivia nights. While that already sounds exciting as is, Pour Boy is more than that.
They also host an assortment of events, so you never know what to expect. Here’s a funny story: one time, we happened to stumble upon a rave here after work. While we felt a tad bit underdressed, we couldn’t resist joining in the fun.
To avoid the same surprise we experienced, see their Facebook page for all the upcoming events.
6. Room 104
Website: https://room104ottawa.com
Address: 104 Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P6, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-220-5684
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – closed
- Thursday to Sunday – 9 PM to 2 AM
Located in the ByWard area that has eclectic rows of shops, Room 104 is a prime location where you can immerse yourself in the lively pulse of this buzzing neighborhood. However, this is not your usual party spot.
After all, Best in Ottawa tries to stray away from normal, constantly on the lookout for anything extraordinary.
Aside from the party room, there are also arcade games to entertain yourself with. It’s unexpected, but definitely the most welcome addition to Room 104, especially if you’re up for a unique game night.
Here’s an insider tip: bring your dance shoes because you won’t be able to resist moving to the beat. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
7. O’Grady’s Outpost
Website: https://www.ogradysoutpost.ca
Address: 25 Tapiola Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1T 2J7, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-800-1033
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
As soon as you step inside their doors, O’Grady’s Outpost seems like the usual pub adorned with wood panels on the walls, offering an assortment of tap brews and delicious bar fare.
However, they’re so much more than that. After all, they don’t consider this a well-loved neighborhood spot for nothing!
They host a lot of exciting events with the trivia night being the crowd favorite. Other than that, they’d also have wing nights, painting nights, and even live music performances.
The atmosphere is sublime; it has the right balance between laidback and vibrant.
8. Wizard’s Tower
Website: https://www.wizardtower.com
Address: 80 Marketplace Ave #1, Nepean, ON K2J 5G3, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-843-0705
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Wizard’s Tower is a trading card store that has built its sparkling reputation from the tight-knit community it has built. Other than providing its customers with a gorgeously stocked collection of trading cards, it also has in-store events where people can gather.
This includes D&D sessions, board game tournaments, chess meet-up nights, and many more.
Make sure to check out their calendar before your visit.
9. Happy Goat Coffee Co
Website: https://www.happygoatcoffee.com
Address: 145 Main St, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-680-4628
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 8 PM
Happy Goat Coffee Co is a relaxing spot with an inviting aroma of coffee beans wafting through several blocks away. After all, who says game nights can only be enjoyed with alcohol?
They have board games and card night, which you can play any time of the day.
Do note that they’re only open until 8 PM. However, during events, including games-related ones, they extend their hours until late at night.
10. Playback Ottawa
Website: https://www.playbackottawa.ca
Address: 1860 Bank St #3A, Ottawa, ON K1V 7Z8, Canada
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Playback is a unique game bar that has an interior akin to your own backyard as if it’s a nod to where we played as kids.
Aside from the rousing atmosphere, the fun also extends to the multitude of games they offer. They have bocce, cornhole, beer pong, shuffleboard, and more.
Wanna know the most exciting part? They’re all completely free to play!
There are also archery games and an escape room in the very same building, so feel free to explore.
11. House of TARG
Website: http://www.houseoftarg.com
Address: 1077 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W9, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-680-8274
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM
House of TARG specializes in pierogies, tasty dumplings garnished with sweet or savory flavors, dominating a significant portion of their menu.
And while we can talk your ear off about how good they are, let’s shift our focus to the real reason why they’re on this list.
This hip establishment has a wide range of arcade and pinball games available, featuring famous classics like Guitar Hero, Rambo, and Galaga.
12. Archery Games
Website: https://www.archerygames.ca
Address: 1860 Bank St #3b, Ottawa, ON K1V 7Z8, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-523-2282
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
Here’s something sports fans will love – Archery Games! And it’s not your usual archery where you will aim at an unmoving target, hoping to get that satisfying bullseye.
In fact, you get to engage in exhilarating combat, fulfilling your ultimate Hunger Games fantasy – without the actual dangers, of course.
13. Escape Manor
Website: https://www.escapemanor.com
Address: 292-A Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M3, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-695-1655
Operating hours:
- Monday – 2 PM to 10 PM
- Tuesday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Wednesday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Thursday and Friday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Located in the buzzing Downtown, Escape Manor presents a thrilling escape room experience, complete with challenging puzzles and compelling stories.
With multiple locations across Ottawa, each offering a unique selection of rooms, we recommend collecting more information through their website before you go to find which one you like best.
We highly recommend the one at Elgin. For something light-hearted, try Flight69, a unique escape room that will invite you to party.
If you’re looking for something more chilling though, check out the Death Row.
14. Click eSports
Website: https://www.clickesports.com/franchising
Address: 1665 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2G 3K2, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-226-8000
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 3 PM to 2 AM
- Tuesday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday & Sunday – 12 PM to 2 AM
Click eSports is a fun recreational center where many Ottawan gamers and like-minded people gather. Here, top-tier equipment like consoles, PCs, and VR are at your fingertips!
By the way, for an even more fun time, be sure to check their upcoming events on their website. As of writing, they have a Mortal Kombat II event coming up!
Double the fun by inviting the whole gang for game night.
15. Zero Latency Ottawa
Website: https://zerolatencyottawa.ca
Address: 2723 Lancaster Rd Unit 107, Ottawa, ON K1B 0B1, Canada
Contact details: +1 613-949-8802
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday – 3 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 3 PM to 10:30 PM
Zero Latency is another riveting hotspot for an immersive VR experience. Step seamlessly into a video game with their expansive 1,800 square feet place, with no cables or wires to hinder you!
The highlight of our visit? The multi-player games, of course!
We highly recommend it for big groups, though do note the maximum number is 8.