Unique nightlife ideas in Ottawa – from museums at night to summertime music festivals and everything in between.
Ottawa comes alive after the sun goes down with a vibrant nightlife scene including live music venues, nightclubs, cocktail spots, pubs and restaurants that are open late. Here are the best ways to experience nightlife in Canada’s capital region.
Ottawa nightlife inspiration
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Live music in Ottawa - the best venues, restaurants and bars
Experience the best of Ottawa’s live music scene: bars, restaurant and venues where you can dance, drink and groove. -
Nightlife in Ottawa's ByWard Market
Canada’s capital awakens when the sun goes down! If you’re looking to go out in downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market neighbourhood is where you want to be. -
Great cocktail spots by Ottawa neighbourhood
You can easily find the perfect place to have drinks in Canada’s capital. -
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Ottawa’s summer 2026 music festivals
Ottawa beats to the sound of countless outdoor and indoor music festivals during the summer of 2025.
Upcoming events in Ottawa
Retro Silent Disco
The Amazing Silent Disco lands at the National Gallery of Canada for one unforgettable night of retro beats and dancing. Choose between three live DJs…
A Glow of Love
Celebrate mothers and mother figures with A Glow of Love, a candlelit concert featuring moving vocal performances in an intimate atmosphere…
Chamberfest Concert Series
Make sure to catch an incredible music show from this Concert Series this fall and winter. Featuring Canadian and international artists, this season’s…
Arising - The Canadian Irish Dance Company
Experience Irish dance through a bold, contemporary lens in Arising, a dynamic performance by the Canadian Irish Dance Company. Rooted in tradition…
Voice of Desert – Saburo Teshigawara | KARAS
The quiet mastery of Japanese choreographer and dancer Saburo Teshigawara has been revered by audiences for decades. Since founding KARAS (Japanese…
The Fray
Experience the signature sound of The Fray, known for blending emotional storytelling with soaring alternative rock melodies. This live performance…
Nightlife hotspots in Ottawa
La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins
La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins is a francophone theatre and gathering place near the lively ByWard Market area that presents plays, concerts, festival events and more.
Sky Lounge Ottawa
Night club boasting a rooftop patio with sliding windows overlooking York Street in the ByWard Market.
Chateau Lafayette (The Laff)
History in the Making! From classy tavern and hotel to restaurant, pub, dive and everything in between, Lafayette first opened its doors in 1849 and although it's never closed since, this Ottawa establishment has gone through many changes.
Hard Rock Casino
Enjoy an unforgettable experience with incredible casino gaming, dining, and live entertainment—all at Ottawa’s one and only casino.
56 ByWard
Three unique lounge and nightclub venues housed in one building in the heart of the ByWard Market.
The Show
Expansive ByWard Market bar catering to the college and university crowd.
