What makes a good bar seat? As a self-proclaimed expert at sitting at the bar, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration when asking this question.
First and foremost, throw your idea of price out the window. This is a matter of preference. Some of us want a cheap beer in a local dive, while others need a well-crafted cocktail after a long day. Lucky for you, this list includes both.
Of course, having a comfortable seat is an obvious want, but to me it can be outweighed immensely by good service and a good vibe. Perhaps most importantly, the food needs to be good. This may seem obvious, and that’s because it is.
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All in all, the marriage of an attentive bartender serving up a quality drink of your choice with good food in a cool place means your experience is bound to be exactly what you need.
Without further ado, here is the list of the best bar seats in Ottawa, whether you’re visiting or living in the city.
Downtown
Chez Lucien – 137 Murray St., Ottawa
I had to start this list with a classic. Chez Lucien would be a television director’s first choice for shooting a buddy flick in Ottawa, where the protagonist spends much of his time with his friends at the local bar. This is Family Guy’s The Clam, How I Met Your Mother’s MacLaren’s, and Paddy’s Pub in Always Sunny.
The classic vibes are only enhanced by the selection of local and international beers and you won’t go hungry trying any of the elevated pub menu items, none more infamous perhaps than the Chez Lucien burger, fries and salad combo that has kept Ottawans happy for years. The Chez Lu experience is excellent in general, but is best when sitting at its beloved wooden bar.
Giulia – 350 Elgin St. / 61 York St., Ottawa
Perhaps you want something a little bit fancier for your solo bar seat adventure.
Giulia fits the bill of providing an upscale experience, while still being approachable and affordable. We’re not quite in “fine dining” territory here, but we’re definitely a bit more elevated. Giulia’s take on coastal Italian cuisine, specifically pizzas and small plates, are more than enough to bring any solo diner in for a wonderful night … Who doesn’t like pizza, right?
But what truly sets Giulia apart is that the level of quality stretches across all corners of the restaurant. The staff is knowledgeable and caring, the beverage program is expertly curated, and the aesthetic is notably beautiful.
Between two locations on Elgin Street and York Street, I give the Elgin location a slight edge because the chairs are a bit comfier and, oddly enough, more spread apart. Perhaps not great to be sitting so far away from your date on date night, but ideal when dining alone and in need of a bit more room for pizza.
The Glebe
Thr33’s co Snack Bar – 589 Bank St., Ottawa
Let me be VERY clear. If you walked into Thr33’s co in any other city, you’d be blown away instantly by the aesthetic. We have taken this place for GRANTED. It is SO COOL! The massive liquor wall, filled with dozens of kinds of gin. The long curved bar. The giant cassette mural. Even the hundreds of stickers. This is a dream come true for bar-seat-aficionados.
Okay, we’ve established how cool it is and that there is an endless supply of gin … but how’s the food?
Really good and really available. Thr33’s is known for being a late-night spot. The kitchen is open until 2 a.m. EVERY DAY, without exception. That means the expertly crafted bar snacks are good for a client dinner, after a meeting, or while you’re unwinding alone with a bevy after a long day.
The best seat in the house you ask? It is of course at the bar where you can chat with whoever is tending that evening or any of the friendly regulars who make their way in.
Senate Tavern on Bank – 1159 Bank St, Ottawa
Ottawa is a sports city, whether we like to admit it or not. Ottawans everywhere are constantly clamouring for a way to watch their favourite teams play in a lively atmosphere.
My bar seat of choice is the Senate Tavern on Bank Street. This horseshoe bar is fitted with comfortable chairs, power outlets, TVs at every angle and a tap list of local brews that will keep you happy even when the Sens are down 4-0.
The nightly drink and food specials only add to the draw for any solo bar-goer.
Erlings Variety – 225 Strathcona Ave.
Much like the name suggests, variety is a huge draw at Erling’s. Chef Liam Vainola runs his restaurant on a “whatever I feel like” basis. This means that a menu could last as little as a week before items start to change.
When sitting with Chef Vainola, he informed me that his menu is just him cooking food he enjoys cooking and as soon as he becomes bored or uninspired, he changes it.
So what does this mean for those of us going to sit at the bar? You can almost always expect a new experience at Erling’s. Whether you live around the corner or are on business for the third time in six months, things are constantly changing at Erling’s Variety and their notably spacious bar area will welcome you back with open arms.
Wellington West
Bar Lupulus – 1242 Wellington St. W., Ottawa
According to MANY industry participants in my Ottawa restaurant “best of” series, Bar Lupulus has the best beer list in the city outside of a brewery, which is only enhanced by the impressive selection of natural wines and craft cocktails.
Recently, Lupulus hired a new chef at the helm. Chef Cam McGihon was promoted from sous chef to head chef this past month and his menu alone is worth a seat at the bar. His ability to source excellent ingredients and his masterful cookery provide a dining experience that rivals anywhere in the city.
At Lupulus you have amazing food, incredible drinks and a lively atmosphere … sounds like a good bar seat to me! The only minor criticism of Bar Lupulus is that it can feel quite noisy in the dining room, but this feels like a minor qualm for anyone who prefers to sit at the bar anyway … we tend to be a chatty bunch.
The Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern – 1084 Wellington St. W., Ottawa
I find it very easy to romanticize The Elmdale. Its wooden interior, lively staff and hundreds of oysters being shucked right in front of your eyes feels like Ottawa’s very own little piece of the East Coast.
Don’t get me wrong, you can sit at a table at The Elmdale, but why would you? It seems like a silly choice to sit anywhere but the bar if you ask me.
This wooden beast starts at the entrance and wraps around the whole of the restaurant, meaning there is a number of seats to choose from depending on what you like. I prefer to be right in front of the action, but there are more intimate bar seats too, should you be in need of some time to yourself.
The Elmdale Tavern is the perfect balance of an approachable pub and an elevated dining experience and is truly one of, if not the best, bar seats in the city.
A good bar seat is imperative in life. I make the conscious choice to sit at the bar whenever possible, as it is almost always superior to sitting at a table. You’ll never learn more about what’s happening in a city than from a bartender, you’ll seldom find better service and ultimately you will create memories at a bar seat that most table-sitters can’t even dream of!
There are a multitude of other great bar seats in Ottawa waiting to be sat in, this is just a taste of what this city has to offer, but I figured I’d get you all started on your search for the bar seat that feels most like home to you.
Jordan Pizzuti has been a local Ottawa food writer, content creator, and hospitality professional for over 10 years. Through his “best of” series, Jordan has cemented himself as an expert in Ottawa hospitality and nightlife. He continues to promote the Ottawa hospitality scene through his “Are We Having Fun Yet?” brand and his work with the Ottawa Business Journal.
