Who says that capital cities are filled with pencil-pushing bureaucrats? Canada’s capital is a lively place, making Ottawa a favorite destination for gay people from around the country. The biggest annual event, Capital Pride, is held in August.

The city itself is gorgeous, especially around Parliament Hill. The neo-Gothic structures of the Parliament Buildings are the city’s most-photographed landmark. Another stunner is the National Gallery of Canada, which resembles a glassed-in birdcage.

Getting here

Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is the gateway to Canada’s capital region. OC Transpo, route 97 (destination “Airport”) will get you directly to and from the airport. Shuttle buses and taxis are other options for a quick trip into town.

Getting around

Downtown is very walkable, so there’s no need to rent a car. For longer trips, there is an excellent system of buses and light-rail trains operated by OC Transpo

Neighborhoods

Locals are hoping to turn Bank Street into an official gay village, like similar gayborhoods in Toronto and Montreal and The Village signs with rainbows have recently gone up on significant corners.  Make this your first stop in finding gay Ottawa.

The trendy downtown ByWard Market area is full of cafes and boutiques, with over 80 places to eat listed on their website. The Glebe neighborhood of South Ottawa has maintained a strong and lively traditional main street, home to many one-of-a-kind shops, services and businesses from an Italian market to a cat boutique, along with a good selection of restaurants and bars.

Media & Resources

Ottawa's Gay newspaper, Xtra, no longer has a print edition, but the DailyXtra website continues to provide LGBT news, current events, commentary, travel articles, listings and more.

The/Le Village pages of the Ottawa Tourism website also has info on where to go and what to do in Ottawa's gay neighborhood.

For general listings, events and reviews see (X)Press or the website OttawaPress. 

For visitor information about getting around in the city see the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism websites.

OttawaKiosk has travel guide accommodations and events information, plus easy to use listings for hundreds of restaurants of every kind, all across the Ottawa area.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Ottawa listings pages.
 

Nightlife

Centretown Pub (340 Somerset St West), gay lounge main floor for male regulars, pool table, back terrace, sidewalk seating. Piano and lounge bar with karaoke and weekend live bands. Upstairs weekend dancing, Friday night drag shows, Ottawa Knights men's leather and fetish nights most second Saturdays.

Chez Lucien (137 Murray St), small mixed crowd pub at ByWard Market, two-seater tables for date night drinks, good selection of beers.

Edge Club and Lounge (212 Sparks St), 19+ young crowd gay nightclub, Friday drag shows and contests, Saturday dancing, Sunday cabaret, summertime roof-top patio.

Lookout (41 York St, upstairs), predominantly gay but straight-friendly, balcony overlooking marketplace, pool table out back. Barmen are adorable. Thursday Men's Social, Friday Women's Social, Saturday drag and dancing, Sunday euchre, Tuesday karaoke.

The Mercury Lounge (56 Byward Market Sq), "soul club," electronic, house, soul, jazz and funk, DJs and concerts.

Swizzles (246 Queen St), free-wheeling community bar mix of all kinds of people - "boys, girls, and everything in between," fast internet connections, live music, poetry readings, drag shows and dancing; plus best karaoke in the city.

Saunas & Sex

Central Spa (1069 Wellington), renovated steam room, dry sauna, movies, lounge bar, Wi-Fi, favorite of local bears, open 24 hours.

Lewis Street Sauna (487 Lewis St), 24-hr multi-level men's bathhouse, wet and dry saunas, single and double rooms, whirlpool, videos, full bar.

Restaurants

Ahora (307 Dalhousie St) in Byward Market, gay-owned restaurant with best Mexican food around: burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, plus excellent margaritas.

The Buzz (374 Bank St) NY bistro style brick walls, high ceilings, intimate dining, high-back banquette lounging, wine or martinis. Sample tapas and Mojitos Thursdays, busy Friday/Saturday evenings. Open daily 4pm, Sunday brunch 10am - 3pm.

ByWard Market (ByWard Market Sq, William St between George & York), one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. Bakeries, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants of all kinds, including cafes and pub grub options. Farmers' market open 363 days per year; also arts and crafts vendors.

Mellos (290 Dalhousie St), 75-year-old traditional diner, comfort foods, drinks, wisecracking waitresses; breakfast, lunch, relaxed evenings over sandwiches and cocktails.

Second Cup (290 Bank St, at Somerset), official hangout of Ottawa Bears (OursOttowa in French). Sunday 3-5pm is the best time to make contact and find out about bowling dates, bathhouse frolics and brunch get-togethers.

Shopping

After Stonewall (370 Bank St), the city's GLBT bookstore was in danger of closing before new owners took over in Summer 2012. With a new look they've added products such as art, jewellery, and artisan chocolates, and events include wine socials and book readings.

One In Ten (216 Bank St) video DVDs for rent or sale, sex toys, and rainbow paraphernalia. They also have cubicles and glory holes.

Wilde's (367 Bank St) lubes, toys, videos, and knick-knacks.

Accommodations

Ambiance Bed And Breakfast (330 Nepean St; 613-563-0421), built in 1904, fully modern with amenities, easy walk to all the tourist attractions, major public transit, Byward Market, restaurants and nightlife.

The Avalon B&B (539 Besserer St; 613-789-7334), gay-friendly elegant guesthouse just a short hop east of everything in the downtown hub including Byward Market.

The Gilmour Inn (431 Gilmour St; 613-236-9309), Edwardian-era house, 7 rooms furnished with period antiques, living room, private patio. Bank Street restaurants, stores, Parliamnet Hill and Rideau Centre within walking distance. Former Inn on Somerset management.

The Rideau Inn (177 Frank St; 613-688-2753), general public, gay-friendly option in Golden Triangle residential neighbourhood at Rideau Canal. Sunny private roof deck, internet, breakfast buffets, use of the house kitchen.