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Best Irish Pubs in Ottawa: 12 Irish Pubs Worth Visiting This Year
Ottawa’s Irish pub scene extends far beyond a pint of Guinness and a plate of fish and chips. The city is home to heritage pubs, live music venues, neighbourhood institutions, underground cellars, and long-running community gathering places that have become fixtures of Ottawa nightlife.
As of 2026, these Irish pubs remain some of the strongest places in Ottawa for live music, traditional Irish hospitality, comfort food, craft beer, and late-night socializing. This guide highlights the best Irish pub Ottawa destinations, from iconic downtown venues to hidden neighbourhood favourites. We update this guide regularly as Ottawa’s pub scene evolves and venue information changes.
In this guide
- Quick picks: Irish pubs in Ottawa at a glance
- The best Irish pubs in Ottawa right now
- Tips for visiting Irish pubs in Ottawa
- Frequently asked questions about Irish pubs in Ottawa
- More Ottawa guides worth exploring
Quick picks: Irish pubs in Ottawa at a glance
1. D’Arcy McGee’s Ottawa
An iconic Sparks Street Irish pub overlooking the National War Memorial.
2. Heart & Crown Irish Pub Cellar Sessions
One of Ottawa’s best-known Irish pub complexes with underground live music spaces.
3. Brigid’s Well
A hidden Irish pub beneath a former church with regular trad music sessions.
4. Aulde Dubliner & Pour House
A ByWard Market institution featuring multiple patios and live music.
5. Patty’s Pub
Ottawa’s oldest continuously operating Irish-style pub.
The best Irish pubs in Ottawa right now
1. D’Arcy McGee’s Ottawa
Located on Sparks Street directly across from the National War Memorial, D’Arcy McGee’s occupies one of the most recognizable pub locations in Ottawa.
The Irish-themed interior, weekend live music, large patio, and proximity to Parliament Hill make it especially popular with visitors and downtown workers alike. Few Ottawa pubs offer a setting quite like this.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Sparks Street location and live music
📍 Location: 44 Sparks Street
⭐ Vibe: Iconic, lively
2. Heart & Crown Irish Pub Cellar Sessions
Heart & Crown has been one of Ottawa’s nightlife institutions for decades.
Its underground cellar spaces host live music beneath the main pub, creating a distinctly different atmosphere from the street-level venues found throughout the ByWard Market. The combination of Irish music, stone walls, and late-night energy makes it one of Ottawa’s most recognizable Irish pub experiences.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Underground live music sessions
📍 Location: 67 Clarence Street
⭐ Vibe: Cultural, energetic
3. Brigid’s Well
Brigid’s Well may be Ottawa’s most unique Irish pub.
Hidden beneath a former nineteenth-century church, the venue has no obvious street-level signage beyond a blue light above the entrance. Inside, visitors find stone walls, Irish whiskey, stout, and regular traditional Irish music sessions.
The atmosphere feels genuinely Irish rather than themed.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Historic church basement setting
📍 Location: 310 St. Patrick Street
⭐ Vibe: Hidden gem, authentic
4. Aulde Dubliner & Pour House
The Aulde Dubliner remains one of the ByWard Market’s most recognizable pubs.
Its Irish-built bar, multiple patios, mezzanine balcony, and regular live music schedule make it a favourite for both visitors and locals. The elevated balcony overlooking the Market entrance adds a feature few Ottawa pubs can match.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Live music and Market views
📍 Location: 62 William Street
⭐ Vibe: Popular, iconic
5. Patty’s Pub
Established in 1975, Patty’s Pub is widely recognized as Ottawa’s oldest continuously operating Irish-style pub.
Now connected to Ashton Brewing Company, the pub serves house-brewed craft beer alongside classic Irish-inspired pub fare. Live music, a fireplace, and a strong neighbourhood following continue to drive repeat visits.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Historic Irish pub atmosphere
📍 Location: 1186 Bank Street
⭐ Vibe: Local favourite, classic
6. Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Pub
This Wellington West institution has hosted weekly Irish music sessions since 2002.
The small, welcoming space attracts a loyal local crowd, while weekend brunch and live music nights give visitors multiple reasons to stop by. The pub’s size contributes to its intimate atmosphere.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Weekly Irish trad sessions
📍 Location: 1211 Wellington Street West
⭐ Vibe: Cozy, neighbourhood-focused
7. Quinn’s Ale House
Operating from the original Patty’s Pub location, Quinn’s Ale House continues the Irish pub tradition in Old Ottawa South.
Regular Celtic music sessions, open mic nights, and a strong craft beer selection help create a lively community atmosphere. The intimate size encourages conversation and repeat visits.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Celtic music and craft beer
📍 Location: 1070 Bank Street
⭐ Vibe: Hidden gem, community-focused
8. Connors Irish Pub & Eatery
Connors serves as one of the strongest Irish pub options in Orleans.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night service make it a true community gathering place rather than simply a nightlife venue. Family ownership and house-made dishes reinforce its neighbourhood appeal.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Family-owned Irish hospitality
📍 Location: 2401 St. Joseph Boulevard
⭐ Vibe: Welcoming, local
9. Liam Maguires
Liam Maguires offers a larger-format Irish pub experience in Ottawa’s east end.
Comfortable seating, sports viewing, a spacious patio, and generous portions attract a broad mix of guests throughout the week. The pub remains particularly popular for game days and after-work gatherings.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Irish sports pub atmosphere
📍 Location: 1705 St. Laurent Boulevard
⭐ Vibe: Relaxed, social
10. The Manx Pub
While not strictly an Irish pub, The Manx deserves consideration for visitors who appreciate traditional pub culture.
Located below street level on Elgin Street, it combines craft beer, Scotch, quality food, board games, and a long-standing connection to Ottawa’s arts community.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Craft beer and pub culture
📍 Location: 370 Elgin Street
⭐ Vibe: Creative, understated
11. Irene’s Pub
Irene’s has been a Bank Street institution since 1985.
The venue’s live music programming, local atmosphere, and hidden patio make it one of Ottawa’s most respected independent pubs. While not Irish-focused, many visitors exploring Ottawa’s pub scene include it on the same itinerary.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Live music and neighbourhood atmosphere
📍 Location: 885 Bank Street
⭐ Vibe: Cultural, relaxed
12. Heart & Crown Irish Pub Complex
Beyond its cellar sessions, the broader Heart & Crown complex remains one of Ottawa’s largest and busiest Irish pub destinations.
Multiple rooms, live entertainment, and a central ByWard Market location continue to make it a nightlife staple.
Good to know
🔥 Known for: Large Irish pub complex
📍 Location: ByWard Market
⭐ Vibe: Lively, iconic
Tips for visiting Irish pubs in Ottawa
Live music nights are often the busiest times to visit, particularly at Heart & Crown, Brigid’s Well, Aulde Dubliner, and Daniel O’Connell’s.
Arrive early if you want a patio table during summer weekends.
If you’re interested in traditional Irish music, Brigid’s Well and Daniel O’Connell’s typically offer the most authentic experiences.
Visitors staying downtown can easily combine D’Arcy McGee’s, Aulde Dubliner, Heart & Crown, and Brigid’s Well in a single evening.
Frequently asked questions about Irish pubs in Ottawa
What is the most famous Irish pub in Ottawa?
Heart & Crown and D’Arcy McGee’s are among Ottawa’s most recognizable Irish pub brands.
Where is D’Arcy McGee’s in Ottawa?
D’Arcy McGee’s is located at 44 Sparks Street directly across from the National War Memorial.
What are the best Irish pubs near Sparks Street?
D’Arcy McGee’s is the most prominent Irish pub on Sparks Street and is surrounded by many downtown attractions.
Are there Irish pubs in Barrhaven?
While Barrhaven has several pubs and restaurants, the strongest Irish pub destinations in this guide are concentrated in downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market, Old Ottawa South, Orleans, and Wellington West.
What is the most unique Irish pub in Ottawa?
Brigid’s Well stands out thanks to its location beneath a former church and its focus on traditional Irish music and culture.
More Ottawa guides worth exploring
Best Ottawa Pubs: Compare historic taverns, neighbourhood institutions, and local favourites serving great food, beer, and atmosphere across the city.
Best Bars in Ottawa: Discover cocktail bars, hidden gems, rooftop venues, and nightlife destinations throughout Ottawa.
Ottawa Breweries and Craft Beer Destinations: Explore local breweries, taprooms, brewpubs, and some of the city’s best craft beer experiences.
Ottawa Nightlife Venues and Ideas: Find live music venues, pubs, bars, breweries, and unique nightlife experiences across Ottawa.
Ottawa’s Irish pub scene continues to thrive thanks to a mix of historic institutions, neighbourhood gathering places, and music-focused venues. We update this guide regularly as pub offerings, live music schedules, and venue details evolve.
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