Sports bars in Ottawa
There's a specific kind of joy in watching a big game shoulder to shoulder with strangers who instantly become friends when your team scores. Ottawa has 40 sports bars where you can do exactly that. Below are the real spots — names, addresses, what kind of place each one is — plus how to pick the right one for game day. Names you'll see below include Le Pêle Mêle, Hometown Sports Grill, La Cage – Brasserie sportive, and 37 more across town.
The sports bars scene in Ottawa
We indexed 40 sports bars in Ottawa. The scene leans American Restaurant, Restaurant and Pizzeria. You'll find them in Gatineau, Orléans, Glouchester. Le Pêle Mêle (Sports Bar) on 47 Rue Laval (Rue Aubry). Hometown Sports Grill (Sports Bar) on 1525 BANK St. La Cage – Brasserie sportive (Sports Bar, Gastropub) on 325 Boulevard Gréber.
Sports bars in Ottawa
Le Pêle Mêle
A sports bar 1.5 km from central Ottawa.
Hometown Sports Grill
A sports bar 5.0 km from central Ottawa.
La Cage – Brasserie sportive
A gastropub spot 6.4 km from central Ottawa.
Forum
A sports bar 4.1 km from central Ottawa.
Jonny Canuck's Bar & Grill
A american restaurant spot 19.0 km from central Ottawa.
Broadway Bar & Grill
A karaoke bar spot 7.4 km from central Ottawa.
Jack Astor's
A restaurant spot 2.5 km from central Ottawa.
Broadway Bar & Grill Portobello
A sports bar 18.9 km from central Ottawa.
Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery - Iris
A restaurant and brewery spot 10.5 km from central Ottawa.
The Prescott
A restaurant spot 2.3 km from central Ottawa.
Bell Sensplex
A hockey stadium and event space spot 21.3 km from central Ottawa.
La Cage – Brasserie sportive
A gastropub spot 6.4 km from central Ottawa.
Local Heroes Bar & Grill
A sports bar 7.4 km from central Ottawa.
St. Louis Bar & Grill
A restaurant spot 7.1 km from central Ottawa.
The Senate Sports Tavern & Eatery
A sports bar 1.1 km from central Ottawa.
How to pick a sports bar in Ottawa
Screens beat everything.
Count the TVs before you count the taps. A good sports bar has sightlines from every seat — if you have to crane your neck, keep walking.
Sound matters for big games.
Playoff games and finals deserve a bar that turns the sound on. Call ahead if the game matters to you; the best bars advertise which matches they're showing.
Arrive early for the big ones.
Championship games, derbies and rivalry matches fill sports bars an hour before kickoff. The regulars know this. Now you do too.
Food is part of the deal.
Wings, nachos, burgers — sports-bar food is its own cuisine. Kitchens get slammed at halftime, so order before the break.
Common questions
What is the best sports bar in Ottawa?
The honest answer depends on your team and your vibe — some bars are built for football crowds, others for hockey or basketball nights. The listings above show you every option with its address so you can pick by neighborhood and style.
Do sports bars in Ottawa show live games with sound?
Most do for major matches, but policies vary by venue and by game. If sound matters, call the bar ahead of time — especially for finals and rivalry games.
Are sports bars in Ottawa family-friendly?
Many are restaurants first and bars second, especially earlier in the day. Evenings and big fight nights skew adult. When in doubt, go before 7pm.
Photos: Jeangagnon via Wikimedia Commons. Venue listings by 
Foursquare.