I’ve blogged a couple times — here and here – about Christmas and New Year’s activities in the Ottawa region. More and more area establishments are finally posting their menus or their plans for New Year’s Eve, so here’s an update:
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The Heart & Crown's outdoor patio is great in the summer, but you'll want to be inside listening to the live bands on New Year's Eve!
The Heart & Crown (part of a larger collection of establishments known as the Irish Village) is an iconic Irish pub in the ByWard Market neighbourhood, with two stages for live music — one featuring Evolver, the other Monday’s Grace.
- Barrymore’s on Bank Street in downtown Ottawa is hosting a New Year’s Eve bash with DJ Perv, starting at $25.
- If you’ve never seen the Duelling Pianos at Fat Tuesday’s in the ByWard Market, you don’t know what you’re missing! Dave Kalil and Tyler Kealey play old and new favourites and everyone sings along! Great Cajun and Creole food just make it that much more interesting!
- Lago Bar/Grill/View, with its beautiful view of Dows Lake, offers dinner and dancing in a fun atmosphere. See-and-be-seen!
- Foodies will love Chef Michael Hay’s five-course tasting menu in the stone-walled Courtyard Restaurant in the ByWard Market. There are both early and late seatings, at $65 per person. A New Year’s Brunch is served on both January 1 and January 2.
- D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub has several locations in Ottawa, but the downtown flagship at Sparks Street at Elgin Street, is featuring Dustin Jones & the Rising Tide, who promise “Drinking Music you can dance to!” $25 per person includes champagne at midnight, party favours, late night sweets & sandwich buffet and the live band!
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This dessert sampler came from an earlier meal at ZenKitchen but they've got equally good things on tap for New Year's Eve!
More foodie fun awaits at ZenKitchen in Ottawa’s Chinatown, with both a smaller 4-course early seating ($55) and 6-course late seating ($75). Why not start the year off right with a delicious, healthy meal?
- Stella Osteria in the ByWard Market also offers early ($65) and late ($80) seatings.
Happy New Year everyone!
Hi there -
I’m going to be in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve with my son, who’s 9. Are there any family friendly activities or outdoor celebrations to ring in the new year, i.e. fireworks, etc.?
I apologize for not responding in time. In fact, the New Year’s tradition in Ottawa is very based in family and friends. It’s common to host house parties for all ages to attend, or to meet at a restaurant or bar for shared festivities. However, given our climate, it has NOT been the tradition to host large public outdoor all-ages events.
The two most recent exceptions to that rule were when 1999 became 2000 (there were fireworks and a free celebration on Parliament Hill), and when 2006 became 2007 (the National Capital Commission commemorated the 150th anniversary of Ottawa being named the capital of Canada in 1857 with fireworks at 6:57pm (18h57) and midnight).
Of course, given the relatively balmy temperatures we experienced this year, it may have worked to bring people together outside, but that could never have been guaranteed.
I hope you had a very happy New Year nonetheless!
Happy New Year! Thank your for the recommendation. Hope to see you soon.