Patty Boland’s
This is a place known for its good food and a great selection of beer and other drinks. It’s a step up from some of the other bars closer to campus, while still being able to maintain a relaxed atmosphere with live music. Plus, it’s also located on the nightlife hub of Clarence Street, which means that you can easily head somewhere else if you feel like going on a bar hopping expedition.
—David Campion-Smith, Fulcrum Contributor
Atari
If you’re looking for a bar in ByWard with an upscale feel, sans the pretentious patrons or wait staff, then look no further than Atari. This video game-themed venue offers an incredible rooftop patio that lets you savour the last nights of summer, and an equally fun and trendy indoor setting for when the winter weather blows in. While you’ll easily find the classic drink options, take a walk on the wild side with the Atari sangria, featuring sake, ginger, and cucumber, or the sweetheart—a fun twist on the classic Carrie Bradshaw-style cosmo.
—Savannah Awde, Editor-in-Chief
Tequila Jacks
Tequila Jacks (TJs) is one of those bars that you frequent in first year and try to forget you ever went to during the rest of your time at the U of O. Between the mostly underage/barely legal clubgoers, the long lines for drinks that cause your buzz to completely wear off, and the ridiculous size of the bar itself that makes it incredibly easy to lose all of your friends, TJs is definitely on my “skip it” list for ByWard Market bars.
—Allegra Morgado, Social Media Coordinator
Barefax
Now, I’m not saying that Barefax is a bad strip club. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But after taking a trip to see what the clubs offer in Gatineau, in terms of the production values and the quality of the dancers, it’s really hard for me to go back. Plus, if you’re a freshman, you should probably stay away from these kinds of places in general—seasoned dancers can easily sniff out a rookie and drain them of all their cash… not that I would know anything about that personally.
—Kyle Darbyson, Managing Editor
The Heart and Crown
Even though The Heart and Crown pub is located deep in the bar-heavy ByWard Market, it still stands out from the rest of the crowd. It’s also huge, which is awe-inspiring for those of you who are only used to little hole-in-the-wall joints. There is a bar at the front with seating that has live music, a bar in the middle that has booths and more seating, and then there’s a bar at the very back with a huge dance floor and a patio out back. It’s really a sight that needs to be seen to be believed.
—Alexa-Eliza Carter, Features Editor
