Lookout Bar

About this place Lookout Bar

The Lookout Bar earns its name from its elevated rooftop patio position near the Byward Market — one of Ottawa's most distinctive gay bar experiences, and one that becomes genuinely spectacular during the warm months when the patio is in full operation. The rooftop format gives the Lookout a different energy from Bank Street's ground-level bars: you are above the street noise, looking out across a section of Ottawa's downtown, with the city spread out as backdrop to your evening. The bar has been a fixture of Ottawa's LGBTQ+ scene for years, attracting a mix of regulars from the gay community and a broader clientele who appreciate both the rooftop setting and the welcoming atmosphere. The Byward Market location — Ottawa's most vibrant neighbourhood of restaurants, bars, and food stalls, operating since 1826 — puts the Lookout within walking distance of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Centre, and the cluster of hotels and accommodations that serve downtown Ottawa's visitors. Inside, the bar operates as a conventional gay bar with themed nights and DJ programming; the rooftop is the feature that sets it apart. During Capital Pride week, the Lookout's patio is one of the most coveted outdoor drinking spots in the city — the combination of rooftop views and Pride energy is hard to replicate.