Venue Detail
Swizzles Bar & Grill
About this venue
Step down into Ottawa's favorite subterranean secrets and prepare for an injection of pure, unfiltered joy—Swizzles Bar & Grill is the capital city's undisputed champion of no-frills, campy dive-bar cozy. Proudly self-proclaimed as the city’s only "Bias-Free Zone," this underground gem skips the pretentious snobbery of standard downtown lounges to serve as a warm, rowdy home base for everyone under the rainbow. It’s an absolute chameleon of neighborhood fun: one night you are belt-screaming power ballads during their legendary thrice-weekly karaoke sessions with Dog and Pony Sound, the next you are snapping your fingers at local stand-up comedy, throwing dice at gamer nights, or cheering for explosive local drag royalty.
Practical details
Address: 246 Queen Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Monday and Saturday from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Thursday from 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Sunday from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM.
Canonical: https://www.queeratlas.app/ottawa/venues/swizzles-bar-grill--1570
Venue intelligence
Know before you go
Typical queue
Little to no wait time during weekday afternoon or early evening slots. On prime Friday and Saturday dance or karaoke blocks, lines are highly efficient, taking about 2–7 minutes to clear security.
Best night
Drop in on Sundays at 9:00 PM to experience their premier, community-heavy Karaoke Night—famously known as the absolute best and most supportive room for aspiring divas.
Locals vs visitors
A spectacular, intergenerational, and beautifully chaotic kaleidoscope of the human race. You will clink glasses with trans youth, retired civil servants, college-aged lesbians, tech theater geeks, and friendly out-of-town tourists.
Dress code in practice
Ultra-casual and zero-judgment. Come as you are in comfy oversized knits, graphic tees, hoodies, or full-glam stage gear if you're feeling the vibe.
Staff inclusion
Top-tier community gold standard. Officially verified across networks as a robust transgender safe space and explicitly bias-free sanctuary.
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