How is nightlife in Ottawa?

Question

Especially for people perhaps 18-25?

Answer 1

Depends on what you like. I happen to think it is pretty bad but I'm a fan of clubs that are a little more upmarket. Ottawa keeps opening places that try to serve this demographic but they all fail miserably. If you are into the get drunk for cheap while wearing jeans and a ball cap then Ottawa has plenty of that.  We have plenty of Irish Pubs which are fun sometimes.

If you add some details to your question such as what scene you are into? What kind of bars/ clubs you are interested in I'll update my answer with more specific information.

Answer 2

It's decent.  Perhaps not as lively as someplace like Montreal, but with two universities, there's enough activity in that age range.

Ottawa's nightlife is mostly centered on the Byward Market and Elgin street, both of which lie on the eastern edge of downtown.

There's generally a mix of styles downtown, but Irish pubs are probably predominant.  There are some more trendy clubs as well, and a few comedy places.

The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19, though -- and it's more strongly enforced here than some other places.    Many of the 18-year-olds will take the short trip across the border to Quebec, where the age is 18.

It's enough to not get horribly bored living here, and if you're going to school you'll have fun -- but I wouldn't move/visit here for the nightlife alone.