Dominion Tavern

Bar · ByWard Market

Dominion Tavern

Bar · ByWard Market

1

33 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, Canada

Photos

Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by Dominion Tavern/Facebook
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null
Dominion Tavern by null

Highlights

Venerable, easygoing stop with a back patio offering ample brews, pool tables & live music.  

Featured in Eater
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33 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, Canada Get directions

tavern.ca
@dominiontavern

$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

33 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7, Canada Get directions

+1 613 241 7706
tavern.ca
@dominiontavern
𝕏
@dominion_tavern

$ · Menu

Features

dine in
delivery
wifi
payment cash only
reservations

Last updated

Mar 5, 2025

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@eater

"The Dominion is the Byward Market’s ever-reliable rock ‘n’ roll dive bar, replete with Pabst on tap (plus a few craft options for the snobs), and multiple pool tables. It regularly hosts shows, too." - Tim Forster

The Best Bars and Pubs in Ottawa and Gatineau - Eater Montreal
View Postcard for Dominion Tavern

Ash Soanes

Google
One of a kind dive bar & an Ottawa institution. The definitive jaunt for all flavours punk, metal, and alternative music in the Byward Market, with chill vibes and strong anti-establishment spirit. Also the home of some of the nicest people in town.

Emma Schuster

Google
Very friendly staff and patrons, great prices, and wonderful music. Pretty decent bar bathrooms as well, which is always a plus! Be prepared to pay cash (multiple ATMs on site).

Fabian Brüllhardt

Google
Awesome metal bar and very friendly staff! If you like heavy metal, you're gonna love this bar!

Billy Akavak

Google
Pool tables are not leveled, but that didn't stop us from playing. Good music, friendly staff.

Renae Martin

Google
Great place for drinks and some pool, though the tables were definitely not level. Bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful.

Kasia Sanscartier

Google
I've never had a bad experience here. The shows are sick, the staff is good & the drink prices are fair. My go-to spot in Ottawa!

Jen Duff

Google
The staff always welcomes me with arms wide open and takes my mood to a place higher. I always make sure to tip highly for the friendly staff and my sacrifice is appreciated.

phillip turner

Google
Alway's a good time. Great staff, friendly customers. I was there recently and forgot my jacket with valuables, called the next day, they had my jacket and all my valuables were there. 10+ staff and customers!!! If you're looking for a trendy place, this is not for you. If you're looking for a place that will treat you as you treat the staff, this is the place for you. Punk rock, metal and rock is one the menu.Great ontario microbrews and shots. Great little patio out back for those hot summer nights. Unfortunately it's not wheelchair accesible as far as I know.

Neil c.

Yelp
The Dom is arguably the best bar in the Byward Market, and maybe even the best in all of Ottawa. The bartenders are friendly, the drinks are cheap and it's one of the few places in the market that actually serves quarts. The small glasses offered with their pitchers also make me feel like I'm drinking a lot more than I actually am. This is classic tavern decor - dark and not what you'd call fancy. The re-done restrooms are a plus, and the outdoor patio is great in the summer. In terms of negatives, this isn't a bar for everybody. It's a bit rough around the edges, and for some people appearances are everything. Nonetheless the bar has a tv, a pool table, and an ATM. It's a great place to go and drink with the boys. I recommend you try it with some friends at least once if you live in Ottawa.

Jessica L.

Yelp
We were here last evening for a live show, and i enjoyed myself. There's a variety of seating, the drinks are actually reasonably priced for being in the market. The staff were friendly and made very good drinks. The bands were good and loud. Definitely a chill place to hang out, with some cool artwork strewn about. They also have pool tables on non live show nights :). I'll definitely add this to my bar crawl list. Definitely a dingy metal head kind of place and that's said with love! If you want upscale and snobby, Definitely not for you lol.

Rhys H.

Yelp
Stopped by to get off my feet as this place had good reviews and I couldn't have asked for more. Lots of character, cheap beer seems like a great place to chat with whoever. Would recommend

Jon A.

Yelp
Best goddamn bar in Ottawa. There's a goddamn NASCAR sidewall and fenders hanging from the ceiling.

Ana V.

Yelp
I really like this place. Punk music, cheap beer on tap and awesome location. The bartenders are nice as well. But as you might guess, it is not a place for everybody.

Warren F.

Yelp
The Dom, Dominion, ah yes the classic dive bar. Back in the 90's, mid to late, i spent many a night drinking, playing pool, socializing here. A mist visit, any time I'm in Ottawa, as the memories pour forth like the draught. Please don't ever change.

Amanda D.

Yelp
This isn't a bar for everyone, but if you like dirty vibes, an eclectic clientèle, pool and huge bottles of beer, then you've come to the right place. I like this place because I enjoy a bar with character. You can come to be a tourist or strike up a conversation with someone you may not otherwise befriend outside the Dom's doors. The beers are cheap, the music isn't Top 40, sports are often playing on the TV and the back patio seems to be exclusively devoted to smoking. Patrons can also kill some time playing pool, darts or the various board games stashed under the television's stand. Of course, it's also a neighbour of Barefax strip club. If you're hungry after a night of drinking, head over to Sasha's chip wagon next door for some delicious poutine.

Tom R.

Yelp
Oh the Dom, how many hangovers have started here? When I am in the market my evenings usually start or end (or sometimes both) at either the Dom or the Laff. The Dom is one of the better dive bars around and a great punk bar. The people are super friendly, the beer is cheap, and the music is good, what more can you ask for in a dive bar? The beer selection is good (at least a half dozen taps of mostly microbrew) plus quarts. They have a great secluded patio at the back that used to be the smoking area, but now that smoking is banned on patios it should be nicer. They do have food, I ate the food once, it's not amazing, but you don't go there to eat, it is a place to drink. They also have renovated the bathrooms, they used to be pretty sketchy but now they are OK. All in all a good place to go out and drink.

Julia M.

Yelp
I like this place. I was drinking alone, in a strange city, it is Halloween night, but dive bars are just so darn comforting! I was having trouble telling who was dressed in their normal gear versus who was in costume. Like, that short guy with a huge beard, was he really an old man or just a short guy wearing a falsie? The chick dressed as Paurappa the rapper, I could thankfully tell was a costume. Beer was cheap, good selection on tap, mohawked bartender, great punk playing. Can't go wrong, unless someone had talked to me, that would of been nice. If I lived in Ottawa, I would frequent.

Rob S.

Yelp
One of the best Dive Bars in Canada ..... and definitely the best in Ottawa !!!! Its been around forever and hasn't been gobbled up by the niche market .... its great .... the beer is cheap, the pool is free on Saturday and Sunday and the crowd is always local and friendly ... What more could you ask for? Music in the background and live once a month this bar is the best for what ails you!!! Go to the Dom and enjoy!!!

Cait L.

Yelp
I have been going to the Dom for the last 8 years and it holds a special place in my heart! A really close college friend took me here to try the pickled cheese and have a quart of beer. Since that day I was hooked! What I love the most about this place is every walk of life hangs out here and everyone seems to get along. It might be because I come from a small town, but this place reminds me a little of home. You can't go wrong with a quart of beer, a knot of pickled cheese (a must try) and a good friend for a night at the Dom!

Jason D.

Yelp
The Dominion tavern, or The Dom, as regulars know it, is a real curiosity in the Byward Market. The Market is a tourist trap designed to lure in upscale yuppies who can tell a merlot from a pinot noir and would actually order either one on a night on the town. The Dom is the antithesis of the Market concept. The Dom is a tavern. Period. It exists to serve beer and hard liquour. Sure, music is blaring in the background, sports are usually playing on the TVs and there is a pool table. But, the core of the Dom is the drinkin'. I ended up there one night only because my brother-in-law knows one of the owners. Ordinarily, the likes of me (I talk smack, but I ain't that much of a bad ass) would go elsewhere for drinks and music and sports. But, my brother in law dragged me in and I was pleased to discover a real honest drinking establishment. Shaved heads abound - and those are just the girls! Ha! But seriously, it is a black t-shirt, jeans, Doc Martens kind of scene. But, it is legit. There is nothing phony about the Dom. It is what it is and damn proud of it. Cigar aficionados need not apply. But, if you are a true-blue Canadian who likes to drink and hang with real people, then head out to the Dom tonight. Yeah, tonight. You shouldn't care that its a school night!

Mat S.

Yelp
Loved this, looks a bit rough but very nice atmosphere inside along with the pool tables and great music.

Keith M.

Yelp
It's been years, but the beer was good and cheap, it's a dive with a punk rock crowd, and a few scenes of Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter were filmed here, for Christ's sake! I recall a really drunk, but friendly Canadian patron chatting us foreigners up (my brother and me). The bartender, and I'm guessing/hoping he's still there, has a kick-ass mohawk you could only dream of having. This bar is the tits. Or balls. Depending on your gender/persuasion of course. Ottawa is way out of the way for me, but I'd head here at dusk the first chance I get. Just watch out for the lesbian gobbling vampires if you're a lesbian. Unless you're into that sort of thing.

Dan N.

Yelp
If someone walked up to me in the Market and asked to find a true Canadian drinking establishment, I'd send them to The Dominion. What Jason and Amanda said before me is completely true, but I'd like to add that you can often find interesting bands playing here, of the punk/rock variety.

Chris S.

Yelp
Best bar in the market. Good peeps, good staff and a safe place for the ladies. Lookin for a good time and a chill night come to the D.