Union Local 613

Love love this dining experience. Food is delicious. Cocktails were unique, very good. Service was excellent. We ordered a variety of appetizers which they kindly made a platter for us, making it easier to share. Highly recommend for an enjoyable evening out in Ottawa!!

Drinks and food were tasty and perfectly served. The staff is very friendly and efficient. First time here, but will surely come back. We booked a table, but it was not crowded; I’d say you don’t need to book in advance

Our friends introduced us to this establishment and we were pleasantly surprised. We were able to reserve a table downstairs in The Speakeasy and it was very intriguing indeed. It’s a small and cozy space. The bartender was great with her cocktail creations. You just tell her what you like and she will conjure up a tasty beverage. The food was great as well. I didn’t have their fried chicken which apparently they are known for but the bass that I had was superb! The service was great! The only little gripe I have is that I found it a little too dark for my liking. I realize that it’s part of the ambiance and setting but I would have liked to see more clearly what I was eating 😂 But that’s a minor thing and overall I really enjoyed the experience and will likely return for another go. 😎👍

Ate at Union last night, had a great dinner with my family. The service was friendly and the food was phenomenal, the surprising dish for the night was the boiled peanuts, salty and flavourful. The mains ordered included the fried chicken, duck confit as well as shrimp & grits. Picture below of the grits, they were the table favourite. You gotta try this place out!

A little underated gem in Ottawa. All plates were pretty and extremely tasty. Cocktails and mocktails were crafted deliciousness and beer, whisky and wine selection was great. Service was awesome; warm, funny, effective and knowledgable. Don't think it over, just go there.

had a wonderful dinner with a friend! the cocktails are creative and delicious, food was very tasty and all the servers were lovely and personable. after dinner, we went to the speakeasy bar downstairs which had a very cool vibe!

Staff are definitely professionals at what they do. Excellent drink recommendations. And for the late night happy hour... $1 fries? I love this unpretentious institution.

We had our rehearsal dinner in their intimate speakeasy space call “the staff room” in august 2025. Booking with them via email was a breeze. The night of the event, Eric was our bartender and our server - a busy job, but he met our every need with efficiency, class and expertise. The food was exceptional, the cocktails well worth the price, and the ambiance flawless. Thanks to your whole team for making our night so special.

Spectacular Food was just fantastic, I can't wait to come back here again. Its pricey, its not a value option, but I felt confident that their stuff was all quality. I would totally recommend this place Service was just great, lovely space

Visited for Pride on Saturday while Somerset was closed and sat with a few friends at one of the picnic tables. Fun atmosphere and friendly service. I got a non alch Collective Arts Pale Ale and veggie frito pie (which I think is just a feature of the Pride menu). The frito pie wasn't my personal favourite but was objectively tasty and a big portion served in a fun way.

Just stopped for the bar, but a great place. Bartender was awesome and the ambiance of the 'old house' was great. Will definitely be back!

Great service, the BEST cocktails I've ever tried, and fun vegan options. Love that they change the menu to showcase what is in season and to try new things. Always a treat coming here!

This was a planned dinner so I would recommend booking ahead over the weekend as the place was just packed. They have got the southern look and ambiance down pat imo (sans the weather in winter). There are plenty of signature BBQ items with certain not so common dishes. We ordered the corn bread and fried green tomatoes for the table. I had the beef ribs as main. The other folks ordered shrimp and grits, fried chicken that were well liked. I only tried the corn bread which came piping hot in a pan. Decent imo Beef ribs were ok though not very meaty. I suggest one forget the fork and knife and go stone age and grab the beef ribs and gnaw away. Sauce had a sweet finish with onion on my taste buds. Good but I wouldn't suggest pairing it with red wine. The cocktails were strong from what I was told. Decent alternative to the same old same old places in Ottawa. Give it a try if it sounds enticing. Service is decent here. 3.5 stars

So close to genuine 4 star review. Fried escargo, curry fries were a hit. Fried chicken was good and crispy but needed more flavour. Drinks service and atmosphere were great.

Good ... freakin awesome. The staff great. Ivan the owner is amazing, he get the party going and always has time for the regulars!!! 10stars for customer service and Ivan Great for groups or two people having romantic d

Really enjoyed our dinner here. We were intrigued by the idea of experiencing southern-style home cooking in the speakeasy atmosphere, and we weren't disappointed. It wasn't particularly busy, but we had an early dinner reservation on a Friday. For starters, we had the tasty fried green tomatoes and a dish of boiled peanuts, which were a nice accompaniment to our local craft beer. They're served warm and are soft, with more of a pea-like taste rather than peanut flavoured - similar to eating edameme in their shells. My partner enjoyed the tomatoes so much that she ordered the vegetarian Crispy Seitan Sandwich, which was very tasty, and included fried green tomatoes in it. On staff recommendations, I ordered the special brisket in root beer served with mashed and Swiss chard. The first bites were tasty, though not as tender as other slow cooked brisket that I've tasted - this one definitely needed a knife. Unfortunately, the cut I was served was also 3/4 fat, and the chef confirmed this when the waiter returned it to the kitchen. No problem, though, as they were very gracious to offer me a replacement. As I had been torn between ordering the special or their popular pork belly, I asked if I could try that instead, and again, they generously agreed. This popular menu item was very flavourful and tender, with the perfect balance of lean meat and fat. Served with a mango slaw, it was apparent why this was a regular favourite. There is plenty of variety on the menu, and the service is excellent. The decor is eclectic with the walls adorned with interesting art pieces from local artists displayed for sale. I'd certainly recommend trying Union Local 613.

Atmosphere - 5 Food - 4 Price - 4 Service - 4 The chicken is so juicy and good. Id like a little more flavor beyond the skin but its really good. The cornbread is savory. As in not sweet. Personally I like my cornbread sweet. Get the grits or lemon spatzele if you can. I love the ambience here. Upstairs is buzzing with laughter & great conversation. Its cozy but not to small. The speakeasy downstairs has a more intimite feel and is freaking awesome. Yo! The boiled peanuts seemed weird at first but they are damn good. Next time we are in Ottawa we will try something else.

Location: Downtown. We scored a parking spot just around the corner, but I think that might be a rare occurence! The place: We stopped by here for lunch on a Sunday (yesterday) and didn't have to wait for a table. I think their interior dining area is closed so I didn't see inside - we stat out on the patio, which is relatively small. Tables facing the street have a trellis so you don't see people walking by, which I quite liked. The goods: I tried the fried chicken and asked if I could swap the waffle for fries and it wasn't a problem. The chicken was great - the maple glaze was so good - it had the perfect combination of sweetness and spiciness (which I didn't expect!). The home fries were also great though I would have liked a bit more seasoning. I tried their ginger beer but felt that the ginger was lacking. You couldn't really Tate the ginger. My friend ordered the burger and was happy with it. Service: OK Price point: With taxes and tip, both orders came out to $54 in total.

An Ottawa gem. Expect mason jars and thick beards EVERYWHERE. I had to celebrate (and pay) for dinner for both my hard-to-impress brothers and my sisters' in law for their birthdays....and wanted them to enjoy something unique and special and fun...a place none of them had been yet in Ottawa. I hadn't been to UL613 in more than 5 years... Not sure why - I enjoyed it the few times I had been. The place was slammed this Saturday night. The booze was flowing - Old Fashioned was nice. Boiled peanuts to tide us over (I love this slimy salty shit)... We ordered all the appetizers (broccoli, duck hearts, deviled eggs). Each were different and excellent. Mains were very filling and wonderful. Southern DownHome Cookin'. Fried Chicken...Brisket...all perfectly cooked. Cornbread and grits sides were scrumptious. We had a nice doggy bag to take home - everything tasted great the next day, too!!! The service was quite slow and the servers knew it - but they took excellent care of us. Restaurant 101 - this is why they reached ahead and got that extra star from me. 100% will return.

I always have a great experience here, this is one of my top recommendations for drinks anytime I'm asked. The cocktails are amazing, the bartender in the staff room always gives great service and makes delicious, original cocktails depending on your preferences! Great ambience, good food, friendly service

What seems like someone's house is actually a cozy casual restaurant that offers southern food. The round midnight cocktail was fantastic! If you are in during the fall, Make sure to order this. Warm, cozy, yet never too boozy in profile. The brown butter leaves me licking my lips, while the apple and orange give a lovely high tone of fruit. Broccoli is solid, but there's nothing special about it. The true flavor comes from the cashew cheese. Possibly the best cashew cream I had. Not only did it taste cheesy, but there was still a distinct nuttiness. The sesame seeds on top only further enhance the oily nuttiness. The kimchi offered such a unique flavor. Although it sounds strange, it tasted like it was fermented in grapefruit juice. There was this delightfully funky taste to it, although it took me off guard at first bite. The chicken is good, but it's not amazing. The moment I saw the skin, I knew it wasn't going to be amazing. It definitely looks like homemade breading, which isn't a bad thing, but it's also a lot easier for the crunch to get soggy. The white meat was surprisingly moist ,but it's still gonna taste like white meat breast, which is quite conservative. The dark meat had a nice gamey flavor, without feeling offal. The homemade hot sauces feel like they were thrown together at the last minute without much care. Each sauce was quite accurate in its description, minus the scotch bonnet peach. It was way more peppery than fruity. The garlic jalapeño was quite Garlicy, and the ancho lime was super muddy and bitter in the low tones. The birds eye chili vinaigrette wasn't anything to call home about. Overall, I had a good time, but compared to what else is available, I don't see myself visiting here again. If you live in the area, then you'll end up here mostly because there are no other viable options for southern food.

Came here for dinner once and was really quite impressed by it all. Fantastic fried chicken. Get the grits, get the cornbread. Friendly service and nice bourbon drinks.

Union Local 613 came highly recommended but we were disappointed. The drink menu looked interesting with many innovative choices but the dinner menu left almost nothing for a vegetarian to eat. Even the shrimp and grits had pork in it. We would have stayed for happy hour and tried the fried green tomatoes (one of my very favorite dishes) and interesting drinks.... but the waiter left us unattended and ignored for a very looong time. When we decided to leave and try another place to eat with more fish and/or veggies on the menu, we couldn't find anyone around to tell and nobody even noticed our departure.

Came by for dinner the other night and it was surprisingly mediocre. I was amazed that the main course took ~ 2 hours to arrive. As a result, our entire visit took ~3 hours! Started off with boiled peanuts which were pretty moist and wet?!? The house made cola tasted off... Moved on to the dry cured ham which was probably the highlight of the meal. It was moist and flavorful. The 12 hour flank steak was decent as it was pretty moist and medium rare as requested. Portion size was on the small size. Their side of vegetables was also odd.. The fried cherry and lavender pie for dessert was also mediocre. The lavender was definitely a unique and odd twist to a pie. Restaurant seemed to have been a converted house in the downtown area. Service was friendly by the staff.

Hipster atmosphere, pretty deco, huge portions, great food and friendly staff. We got seated right away after arriving around 11am on a Sunday. We ordered the chicken waffles and the maple sausage patty. It came with so much food! The maple sausage was amazing. It came topped with a gravy sauce that had more meat in it, 2 sausage patties over buttermilk biscuits, 2 eggs and more home fries than you can ask for. The chicken waffles wasn't your normal fried chicken, but it was a boneless chicken patty (something like that). I actually prefer this - it makes eating it so much easier - no need to pick out bones! The paintings on the wall at this place were all for sale - I thought that was a cute touch.

Had a great breakfast here, a brisket eggs Benedict concoction. Was delicious and nicely complimented by a breakfast beer. Also very much appreciated both the service and atmosphere. Prices weren't cheap though.

The drinks and boiled peanuts are killer. Service is conversational and attentive. The decor is really hip and they have great art on the walls. I just felt like they should have more lighting. The meals were quite delicious. The cornbread was very moist, but more salty than I anticipated. My friend had their chicken drumsticks, which I would like to try next time, they looked pretty killer.

This was my favourite find on a recent work trip to Ottawa. I love pretty much everything about this restaurant - the layout (in a building that looks like a house), the ambiance (dimly lit, kind of hipster with mason jars for decor), the food, the drinks (all ingredients made in-house), and the prices. I got the hibiscus rum punch to drink and it was delicious - sweet enough that it went down really easily and tasted delicious, with a nice spice/cinnamon-y flavour. Our waitress for the night was so nice and took time to explain all of the drinks to us and recommending some based on what kind of flavours we liked - she really knew her stuff. Obviously, coming to a "southern/comfort food" place, I had to try the fried chicken here. It's two pieces (a leg and a breast), pepper vinegar, and cabbage slaw, plus you get to pick one side. The dish is only $23, which is a STEAL for the amount of food you get. I didn't use much of the pepper vinegar because it had a bit too much of a kick for me, but I still enjoyed the chicken and slaw for the most part. The chicken was decent, but not the best I've ever had, plus I found the white meat to be just a tad dry. I tried some of the cheddar and roasted garlic grits my co-worker got as his side, and thought the flavours were pretty good, although I didn't really enjoy the texture of the grits that much (I found them too hard.) Let me just talk about the cornbread I got as my side though. It comes in a cast-iron pan with a slab of bourbon brown butter on top... and let me just say, THIS IS AMAZING. I split half of it with my coworker and then regretted it because I wanted more after I was done. I love cornbread, but often times I do find it to be too heavy and dense... this was definitely not the case here. It was the fluffiest cornbread I have ever had, plus the buttery flavour that came up in every bite was heavenly. It didn't feel oily or greasy or soggy at all, it was just some kind of sorcery that made the whole thing feel so light, but also so fragrant and so delicious. I'd come back here just for the bread, honestly. I am definitely going to keep this place in mind for the next time I visit Ottawa. I heard that have a cool speakeasy area, so I would love to return for drinks and food again in the future!

A solid establishment. From the outside its an inconspicuous place that looks like a rundown house. However, once you enter you will realize it's a transformed exposed brick trendy bar and restaurant. I really enjoyed the vibe, which is dark and romantic. It can get a bit loud but never to a level where you can't carry a conversation. We were having dinner on a Tuesday evening and decided to try this place. 1. Drinks: delicious, both alcoholic and no -alcoholic. The sweet rooibos tea was pleasant and only mildly sweetened which I appreciated. 2. Salad: I forgot the full name for this salad, but it's the one with tomatoes and avocados. It's well-portioned and has a variety of very fresh produce. We got this to share (very shareable) 3. Shrimp and grits: I loved this dish. Beware that it's quite spicy. It's also not your traditional shrimp and grit. There is a lot of juice and the grits is hidden under an assortment of shrimp and delicious veggies. I definitely recommend this dish. 4. Fried chicken: a southern classic, it's nonetheless pretty standard here. You get two decently sized pieces and a side of pate-flavored potatoes and mushrooms. I loved this unique flavor combination. 5. Chickpea curry dish: I really liked this dish too. It's vegetarian an quite spicy but very flavorful. I think the thing that clinched it for me were the toasted almonds on top that provided that perfect crunch. 6. White cake with strawberries. Not very sweet. I kind of wished it were sweeter but overall a very light and pleasant way to finish off the meal. Service was great. Again, great place for a date. Apparently in the basement there is a secret gateway to an underground bar area.

The service was really good. Server was super nice and helpful with everything. The food was great and really tasteful. It was pretty busy and lively which is always a plus. Even though this is a small restaurant, we did not feel cramped at all. It was quite cosy. Loved the atmosphere.

It's a hipster's paradise. They have lots of fancy and delicious drinks, an extensive beer and wine list and lots of interesting food (deviled eggs!) but the joint is expensive. They pay their staff a living wage (a fact they love to advertise) and give them benefits, which is beyond awesome and also reflected in the price - a price I am happy to pay. What grinds my gears is the fact that I'm also expected to tip?! If I am paying more in base price to support this awesome initiative then why am I still expected to tip? If you're really paying your staff as well as you obviously like to advertise then tipping to supplement their income should not be required and that fact should also be advertised. The outdoor patio is great, the inside is decorated in a fun manner and they have a hidden bar behind a false bookshelf that literally made my jaw drop. When I go back, I won't let tipping culture compel me to tip. If you're paying your staff as well as you like to advertise then it shouldn't be necessary.

This place used to be pretty good, but has really gone down hill. Unfriendly service and bland food. There are better places with better food nearby.

LOVE this place! The downstairs seating is very dim, loud, but cozy and it is behind a hidden bookshelf. Cocktails are innovative and strong, and service is very friendly and laid-back. Late night food is great! I really enjoyed the chicken wings; the sauce was unique and they were crispy on the outside. Their food in general is tasty and does not disappoint.

Had the chicken and waffles with the housemade ketchup and clover honey. Fantastic. Great atmosphere - late 80's and early 90's music playing in the background pulling at my nostalgic heartstrings! Staff were friendly and attentive - would love to comeback sometime for a drink!

Verdict: a really great atmosphere/ambiance with very well prepared food. So after a recent binge at a few "good food fast" typed establishments, we decided to try something a little more higher end, so we decided on Union 613. When we walked in, we could tell, without really even paying attention, that we were going to be in for a good time. As one of the specialties of the place is their vast array uniquely prepared cocktails, we decided to sit at the bar in order to watch the magic happen, as so it did. We tried a few different cocktails, and all were tasty and unique. The food that we ordered, as per the photos, was all very well prepared, and the service that we received was excellent. This is not a budget friendly restaurant (cost including tip was about $140 for two), however they advertise that they charge a little more than most to ensure a good working environment for their employees, inclusive of a liberal "wear what you want" dress code, and benefits for everyone! If you're looking for great food, and don't mind spending a little extra, give this place a try.

Wasn't sure what to expect, but we weren't disappointed. The place is very nice inside, vintage lighting, very hipster feel. The servers were really nice and helpful. I ordered the chicken and grits, and man was it ever good. The chicken is one piece of white meat and one dark, and it was so crispy and tasty! The grits were amazing, never had anything like them before. We had a really good time here and would go back for sure!

One of my favourite places in town in Union613 The atmosphere food and staff , are all excellent in my books In The area for brunch, whether lunch or dinner I had the chicken and waffles and really good coffee I honestly would say it's a place worth Checking out.

Superb!! Very cozy, stylish, delicious place to go in Ottawa. The experience starts with very well thought through decor and ends with show stoping desert.

Definitely one of my favourite hangout spots in Ottawa. I stumbled upon this place while walking away from Chinatown, and upon seeing the front sign "Union Local", I wasn't really sure of what to expect. After all, it was 10pm already and very few places were still serving dinner at this time. I was pleasantly surprised by the cosy, low-key decor that reeks of retro inspiration. Memorabilia and various pieces of art by local artists were hung on the wall, and the wooden furniture made the small restaurant/bar feel even more welcoming. Low-lit and featuring indie music on the sound system, it definitely struck a chord! The crowd is mainly composed from young twentysomethings sipping on craft beers and eating reinvented finger foods. There are a dinner and a late night menus in order to accommodate all types of diners, but since portions are huge, a tapas was more than enough for me. Food menu consists of comfort food with a twist: I got blue cheese chicken wings, and I shared a fritos pie (think about a burrito's contents served in a bag of Ringolos, OVER Ringolos!). Prices are as expected for his type of place that bases its menu on "reinvented" foods. Beer selection is also awesome, and featured crafts also include Canadian beers--I ordered the Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale and the Red Racer IPA, both from Vancouver. Last but not least, the secret (and not so secret, now...) lounge/speakeasy downstairs, hidden behind a fake bookshelf mounted onto the wall in front of the washrooms entrance. Tucked under the staircase, this very intimate hangout space consists of a few wooden tables and some spots at the bar. Come here for the beers on tap (seasonals, served from a tap that looks like a tree stump) and the creative cocktails! Warning: they're doubles, but who will complain?

Great ambiance, but underwhelming food and cocktails, especially for the relatively high prices. Average service. In terms of ambiance/decor and the selection of food and drinks, this place seems promising -- along the lines of the Drake Hotel or Drake 150 in Toronto, just physically smaller. The basement speakeasy in particular would be great for a date. However, my guest and I found the cocktails and food somewhat disappointing. The cocktails have interesting ingredients as listed on the menu (chanterelle oil for example is inspired), but the ones we tried were all on the sweet to very sweet end of the spectrum, even the one that the waitress recommended as not being sweet. Flavours were mixed together and confused and the overall impression tended towards the bubble gum-like. Prices for cocktails are higher than the Drake Hotel/150 in Toronto as well as similar places in Ottawa (Common Eatery, Citizen/Town, Datsun), so there's really nothing to justify the experience here. Food prices are on the expensive to very expensive side for Ottawa (excepting fine dining establishments). Some of the items were very good (catfish and cornbread; bison tartare), while others were average (the fried chicken was promising but had a burnt quality and was not particularly good without the sauce; the grits were a total failure, a kind of macaroni-and-cheese crossover with undercooked pasta that was hard to finish). Service was mixed. At first the waitress did not seem interested in explaining the beer choices, but another server behind the bar came by and explained them better. The waitress seemed to warm up to our table as the night went on. Final bill was higher than most times I've eaten at the Drake 150 in Toronto's financial district, which puts this place into territory that is too expensive for most people in Ottawa that it's probably targeting. IMHO there are much better options in Ottawa at more reasonable prices with more consistently better food and drinks.

I think this funky new place on Somerset is gonna be a new favourite. Friendly, accommodating staff, fantastic house cocktails, unique decor and atmosphere (check out the graffiti wall and clipboard menus!), a delicious appetizer (deviled eggs, done just a bit differently) and a very ecclectic mix of restauranteurs to jazz the place up made it a fun experience. A bit on the pricy side for eats (as mentioned in the review before me, all sides are separate from mains), but I'll definitely go back to try a full meal soon. The bartender serving us was really great and made a point of introducing herself and asking our names and thoughts on the cocktails she made -- the kind of treatment you can't help but remember and appreciate. One minor thing: a patio would be a great addition, but I understand they weren't able to get a license for this summer. Can't fault the owners on that one. Highly recommend trying this place out.

Amazing service, great food, and great atmosphere especially if you can get out on the patio. Love the quality, the service, the location.

Sooooo we will say this is a 2.5 review which i rarely give. We were sitted promptly, and all very hipster'esque with brown paper towel napkins and alike. My bf and our visiting friend from Montreal...who prefer french can get by in english. Me....playing host to Ottawa to our friend was sadly dissapointed there was no french menu. There is one online, but our friend had forgotten his glasses. When i asked i was told "no one is comfortable translating the menu" then when i pointed out there was one online i got a response of "well it changes daily" Its brunching hour so i asked for a caesar right off the bat. Only to find out they do all their own syrups and tinctures....and would mix me a "not caesar" which i was intrigued with. What i recieved for 15$ was a tiny champagne glass of their magic tonic.....that was not very good. BF ordered a coke, but they made their own that showed up in a mason jar sized cup....that was not very good and $4. Okay so i get what they are going for.....i order the fried chicken and waffles. The chicken was shredded chicken formed into a patty and deep fried.....not much flavour, the waffle was nothing to write about (except here), and the promising flavours of the toppings were lacking. Ive worked in the industry for 10 years so try not to be a bother whilst it being busy. There were 4 tables so i asked our server if we could see the speakeasy, and was informed its only open in the evenings (i chose this place for its uniqueness....felt like i was shut down at every turn.) Granted their homemade ketchup and pineapple hot sauce went great with the meal (that was very under seasoned). So - this is not a terrible experience, i do feel this place is missing its mark. A versatile drink menu for a brunch menu (i get the night cocktail hour drinks), but offering the premium homemade experience solely does exclude a lot of people from the surrounding area that are looking for a brunch experience perhaps a little more elevated, but still go seeking some comforts. The french menu from the website not being publshed as the english one, and given an excuse vice a valid reason i found dissapointing, and whilst the place was next to empty and not being able to even see the speak easy, added to custom made everything without a alternate to a few choice brunch options made this experience...an experience, but not one we will attempt again. Service was prompt, but not personable (could be i was the only anglo at the table.....not sure), and worst of it all we went to McDonalds after as we did not leave full.

Fun atmosphere when you walk in. The decor was playful and I enjoyed the paintings that have been altered. The boiled peanuts while you wait for your meal are a real treat. Our server was fast and friendly. The orders took some time but we had a large group and it is a sit in restaurant. I ordered the burger special which wasn't my favourite since I didn't realise it had pesto on it, but other than that, it was good. I tried a bit of someone's curry and wish I'd gotten that instead. The fried chicken looked like the best meal there and the fries were fantastic. The food was hot and edible which is always a bonus.

i used to get takeout there during the pandemic and it was great. The quality was good and so were the portions. Unfortunaly, it is not the case anymore. the drop in quality and service is stellar. And it makes the price of the food impossible to justify. Would pay half of what they charge at the moment.

Went to this place with a friend for drinks. I had heard of their speakeasy before but thought it was really hard to get into so we planned to go to the upstairs for some drinks. When we got there at about 6:20 pm on a Thursday, the place was already busy. Since they had some difficulty finding us a spot upstairs they offered us to go downstairs to the Speakeasy. The atmosphere was great!! Dim lit, swing music, vintage decorations with a floor board ceiling and the steps visible it was fun and cozy! My friend had a glass of wine and I had a cocktail (i don't remember the name) of bourbon, red wine, cinnamon syrup and sage. It was delicious. I was a bit skeptic when I ordered it but it really was delicious. We stayed for approximately 1.5 hrs and although we only had one drink each the staff were great! Very attentive and nice. The food looked and smelled amazing as well. I would definitely go back to this place and maybe try the food this time!

Gotta say- BRAVO! 4.5 if you consider the great service. Leaving the 613 soon so thought I'd stop by Union and see what people have been raving about. I started out with a sucker punch and it was a fab cocktail, especially along side the boiled peanuts. The hibiscus punch(called Bissap in my home country) was not so great, with a subtle cinnamon trail but not enough sugar quite frankly (I've had these with sugar cane straws and it was another experience altogether). I also tasted the raspberry lemonade and found it to be uneventful. The meals were quite delicious. The cornbread was very moist, but more salty than I anticipated. The southern fried chicken was the best I've had in Ottawa and the catfish was very well seasoned. I wish I had tried the cauliflower macaroni and cheese but the cornbread was filling (even shared). We ended on a dessert- had the red velvet. Gotta say this was my least favourite red velvet anything EVER. tsk tsk. See pictures. I RECOMMEND: The fried chicken. It wasn't my order and I wish it had been. EXTRA TIP: This place, unlike many others, is open on Mondays.

Went for brunch on a Saturday afternoon and was delighted! The brunch menu features really interesting and delicious choices. Great service and a super cool atmosphere. Definitely will be returning, and I am excited to try drinks and the lunch and dinner menus. Update: Returned for after dinner cocktails. So wonderful to sip on delicious drink on their pretty patio! Try the tropical tea, it was delicious.

First time at Union. First a Of all the staff....Awesome!!!! Very attentive without being in your face. The room, warm and inviting with a bit of hipster feeling to it. Great reads on the book shelves. Now for the Best part ... the food... OMG. Try anything on the menu and you tastebuds will go crazy. Over all the best place for brunch!!

Loved the cocktails! Fresh for summer and lots of fun! The serving staff was great and the patio was a great atmosphere!!

When under stress I'm like a small shivering mouse: I just want to crawl into a deep dark hole and regroup. You know, 'cause life and death and blood and soil and love and loss are not often easy things to work through. Union stepped up with a tiny hole for me to scurry into. Secret spaces beyond stacks of dusty spines. Elixirs with house-made everythings. Strong booze-forward drinks (it's off menu, but the bartender made me some sort of artichoke bitters, something-tasty-infused-bourbon drink and it judiciously hit the spot). Mellow tunes. Quiet, vibrant, quirky human creatures. Upright servers. Steamy dish cleaning under Louisiana swamp barge bistro lights. Atmosphere for miles (compressed into a 200'ish square foot footprint). After we downed our drinks, we walked down Somerset to see a sea of shut down restaurants and bars. Don't let Union suffer the same fate. Go belly up to the bar, Molly Brown, and support them so this ship don't sink.

This was a lovely experience. Cool speakeasy with a cool vibe. Interesting menu for both drinks and food. Shane and Tristan were awesome, gave that special treatment and guided us through the menu, helping us find the drinks and snacks that were to suited our tastes.

That was the best fried chicken I've ever had in Ottawa. Union Local 613 could, however, work on their side dishes. You'd think that at $25- $30 / plate, the side dishes would be great - But the the Sangria drink is to die for. Such a nice atmosphere, especially the downstairs portion. The staff is very nice.

This place is one of my Ottawa favourites! I've only ever dined downstairs, so my experience is limited in that way, but I can't recommend this place enough! The decor is meticulous with even the smallest touch adding to the southern, old fashioned theme. This attention to detail extends to their food and drink offerings which offer balanced, creative flavours which offer interesting takes on southern standards. Vegetarians might be found wanting here as most of their dishes have some sort of delicious meat. You can't go wrong with this place.

Loved it, great music food and the drink is just amazing.. Yes they offer boiled peanuts while waiting for your food

Let's say, thank god for yelp. If you're not in the know, you won't know. Even with the address in hand, you're like- is this really the place? We got in with no reservations, and ended up in the speakeasy, which was pretty entertaining in itself. Fantastic drinks from a witty bartender. Great food. Salad, fried chicken, a curry dish, the boiled peanuts. I'm just glad we ended up here with only two nights in town.

It's an experience more than a meal. With a cozy atmosphere on the upper floor and a fun, dark and almost faux-dank atmosphere in the secret room they call the "speakeasy", it's easy to get into this place. The drinks and cocktails are top notch. Most of the ingredients are made in-house (they make their own tonic...) and it shows You'll be hard pressed to find a better selection of top quality booze and high-end cocktails. Don't let that last sentence fool you, the prices are more than reasonable for the quality. As far as food goes, my meal (fried chicken) was quite good, as were the fingerling potatoes. Corn bread was a bit dry, and my GF's pork chop was good but not great. I'd give the food a 7/10 and the drinks 9/10. Go here at least once to dine, then come back fro a few drinks.