The Carleton Tavern

Located in the midst of the Parkdale Market, the Carleton Tavern opened in 1934. It’s currently run by brothers Simon and Sam Silankey, who were raised along with their siblings next door in a tiny apartment above the Ugly Club diner, which they also used to run with their father. For years, the tavern was part of the diner, which served up one of the finest breakfasts around. The Silankeys closed the diner down in 2006, opening up a smaller version inside the tavern itself, where you can still go for your weekend beer and breakfast, if starting early (or finishing late) is your thing. The place features dart tournaments, playoffs on the big screen television, various bands, and even the odd poetry reading. They also host an annual street party, as well as an annual Christmas dinner.
223 Armstrong St., 728-4424

The Black Sheep Inn

A 20-minute drive north over the Quebec border (or a steam train ride away), the Black Sheep Inn features some of the best quality music in the Ottawa area, including a range of musicians both established and on their way up: Emm Gryner, Jim Cuddy, Garnet Rogers, Lynn Miles, Kathleen Edwards, Atomic 7, Jim Bryson, and Tammy Raybould. If you want to know what everyone will be listening to in a year’s time,
come here. Be sure to check out the Temperance restaurant situated below the club, and then perhaps stay the night in one of their cozy rooms upstairs. Recently, after much demand, the Inn has started a carpool service from downtown Ottawa, so be sure to check the website to make arrangements.
216 River Rd., Wakefield, Quebec, 819-459-3228

Viva Johnny Vegas

Who else could turn a lounge act originally meant as a joke into a career? Johnny Vegas has been a fixture on the Ottawa club scene for years; from the Bingo Jet International nights at Zaphod Beeblebrox in the mid-1990s or more recently as “himself” (he’s been known to still answer to “JP”), working the DJ angle at Barrymore’s 80s nights. Since then, he’s turned his own solo show into a regular act, channeling the Rat Pack days of Sammy Davis Jr and old Blue Eyes himself, at places such as Maxwell’s Bistro on Elgin Street.