We had just gotten into town and needed a place to unwind and enjoy a couple drinks. This place was perfect for that. The atmosphere was relaxed and the bartender was friendly and attentive. They had plenty of board games to play which is a completely underrated bar amenity. The laff seemed like an appropriate place to be no matter your age or motivation for the night; the people watching is... more

It would be unfair of me to give the Laff two stars based on the country/folk music that's played every Saturday only because it's not my favourite, so this review is more so based on the flooded and dirty women's washroom, stinky B.O. aroma, and dirty atmosphere in general. The regulars are actually lots of fun and they do create a real community-like spirit in the place, but I've just never... more

Justin the bartender is a great guy who knows his regulars and knows how to keep his customers happy. Very unassuming place to go for a drink and relax after work. Yuppie free atmosphere, and barely any scent of axe body spray on way in the door.

I came to Ottawa to visit a couple friends from college for good times, beer and poutine. Although I went across the street for poutine (and ate it here) I had a lot of the other two.

We arrived early on Saturday afternoon and got a table near the jukebox, but more comfortable to stand. Stayed for numerous pitchers, the bartender and staff were friendly and quick, even when The Lucky Ron Show... more

This is my favorite in Ottawa by far. It's the best hole you'll ever have an amazing time at.

It is what you make of it. Came in with a few buds, crowd was friendly. Jenga, 1L bottles, everyone singing Bohemian Rhapsody and dancing to A-Ha. Solid pick for round 2 of barhopping.

Stopped on for a couple of pints with a friend one weekday afternoon. Small bar, very friendly service. Felt like a foreigner because all of the other patrons seemed to be regulars. ;)

If I lived closer to the market I could see this place being a regular haunt for me.

We enjoyed a couple of Rolling Rock beers.

All the words for LR are superlatives. I am finding iit hard to string them together into coherent paragraphs so here are a bunch of impressions. If they appeal to you, run to the Laff next Saturday. The legendary Lucky Ron hasn't missed a Saturday in 20 (?) years but I am kicking myself that yesterday was my first visit.

- The Lucky Ron show is not just a guy, it's an experience. Cast members... more

Oh the Laff, it's quickly becoming my go to bar in the market. It's a friendly local watering hole with good beer prices and drinking board games. It's one of the only places I know of where I can drink a quart of 50 and play drinking Jenga. It isn't the cleanest bar in town, and the "kitchen" consists of going to the neighboring Quizno's, but once you are here, you really don't care, it's not... more

The wonderful owners and patrons of this bar tolerated my large group of 15 people until closing time. We were sending a colleague off before her retirement and this joint suited us perfectly! There is something to be said for closing the oldest bar in Ottawa.

Commonly known as "The Laff" this place is one of the oldest establishments in Ottawa. It was founded in 1849 and I don't think it's changed much.

No one judges you and if you're looking for the Chateau Laurier you've come to the wrong place!

The best nights are Wednesday or Saturday afternoon.

John Carroll plays every Wednesday night and will simply blow you away. Saturday is the big party... more