Rainbow Bistro
Live Blues
Back to Rainbow Bistro
The Rainbow is Ottawa's best known and longest operating jazz and blues bar. It is located in the Byward market, a lively part of town, and is easy to find. It offers great music by talented musicians who come from all over North America. The cover charges are reasonable and the drinks don't cost an arm and a leg. At the same time, the place has needed a good renovation for a decade. The seats are old and uncomfortable. Overall it is small, with lousy seating in terms of being able to see the bands that play (lots of pillars to block the view). Only fair acoustics and loud bands make it difficult to talk to someone sitting right next to you. The upstairs pool table should have been retired fifteen years ago. The worst part is the washrooms which are so tiny and dirty you would think you were in a third world country. So, go for the music, but don't expect much else!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Apr 01 2005
I liked the atmosphere, doorman, bartender, and especially the band. The place really rocked and the price of booze wasn't prohibitive 4 me & I met a really cool chick there. I will b back!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Feb 25 2005
The staff at the Bow are very friendly, and the music ranges from Reggae to Rock, from Blues to Jazz, depending on the night. Sundays there's always Bellyfull Sound spinning beats, which is one of Ottawa's most eclectic mixes. There's a pool table above if the boys get restless, and there's always room for the girls to dance. I have been to the rainbow many times, and they were always good.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 27 2004
Live Blues
Back to Rainbow Bistro
The Rainbow is Ottawa's best known and longest operating jazz and blues bar. It is located in the Byward market, a lively part of town, and is easy to find. It offers great music by talented musicians who come from all over North America. The cover charges are reasonable and the drinks don't cost an arm and a leg. At the same time, the place has needed a good renovation for a decade. The seats are old and uncomfortable. Overall it is small, with lousy seating in terms of being able to see the bands that play (lots of pillars to block the view). Only fair acoustics and loud bands make it difficult to talk to someone sitting right next to you. The upstairs pool table should have been retired fifteen years ago. The worst part is the washrooms which are so tiny and dirty you would think you were in a third world country. So, go for the music, but don't expect much else!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Apr 01 2005
I liked the atmosphere, doorman, bartender, and especially the band. The place really rocked and the price of booze wasn't prohibitive 4 me & I met a really cool chick there. I will b back!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Feb 25 2005
The staff at the Bow are very friendly, and the music ranges from Reggae to Rock, from Blues to Jazz, depending on the night. Sundays there's always Bellyfull Sound spinning beats, which is one of Ottawa's most eclectic mixes. There's a pool table above if the boys get restless, and there's always room for the girls to dance. I have been to the rainbow many times, and they were always good.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 27 2004
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