If the cold weather is stopping you from going to the bars this winter, you came to the wrong city and the wrong school. Temperatures outside might be frigid, but inside the various bars and clubs in downtown Ottawa, they’re hotter than ever! The bar scene in Ottawa is impressively diverse, with a variety of genres of both people and music to choose from. If you’re wondering what to wear to these different venues, especially in this chilly weather, look no further!
Going out in the winter, especially with Ottawa’s sub-zero temperatures, can be an absolutely brutal experience. Often the cold and snow can convince you to stay in on a Friday night instead of enjoying all the nightlife that Ottawa has to offer. However there are a few handy tricks you can use to combat the cold and still get your bar fix!
Firstly, arrive early. Sure, it might be lame to be in line for the bar at 10:30, but getting there early will ensure that you get in, and will also guarantee that you won’t be standing outside shivering listening to everyone else having a great time inside. Coat check is one of the most annoying parts of going out in the winter, so make sure you bring your loonies and toonies – no one wants to wait while the coat check girl breaks a ten, or worse, a twenty.
Pass over your Canada Goose North Face, or other expensive jacket when heading out this winter, because things can always go missing. Maybe your less expensive jacket is way less cute than your normal one, but no one is going to see it as soon as you’re in the bar. And… better safe than sorry!
If you’re one of those girls (like I am), who struggles to walk in heels in the summer, forgo them altogether in the winter and opt for cute boots instead. By keeping these tips in mind, going out in the winter doesn’t have to be an ordeal.
If you’re heading to a place like Junction, the dress code tends to be a little swankier. So pull out those little black dresses, cute heels, and away you go! Remember for both you and your date that places like this usually don’t allow jeans, sweats or running shoes. While you might think that a stricter dress code is a major inconvenience, especially in the winter, rest assured that these rules are implemented to give your night a touch of class and create an atmosphere that you might not find anywhere else our beloved Byward market.
Some of the more laid-back bars, like Tequila Jacks, Pier21, and Liquor Store, tend to be marketed almost exclusively towards students. Playing fun popular hits all night long, these bars are perfect for a night of rowdy dancing. However, just because the music and atmosphere is laid back, doesn’t mean you should arrive looking like a slob. Without a mandatory dress code, your choices are more varied. Some opt for skirts, heels and dresses, while others choose comfort over class. Because of the more carefree atmosphere of these bars, you’re not obligated to dress to the nines. Throw on some cute jeans and a dressy top, and you’re set! Heels are not required, but again, just because there isn’t a strictly enforced dress code, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t dress to impress!
Venues that tend to fall between these two extremes are places like My Condo and The Drink. While you don’t have to go all-out for these places, make sure you’re still putting your best foot forward. It’s always better to be over-dressed than embarrassingly under-dressed. Take a pass on the jeans and opt for a cute skirt instead, and keep the cute top. Heels aren’t mandatory, and neither are dresses, but you can never go wrong with the classic high-waisted skirt and dressy tank combo!
Just because temperatures are below zero doesn’t mean that you can’t have a great time at the bars and clubs in Ottawa! Bundle up, arrive early, and you’re sure to have a great night. Wherever your chosen destination for the night, make sure you’re dressed appropriately both for the weather and the venue. When you’re wearing a killer outfit, the cold temperatures don’t really seem to matter as much!