The Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa
76 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M6, Canada
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Long-standing club offering regular live blues music & cocktails in a lively atmosphere.
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I went there to support a good friend, that with his work colleagues put on probably the best live concert in history. All for charity and my friend Shane and his work mates band absolutely killed it. They sounded fantastic and won first place in the rock show and gave all prize winnings to charity. Ps- not one band member plays music for a living Just for fun Talented lads Bravo guys I’ll go again next year
This blues bar is so intimate and had such an amazing vibe. The band playing had a great sound.. I tried to sit down but they were so good I ended up dancing half the night. Made lots of random friends. Will definitely be back.
Fantastic music venue in the heart of the Byward Market. Serving up jazz, blues, rock, country, and occasional opera. Bartender Neve is a delight!
Love the quaint concert feeling. Very reasonably priced tickets. Serves Blackfly Coolers which is A1 in my books.
Loved the local music players..Ottawa guita Trio and Magic Machine were fabulous
I love this Ottawa institution. It's been around forever, and I hope it stays around forever. Great venue, great atmosphere, great beer taps, and seemingly accessible to well-established artists as well as up-and-comers.
Was an amazing night with a really unique atmosphere. Their drinks were strong and for a low price. Music was good, you can get amazing seats anywhere in the building since it's smaller. Would definitely recommend getting ear plugs either at the event (they sell them) or beforehand since the music is VERY loud. The venue I went to lasted from 8pm to 12am, with three bands, but I don't know how long single bands go for.
Really nice venue with lots of space and seating in the back and up on the balcony. The stage is really nice and elevated too. Atmosphere was really great. Definitely want to return and also try out drinks and whatnot
Nice place.
Small venue that plays great local shows. Staff are great, place is cleaner than youd think.
Great show venue with great staff, service and entertainment!
Could not get in as we changed our minds the place did not look black people -friendly
Wheelchair accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible as there are a lot of stairs to enter and stairs to get to the bathroom. Service
Cute little venue. Show up early to get a good seat upstairs.
Great o0era presentations!
Great place for live music
Whomever the older gentlemen with the keys was, he was extremely rude and unnecessarily authoritative in a negative way. Will not be returning to the venue.
Oh yes! I really liked this place! Division into different zones in halls on two floors, tables inside and outside the building allow you to relax comfortably and pleasantly. Choose to your taste or combine different types of recreation - dancing to driving live music or chatting with friends !
This place is great! I especially love Evening of Sin.
I did not order any drinks while I attended a live music event recently. They do not offer any food, only drinks. Good atmosphere and friendly staff.
Great music venue. Lots of local musicians play this venue. Atmosphere
They have some great inexpensive mocktails. Staff are great
Small town vibe, Young high ambitions artists around the hood trying to be cool. Screaming and out of imagination loud speakers that You Must Have Earplugs for weekends. They try to be cool BUT,,,, it s 2024 not 1940 . Vegetarian options: Routine pub fries does the job mindset kinda things Dietary restrictions: Pub food Wheelchair accessibility: Horrible, so many stairs and it is absolutely not wheelchair friendly which is quite shame for them!
I did not eat food as i was there to see Raven and Vicious Rumors in concert and its a real nice place with very kind staff
Very interesting space! Great for an intimate live show. Good cocktails and beer selection too!
Good times! The band was Excellent and the sound system is fantastic
Great place for live music. Excellent atmosphere and great, attentive staff. Cant speak for food, I didnt have any. Parking: This is downtown Ottawa, sometimes you can park on the street right here. Theres a city parking lot round the corner too.
Intimate bar setting that hosts shows and performances. I just wish that the stage was more visible at the tables near the bar. Due to that, I usually try to come when the doors open and grab seats along the top balcony.
Friendly atmosphere
Always have a great time playing at this venue.
Cool venue. Attended a great comedy show. They had disco lights running during the set which was distracting and odd. Took a long while to get a beer, need more than 1 person working the bar.
This place has a real music culture
Its a great live venue for mostly blues. They bring in some very good acts.
Great sound system had fun performing here
lots of urinal cakes
Great sound and crowd. Intimate venue. Loved it. The Winterlude Series, catch it while you can! Dizzy was superb!
Great beer recommendations and excellent live shows featuring Ottawas local talent.
Great venue and bar! Drinks were yummy, affordable and strong! Sound was decent for a small venue. Staff was extremely friendly.
Live Music! Great crowd! Service
A rockin good time, as always. On this night there was a fantastic lineup of local talent. Just awesome!
Classic entertainment, legendary House of Blues, kd lang, tragically hip have played there
Great live music and attentive staff :)
DO NOT ORDER WHISKEY FROM THIS PLACE!! THEY WILL ROB YOU !! 16.50 FOR A DOUBLE OF BUSHMILL... ITS A 36.95$ BOTTLE AT LCBO... THEY ARE ROBBERS!!!!!! THEY CHARGED ME 36% OF WHAT A COMPLETE BOTTLE IS WORTH... COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS
Great music venue in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Two floors for better viewing of the band, live music, and beer on tap.
Good music and vibe
Nice environment and chill music! Great location. They don t have the best selection of beers but overall really good!
Always great music and talented local bands. Great atmosphere.
Fun local bar for live music and such. Super friendly staff, very lovely location. Clean and well lit. Enjoyed a performance by Sam Aleums, local synth artist.
Good space, lots of area to view the stage
Nice ambiance
Ottawas marquee downtown venue for Blues & Live music. The Rainbow has something on pretty much every day/night of the year. Good service and friendly staff with a great stage and sound setup.
One of my favorite places in town to catch a show. Could use an upgrade on the beer selection tho.
Awesome venue for live music and libation
Great place for live shows, plus theres a pool table so thats a bonus too. Split level interior, the upper area overlooks the stage so you can get a gr8 view from there. Lotta stairs tho so keep that in mind for accessibility reasons. Also theres no A/C so it can get hot af in there. Those are the main two cons to the place imo (Pic is a local band, Motherland, playing at the Rainbow. Go check out their music!)
Always a blast! Fantastic service!
Great Eagles tribute band
Monkey rock 4 lyfe
Great music venue. Love the second floor for the added space and fresh view of the acts
Great venue for local groups. Not big, but has huge history and cultural roots in the Ottawa music scene.
Long-standing independent venue for live music in the heart of the Byward Market
The Rainbow Bistro is a part of Ottawa s history, its been around so long that its roots are intertwined with so many locals and celebrities a like. Amazing local talent play here regularly and the staff are friendly and happy to help you. Everyone is welcome here.
Still the best little place to see live blues in Ottawa
Great place to see bands in one of Ottawa s legendary venues.
First time visitor at a legendary local music venue and it didnt disappoint. Great spot.
Great place, located in a nice corner of Ottawa and with a great atmosphere. An ideal size for attending musical performances. The staff is smiling and really friendly. The prices of show tickets and drinks are reasonable.
Incredible music, a gem for live music! The barmaid was sensational, the shots she made for us were simply sublime.
Love this venue for live music
Band was great!!!
Not a bad little hole in the wall place to go when all the good places are full. They dont seem to believe in advertising the performers, who are booked to play there. No food, drinks seemed a little weak.
A classic spot for amazing music. Need more local craft beer options.
The Rainbow is open for business again! Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon, to hear a local band playing. Will definitely go back again! Great venue for listening to music!
Intimate bar bistro with stage.
Saw The Peptides here. Tremendous performance and great energy.
amazing place
One of the best live venues I have been to. Revamped with new audio and lighting, a few changes inside, same amazing vibe. You really feel like youre seeing a showcase, not a stage added as an afterthought. This is a true music destination. And they still have quarts. Great staff, in the Market but not in the difficult streets to park. Eat in the Market, get a great show at the Rainbow and make stories.
A classic blues watering hole of many years standing. Cant even begin to list the excellent bands Ive seen here over the decades.
Great music Great service
Excellent music and atmosphere
My home for where my heart is
always fantastic. they opened up the doors on a Sunday night so a friend of mine could have a celebrationof life for hid mother that passed away (who loved the rainbow) grade A individuals and a beloved music venue by many.
Great place to hang out great bands abd great service
Great music, great people!
Super fun atmosphere. A waiter had Cleared off my drink before it was completely empty and the bar tender had no problems making me another.
One of the best venues Ive ever booked/promoted a show at (back in 2013). Great staff and soundperson!
So many great memories.
One of the coziest venues for live music in Ottawa!
Incredible place for live music or a bottle of 50! This place is an Ottawa legend!
With a second floor open to view live bands, the place has great atmosphere. Ottawa has to few places like this!
Awesome venue for live music one of the last great music venues in Ottawa
Great place for live local music go there on January 2nd for a big surprise
More hard rock than jazz the time I went there. Underground atmosphere.
The bartender that was there yesterday (Sunday January 5th) was he nicest guy ever. If this was my business I would to anything to keep this employee happy! Me and my gf decided to stay in Ottawa a few nights, and this was definitely one of our favourite bars. Local musicians jamming, super friendly atmosphere, and a pool table... what else do u need to have fun?
The Rainbow Bistro is a family run business which is devoted to great music and great service ! The dance floor is perfect for enjoying the often brilliant musical performances ! The Rainbow Bistro is and has always been the best musical venue in Ottawa, if not in Canada !
Amazing live music!!
Good music, good people , great service
Great afternoon with a private show
Super cute place, fantastic live music!
MARIA HAWKINS YOU ARE A WOMAN ON FIRE ! YOU ARE FANTASTIC SINGER AND AMAZING WOMAN. WE GOT YOUR BACK LADY
Great Bunch of People and Fantastic Artist Doing What They Do Best - Jamming +
Just passed by but looks great
A great little place to stop in to in the Byward Market, but make sure to go there when there is music! Thats when its at its best! Also, if you are an aspiring musician here in the Ottawa area, make sure to go there Sunday afternoons for the Blues open mic/jam!
Nice....!!
NO AC but the staff is amazing
The layout of the bar wasnt to good it was hard to see the stage, the sound wasnt good either there was to much feedback from the equipment
Good people excellent sound
Genuine, unpretentious blues venue
Amazing reggae night
Always love this place!!
Livin on its old reputation! Rainbow book more class acts!? Customer suposed to know untill you pay cover and are let down and surprised. Ripped off.
Love the Rainbow
Pretty cool place
Great food. Great service. Awesome music! Definitely check this place out when you can.
Fabulous entertainment
Awesome venue for live music.
Really good music. You wont be disappointed if you go there for a night!
Great bands! Tonight Steeve Hill was great!!
Great atmosphere and friendly staff
Really cool ambiance great live music
Have enjoyed the shows there over the years. Good intimate space and pretty good sound overall. As Ive had hips and knee surgeries over the years the steep stairs are a bit of a challenge.