Barrymore’s Music Hall

Barrymore’s Music Hall is extremely hit or miss depending on the night. I tend to go for 80’s and 90’s nights, because I love the nostalgia. That they play the music videos on a large screen makes for a fun time. The variety of music is usually pretty good and on nights when it’s busy the floor is hopping. Their main problem is that cover is a little on the expensive side and sometimes the dance floor is dead which can make for a less enjoyable night out. However, as you’ve already spent the money to be there, it almost feels like an obligation at that point. It’s either stay here for an hour and hope it picks up or call it quits for the night. Cross your finger and hope it’s busy because if it is, you’ll have a good time. If it’s dead, it’s better to be at home with a bottle of wine and dancing to youtube videos with friends in your living room.

80s nights rock! They are the only reason I will go here.
The lines outside are ridiculous.
Be sure you can handle a lot of stairs, even in varying degrees of drunkeness.
The women’s washroom is in poor repair.

I was in for a Sunday night not too long ago to see someone I know. I don’t go out that much but I hadn’t seen this particular friend for a long time so i hazarded showing up on the well known busy night at this place. Fortunately there wasn’t a big crowd even though it was a long weekend. Inside I can’t really say it was as great as some other people say. The floors sticky as someone else mentioned, and it was difficult to get to the bar. Many of the patrons were morose men who didn’t seem all that happy. In one particular spot there were a few meathead types lounging against the bar leaving no space for me to get a glass of pineapple juice. Finally one of them turned around and i backed up quickly. Despite my fast reaction time that I attribute to my martial arts classes, this late 30s Sub 80 point IQ over the hill balding meathead type still managed to brush his arm against me. An angry offended look came across his face and he turned to face me glaring intently. He obviously expected me to beg for mercy and forgiveness for my insolent affront. I ignored him and avoided eye contact. Eventually his short attention span expired and he became distracted by something else. All the same he was still blocking access to the bar and a similar friend of his arrived to further jam up the area. I went elsewhere and wiled away another hour or so before departing.

Went to meet a couple of friends, paid the $ 20 cover, got to the top of the stairs and my friends were leaving. I was in for less than 20 seconds total and spoke to the owner who was right there about it and they would not refund me. This is pretty much robbery since I paid for entry and didn’t even get in the bar itself. I expected the owner to be sympathetic, but instead he was extremely rude and downright confrontational. Customer first? Not at Barrymore’s. I’ve been going there off and on for 14 years and now I will never return.

This place is amazing. With one exception: the floors are so sticky they actually pulled my shoe off.
The floors that are carpeted are upstairs and they are just… awful…sticky and concerning, but if you’re not up there it’s fine.
I showed up with some friends on a Saturday night for a burlesque show. The theatre is much bigger than I thought it would be. A huge older building with a big stage and multiple levels to watch from.
They have a decent bar, with all the things you’d want in a bar. Their drinks are fairly cheap, $ 6 for a bar drink.
The servers are great. Super fun bartenders at every bar.
One thing that absolutely makes this place amazing is the décor. It’s straight out of… the past. With amazing wood work along the ceiling, paneling and design throughout.
I will say the music after the burlesque show was not my scene. It was a little too random, not super danceable.

This converted theater is a great place if you want a club that is unique in its style. With 4 – 5 different levels you can be detached from or completely immersed in a crowd, depending on what you’re looking for. Had a great time New Year’s Eve!

I don’t usually write bad for any business unless I’ve found the experience truly displeasing, but Barrymore’s certainly fits the bill. The music was fine and all but what’s the point when the staffs are incredibly rude. I’ve been here twice, both times it was with a large group of people and both times I was met with the same rude staffs. It wasn’t me either since they did the same for my friends as well. If you want your evening killed by self-​righteous people and arrogant folks, then have fun while you’re there. If staffs mistreat you, then don’t say I didn’t warn you.

You know that girl that always requests Journey’s «Don’t Stop Believing» and is far too excited about hearing what might be the world’s most overplayed bar song in the history of bar songs?
Ya. That’s Me.
My love for classic tunes has often led me to Barrymore’s Music Hall for a plethora of birthdays, celebrations, graduations and… Thursdays. I love the uniquely shaped venue with the stage, dance floor and various levels of booths. The lighting and bubble machines, paired with the TV screens featuring various «old school» programs and movies is always a refreshing breath of fresh air from the typical, mundane bar scene.
Barrymore’s has two nights that it is famous for. First of all, they feature Thursday 90’s Night, where you are almost guaranteed to find a gaggle of 20-​something aged girls belting out The Backstreet Boy’s «I Want it That Way» like it’s 1999 all over again. Then of course, there is Journey filled, Madonna Rockin’ Sunday 80’s Night. These are the two best nights to visit Barrymore’s as the crowd is alway bumping. But be warned: if you wait too long, you are forced to pay the punishment of lengthy lineups and sometimes pricey cover. Go early, wait out the not so classic hits and prepare for the greatest party Ottawa has to offer!
Affordable drinks? 80’s/90’s classic hits? Bubble Machine?
Yes. Just yes.

Wow. It’s weird that everyone of these reviews talks about Thursday and Sunday. Coincidence?

90s night on Thursday! 80s night on Sunday! TV shows from the chosen decade projected on huge screens about the dance floor! Stories upon stories of fun! Just a few reasons why I like Barrymore’s.
The line moves quickly and the cover, if any, is cheap. You then walk up a sweeping staircase and into an enormous concert venue, being used as an epic nightclub.
I recently went on an 90s night and was surprised to hear barely any 90s. I suppose it depends on the DJ that night and regardless, the dance floor was packed. So was the stage where both guys and girls can dance it out!
*Not sure if it’s every single Thursday but on this one, $ 3 drinks!
The glory of it all is that anything goes. You can dress up, dress down, dress as your fave 80s or 90s star, nobody cares. I rolled up in cut-​off jean shorts, a tank top and gladiators and no one had a thing to say about it. Everyone’s too busy dancing/​drinking/​having great times!

I’ve been to Barrymore’s a few times with some friends and I’ve always had a pretty good time. It’s a concert venue and a nightclub, but a lot more casual, which I love. On top of that, the cover charge is either free or cheap, so generally you don’t have to worry about paying a high cover.
80s night on Sundays and 90s night on Thursdays are definitely the most popular. It’s fun to jam out to all of your old favorite hits, whether it be dance, pop, rock, or old school, and pull out all of your corny dance moves. The screen plays old TV shows and music videos while you dance, and you may even get some bubbles blown from the ceiling. The drinks are also good and completely affordable so it’s an all-​around great time without having to get all dolled up or spend and arm and a leg.

Sunday nights at Barrymores are great. It’s 80’s night and probably the best time in Ottawa.
90’s night on Thursday is also fun but 80’s night really brings in the crowds.
On long weekends you’ll find a lineup at this place right around the block. Go early to get stamped and if it’s slow inside then head to the Oak or Babylon until things pick up.
This is an old theatre with an abundance of character. One of the coolest things about 90’s night is that they of course play songs from that decade but they show muted episodes of Saved by the Bell and other 90’s classics on the projection screen. Lots of girls dress the part for either 80’s or 90’s although most of them I question if they were even around in the 80’s.
Door staff are friendly here and there are a few of them to keep the lines calm. Coat check is a crowded ordeal but once you get through that you’re free to wander the multi-​level old theatre and enjoy your night.
They used to have live bands here but I think they’ve gotten totally away from that — for now at least.

Looking fir a fun time? Definately check out 80s night on Sunday. Lines get long quick especially if it’s a long weekend so get there early to avoid a long wait. I’d even suggest getting therel before 9pm to avoid getting stuck in a line that moves very slowly.
For those who like the 90s, that night is on Thursdays.
I’ve never had a bad time at 80s night @ Barrymores!

Wow. Not much has changed in many years and it’s great! I went for 80s night on Sunday. Haven’t gone in years and this time felt like I was in a time capsule (not in terms of the 80s music duh but the bar itself). Same crowds, same line ups if you go at the wrong time and same great vibe!
Definitely do go early. Then you will have the pleasure of walking out for some fresh air at 11:30 (it gets hot on the dance floor) and passing the long queue on the way back to the club with your wrist stamp, smiling just because it’s so wonderfully evil.

Probably the most well-​known, and therefore, busiest nightclub in Ottawa. It’s been around for a while, and the clientele is a bit older than it was about 10 years ago. That’s part of the reason why they have ‘90s night on Thursdays, and ‘80s nights on Sundays, though the Friday and Saturday fare is a usual mix of contemporary top-​40, dance and hip-​hop.
The club itself is very large, so even though its almost always busy, its not suffocatingly packed (most of the time, at least). The line ups can be long and annoying, but they’ve done a good job of streamlining more lines and the bouncers are quick, efficient, and fair.
There’s a decent-​sized lounge and bar area for those that don’t want to bust a move, but for the most part, this is a dance-​friendly club, so be prepared to boogie!

A good time, Thursday night is 90s night and sunday is 80s. People come dressed up, and come out for a great time, the drinks are fairly cheap, but the line can be brutal even if it’s not too busy inside. I suggest being there before 9:30 on Thursays and 10:30 on Sundays.