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Elgin’s Open! Here’s 5 Spots You Need to Check Out

Elgin’s Open!

Here’s 5 Spots You Need to Check Out

By: Julia Prendergast 

 

There are lots of things many Ottawans don’t know about Elgin Street, like that it was originally the main street of the city and called Biddy’s Lane! Many haven’t yet realized that the construction that consumed Ottawa’s Elgin Street for the past year is finally over, either. Businesses in the area, as well as the residents, definitely felt the effects of the closure, with many people avoiding the area altogether. But, with Elgin Street now open and revitalized, it’s way easier to access some of the best spots in Centretown. Here’s a list of five stops on Elgin you definitely have to make!

1. El Camino’s Taco Takeout Window

  • 380 Elgin Street

While everyone’s probably heard about El Camino, a great restaurant for tacos of all kind, many people miss the takeout window! Their location at 380 Elgin boasts a late-night takeout window, where you can grab tacos to go from their delicious menu – though limited from their menu inside, there are so many tasty options (their crispy fish taco with avocado is a classic)!

2. Charlotte

  • 340b Elgin Street

People often miss this place completely, with its entrance just inside the doors to Pure Kitchen’s Elgin location. The Charlotte is a contemporary (or boujee) lounge with mid-century inspired décor and unique cocktails; though a bit on the pricy side, Charlotte is definitely the perfect spot for a girl’s night out and always looks great on an Instagram feed – as long as you make a reservation!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1rpcdRFbg1/?igshid=15dgmcfh8mibt

3. Bonnie and Clyde

  • 292 Elgin Street

Many people were heartbroken when they found out Hooley’s, a classic joint for wings, was closing up shop – lucky for us, it has since reopened as Bonnie and Clyde’s! There’s still an extensive menu of options for your wings, from dill to something with a kick. The perfect time to test it out might be this Sunday for the Super Bowl, if a pint and a pound of wings for $9.99 sounds good to you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QWD8iFh4B/?igshid=k2efmexlegcz

4. LIVE! on Elgin

  • 220 Elgin Street #2

If live music and entertainment is more your style, LIVE! on Elgin is a great venue to consider. There are karaoke nights, open mic nights, as well as concerts – with more music every Tuesday and various comedy shows rotating through their lineup, this place definitely won’t disappoint. In the same vein, if you’re looking for a stage to share your talent, go live on Elgin! The crowd is always friendly, and the vibe welcoming. LIVE! is just a door down from where the historic Elgin Theatre used to stand – you can see the building, largely unchanged, in many old pictures!

5. MacLaren’s

  • 301 Elgin Street

Have you been looking for a spot for a round of pool? MacLaren’s is the place in Centretown for billiards and beverages, with 25 pool tables and six 80-inch flat screen TVs. The layout is large, spanning multiple different rooms, meaning there’s always a place for you and your friends! It’s just down the street from Minto Park; the walk down Elgin (sans construction) is always beautiful, especially in the summertime!

With free parking at Ottawa’s City Hall on weekday evenings and weekends, there’s nothing holding you back from getting to know Elgin Street again. Take a break from the Byward Market and hit up some of Ottawa’s classic hot spots!

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