Gay Bars & Clubs LGBTQ+ Friendly

Club SAW

Google (261) 4.7

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What reviewers say

Visitors praise Club SAW for its friendly staff, good sound, and enjoyable atmosphere, often highlighting the intimate stage and dance floor. Some reviewers mention that the bar has limited alcoholic drink options and that hallways can be narrow.

/ 100

GayOut Score

G4.7

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Address

67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9

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Phone

+1 613-236-6181

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Website

gallerysaw.ca

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About this place Club SAW

Club SAW operates as the nightlife and performance extension of Gallery SAW, one of Ottawa's most established artist-run centres, located in the Nicholas Street area of the downtown core. The relationship between the gallery and the club reflects a particular tradition in Canadian LGBTQ+ culture: the arts-community overlap with the queer community, where the most interesting social spaces are also the most creatively engaged. Club SAW programmes queer DJ nights, performance events, drag shows, and cultural events that draw from the city's visual art, music, and theatre communities as well as the LGBTQ+ social scene. The physical space — a former arts centre with good sound and atmospheric lighting — is versatile enough to host everything from intimate acoustic performances to full dance nights. The Nicholas Street location puts it slightly outside the Bank Street village strip, which mirrors Club SAW's identity: connected to the LGBTQ+ community but not confined by its geography. For visitors to Ottawa who find the mainstream gay bar circuit less interesting than its arts-inflected alternative, Club SAW is the essential address — and for those with gallery-visiting ambitions, the daytime Gallery SAW programming offers a reason to visit even before the night begins.

Opening Hours

Closed

Monday Closed

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 20:00-02:00

Friday 20:00-03:00

Saturday 20:00-03:00

Sunday Closed

Features

Gay-friendly (straight venue) Mixed LGBTQ+ Dance Local favorite DJ sets Cabaret / Show bar Evening venue Late night (after midnight) Live music Drag shows

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Google Reviews

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4.7

★★★★★

261 reviews

Based on 261 Google reviews.

Madti Boysen May 2026

★★★★★

Great venue! Really good staff, dance area and bathrooms. Catch an event here.

Sylvie Lair May 2026

★★★★★

Dwain Taylor May 2026

★★★★★

Great venue Friendly staff. Lots of parking close by. Have been to many concerts here and its always a good time.

James Thibeault May 2026

★★★★★

Dylan Leman May 2026

★★★★★

nadija cehajic May 2026

★★★★★

We have just visited the most moving exhibition by Jim Logan. Beautiful mixed art and what a storytelling. One of the best I have ever seen. And the entrance was free of charge. Definitely a must see!