The Great Canadian Cabin

As some other Unilocalers have said, yes it is for a younger crowd and allow me to come in with that perspective. Don’t judge, but I had a VERY fun time here on a Saturday night. It’s pretty fast to get in at the side entrance and only a $ 5 cover charge. Coat check is also cheap. Yes, it’s kinda dead downstairs because that’s the bar part but if you go upstairs you’ll find a whole different ballgame.
It was packed and blasting top 40 music– prime dancing material. The dance floor itself is not enormous but suited the space well. Half of it is a stage-​style platform– always fun.
Ok. The good stuff. I’m not sure if it is always there but what does The Great Canadian Cabin have? A MECHANICAL BULL. That’s right, for five dollars you can sign a waiver, hop on that mechanical bull and ride away. Personally, I only stayed on for about 15 – 20 seconds AKA as soon as the thing starting bucking but it was still an awesome time.
Bartenders were friendly and made great drink suggestions. Even the bouncers managed a few jokes. It’s a shame that Ottawa bars close so early because for the right people, this is a happy place!

I’ve been to Cabin a few times, and it’s just never met its hype. I keep trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but it always just disappoints me.
One time I came here with a friend just to sit outside on the patio and have a couple of drinks. Our table was incredibly crooked and sticky with whatever people spilled there before us, which obviously wasn’t cleaned by the server. It took us ages just to order, my tequila sunrise both tasted and looked just like orange juice, and our server had absolute no change to give us, and it took her over 10 minutes just to get some. Oh and I can’t forget to mention that a homeless man on the side of the road started to strip down to his birthday suit while doing cartwheels and everyone on the patio threw quarters at him, yelling obscenities. What kind of people would just throw money at a person like that, pointing and laughing like children? Apparently, the crowd at Cabin would. The man was obviously desperate, and it’s a shame that he had to resort to that just for a few bucks from these people. My friend and I left right away after that, not because of the nudity, but because we were ashamed to be in that kind of company.
The next time was a bit better, as we somehow managed to grab some seating downstairs next to the dancefloor. The music wasn’t too bad, but it was mostly Top 40 when my friends and I were there for her birthday. This was the first time I had been inside, rather than just the patio. The décor was just like a basement would be, with painted pipes and old walls. The only saving grace was the busty blonde bartender downstairs that was obviously far too good for this place. She was sweet, not condescending in any way, and actually knew how to make good drinks, which is much more than I can say for the rest of the staff.

This place used to be a lot of fun a few years ago. Then again, I was a few years younger a few years ago.
It’s very popular with the frat crowd. You’ll find no shortage of popped collars and short skirts on the dance floor. The washrooms are some of the worst bar washrooms you’ll find anywhere in Ottawa.
They do have a sprawling patio but it’s usually filled with smokers. Now that they utilize the side entrance instead of the front entrance for lineups it’s not nearly as crowded on the patio as it was years ago.
The downstairs bar and lounge area is more laid back than the main level but the stairwell connecting the two is an interesting experience. You’re not allowed to take your drinks from the downstairs to the upstairs which presumably because of liquor laws and also so you don’t fall down the entire flight of stairs.
I’m not making that up either. I’ve seen a large drunk man fall down the entire flight of stairs and knock people over on his way to the bottom which pretty much turned me off The Cabin forever.
It’s a shame because the music and DJ are often really good here and they do have a country night but I doubt I’ll ever return.

I dunno, I disagree with the viewpoint of the other Unilocalers. Then again, I was looking for something different. I like the younger crowd… much more energy, and it’s a great scene to watch. I finally settled on the Cabin after roaming York, and it was mainly because of the patio and a table of loud drunks. I grabbed a beer and just watched. It was an awesome show.

This place isn’t my scene. Despite the fact that they have a great patio, moderate beer selection, lots of space, two floors of entertainment and some couches gathered to watch the game on one of the many TVs, the bar has absolutely no character. Basically, this place is a mix between sports bar and meat market.
No, it’s not my scene, but I’m not a first year university student anymore. If you are, then maybe you’ll dig this place. It’s in a good location and remains popular with the young crowd.

The Cabin, and how good it is really depends on your age. It is absolutely the home of younger people (18 – 20). For that age group, The Cabin is a good place to drink. It’s not fancy, they use a lot of plastic cups and the bar is limited to the staples. Don’t go to The Cabin looking for a good scotch or a decent rye.
The main dance floor is on the top floor, and on busy nights it gets packed quickly. You will undoubtedly be pushed up against many strangers, so don’t go into the mess unless you really want to. There is a whole floor downstairs also with another dance floor that is rarely as busy, and a bar. There are also couches, but I would suggest to not touch them too much, they don’t look like they have been cleaned since Mulroney was prime minister.
During the summer there is a big patio in front of the bar, and this is probably the best place to be if you have a choice.