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Zaphod Beeblebrox
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
27 York StOttawa, ON K1N 5S7
(613) 562-1010
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
11 reviews for Zaphod Beeblebrox
11 reviews in English
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Review from Grace Joy P.
9/16/2011
Incredible.
Can't believe last night was my first night at Zaphod's. Picked a good night - it was hip hop night (Thursday) and all the best music was playing.
As soon as I walked into this place, I was completely surprised. And I mean this in an odd, good way. It's interior has such an eerie feeling to it, almost like a weird time warp, mostly because of the the black lights. Everything white glows and makes the place feel trippy.
I love that there are booth seats off the ground floor (have to take a step up) so that it almost overlooks the bar and the dance floor.
It also isn't a huge bar that makes it feel impersonal, but it's also not small enough to make you feel claustrophobic.
The waitstaff was so nice! I went to go grab a pitcher and they were all smiles, even though the night was super busy. Most places I go to rush to get your drink and only care about getting rid of you, but these people take the time to say what's up.
Super laid back venue, full of chill people that want to hear good music and have a good time. Security is very good at what they do at this place, so you can feel safe. That's always a plus.
Towards the end of the night, I ended up meeting the owner, Eugene. We talked for about an hour, he was very friendly! Found out that this place once hosted the Rolling Stones, and one of their music videos were filmed inside. I think made me love this place a bit more.
Would definitely come back over and over again. -
Review from Coy W.
7/18/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I've thought long and hard about how to rate Zaphod's and honestly it's a fantastic place, even a decade after first stepping foot in this place. Zaphod's looks like a dive bar and honestly it's a fantastic dive bar; wait, it's a fantastic bar. It has a very gritty look but has so much heart and soul.
This place is not a club and not a place you need to really dress up.
I love the great selection of music throughout the week. I love the variety of people that show up to Zaphod's. I love that it's never so packed (thank you bouncers) that you feel like a sardine in this place. I love that it has 3 different areas to sit, hang out or stand and to dance. I love the bar staff, they're absolutely wonderful and do a great job of getting to everyone. I love that cover isn't so ridiculous that you have to question going. I love the reasonable price of this place.
Zaphod's brings in live music regularly and is a big supporter of local talent. Many nights at Zaphod's can consist of a live show followed by a night of lounging or dancing after the show is over.
My friends always love going to Barrymore's but I'm slowly converting them as there hasn't been a night were Zaphod's hasn't been at least very good and very fun. Everyone here is out to have a great night and it shows.
If there is one compliment I could leave with this place is that it's The Fillmore of Ottawa, a very shrunk down, dirtier version of it. I'll be back for another great night Zaphod's and please keep doing your thing. -
Review from Cheri d.
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is super weird. In a good way!
Went there the other weekend with some friends. It was already super late, but we wanted to mingle with strangers. Cover was a bummer, 10 bucks i think. But a couple of my friends had free passes, so it brought the cost down.
The music was awesome! A good mix of everything to dance to. I think they were having a special Jägermeister promo because lots of people had these blinking light things with the Jäger buck on them.
Fun times had by all. Whenever i'm visiting friends in Ottawa, we end up here. Good atmosphere, good location, great music! -
Review from Rayanne L.
East York, ON
7/14/2010
I LOVE all the awesome reviews of this place. Zaphod's is pretty much the greatest place on earth. I went to university in Ottawa and this is where I return every time I visit every few months.
As far as unpretentious dancing goes, this is the place. It's the only bar I've ever been to that I have a truly great time at every time I go. The music is great -- typical Pitchfork, Stereogum-esque stuff that'll make you flare around in ridiculous circles and foot stomps.
Before the dance party starts, there is often a live band. I've seen some excellent folks play at Zaphod's, including Small Sins and a bunch of local folks that I've fallen in love with and probably wouldn't know about otherwise.
Shows usually cost around $10, which is amazing for who they get and the fun times you'll have. Cover for dancing is two or three dollars. Drinks are fairly priced, especially Jager Bombs and Florida Tracksuits (locally-invented drop shot which is DELICIOUS -- message me if you wanna know HOW delicious), which are both five dollars each.
The bar staff is so nice. I've been with some really sloppy friends and they've brought bottles of water to those desperately in need.
Maybe I'm so crazy about Zaphod's because it's the only bar I've ever picked up at, but it's never let me down no matter what! Heh. And Zac's Diner is just around the corner for tasty post-bar eats.Listed in: Sock Hoppin'
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Review from Darren M.
Ottawa, ON
12/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Any bar that has hosted the Rolling Stones gets instant respect from me. In fact, the Stones filmed one of their music videos inside this bar!
Zaphod is a legendary local bar. Before I moved to Ottawa I visited the town once and discovered (although I was too young to enter) what Zaphod was all about.
The bar is full of hipsters, music junkies and just very laid back people. The music can get quite loud but the good thing about this place is that you can crash at a table or at a booth or end up right up near the band or claim the dance floor as your own.
I was there three weeks ago for a show and was surprised that cover wasn't more than it was ($5) considering other bars in the Market charge more to listen to a mediocre singer on a guitar. The night I was there we heard three bands and then they shut down the live stuff at 11pm and started with the DJ.
It seems to always get quite busy as the night rolls on.
Drinks were cheap and the bartenders were fast and friendly.
The washrooms here were quite cross but Zaphod is known to border on the label of being a "dive bar" so my expectations were low anyways.
If you need a fix of live music, I'd highly recommend Zaphod. To avoid the lines just get stamped early and go to the Brig for a beer or two or better yet just show up at Zaphod early and have a drink at their bar! -
Review from Benjamin L.
11/2/2011
Avoid this dump. Terrible service. Violent and crude bouncers. Really difficult to get a drink. It's gone way downhill, sadly.
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Review from Amanda D.
Ottawa, ON
12/12/2008
Zaphod's is one of the most popular bar/music venues in Ottawa. If you're new to town and looking for good music, take a look at their website to see what's coming down the pipe. You'll probably find something you'll like.
Many famous people have played here, but this place is also supportive of local artists. The decor is a mix between hipster and dive bar with laid back and personable staff. The layout is one of my favourite aspects. It's basically the shape of an old telephone receiver laid on its side. The stage is at the back with lots of room to dance. The bar juts out in the centre with a some long narrow seating along the opposite wall. Near the front, there's plenty more places to sit for people who still want to hear the music, but also talk comfortably to their friends.
If live music isn't your thing, come during the late night hours when Zaphod's turns into a dance bar. The music is rarely cheesy top 40s and it's fun to dance to. -
Review from Devon B.
Calgary, AB
10/9/2008
Ottawa's music scene has been growing in recent years and much of that homegrown talent has come in to their own on the stage at Zaphod's. For a city that isn't known for musical venues, Zaphod's is the mecca. The Rolling Stones shot part of a music video in Zaphod's a few years ago, I think this gives you a good idea of what I mean.
Loosely based on the book A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, when you walk in to the venue you'll get a different feeling, but one that is oddly comforting. On a chalkboard above the bar they have a list of drinks....these drinks are mostly named after characters from the book. It's a bit dingy inside, but that gives it character. Do you really want to be at a brand new cookie-cutter bar listening to a great rock band? Didn't think so.
The stage accommodates everything from full band set-ups to solo singers and it does it well. You can see the stage form almost anywhere in the venue and hear well in just as many places. -
Review from Catherine C.
Ottawa, ON
2/6/2010
Personally, I come to Zaphod's on Friday or Saturday night for the Electric Ballroom. It's always a blast!
The venue is made out of a third tables and chair, a third bar/standing area and a third dance floor/stage.
The music is a mix of classic 80/90's cheesy dance songs (read Real McCoy and Michael Jackson), Alternative pop rock (Weezer, The Strokes, The Kooks, Modest Mouse) and Electropop (Justice, Dragonette, etc). The service is decent and good looking.
I've never had a bad experience at Zaphod's. -
Review from Jason D.
Ottawa, ON
10/20/2008 1 photo
Zaphod Beeblebrox (at least the present location) did not open in the 80s, but you would never know that from the decor. It has a real old-school feel to it, like a place Judd Nelson would hang out in during a John Hughes movie. It is named after that character in the Douglas Adams book and even features a list of drinks named after other characters. Although the drinks are fun, the key to Zaphods is the music. It is music driven and is either blasting great tunes or featuring hot bands on stage. They have a free admission night on Mondays where new artists can strut their stuff. I am told Nickelback performed there at one time. The Byward Market is a trendy, touristy kind of place drawing upper scale crowds who play it safe. It is nice to know that the Market still has some room for places like Zaphod where you can still earn some street cred.
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Review from Samantha M.
Ottawa, ON
6/8/2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE ZAPHODS. They play awesome music every night, my favorite is Friday when they play the type of alternative music I listen to, but it`s all perfect to dance to. The drinks are great and not overpriced, lots of great live music and bingo Sundays. The only club I truly have a great time at every time I go.
