Ottawa might not be the first city that comes to mind for a night out, but it has a surprising number of fun and unique drinking tours that highlight the city’s scenic river views, lively bar scene, and social atmosphere. We love the Ottawa floating tiki bar cruises because they offer a relaxed, tropical twist right on the water, giving you a fresh way to enjoy the city’s natural beauty.
The Lilo Floating Tiki Bar stands out for its intimate size and personalized experience, making it perfect for celebrations. Meanwhile, the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl offers a more energetic, interactive way to explore local nightlife with friends.
Each of these options showcases a different facet of Ottawa’s social scene, whether you’re seeking tranquility, celebration, or adventure.
Quick Overview
In this guide, we’ll explore three top drinking tours in Ottawa. First, two floating tiki bar cruises that bring a tropical vibe to the river — the Ottawa: Floating Tiki Bar Cruise on the Ottawa River and the Lilo Floating Tiki Bar. These offer scenic views, drinks, and fun atmospheres in small-group settings.
Third, we’ll look at the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl, a lively scavenger hunt that pushes you to explore the city’s best bars in a playful way. Now, let’s get into the details!
1. Ottawa: Floating Tiki Bar Cruise on the Ottawa River
Starting off our list, this 1.5-hour Hawaiian-style cruise offers a fun, relaxed way to see the Ottawa River. The boat features a floating palapa hut that mimics a tropical tiki bar, making it a delightful departure from typical sightseeing. As you glide along, you can sip your drinks and listen to karaoke or sing along, creating a lively, social atmosphere.
What makes this cruise stand out is its ability to blend spectacular river views with a playful, tropical vibe. The panoramic scenery includes the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Falls, and the historic city skyline—perfect for photos. The boat can accommodate families, friends, or colleagues, making it flexible for different groups.
With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 163 reviews, it’s clear many travelers find this experience both enjoyable and memorable. Priced at $62 per person, it’s a reasonable way to combine sightseeing with a drink in hand.
The cruise’s informal, fun vibe is ideal for those looking for a relaxed, social outing. Given the popularity and worldwide appeal of tiki bars, it’s a great choice for visitors wanting a taste of tropical fun without leaving Ottawa. Just be aware that it’s a shorter tour, so plan with other activities if you want a full day.
Bottom Line: A lively, scenic, and uniquely Canadian twist on river sightseeing, perfect for small groups looking to unwind and enjoy the views with a drink.
2. Lilo Floating Tiki Bar on the Ottawa River
At number 2, the Lilo Floating Tiki Bar offers a more intimate, personalized experience. This 90-minute cruise can host up to 12 people, making it ideal for special celebrations like birthdays or small parties. It’s billed as a tropical paradise on the water, with a relaxed vibe that encourages connecting with friends or family.
One of the key attractions is its flexibility: you can connect your own music via Bluetooth, bringing your playlist on board, and bring your own food. All drinks, however, must be purchased on the boat, which keeps things simple and straightforward.
The boat offers a restroom onboard for comfort, and the scenery includes highlights like Parliament Hill, Rideau Falls, and the Canadian Museum of History – all from the comfort of your floating island.
Guests rave about the friendly hosts, with reviews praising the “great time,” “fun staff,” and “fantastic views.” The competitive edge is the private, small-group experience, which makes it perfect for those wanting a more exclusive outing. The cruise costs around $63.01 per person, offering good value considering the personalized experience.
Bottom Line: For a relaxed, customizable cruise with a tropical twist and small-group intimacy, the Lilo Floating Tiki Bar provides a memorable, social outing in Ottawa.
3. Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam
If you’re after a lively, interactive way to explore Ottawa’s nightlife, the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl is your ticket. For around $12.31 per person, this app-guided scavenger hunt takes approximately two hours and encourages you to visit multiple bars while completing challenges.
This tour is ideal for groups that want to combine sightseeing with some friendly competition. You’ll solve trivia questions, take photos, and complete challenges, all while discovering key landmarks and hidden spots around the city.
Each participant can choose an interactive character, making the experience more engaging and personal. It’s perfect for those who enjoy socializing in a casual, lively environment.
While the rating is only 3 out of 5 based on 1 review, the concept appeals to travelers looking for a fun, energetic way to see Ottawa’s bar scene. The tour promotes a lively, social atmosphere, and the challenges can spice up your evening. Just keep in mind that it’s more of a tour for social, active explorers rather than a relaxed, scenic cruise.
Bottom Line: A budget-friendly, fun way to combine sightseeing, trivia, and bar-hopping, especially suited for adventurous groups wanting to add some friendly competition to their night.
How to Choose the Best Drinking Tour in Ottawa
When selecting the right drinking tour for your trip, consider your preferences: do you love scenic water rides or outdoor scavenger hunts? For relaxed, scenic sipping, the Ottawa floating tiki cruises or the Lilo Floating Tiki Bar are excellent choices. Those looking for a more energetic, social experience might prefer the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl, especially if they enjoy walking and solving challenges.
Budget is another consideration. The tiki cruises are priced around $62–$63, offering a relatively affordable way to combine sightseeing and drinks, while the bar crawl is very budget-friendly at just over $12 per person. Think about the group size too; small groups will enjoy the intimacy of the floating tiki boats, while larger groups or parties might get a kick out of the scavenger hunt experience.
Booking early is advisable, especially for the floating cruises, which tend to fill up during peak season. Most tours operate in good weather, so plan your outing for spring through early fall to enjoy optimal conditions.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to float along the Ottawa River in a tropical setting or explore the city’s bars with friends in an interactive scavenger hunt, Ottawa offers a variety of memorable drinking tours.
For relaxing scenic views, the Ottawa floating tiki cruises are hard to beat, while the Lilo Floating Tiki Bar provides a more intimate experience. If you’re up for some energetic fun, the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl adds a lively, social element to your night.
For different traveler types, these tours ensure memorable moments—families, couples, or groups of friends can find something that fits their style and budget. Remember to book ahead, especially if visiting during the busy summer months. Cheers to discovering Ottawa from a new perspective!