5$ for a bottle of water. At a music venue that's pretty much not only unethical and irresponsible, it's down right predatory. Staff was rude and unfriendly. Honestly surprised they've been able to maintain business like this. If I were not hired to work harm reduction at a friend's event I would have left. Do not recommend.

The bar staff don’t know how to make the simplest of drinks. If you’re looking for a high school type party with shots and beer in plastic cups this is your place. If you’re looking for something more do not book your show here.

Not a queer friendly space. My boyfriend and I had homophobic slurs thrown at us by another customer. He also made transphobic remarks in front of security guard who did nothing. Very disappointed.

The owner, I think his name is Stefano, was rude and weirdly stingy towards my group. Because we had decided not to use the coat check as one of my friends lived across the street and we could have left our jackets at hers, he stated he didn’t want us in his establishment. Right as we were about to leave, he started filming my friend without any provocation or her consent. Very strange and downright violating, cannot say I’d frequent this place again as these incidents left a bad taste in my mouth.

TLDR: If you ever come by and the bouncer/owner is an older bald man (Stephano or something equivalent), leave and head somewhere else. You'll save yourselves time and money, and as a bonus the owner won't have a chance to film you. I have lived in Ottawa for nearly 10 years and there is a reason I have not been here until recently. Will not be returning. As soon as I stepped in with my friends, the bouncer (who shortly thereafter revealed himself as the building and business owner) tried to intimidate us and overcharge us. The coat check employee didn't seem to know any prices and would ask the bouncer/owner for the final price, and they tried to charge us $30 per entry ticket with coat check. Obviously it's a scam and the prices depend on the owner's mood (others have suggested he is racist or homophobic). When we asked why we couldn't bring our coats in with us, the owner said that "it was policy" and then told us to leave. That alone would have been understandable, however he was incredibly rude and arrogant. Since some of us had pre-purchased tickets, we were 'allowed' to enter. Later on, he started filming my friend with his phone and ignored us when we asked why he was filming without consent. Never returning, I hope you read this review and save yourselves a terrible night out! Plenty of other venues in downtown Ottawa that will treat you well and with respect.

The bar recently instituted a new hidden fee where you need to pay an additional admission fee at the door. My problem is not with the overall price but the fact that it is hidden. With even just the most basic knowledge of marketing psychology, it is very clear what they are trying to do. Anyway, that alone wouldn't warrant this negative review. The real prompt is that, rather than addressing my comments where they were posted, one of the owners harassed and threatened me through private messages. Screenshots attached. I was hoping for an apology at least from the other owner but he has refused to comment on the threat that was clearly made towards me, hence this review. If they want to give me a real apology, I will consider taking this review down. Until then, it serves as documentation in case the owner that directly threatened me follows through on his threat.

Went to a dance event there on Saturday called Altered State. The space was awesome and so where the staff. All the decorations were amazing. Only problem was that you had to pay for water. Really believe that if you are serving alcohol you need to offer free water.

Overall, pretty decent. The music was loud and had a great time. However, if you're going to have a gender neutral bathroom, make sure the stalls are able to lock. Used two and the lock was completely missing. Drinks are overpriced. Especially, as they serve low quality alcohol.

Mandatory hidden fees after you've purchased a ticket and expensive, terrible-quality drinks. This place looks like someone trying to figure out how to run a bar/failing miserably. Take a business course.

Came into Ottawa from Kanata to see a Kiss tribute band. Had to fight f$@*ing freedom fighters all the way down the hill only to find the bar was closed. Venue was canceled without notice or refund. Very rude on the phone. Hung up on me. A$@holes. Stay away!

Great place to catch local bands

The Mavericks is a nice venue in most ways, and the renovation of the place did it good! Now there are chairs and tables, wasn't always that way! But there is one thing that really did not sit right with me and a lot of people the night of the event I had attended. I don't know if it's always like that now, but they gave the women's washroom to the headliner band (as a lounge), so the women had to go in the men's washroom (urinals and all)! Some people were joking that it was "inclusive", but inclusivity means having a choice. A lot of women and men where not comfortable sharing the washroom, and the only other option was to "knock on the door of the lounge and ask the band if you could come use the washroom" while they're still in the same room. Other than that, the Mavericks is a great venue in Downtown Ottawa, hopefully it was only a one time thing!

BEWARE OUT OF TOWN BANDS!!! Mavs has been harassing local artists and forcing hidden fees at the doors of shows. We don’t need people like this in the Ottawa scene.

My two friends and I bought tickets to the fifth year party for St. Patrick’s day. When we arrived we had to wait in line which was no problem for two of us but my one friend bought a vip ticket and wasn’t allowed in. As we were waiting in line (for around 1 hour) people kept going to the front and skipping the line even though my friend with a vip ticket was denied early entry. Once we finally got to the door we were told we had to pay $5 for coat check. Two of us didn’t have coats so we didn’t need coat check but a very rude bouncer was screaming in our faces tell us he didn’t care and we had to pay the $5 anyways. They were then trying to tell us that this $5 was for entry even thought we already bought $20 tickets. I am extremely appalled by the unprofessionalism of this establishment and they should’ve handled the fact that they oversold tickets in a different manner. I will never be returning to this bar again and am stunned by how rude the bouncer was, I have never been treated with such little respect before in my life.

The place is painted black ….. with barrel theme chairs It is used for many event venues such as live bands, music, karaoke and comedies. Although central location, the near by parking can be difficult. Rideau has very limited parking so it is better to look for parking on side streets off main road or parking on the east of King Edward for more meter parking options. There is a main stage and great ambiance if you like it gothic and dark. Overall, a bit underground and somber ambiance. Drinks are a bit expensive and service can be slow at times but walk to the bar if you need it fast!!! Lady Bathroom with 2 stalls and a long bench. Located at the back of venue. Second floor of the building is another music venue and much lighter ambiance.

Amazing place, amazing staff.

Great intimate venue... Just don't expect to sit for a few hours. Also sometimes 4 bands on a Wednesday night is just too much and I have to miss some of the headliner.

Hot as hell, but the AC had busted two days ago. Nifty place for catching a live show.

Pros: - Small venue which let's you get up close and personal with the bands. - Underground style atmosphere. - Good bar service. Cons: - If you go to see heavy bands, you will temporarily lose your hearing. - No earplugs for sale when I went several months ago. - The small size of the venue can also be a con when they crank the volume up too high.

I hope this place stays open. Great place for promoters to throw music events of any genre. Awesome staff too. A staple of Ottawa for 15+ years

Intimate small place. Decent sound.

First time in a long time and I love the new look. The sound was great and lots of friendly folks. Great bands too. I'll be back for sure.

Excellent live venue, sound system, and stage, sound man is very good. Great staff.

Very nice place to see live band!!! I had a excellent time last night. Karma's Pain was epic

Not bad venue, been there before to see other artists. For instance I saw Peter Murphy, and I saw The Stickmen with Tony Levin and his friends.

Great atmosphere and amazing live entertainment! Was blown away by the bands, Abstract specifically seemed to captivate the audience, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves when they took the stage. Would love to see them there again. Lovely service from everyone as well!

Nice venue/bar. Little pricey on the drinks though. Reminds me of an old bar/club from my area.

Really cool place . Sound was very good ! Liked the atmosphere… I will go back for sure … all my friends had a ball !!! Super convenient location … what more do you need ?!?

Awesome, Awesome doughnuts. And The Too Good To Go collaboration is brilliant. The surprise and deliciousness are amazing. All of the choices we got were fresh tasting, delicious and satisfied a number of people and their tastes. Friendly and polite service, and the many accessible locations makes this a great spot, well worth any price.

Always a great atmosphere amd a great time!🤟🤟

Lots of good bands and beer, love it.

It's a cute bar in a rough area. We were going for the drink specials but they have changed the time for it which was disappointing as drinks are expensive. We go for the karaoke on Thursdays.

It was me and my friends first time going here. We enjoyed it. Definitely will come back to check it out but at an earlier time.

Great venue! Great live music!

Great intimate music venue. Great acts and great staff. Chairs suck though lol.

Has to be one of the best venues I've ever been to. Has all sorts of show styles.