The good: Metal groups, and service. The bad: beer prices and selection, no speakers at the back, cash only (I wonder who likes to cheat on their taxes). The stage is low, so I can barely see the show. Don't listen to the hours. If they say a show starts at 7... The main band will perform at 10. Just look at the time it's supposed to end, and arrive 90 minutes before that. As much as I like the bands, it's not that great if the sound is so muffled at the back and I can't see the show (even from the front!). I probably won't be going again. In this video, I hold my phone up the highest I can hold it at, and I'm 5' 10". The sound isn't AS bad as in the video, but not far from it. At the front, the sound is great... But good luck getting there. In the reviews people complained it's cold. Not even CLOSE... I had to strip down to my t-shirt!

Went to see a small show. There wasn’t a lot of people there but it was still very warm. I could imagine how hot it could get for a bigger show. Bathroom doors don’t close/lock properly, and based on the other reviews it’s been an issue for at least a few months and they don’t care to fix it. Bar is cash only, and even if you ask for water you have to pay $6 a bottle for it (yes, plastic water bottles from Walmart for $6). There was no price for water from what I could see posted, so they could make up the price if they wanted to. I only asked for water because of how dry the air was and I started coughing, but if they can’t give out tap water for free, that’s kind of concerning for a hot crowded music venue. Even without the previously mentioned experience, the vibes are really bad here. I don’t even mind a grungier, dirtier bar, this one is just particularly cursed. If it weren’t for going to see a show, I would never go there again.

Don't go there. Worst experiemce ever! Not professional and manager was disrespectful! On their facebook page they advertised a show starting at 8pm. Am there waiting until 9:45pm but nothing seem to be starting yet! I paid 18$ entrance fee for the show, but there was no show yet! I Talked to the manager, saying "on line it says the show starts at 8 but it is 9:45 now and i have to go, can i get back my 18$ entrance fee back?" and showed him their online post. He said "well there is lots of things it doesn't say, in all bars shows starts at 10 or 11" Well, i guess i just got scammed, its not about the 18$ but about the low customer service they are providing! A simple "we appologize for the delay, let me check with the band and let you know the exact timing they will be ready to start" would have been a much better reply! Plus, they take ONLY cash .....

This venue is a great spot for local and well-known bands. The layout is nice because you can choose to stand in the pit and enjoy the show close up or there are lots of chairs and tables to choose from if you prefer to have a good view from the sidelines. I've enjoyed shows both standing and sitting down.

A longstanding monument to Nepean that you must check out. Many prominent rock and metal groups have stepped in their ring, with the likes of local Annihilator and Anvil, Pat Travers, and many many others - there's no short list actually. It's worth keeping an eye out as to who's coming if you're a metalhead like myself! On the less eventful days, billiards and dart boards are available for a casual hangout. I believe leagues come by though! For the nitpicking: the beer game needs a bit of work. Some modern beers have made their way in as cans - great! But I wish local beers were on tap, what with so many good ones to choose from.

Good venue for live bands, great sound system and sound man. They have several pool tables and display the stage on monitors spaced around the bar so you can see the band from everywhere. FYI they are currently cash only and are serving beers from Whitewater Brewing.

Have been here a couple of times. Saw a Bon Jovi cover band. The band was excellent. There weren't even 100 people there which was surprising. It was $18 cover charge, cash only. Maybe that was a turn off for people as it seems steep for a bar but the band was good. Band came on around 930pm and no problem finding a seat. The lighting and sound was good. There is no table service and the bar, pool tables, etc. are cash only. Of course they have an ATM on site that charges a fortune so bring cash. It is a dive bar. Food items are limited to packages candy bars or bags of chips. Alcohol bar rail drinks are about $7 each. Pop/soda is about $3. Lots of canned beer and cooler options, mainly domestic options. To improve the experience they need more people so there is more energy from the crowd, table service for drinks, have a drink menu with some specialty drinks, and take credit cards.

Hard for me to rate the place as in a Wednesday night i was basically the only table in the large venue. Big basement bar with lots of unused pool tables tonight. And staff didn't know what the beer on tap was. Strange.

Venue is spacious, ventilation is a big zero. Good bands though….

The past Thursday evening was my first time at Brass Monkey. It was a small gathering with friends. Lots of pool tables and places to sit if you want to talk I don't drink alcohol but Crystal (the bartender) was the absolute BEST!!! I told her to surprise me with juice and soda water. I wasn't picky on what juice. I had some of the best mocktails, with combinations of pineapple juice, lemonade, cranberry juice and soda water. I had three mocktails and each time, Crystal told me to have just a small sip to see if I liked it wanted anything tweaked (I never had any of them tweaked). Crystal is a gem when it comes to bartenders! She also has such a great, bubbly personality.

Went to a show here on July 10th and it was a fantastic venue! Bar service was great and I felt very safe at the venue. It does get a little hot but it's in a basement and beyond anyone's control. Awesome venue. Will be returning for more shows!!!

Great sized venue for intimate shows, and enjoy the laid back (grungy? but in a good way?) vibes, but there is NOT enough ventilation when the place is packed. Last night, everyone was literally dripping in sweat because it turned into a sauna down there, meanwhile outdoors was about 17 degrees. I’ve been to outdoor full-sun summer festivals that were downright comfortable compared to last night. Kudos to the bands who all managed to power through, but I think the crowd would have had more energy if there were some air conditioning.

Went to see Black Flag here - had a great time! Staff were friendly and helpful which was especially nice since it was my first ever show at a bar. Do wish the venue was better ventilated, maybe install air purifiers of some sort? I did end up getting sick after the show (which I'm not blaming the venue for, I'll definitely wear a mask and try to social distance more next time), but some extra measures to lessen the chances of guests/staff/bands getting sick would be much appreciated. Thanks! :)

We go fairly often as it is a great place to hear live bands at good prices. Staff treats us pretty well and the owner has always treated us good. Has pool tables and pinball, and some seating. Have seen quite a few bands there and will continue to.

What a GREAT venue! Exactly what you want when you see a live show, staff are SUPER, place is very clean, I wish I lived closer!! People chatting to me said they’ve been coming for over 12 years- I can see why! Amazing place!

Went there for a comedy show and unfortunately had a negative experience. Show was good but the venue was not hospitable. For music shows, I get why they need and enforce a mandatory coat check policy. A sit down comedy show, isn’t one of those types of shows where it should be mandatory. Optional/as a convenience would be a great improvement for management to consider. If someone is cold, they shouldn’t be forced to remove their jacket and told “that’s an ish-you and not an ish-me…if you don’t like it then leave, there’s the door”. Not great for a hospitality business to make the place not welcoming to guests. Otherwise, for a sit down show, there should be enough chairs set up. It shouldn’t be the responsibility of customers to setup their own seats, which we had to do. Disappointed with my live event experience at the Brass Monkey.

Wicked experience at The Brass Monkey this past Friday! It’s the first time I’ve actually gone into the venue and I was quite impressed. It’s very well kept and provides a casual home like vibe. We went out to watch Robyn Ottolini and Owen Riegling, and they both put on an epic show and we had a great time!

Just awful. I was there for a comedy show, they insisted on a coat check for my sweater, it's all cash only so I couldn't buy a drink, and the staff talked loudly through the entire show to the extent that I couldn't follow any joke. Even asking them to be a little quieter did nothing. They just sat there with their coats on their chairs speaking loudly over the show. Well, that's not fair, sometimes a few of them would get up and go stand someplace that directly completely obstructed the view... After 30-40 minutes they quieted down but turned a loud fan on that made it really cold. Normally I'd have just put my sweater on but again, sweaters are considered coats which aren't allowed. Just everything there seemed to show no interest in a patron having a decent time.

I've been here three times now for different events/shows: -Mandatory $3 coat check at a seated comedy show. -The layout is horrible. The stage should be where the bar is. It's awkward as the soundbooth blocks any chance of a decent view from far back. Also the wierd VIP raised up sitting area compacts the venue even more, and should not exist. -Security is basically non existant past the entrance. I had to play moshpit security guard during the Unleash The Archers show to protect the crowd from a drunken leprachaun and a group of 45 year old frat boys who peaked in grade 13. -Mandatory $3 coat check at a seated comedy show. -The venue is either too hot, or too cold. No middle ground. -The merch line is awkward by the pool tables, which aren't moved away for shows. -You can see into the bands "resting area" at the back, which is hilarious. -Mandatory $3 coat check at a seated comedy show. Honestly rediculous.

Only go there for shows. More accurately, heavy metal shows. Not a bad venue for that. Probably better venues in town, Bronson center for one, but for an intimate show experience kinda cool! The staff from the bartenders to security are all good. The only complaint really is that before shows they are all extremely disorganized. No one really seems to know what's going on. When bands have VIP tix staff generally don't seem to know what's going on. Is there a physical ticket? Virtual ticket? They have no clue. Once they clean that confusion up it will be a better experience. Sometimes they have heavier barricades up at the stage sometimes not. For the type of shows I see I feel they should have the heavier ones up for sure. I tend to get VIP tix and am there super early for that and end up at the stage. Holding back mosh pits with super flimsy gates isn't an easy thing. Just put up the heavy duty ones!

Great underground bar with awesome artists on stage all year round

So lucky to have Brass Monkey in this neighborhood! If you're into metal, punk, rock, and the likes .... this is a reliably good venue for some stellar bands! Very happy with their bookings lately... Nepean is loving it! Nice service, but definitely could use a wider beer selection :)

Bad place for Comedy. You might expect the Staff to enforce normal Comedy Event rules and ask people to keep quiet out of respect for the performers and guests, but instead, the Bar Staff were the loudest people at the event. They were chatting constantly with customers and other staff, drinking, and enjoying the show instead of being good hosts. Guests had to ask them to be quiet, but by that point, they had already ruined the show for those of us who were forced to sit within earshot of the Bar. Sent feedback through their Facebook Page and received excuses for their behaviour, stating that the promoter was warned that they were "a live music venue and not a comedy club" and that their "staff are not used to quiet club-like situations." It is what it is. Don't book Comedy Events here.

Great bar! The bartenders are very kind.

Went to see a Queen cover band for my buddy's birthday. Nice pool hall type of bar. I was surprised they don't serve food, but they're not that kind of bar (which is totally ok). Great time, great drinks, and wicked music.

The sound is a little loud side, the acoustics could be better, but the stage is great. Service is great, the place is clean.

Went here for a Sunday afternoon School of Rock Christmas concert. Great venue & friendly staff!

Heavy Metal Venue, but not to a fault. Open Mic night on Wednesdays is fun and engaging. Lots of pool tables. Nice staff. Location is real Ottawa history, I'm not even close to the authority on the spirit of this venue. I am honoured to have partied here. Bathrooms are well kept. ;)

Great spot for bands or just a friendly night playing pool with your friends. Had an amazing Canada's Day evening

Nice place to have fun . Heavy metal music as I can't hear but I hang out with friends here. Huge parking lot with many businesses on site.

Wicked great staff, food and acoustics too for live bands !!

What an amazing stage to play on! Their electric jam is the best in the city...and the acts they bring in are top notch!! Make sure you visit this place!!

There are not many places like this left where you can see high level bands in an intimate room up close and personal. The Brass Monkey is just awesome!

Best show ever friendly people Wednesday nights I play bass there and the stage and dance floor are awesome. Good times clean , friendly and entertaining . Good place for hanging out and making friends.

Such a great venue. The owner truly cares about the local music community and will go out of his way to support it. The BEST.

I won tickets from CHEZ106 to see Taming Sari, On the Edge and Rude Mood at the Monkey. This was my first time in the bar. I absolutely love this place. It's a great venue for live music. The layout is perfect and the sound quality is amazing. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The prices are good and it's kept clean. I highly recommend going to the Brass Monkey. I'll be back for sure.