Social Restaurant + Lounge

At Social, a wedding feels like a long, lively dinner party in the heart of Ottawa, with soaring ceilings, good wine and the whole restaurant to themselves.

For more than 20 years this restaurant and lounge on Sussex Drive, in the historic ByWard Market downtown, has served progressive Canadian cooking alongside an inventive wine list, craft cocktails and a mix of local and imported beers.

Couples can book the entire restaurant for their wedding, seating up to 130 guests for dinner or hosting up to 200 for cocktails and canapés.

The rooms each have their own character. The Social Dining Room has soaring ceilings and arched windows looking onto the bar. The S-Lounge sits at the back and overlooks the courtyard, and it can be combined with the dining room for up to 68 seated guests.

On the courtyard floor, the Lower Dining Room has warm stonework and a wall of reserve wines running the length of the room, with windows onto the terrace. Above it all, the Upper Loft has a balcony looking down over the bar and main dining room.

The Sussex Lounge at the front, facing Sussex Drive, suits a welcome drink before guests sit down to dinner.

The events team offers one-on-one planning, and smaller weddings or rehearsal dinners can take a single private room instead of the full space.

For couples who picture a stylish downtown dinner with clinking glasses and great food, Social offers an intimate wedding that feels relaxed, warm and full of conversation.