Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Lets Roam

If you’re looking to add a bit of spice to your Ottawa trip without breaking the bank, the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl by Lets Roam might be worth considering. It’s a casual, app-driven adventure that promises to take you through some of the city’s best bars while completing fun challenges along the way. We’re here to give you a detailed rundown so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your night out.

What we like about this experience is how it combines exploring Ottawa’s nightlife with interactive challenges that keep everyone engaged—whether you’re with friends or just some curious travelers. The personalized roles and photo/video tasks sound like a good way to turn an ordinary bar hop into a memorable, social event. Plus, the price point—around $12.31 per person—is pretty accessible, especially if you’re on a budget.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that the experience is quite short—roughly two hours—and features mainly challenges rather than a focus on the bars themselves. For some, this might feel a bit rushed or light on the actual bar experience. It’s probably best suited for those who enjoy games and social activities more than just drinking and relaxing.

All in all, this tour could be perfect if you’re new to Ottawa, visiting with a group of friends, or looking for a lively, interactive way to see the city’s nightlife. If you’re a serious bar enthusiast or want a more in-depth pub crawl, you might find this format a little light, but for a fun start to your evening, it hits the mark.

Key Points

• Affordable Price: At just over $12 per person, it offers a budget-friendly way to explore Ottawa’s bar scene.
• Interactive Experience: Personalized roles and challenges keep everyone engaged and add a playful element.
• Flexible Timing: No reservations needed, so you can start whenever it suits you and go at your own pace.
• Limited Duration: About 2 hours—great for a quick fun outing but maybe not enough for a full evening of drinking.
• Focus on Challenges: The emphasis is on completing photo/video challenges rather than a traditional pub crawl.
• Group Size: Max of 10 travelers, making it intimate enough for fun but still manageable.

What Is the Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl?

This isn’t your average pub crawl. Instead, it’s a scavenger hunt-style adventure using a mobile app that guides you around Ottawa’s nightlife spots. You and your team will visit several bars, completing challenges such as taking photos, videos, and answering trivia. The goal? Have fun, learn some new facts, and maybe even compete to be the “Bar Hunt Champion.”

The experience begins at 115 Rideau St, a central location accessible by public transportation, and ends back at the starting point. You’re free to go any time during the operating hours, which are quite generous—from early morning to late at night. The flexibility makes it easy to fit into just about any evening plans.

You’ll be assigned a character role at the beginning, which influences the challenges you’ll face. While the specifics of the characters aren’t detailed, it adds an element of variety and personalization. Plus, participants receive digital copies of the photos taken during the hunt, so you’ll have some fun souvenirs afterward.

How Does the Tour Work?

Once you download the Lets Roam app, you’re set to start your adventure whenever you choose. No need for advance booking, making it a spontaneous and easy activity to add to your itinerary. Simply meet at the designated starting point, pick your character, and go.

During the 2-hour journey, expect to visit some of Ottawa’s best bars where you’ll complete photo and video challenges. These could involve capturing funny moments, specific poses, or even filming short clips as part of the game. The challenges are designed to be lighthearted and social—perfect for groups looking to have a good time and maybe share some laughs.

The app will also present trivia questions along the way, although one review suggests that some players might prefer more trivia and less photo/video tasks. The challenges vary based on the character you choose, adding a layer of variety to repeat experiences.

The experience is perfect for groups of friends or adult family members. Since it requires participants to have a moderate physical fitness level and involves walking around town, it’s best suited for those comfortable on their feet and able to navigate city streets.

What Are the Pros and Cons?

Pros:
– Affordable and accessible, with no need for reservations.
– Fun, interactive challenges that make the night lively.
– Flexibility on timing and a chance to explore the city in a different way.
– Digital photos to remember the night.

Cons:
– Short duration (about 2 hours), which might not satisfy those wanting a deeper pub experience.
– Heavy focus on challenges rather than the actual bar experience.
– Limited to a maximum of 10 travelers, so larger groups should plan accordingly.
– Some feedback hints at a desire for more trivia and less reliance on photos/videos.

Note: Since food and drinks are not included, you’ll still want to plan for some extra time and budget for actual drinks or snacks at the bars you visit.

A Closer Look at the Itinerary

The tour begins at 115 Rideau St, right in the heart of Ottawa. From there, the app guides you to different bars, each with its unique vibe. Although specific bars aren’t named, you can expect to visit some of the city’s popular nightlife spots. The challenge-based format encourages interaction and fun photos, which could be especially entertaining if you’re traveling with friends who enjoy a bit of friendly competition.

One reviewer mentioned that “we had a great time none the less,” despite suggesting a preference for trivia over photo challenges. This indicates that while the activities are engaging, some participants might find more value in different types of challenges or interactions with the bars themselves.

The goal is to solve as many challenges as possible before returning to the start point, with the chance to be crowned the “Bar Hunt Champion.” The digital photos provided afterward serve as a fun souvenir, even if your main aim is just to enjoy the evening.

Is This Tour Worth Your Money?

Considering the price of $12.31 per person, it’s a surprisingly good deal for a quick, lighthearted night out. You’re paying mainly for the interactive app-guided experience and the fun challenges rather than the drinks or the bars themselves. If you’re looking for a way to spice up a typical night out with friends or family, this could be a fun, low-cost option.

But if you’re hoping for a more traditional pub crawl with multiple drinking stops and extensive bar hopping, this format might feel a bit limited. It’s more of a social challenge than a deep dive into Ottawa’s bar scene.

Who Would Enjoy This?

This experience is well-suited for groups of friends or adult travelers who enjoy games, social activities, and exploring a city in a playful way. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a quick, casual activity that adds some fun to your evening without requiring heavy planning. It might be particularly appealing for people who like digital scavenger hunts, taking photos, or competing with friends.

If you’re traveling with a larger group, keep in mind the maximum of 10 travelers, which keeps things intimate and manageable. The activity’s flexibility and no-reservation policy mean you can fit it into a variety of schedules.

Final Thoughts

The Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl by Lets Roam offers a light-hearted, interactive way to explore the city’s nightlife and have some fun challenges along the way. Its affordability, flexibility, and social nature make it a good option for those who enjoy games and engaging activities more than a traditional pub crawl.

However, if you’re after a more immersive bar experience or want to spend more than two hours exploring Ottawa’s pub scene, you might find this a bit lightweight. It’s best viewed as a fun starter activity or a way to add some humor and challenge to your evening.

Overall, if you enjoy interactive experiences and don’t mind the limited scope, this could be a memorable part of your Ottawa visit. Just remember—it’s more about the playful journey than the pub itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the tour at any time?
Yes, the tour can be started at any time during the hours of 7:00 AM to 11:30 PM, giving you plenty of flexibility.

Do I need to book in advance?
No, there’s no need for reservations; you can simply meet at the starting point and begin whenever you’re ready.

Is there a minimum age for participants?
No minimum age is required, but you must be 21+ to participate because of the alcohol involved at the bars.

How long does the experience last?
It takes approximately 2 hours, making it a quick activity to fit into your evening plans.

Are food and drinks included?
No, food and drinks are not included. You’ll need to plan to buy those separately at the bars you visit.

Is transportation provided?
No, transportation is not included. You are responsible for getting to and from the bars.

What should I wear?
Smart casual, comfortable walking clothes, and shoes are recommended since you’ll be moving around the city on foot.

What kind of challenges will I face?
Challenges involve taking photos and videos at the bars, and possibly answering trivia questions, depending on the character role you choose.

Will I get to see specific bars?
The tour visits some of Ottawa’s best bars, but specific names aren’t listed. Expect a selection of popular nightlife spots.

What if I don’t like photo/video challenges?
One review suggests a preference for trivia over photo tasks, so if that’s your style, you might find the challenges a bit repetitive, but overall, they’re designed to be fun and social.

If you’re looking to spice up your Ottawa trip with a playful, budget-friendly activity, this bar crawl could be just the right fit. It’s casual, social, and perfect for a quick evening adventure—just don’t expect a deep dive into the city’s bar scene.