Is Canada’s capital the city that fun forgot?
Not according to Mathieu Grondin, who has spent more than one year as Ottawa’s nightlife commissioner, where he supports initiatives to liven up the city.
So far, the nightlife office has created a new website, amended bylaws, piloted Byward Market night ambassadors, launched new safety initiatives and opened Metcalfe Plaza, a new event space.
The Nightlife Action Plan, which lays out the commissioner’s mandate, expires in 2026, so the Charlatan sat down with the “night mayor” to chat about what he has done so far and what’s coming next.
The Charlatan (TC): You’re one year into being the Night Commissioner. How’s it going, and what are some key achievements so far?
Mathieu Grondin (MG): It’s been a very busy first year.
We started off with the Nightlife Council and then there was the Canada After Dark forum as part of Capital Music Week. We rolled out a bylaw review for special events in June.
There was the Byward Market night ambassadors pilot that kicked off in July, and then the big thing was Metcalfe Plaza in August.
So, I’m pretty proud of what we’ve achieved and I’m excited about what’s to come.
TC: Metcalfe Plaza: What inspired that and what are you hoping to achieve?
MG: Two young local Black entrepreneurs came to me in November last year, and they wanted to make a space where people can socialize but don’t have to spend money.
Of course, if you want to buy a drink, you need to pay for it, but it’s a multi-purpose space. We had a successful market and yoga classes during the day.
And at night, people can have a drink and listen to DJs. We close at 10 p.m., but then people can stay out for a late dinner, or go to another club or bar, listen to more music and enjoy Ottawa’s nightlife.
TC: Why is nightlife a key piece to revitalizing downtown?
MG: Nightlife was a big piece of the vibrancy downtown when we had Babylon and Barrymoores on Bank Street, two music venues that would bring in about 1,000 people at least three times a week. People would go out to eat, drink or shop before the show, and they would go somewhere else after.
Since these two venues closed, there have been safety issues, or the perception of safety issues, downtown. A safe street is a busy street, so we need more people because it brings a sense of safety to this area.
TC: What do you say to the people who think Ottawa is boring?
MG: Part of it is they just don’t know where to look, and that’s why we came up with the Ottawa at Night website. It’s a directory of more than 100 nightlife businesses — from karaoke nights to folk concerts to electronic dance music nightclubs — with a bunch of event listings.
This way, people can find out what’s going on and which venues they may be interested in.
TC: Some people think the nightlife office hasn’t done much. What’s your message to them?
MG: I think people had really high expectations. The first angry email I got saying, “Nothing has changed in Ottawa” was sent to me three months after I started. There’s only so much you can do in three months.
Now it’s been just a little over a year, and we’ve done a lot, especially considering the usual pace governments move at.
TC: Going into year two, what are you looking forward to?
MG: We’re looking for new projects.
I encourage people to come to us with their projects, and I’ll be happy to help develop and deliver it. That’s what we did with Metcalfe Plaza, and it’s what I’m looking to do with more partners.
The focus for next year will be new place-making initiatives, nightlife projects and also working on the next action plan, because this plan ends next fall.
TC: Last question — what is your favorite place or event in Ottawa for nightlife?
MG: I really enjoyed the Metcalfe Plaza this summer, it’s probably the place I went the most. I’m a bit biased, because I was part of that project. But one place I like to go after going out is Kettlemans Bagels, because it’s a 24-hour business and their bagels are as good as Montreal’s.
And I know, because I’m from Montreal.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Featured graphic by Alisha Velji.
