166B - The B - La Réception

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The B, as it was often called by regulars, was just around the corner from the Lord Elgin Hotel, which had just unceremoniously abandoned the queer clientele it had for years in the basement bar and 1st floor 'library' tavern in about 1981.

Some of the (straight) bartenders who loved their gay clients decided to open up a gay bar, the first of its kind in Ottawa, recognizing they had a large and otherwise ignored customer base to cater to.

It wasn't a particularly nice bar... we've heard more than a few folks describe it as a dump, but it was a space we could call our own at a time when other bars only tolerated us or hated us but took our money anyway.

If you know more details about this place, please email info@bankstreet.ca to share dates, facts, images or more.