theESTABLISHMENT BEST-LOVED WATERING HOLES That was a long time ago, so I figured it was
time to drop by and say hi. The Laff has been a fixture in the Byward
Old time tavern charm at the “Laff”
By TERRY RYAN When I think about the old drinking holes
that I used to frequent in my younger days, I have to think of the Chateau Lafayette, or the “Laff”, as it is more frequently referred to. It was such a fun place to go. I loved the shuffleboard table they had, the fascinating people who came through the doors, the little seven- ounce glasses of beer (remember − I did say my younger days). Probably the last time I was at the Laff
was the time I returned from the west, broken marriage, no job, living with my parents (omg – I was 30 for crying out loud!) down in the dumps, and my brother came for dinner. After dinner he said, “We are going out – to the Laff.” So, off we went, and it was just what
the doctor ordered. Of course we played shuffleboard and I won (beat him something awful if my recollection is any good), and the rest of the night was a blast (or a blur) as drinks were on everyone but me. Really couldn’t have been a better way to return to the capital.
Market for more than 160 years, making it the oldest tavern in Ottawa. Located at 42 York Street, it first opened its doors in 1849 as Grant’s Hotel and changed names a few times (The Salmon Arms, the Bodega) and finally settled as the Chateau Lafayette to attract the French patrons and loggers from the Valley area. The building boasts the oldest neon sign in
Ottawa. A recent restoration of the sign revealed the Bodega name – it has been around that long! They still rent the rooms upstairs and have many long-time residents. Their staff is also loyal – I had the pleasure of meeting Lawrence, who has been in attendance for almost 24 years. He dropped in to play with the house band and never left. That’s the attraction of the Laff for you. The Scott family has been at the helm of the
Laff since 1966. They celebrate the anniversary of the Laff in November and the celebrations usually involve some element of fund raising and community appreciation. The Laff also hosts an annual fund raiser to support the Food Bank at Christmas time. It has been a long time since I walked through
that door, and I can honestly say that I sure felt as though I came home yet again. Don’t be fooled by the Quiznos that is now housed in the former shuffleboard location. The smoking ban took its toll on the old tavern, and Quiznos was a solution that allowed the Laff to keep going. It still has its old-time tavern charm and the quarts of beer as well as the atmosphere.
I got a kick out of the old Ladies
and Escorts sign they saved and mounted on the wall. The regulars who were there when I popped in were friendly and easy going: Happy to see you, chat away if you feel like it, but there is no doubt you will be made to feel welcome. You can pop over to the Quiznos side and get your eats and plop down on the bar side and munch away with a cold one or two. If a sub isn’t on your mind, there is no problem grabbing something else and bringing it in while you enjoy a beer or two. It’s a great place for lunch either way, especially if you work around the market. You shouldn’t forget the Laff
26 BOUNDER MAGAZINE
for a night out or for some Saturday afternoon entertainment. There is something going on every night at the Laff: Monday – Industry night – drink specials; Open Mic on Tuesdays; the John Carroll Show on Wednesday; Darts and Doubles night on Thursdays; and don’t forget about Jukebox Fridays. continued on page 29
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