MAX Ottawa

Look What the Cat Dragged In
2026-02-27 19:30 - 23:30 (America/Toronto) | Meow! That’s Hot., 519 Bank St., Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1Z6, Canada
Meow That’s Hot and Ego & Vice Podcast proudly presents “Look What The Cat Dragged In” Ottawa Artist Showcase Series.

An up close and interactive performance showcasing the songwriting of queer Ottawa artist Hannah Vig. Followed by artist Q&A. Hosted by Ego & Vice Podcast

With special guest Eliza Rankin.

Cruise
2026-02-27 22:00 - 2026-02-28 02:00 | Probe Ottawa, 41 York St 3rd & 4th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5S7, Canada
Illuminaughty Men’s Parties hommage to the tradition of cruising. 2 levels of spaces to explore in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

Fully accessible, men’s night, Nautical/ Beach theme fetish play party.

19+, Licensed Bar, VIP Loft Lounge, Goon Room, w/s area, slings, sounding demo, free coat/clothes check, multiple themed rooms.

Out and About Saturdays
2026-02-28 09:30 - 14:30 | The Good Companions, 670 Albert Street
OSPN in partnership with The Good Companions is delighted to offer in person programming to our 55+ LGBTQ2+ community.

Join us every second and fourth Saturday of the month for a range of engaging activities, from educational workshops to social programming, all designed to foster connection, support, and enjoyment. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone can feel comfortable, respected, and celebrate.

Bottomless Dine & Drag Dinner
2026-02-28 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-03-07 19:00 - 22:00 | The Vanitea Room, 551 Somerset St West, Ottawa, ON, K1R 5J9, Canada
Every week, on Saturday night, Vanitea is the destination for the no. 1 voted drag dinner, presented by beloved house host Devona Coe and a rotating calendar of featured local and visiting drag queens.Delivering their struts, gag-worthy performances & all-over sass for your Saturday night pleasure, + a fabulous 3 course tower (with meal included) and bottomless drinks!

Colin Campbell's Cozy Caper
2026-02-28 21:00 - 22:30 | Art House, 555 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R5K1, Canada
A night of new songs, oldies and hits! Join this up-and-coming songwriter for a look into the musical universe they’re crafting. Discover older, forgotten ballads that bind peoples lives together, and capture the energy of our newest anthems while we write our stories in real time!

IMPORTANT ACCESSIBILITY INFO

We provide gender-neutral washrooms. We have one wheelchair accessible washroom. There is no wheelchair ramp. There is a set of 8 stairs to get into the building (7 steps, small landing, and then an 8th step). Once inside, the whole cafe floor is flat, with the exception of our small room to the side, which is a small step down.

Winter Pride Party
2026-02-28 21:00 - 2026-03-01 01:00 | AIDS Committee of Ottawa, 19 Main St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S1A9, Canada
🔥❄️ WARM BODIES, HOT BEATS! ❄️🔥

Get ready to turn up the heat this winter!

Join the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) for an unforgettable night of music, culture, movement, and community at our Winter Pride Party! 🌈

🎧 Hot beats & winter vibes🎲 Interactive sexual health games🎭 Cultural performances🍿 Snacks & drinks🎁 Raffles, door & game prizes

Whether you’re coming to dance, learn, connect, or just vibe, this is a space for warm bodies, bold joy, and radical celebration. Come as you are—and bring your friends!

Winter Sucks, Touch Plants
2026-03-01 12:00 - 14:00 | Tropical Greenhouse at the Central Experimental Farm, Maple Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4X2, Canada
Got the winter blues? Same. Lets hang out in a greenhouse!!! 😇

We’re organizing this meetup to have fun, chat, and yap. But also, if you have any extra seed packets or houseplant cuttings to trade or share, bring em! 🤓

🌿🪴🌱🪴🌿🪴🌿🪴🌱🌵🌵🪴🌿🌱🪴🌿

Free! No registration, no RSVP, just good vibes!

More deets:

This greenhouse is open to the public year-round, 8-4 PM, except on Saturday (closed). There are public washrooms 225m from the greenhouse further down Maple Drive.

Accessibility note: accessible parking is just beside the greenhouse. The walkway to the greenhouse is level with the ground and there are no stairs or ramps to enter. The building has automatic doors.

Note: It can get HOT in there, dress in layers you can remove!

Sunday Afternoon Bear Walk
2026-03-01 14:30 - 15:40, 2026-03-08 14:30 - 15:40 | Ottawa / Gatineau Pathways, Ottawa, Canada
Join other gay and bisexual men (including gay and bi transmen) for a one hour walk every Sunday at 2:30pm. Locations vary each week and are posted to the website through the link below.

Karaoke Night
2026-03-01 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-03-05 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-03-08 20:00 - 23:00 | T’s, 323 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON, 2P 0J8, Canada
Karaoke with fellow Queers hosted by Jolene.

Rainbow Registered Presents: GENDERCRAFT
2026-03-02 13:00 - 14:30 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/rainbow-registered-presents-gendercraft-2/
Gender Identity Applications

This module begins with a review of best practices related to supporting people with diverse gender identities in three areas: personal support, institutional practices, and environmental experiences.

Following this review, there is a brief discussion of current political realities facing people with diverse gender identities, discussing international context and reviewing current Canadian issues.

The bulk of the module will be a discussion of four scenarios. Each participant will have time to discuss two scenarios in detail, and review the other two scenarios as part of a debrief. Each scenario has proposed discussion questions, and most scenarios also include suggested scripts for practice.

5-Pin Bowling
2026-03-02 18:30 - 20:00 | West Park Lanes, 1205 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 2Z8, Canada
EVERYONE is welcome (please bring your friends!) to join us for a fun evening of 5-pin bowling at the West Park Lanes bowling alley at 1205 Wellington Street West. We play two games. The cost is $10.00, including shoe rental. It’s quite informal. You don’t have to join a team, just show up at West Park Lanes. Please come to the lanes early—at least 15 minutes early.

Queer SWANA Movie Night
2026-03-03 17:30 - 21:00 | Kind Space, 400 Cooper St. suite 9001, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2N1, Canada
A monthly gathering for queer SWANA folks and allies to come together around a shared meal, watch a movie, and discuss it together afterward.

This event is held every first Tuesday of the month, in the welcoming space generously offered by the folks at KindSpace (400 Cooper St.).

We know life happens, conversations run long, and time in SWANA cultures can be… flexible. The venue is accessible, and doors open at 5:30 pm. We’ll start gathering at 5:45 pm, and the movie will begin around 6:30 pm. You’re welcome to join for any part of the evening. There’s no pressure to be there for all three. What matters most is showing up with curiosity, care, and an open and inclusive mindset.

Whether this is your first time or your tenth, queer SWANA folks and respectful allies are welcome in this shared space.

🕑 Rough program

5:45–6:30 Shared food and catching up on the latest gossip

6:30–8:30 Getting cozy together for the movie

8:30–9:00 Sharing thoughts, feelings, questions. No right answers required

🍉 About the food

This is a shared, community-style meal.

If you’re able to bring food, please do. Homemade, store-bought, sweet, savoury, … all sizes and colours are welcome.

If bringing food isn’t an option, you’re invited to contribute what you can (suggested $15). A small team of volunteers will be preparing home-cooked, grandma-style meals with a lot of love (and yes, some of us Arab gays really do know our way around a kitchen!).

No one is expected to bring both food and money. Come in the way that works for you.

👥 About the people

This is a volunteer-based, community-powered event. It truly takes a village, and everyone’s care helps keep the evening warm and welcoming. If you’re able to help out, whether with food, setup, or cleanup, it’s always appreciated. No, Mama won’t be here to pick up your plate; but community care goes a long way 😉

Seating is limited. If you sign up but are not able to come, please cancel your registration through your Eventbrite account so that someone else can attend. If you have any questions, contact movie.night.ottawa@gmail.com or Whatsapp +1 (613) 698-1436.

🎬 About the movie

We aim to announce each month’s movie at least two weeks in advance. There might not be one hundred options to choose from, but the pool is rich. If you have suggestions, ideas, or strong feelings about what we can watch next, please share. We promise we won’t judge.

Movie of March 3rd, 2026: The Judgment (2023) dir. Marwan Mokbel

Egypt/ Thriller & Drama / 111 minThe movie is in English. Subtitles are not available.

Rainbow Coffee Club
2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:30 | The Good Companions, 670 Albert St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6L2, Canada
Join us on the first and third Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:30 AM at The Good Companions for coffee, tea, treats, and great company.

Most meetings feature guest speakers on engaging topics.

Contact Sarah at srea@thegoodcompanions.ca for details.

Dodgeball
2026-03-04 20:00 - 21:30 | Notre Dame High School, 710 Broadview Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, K2A 2M2, Canada
Queer Dodgeball is all about having fun. A low-commitment activity to do with friends – you might even make new friends too!

Haven’t played dodgeball since elementary school? Don’t worry, neither have we. The rules of the game are explained before every session. Headshots are not allowed.

You need: A pair of indoor shoes! You will not be granted access into the gym without this.

How to sign up?

Sign up for the full season or for individual games through the link below. For drop-ins, select the date you’d like to sign up for and follow the prompts.

You will receive a confirmation email upon payments. You only need to fill out the waiver and health questionnaire once per season.

Pinball Women Ottawa Tournament
2026-03-04 20:00 - 23:00 | Lowertown Brewery, 73 York St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5T2, Canada
Pinball Women Ottawa (PWO) is a group in the Ottawa area for women, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals of all skill levels and ages that provides a supportive and inclusive environment to play and learn about pinball.

PWO’s monthly tournaments are on the **1st Wednesday each month at LOWERTOWN BREWERY** in the Byward Market.

When: Doors at 7pm // Tournament starts at 8pm.

Format: 3 Strikes Knockout. Group size TBD!

Additional information:

PWO has a new “pay it forward” initiative, that folks are welcome to access and/or contribute to.

Most of the machines at Lowertown are on the ground level. A few are downstairs. Please inform a TD if you need to stick to the ground floor.

Lowertown has one gender neutral & accessible washroom on the ground floor. The door must be opened manually (no automatic door).

When in the lower level room, feel free to close the sliding door to avoid disruptions from curious patrons. The lower level is not as closely monitored by bar staff as the ground floor.

Spectrum (YSB)
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Youth Services Bureau, 147 Besserer St, Ottawa, K1N 6A7, Canada
Looking for a fun, queer chat with people your age? Want to just hang out, eat some snacks and meet new friends? Are you interested in having some discussions about sexuality, identity, homophobia and your personal experience? YSB is proud to offer Spectrum, a program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ottawa!

Join Spectrum on Instagram

Spectrum meets every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. upstairs at our 147 Besserer St location.

How to access the program

We provide workshops, discussion groups, and art collaborations, as well as counselling services, peer mentoring, and primary care resources.

Spectrum can help with challenges like depression, anxiety and suicide while also offering practical support to navigate the mental health, housing and educational systems.

Spectrum is also a safe space for youth to:

Meet new people

Engage in workshops and discussions

Access services like showers, laundry, computers, telephones

Get referrals

Access trained counsellors and peer mentors if youth need to talk

Just hang out!

Activities include:

An introduction to our space and expectations

A queer current events discussion

Activities

Access to snack during group, showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, telephone, internet

Access to crisis counsellors from YSB and/or our in-house counsellor from Centretown Community Health Centre

A relaxed space where youth can be out and proud!

Contact: Kate PoirierEmail: kpoirier@ysb.ca

Making Your Voice Heard: Using Mainstream Media for Queer Advocacy
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:00 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/making-your-voice-heard-using-mainstream-media-for-queer-advocacy/
It’s becoming harder to get queer perspectives into mainstream media, but media remains one of the best (free) ways of getting our perspectives out there. Join Queer Momentum’s executive director Fae Johnstone – one of Canada’s most frequent queer commentators – for an interactive session on how to meaningfully engage media in your advocacy.

Queer Momentum’s Winter Webinars

Through our webinars, we help power-up 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates and allies with training on effective advocacy, movement-building and community organizing. These sessions are free, and intended to help you – as an activist or ally – become a stronger advocate.

This winter, we’re bringing you five sessions designed and delivered by our team, ranging from effective messaging to arts-based activism to undertaking culturally aware advocacy. We’re proud of these sessions, and excited to share them with you. All sessions will be recorded and shared with registrants – so don’t hesitate to sign up even if you can’t make it during the time-slot.

OGRC Weekly Run
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | T’s Pub, 323 Somerset St W, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0J8, Canada
Join us every Thursday evening for our weekly 5 km run, starting and ending at T’s Pub. We welcome runners of all levels, with multiple pace groups to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported. Whether you’re looking to push your limits or just enjoy a leisurely jog, there’s a spot for you in our community.
After the run, stick around at T’s Pub to unwind with a cold beer and some great company. It’s the perfect way to cap off a run and connect with fellow gay men. No pressure, just good vibes and good times!
See you at 7:00 PM—let’s hit the pavement together!

Gay Men In Recovery
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:10 | MAX Ottawa, 400 Cooper St. Suite 9004, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2H8, Canada
A weekly hybrid narcotics anonymous group for gay men.

To access the Zoom link, click the link below, select Thursday, and scroll down to “Gay Men In Recovery.” To enter the building, ring the intercom doorbell on the left side of the main doors if they are locked and a member will let you in.

Meeting formats and accessibility:

This meeting is closed to non-addicts. You should attend only if you believe that you may have a problem with substance abuse.

This meeting invites participation by all attendees.

This meeting is focused on the needs of gay, lesbian and transgender members of NA.

This meeting is meant to be attended by men only.

This meeting is wheelchair accessible.

Meetings virtually and in person.

2SLGBTQIA+ Game Nite
2026-03-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Studio Staja, 507 Rideau St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5Z5, Canada
Drop in board game night for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks! Come by yourself or bring friends. Play any of the games in the game library. Hosts on site are happy to teach players new games. Plant based snacks and drinks available. Free to play, contributions welcome.

SHIFT Film Festival
2026-03-07 15:00 - 20:00 | Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6E2, Canada
Shift Film Festival is an intimate, intentional film experience created by Labia Cinematica to spotlight bold, tender, and radical stories by women and gender non-conforming filmmakers, with a strong focus on Black and queer voices.

This first edition is designed as more than just a screening. It’s a space to gather, feel, and connect through cinema that explores identity, pleasure, intimacy, resistance, and healing. The films selected for Shift challenge dominant narratives and invite us to shift the gaze, toward stories rooted in care, complexity, and truth.

Throughout the evening, audiences will experience a curated program of short films, documentaries, series and feature films, followed by filmmaker Q&As and panels. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, student, or simply someone who loves powerful storytelling, this festival is for you.

What to expect:

A curated selection of creative works by women, non-binary & trans women directors

Post-screening Q&A and discussion

Networking with artists, creatives, and community members

Shift Film Festival is about creating space for our stories, our bodies, our desires, our softness, and our power. We can’t wait to welcome you.

Reclaim the Gaze.

RISE II: A Community Singing Event
2026-03-07 16:30 - 18:00 | First Unitarian Church, 30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K2A4A1, Canada
RISE returns! Building on last year’s concert of protest songs, this year’s program continues the call to action by challenging the expectations that hold us back while embracing the change needed to move forward. Urgent, hopeful, and powerful, RISE blurs the line between stage and seats as we raise our voices together.

The concert will be approx. 75 mins with an intermission.

The venue is First Unitarian, which is a wheelchair accessible space and has gender neutral single stall washrooms in addition to multiple stall gendered washrooms. Seating is cushioned wooden pews. The space is secular in nature.

Free parking is available on site and there are nearby bus stops. Please note that, while there is a lot of construction in the neighbourhood, Cleary Ave is open. Please click here for details, and allow yourself extra time arriving.

Please contact manager@tonecluster.ca if you have any questions.

Poetry Night
2026-03-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Ottawa Trans Library, 1104 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y3C8, Canada
An informal evening of poetry reading and discussion. No mic, no stage! Share poems you have discovered or ones you have written in a casual atmosphere of poetry appreciation. Meeting on the first Saturday of the month at 5:30.

Gender Abyss
2026-03-08 15:00 - 18:00 | Ottawa Trans Library, 1104 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y3C8, Canada
Introducing Gender Abyss

A public showing of the latest artwork from Joan-Archer Gibson

Starting with a public showing at 3pm on the 8th of March!

Queer Climbing
2026-03-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Klimat 2.0, 265 City Centre Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7R7, Canada
Come join us at Klimat 2.0 for a queer bouldering sesh! /// Venez nous joindre à notre séance de bloc queer!

Yay Queer Climbing!!! 🧗‍🌈

Feel free to meet us at the gym at 6pm (there is parking available) or commute with us from the uOttawa train station. We will meet at 4:50 PM and leave at 5 PM sharp!

Payment will be card/cash AT Klimat 2.0, make sure to bring the right amount.

Open to all levels, we will have uOttawa Rock Climbing Execs present to teach the basics and answer any questions. We can’t wait to see you there 🙂

///

Yay une grimpe queer !!! 🧗‍🌈

N’hésitez pas à nous rejoindre au gym à 18 h (stationnement disponible sur place) ou à faire le trajet avec nous depuis la station de train uOttawa. Nous nous retrouverons à 16 h 50 et partirons à 17 h précises !

Le paiement se fera par carte ou en argent comptant chez Klimat 2.0, assurez-vous d’apporter le montant exact.

Ouvert à tous les niveaux ! Des membres de l’équipe d’escalade de l’uOttawa seront présents pour enseigner les bases et répondre à toutes vos questions.

Nous avons trop hâte de vous voir là 🙂

Rainbow Registered Presents: GENDERCRAFT
2026-03-09 13:00 - 14:30 | https://maxottawa.ca/list/rainbow-registered-presents-gendercraft-3/
Gender Expression Fundamentals

This module is primarily concerned with deepening understanding of the term “gender expression”.

It explores some of the myriad ways identity can be expressed, and reviews real-life examples of gender expression being restricted, both formally and informally. The module connects gender expression to other intersectional factors of identity. Gender Expression Fundamentals concludes with three small action items and a discussion of “personal inventory” as preparation for engaging in allyship.There will also be time for Q&A.
