Ottawa’s pride month is an annual celebration that is revered throughout the city. It’s a time for the city to come together and show their, well, pride in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The people and allies of this community are experts at finding fun and unique ways to celebrate. From drag shows to parades, there is no shortage of opportunities to show your pride – but for those of us who want to find ways to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ businesses in our respective areas, it can be a challenge trying to locate them!
Well, fear not! Centretown has a number of pride-friendly businesses that you can support not only for pride, but all year round.
T’s Pub
T’s Pub is a year round staple in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. From drag shows, to just general vibes and good times – T’s Pub has been the place in Centretown for an allied night out. T’s is known as the “all welcoming pub in the heart of Ottawa’s LGBTQIA+ community” and they continue to live up to that name.
T’s is not only a physical location to gather and celebrate, but their ownership does an incredible job of spotlighting queer people and events in the community.
On August 21st T’s is hosting an Indie Queer Author event where book readings and signings will take place, and it’s 100% free!
Events like this are happening at T’s all the time, and pride month is the perfect time to experience one!
Capital Pride
Capital Pride is a clear and excellent representation of a local business who has a goal to expand people’s knowledge and acceptance of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Their mission is to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate, and connect people, all while respecting the full diversity of their community. Capital Pride is an organization that organizes events throughout the community to help execute this mission to the fullest extent. Free events like a youth clothing swap and a mini festival called Queered are just two examples of how their efforts are being utilized.
The summer festival team is made up of a number of dedicated individuals who come together with the goal of creating visibility, education, and of course fun during Ottawa’s pride month! If you’d like to support or learn more about Capital Pride, check them out at capitalpride.ca
Stoked Ego
Stoked Ego is a Centretown staple in men’s clothing. Their commitment to elevating men’s fashion in the community is coupled with their unwavering support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. From daily fit options, to their wide selection of men’s underwear, to clothing options that are perfect for your pride parade party – Stoked Ego has what you’re looking for.
On top of their commitment to excellence for clothing, they also have a commitment to excellence in the community. In 2023 they took over a new space a floor above the retail shop, turning it into an event rental space that has since been used for birthday parties, queer group fundraisers, baby showers, vintage clothing pop ups and more! As times have changed, so too has Stroked Ego. They’ve recently shifted their focus from hosting an event space to being proud supporters of programs like Out of Camp which hosts inclusive outdoor adventures.
They’ve also chosen to partner with another list maker in T’s pub for joint events. Talk about a two-for-one.
Don’t believe me? Go check them out for yourself! Buy me a pair of socks while you’re at it.
Kind Space
Kind Space is a 2SLGBTQIA+ community centre right in the heart of Centretown. They offer resources, events, social, and educational programming. Their work aims to celebrate and prioritize oppressed sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
Kind Space is just that… A physical space for people to exist and feel welcomed. No matter who they are, or if they even understand who they are yet! This is a safe space for all to enjoy, that has the support of peers who are or have gone through similar things.
Their use of an asterisk is meant to remind us that we are all more than what we seem on the surface, and there is more to our individual and connected lives than meets the eye.
Check out kind space at kindspace.ca
In Bloom Tattoo Co.
In Bloom Tattoo Collective is a queer and trans-owned & operated tattoo shop in Centretown with a mission for more than just dope skin art.
They believe in collaboration, cooperation, and radical inclusivity.
In Bloom understands the need to create safer spaces for tattooing and being tattooed.
They invite you to come as you are because let’s be honest, we all deserve to feel the uncomfortable prick of a tattoo needle – regardless of who we are!
The skilled artists at In Bloom can be booked through their website at inbloomtattoocollective.ca
This list just barely scratches the surface of 2SLGBTQIA+ businesses in the Centretown area, and pride month is the perfect time to explore them if you never have before.
It’s important to remember, now more than ever, that everyone matters, everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin, and everyone deserves spaces to feel safe and live their lives!
Pride Month in Ottawa is a fun reminder of this, but these sentiments are true year round. Pop into any of these (or any of the other) amazing businesses and have a conversation! You might just learn something.
Happy Pride Month, Ottawa!
Love, Centretown.
Author: Jordan Pizzuti
August 13, 2025
