Despite growing up in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and living here for over 15 years, I still manage to learn more everyday about the city’s network of clubs, venues and restaurants and how interconnected its community is. It’s why I will never forget my first introduction to the Rabbit Hole, a cocktail bar/restaurant located close to the corner of Sparks and Bank, in downtown Ottawa. (And no, it’s not only because I was in the early stages of a viral infection that would nail me to my bed for the next week.)

The venue’s ambience was classy but modern. The subdued lighting, the wood and stone surfaces in the basement: it felt like I walked into a current-day interpretation of a speakeasy. The perfect setting for birthday party, featuring a new round of performances from Nycky Ghost and Spinny, two of Ottawa’s most promising up-and-coming DJs.

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