MacLaren’s on Elgin - Ottawa, Ontario

I recently visited here with my friends and had a very disappointing experience. Despite not drinking, my friends and I were singled out by the security guard and asked for our IDs. This was particularly frustrating as we noticed that no one else was being asked for their IDs, and ... there were even children inside the here playing pool. It felt like we were being targeted specifically because we are Indian. The behavior of the staff seemed blatantly racist and made us feel very uncomfortable. I would not recommend this place to anyone who values fair and respectful treatment. Photos attached kids playing Read more

My friends and I visited this place again last night as it’s a birthday ritual for us to play pool while having beer. Been here more than 8 times now, but this time was the worst we’ve ever been treated. Server name: ERIK Service was pathetic, and he had an attitude the ... entire time. Almost felt like he was doing us a favour by taking drink orders. We ordered pizza and he just carelessly kept it over my phone and the chalk. Didn’t have as much as a smile on his face, had a smug look instead, the entire time he was serving us. He had to leave early cause his shift was ending, but didn’t have enough consideration to even let us know before leaving. We were basically lost, without a server for 30 minutes. Anyway, thanks for ruining my friend’s birthday, Erik. :) Hope your days are better and you learn to greet people with a smile and do the bare minimum. We were later served by BRIANNA, and she was wonderful as always. She turned the night around and was always around when we needed her. She really saved the day, or else we were considering never coming back. Read more

Well, I'm so embarrassed, as I was an inconvenience to the server who was already serving my party of 25 people(Friday May 3 at approximately 615pm) I had arrived about 10 mins late (new to area and got lost) and I feel so bad for inconveniencing the server, who was ... so involved in serving the other 25 people that he didnt see me sitting there, as I foolishly attempted to get his attention. I should not have come....at all! How im.glad he just continued to ignore me, Im only a 6ft tall blonde plus sized woman, I know its hard to notice me, even when i say,EXCUSE ME. I feel better knowing I was not a priority for him,though as he answered me, "One minute!!" and with a flick of his hand dismissed any notion of serving me. So, as he served everyone else and also began to refill pints for the people beside me, he managed to not even see me sitting RIGHT BESIDE him as he stood at our table (coz I had the NERVE to show up later behind the others!!) Luckily, after everyone at the table noticed the way I was not being served as they ate and drank 2nd pints, (nothing infront of me...coz well, WHAT was i thinking by showing up expecting to be treated with respect) a person at my table asked the server if I could get a drink. Oh, THEN he finally noticed me, so much so that I made the server feel like he needed to stand over me and glare at me without a cordial word of welcome or "what can I get you"? Asked about IPA, he had no suggestions when I asked. I felt badly for taking up so much time. Luckily, he quickly took my order, I'm so grateful that he felt I only needed 2 shrimp tacos instead of the 4 I wanted, but then again, who am i to think I should be served properly?! I also would have LOVED a second pint, but he took my glass away without acknowledgment. I guess my time there was over even though others were staying. I know he probably thinks I have no clout....I guess it's true... Except for my Google review.... Food was tasty ( too much wet coleslaw in it, though). Wanted 4, not 2, then again, so happy the server chose for me and decided when I was done at McLarens. Read more

Pool tables are awesome! $12 an hour and then $0.20 a minute afterwards; what a great system and a great price! The menu items are a bit expensive but they list a great variety of drinks on the menu, especially with shots. Didn't order any food so no comment there. ... Service was awesome, staff were very approachable and checked in on my group at the perfect times. Read more

This is a really nice place to hang out with friends and family. You pay 12$ an hour and have play at a pool table. You can order food and drinks and play at the same time. I really recommend if you want to spend a night together with someone, ... or by yourself. Read more