Château Lafayette
42 York Street
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
In September 1849, just months after the Château Lafayette opened its doors on York Street, its patrons witnessed (and likely participated in!) a violent riot that laid bare a town in turmoil – divided by religion, language, politics and geography. The Stoney Monday Riot left one dead and many injured as the town's Tories (Uppertown English and Scottish Protestants) and Reformers (Lowertown French and Irish Catholics) had a go at each other on the streets of the Byward Market. The riot is one of many events that contributed to Bytown's reputation as the most violent place in British North America. Amazingly, within just eight years, Bytown would become the capital of Canada – a title into which the city took some time to grow.
Today, the Laff (as is it now commonly known) is Ottawa's oldest pub and regularly features the likes of local musician Lucky Ron. Originally opened as a tavern and hotel, the Laff still operates a rooming house on its upper floors.
Have you ever enjoyed a cold pint at the Laff?
Neighbourhood
From its very beginnings in 1826, Bytown (early Ottawa) was divided geographically, with Uppertown to the west of the Rideau Canal and Lowertown to the east. Lowertown, then ... read more
