Prohibition Public House ★9.1

Prohibition Public House — Farm-to-Table Behind a Speakeasy Curtain

The name promises a costume party; the kitchen delivers a serious restaurant. Prohibition Public House, a New York-style gastropub in Centretown, dresses itself in the 1920s — wood, vintage detail, low amber light — while executive head chef Alex Pruner quietly runs one of the neighbourhood’s most committed farm-to-table operations, built on producers from around the National Capital region.

The Story

Since opening in 2016, Prohibition has become a Centretown fixture by balancing two identities: a bar with a locally rooted kitchen, and a dining room with a bartender’s soul. The cocktail program honours the era that named the place — an Old-Fashioned list and a “Tommy Gun” list — without letting the theme upstage the plate.

What to Order

The beef tartare and roast duck breast show the kitchen’s range; the lobster and shrimp roll is the guilty favourite; the short rib poutine has achieved local fame. Charcuterie boards assemble the region’s meats and cheeses, and weekend brunch — indulgent, unhurried — has its own devoted congregation. Ontario craft beer and a thoughtful wine list round out the bar.

The Space

Meticulously styled without feeling like a set: warm wood, brick and vintage fixtures, corners intimate enough for dates and a main room that handles group energy gracefully. Private and corporate events slot in naturally.

Who It’s For

Couples who like their dinner with atmosphere, brunch parties, locavores tracking where their duck came from — and anyone hosting friends who appreciate a room with a point of view.

Good to Know

Should I reserve? Recommended for weekend dinners and brunch; parties of eight or more secure with a card.

What’s the food philosophy? Farm-to-table — the kitchen sources from local farms across the capital region.

Which dish is the signature? The short rib poutine by reputation; the duck breast by the kitchen’s pride.

Is brunch worth it? Yes — weekends only, and it fills up; the indulgent plates travel well on social media.

Can it host private events? Yes — the room is designed with private and corporate gatherings in mind.

Opening hours