FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAFE & GENERAL INQUIRIES
Where are you located and when are you typically open?
Art House is located at 555 Somerset Street West in the heart of Ottawa. We are on the Northwest corner of Somerset at Bay, right by Dundonald Park. You can see our location on a map and find our most updated hours of operation through Google listing.
Where do I park?
Paid streeting parking is available on Somerset. There is also free street parking in the streets surrounding Art House. Please check individual signage for restrictions.
Can I get to Art House by bus?
Yes! OC Transpo's #11 bus stops just a few steps away from our door.
How do I enter the cafe? What type of seating do you offer at the cafe?
Set in a heritage house, Art House is accessed via a small outdoor staircase with a railing on one side.
We offer both indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting). The different rooms on the main floor of the house offer a range of options in terms of tables and environment and our front and side patios offer different sizes of tables in both sheltered and open areas. Outdoor heating is available during the colder months of the year.
We ask that patrons seat themselves and order at the bar, Art House staff do not typically come to take orders at tables. For orders that require a bit more time to fulfill, our staff will happily bring your order to your table whenever possible or call it out when it’s hot and ready!
Is Art House Wheelchair Accessible?
Unfortunately, Art House’s 150-year-old building was not built with accessibility in mind. Disability is front of mind for us here but we are limited by our own capacities as disabled humans as well as the very real financial restraints we face as disabled humans running a small business. As we work towards making our main floor accessible (a very real goal of ours!!), our only wheelchair accessible seating at present is our patio during the warmer months. The heated deck area has a removable ramp– if it is not out when you arrive or you want us to ensure it is out for your use, please don’t hesitate to call us at (613) 230-9555.
Do you take Reservations?
We do not take reservations at this time, however, we do accommodate rentals of individual rooms. For rental rates and inquiries please reach out to our Events Manager at events@thearthousecafe.ca. Please include as much detail as possible (dates, times, number of people etc).
Are dogs welcome?
Yes, we love our furry friends! Patrons are welcome to bring their dogs into Art House when placing their orders at the bar and both our front and side patio are dog-friendly zones complete with a few scattered water bowls (please ask at the bar if you can't find one or need one filled!). We ask that you please make sure that you are mindful of other patrons when bringing your pet on site, loud or aggressive animal behaviour is not acceptable.
Do you have vegan or gluten free options?
Yes! We stock a variety of treats from local vegan/gluten free bakery Sweet Cheeks. We also serve hearty vegan/gluten free salads from Hungry Babe. Our soups are made in-house and are always vegan gluten free. Sandwiches vary but we try to have vegetarian and vegan options available at all times. For beverages, we can substitute dairy milk for your choice of almond, oat, or soy milk for an additional charge. We cannot guarantee there has been no cross-contamination, so please bear that in mind. For the most up-to-date information on our food, check our menu or ask our friendly staff!
Do you serve alcohol?
Yes we are fully licensed and serve a variety of local beers and ciders on tap and in tall cans. We also have a small selection of house wines and a delicious and creative cocktail menu. We make all our cocktail syrups in house and frequently have limited featured cocktails available.
What options do you have available for people looking to refrain from alcohol?
Besides our huge array of espresso beverages, kombucha, pop, and juice, we also have a number of cute options for those looking for something a little more special. Our iced teas and lemongrass lemonade are two of our house-made favourites in the summers. We also offer a number of mocktails and non-alcoholic beers.
EVENTS
What types of events does Art House host and where can I find out about them?
Art House hosts a variety of in person events that are open to the public including live music, drag, themed nights, workshops, meetups etc. Events may or may not be ticketed. See individual listings for details. To find more about our upcoming events please visit the events page on our website or check out our Facebook and Instagram.
Where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased on site at the café counter or through the Tickets page of our online store.
I bought a ticket but can no longer attend! Do you offer refunds?
Please see individual event descriptions for refund policies.
Can minors attend Art House events?
Unless otherwise stated, all of our events are all-ages, however parents should be aware that as a licensed establishment, there is likely to be consumption of alcohol taking place before, during and/or after any given event. As an arts space, we also do not censor our artists beyond looking for any hate speech. We try to offer warnings where applicable for any sensitive content.
Please note that our Life Drawing sessions do usually feature nude models. It is acceptable for minors to attend if parents are aware of the circumstances and consent to their children attending.
Can I book space at Art House for a private event or gathering?
It is possible to rent one or multiple rooms, the full café, as well as our patio area in part or in full. Availability and rental rates are dependent on date and time of the event, and the amount and type of space required. For further details and to request a booking, please email info@thearthousecafe.ca with dates and times of interest, a description of your event, and potential number of participants.
Does Art House offer catering for private events and gatherings?
Art House does not currently offer catering beyond pastries and assortment of beverages (hot/cold and/or alcoholic/non-alcoholic). We do require a minimum of 3 weeks notice for all catering requests.
We are working on options for bringing in outside catering but currently do not allow it.
GALLERY & GIFT SHOP
Who is featured at Art House?
At Art House we primarily feature Artists from the Ottawa-Gatineau area with a handful of Artists from the surrounding region. At any moment you can find the works of over 100 different Artists within the Art House Gallery and Gift Shop.
How can I submit my work to be featured at Art House?
Art House accepts submissions on an ongoing basis. Please refer to our Submissions page for Guidelines and details on how to submit for our Main Gallery, Gift Shop and Special Exhibitions.
Note that the Art House Gallery and Gift Shop only accept digital submissions through the submissions@thearthousecafe.ca email. Artwork may not be dropped off for consideration without prior consent. The Art House Gallery Team will not be able to consider submissions sent in via Instagram or Facebook DM.
What kinds of works are eligible for submission?
The Art House Gallery and Gift Shop Team considers all sizes, mediums and styles of Artwork, however the space has a very limited capacity for sculpture and pottery type pieces.
How does selling my Art through Art House work?
The Art House Gallery and Gift Shop operate on a consignment basis, with Art House retaining a 30% commission on sales.