The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Right in the heart of downtown Ottawa, a mere block away from Parliament Hill. Over 150 shops to visit, many outdoor festivals and events take place throughout the year. The walkways are paved with attractive interlock instead of the usual dull gray concrete and during the day, hundreds upon hundreds of tourists, shoppers and government workers are bristling about, making it one of the more livelier places in Ottawa.

Of course, I'm talking about Sparks Street.

Now come by at 9pm, and it is dead dead dead. There are a couple of bars open in the vicinity, such as Hoops (when was the last time you've been?) but everything is closed. Hardly anyone is in sight. I wouldn't recommend an attractive young lady to be walking by herself at that time of night as it is virtually deserted an no one would know if you were to get kidnapped.

It is really unfortunate that there isn't more night life in this area. Being so close in proximity, I notice this more than the average person. But for such an ideal location, what can be done to bring this place to life?

Ottawa has a reputation of calling it a night early and being a boring place if you're looking to fire it up all night long. Thing is, there are places like Sparks St that SHOULD be alive with people 24 hours, but it isn't.

It's kind of sad. Is anything being done to change it?