Paddington’s canals have got a lot more going for them these days.
And here’s a spot you do want to touch with a bargepole.
It’s called Pergola Paddington (or Pergola On The Piste in its current, après-ski style, incarnation), and it’s commandeered a leafy, two-storey, 850-capacity semi-outdoor space in the Paddington Basin development for street food and cocktails. And you.
Shielded from the industrial views around it, it’s a little wintry oasis amidst the glossy offices and bustling transport lines. You’ll arrive to find yourself on the fairy-lit upstairs terrace, equipped with long table communal seating, cosy chalets (ideal for bigger groups, and bookable in advance), gingham-clothed benches and a very large bar, at which you’ll spy cocktails on tap, draught beers, wine and G&Ts.
Head downstairs, and you’ll find the pergola itself, festooned with fairy lights, pine trees and actual, proper skis, and set with rows and rows of picnic tables – handy, since your nose will soon be leading you to one of the street food stalls, which currently include:
Filth & Co, joyfully dirty, joyfully greasy burgers stacked with smash beef patties and festive fillings like melted camembert and cranberry ketchup;
Off-Piste, purveyors of potato rosti, pigs in blankets, chocolate fondue and other mountainous snacks; and
The Mac Factory, pots of hot, gooey mac and cheese in many forms, from the classic three cheese blend to jerk chicken and chipotle beef chilli; and
Yuki Japanese Kitchen; Japanese bites, gyoza and mochi alongside more alpine-ready specials like turkey karaage baos.
Behind their two lengthy bars, the ‘tenders will also be mixing winter spritzers, pouring mulled wine and hot apple cider, and pulling a couple of craft beers on tap. The DJs will be spinning records till late to fill up the dancefloor. And on Christmas Eve they’ll be hosting a santa party with shot-skis and santa hats.
And plenty of Christmas cheers…
NOTE: Pergola On the Piste is open from 4-11pm Mon-Tues and 12-11pm Wed-Sun. They take walk-ins, but you can make reservations (for up to 199 people) on their website right HERE.
Pergola On the Piste | 5 Kingdom Street, W2 6PY
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Carpe Diem!