There’s a lot more to Paddington than train stations and floating parks, you know. And chief amongst your reasons to go west this summer is the relaunch of Pergola Paddington, the ravishing rooftop bar and street food hub that’s just made for summer afternoons. For summer 2022, the alfresco hangout has had a revamp and a rename; now known as Pergola Paraíso, the bar aims to transport you to the sun-drenched vistas of coastal Mexico when it opens on April 28.

Perhaps inspired by the success of their sellout Oktoberfest-themed ‘Wunderbar‘ pop-up last autumn, the Pergola team are fully embracing the summer season and all the thrills it has to offer. With the well-chosen theme of a Tulum beach club, Pergola Paraíso will be the ideal spot for Londoners to soak up the rays, feast on Mexican cuisine, and generally pretend they’re on the sandy beaches of Riviera Maya rather than in west London. We’ve got a little peek at what the transformation will look like, and trust us when we say it’s looking fiiiiiiine.

Aiming to fully immerse you in the tropical vibes, the space will be decked out with cacti, airy hammocks, and lush tropical foliage. It’s a total overhaul from last year’s (admittedly lovely) Mediterranean theme, and Pergola’s biggest transformation to date. We’re willing to bet that once you’re relaxing on a cabana-style day bed with a margarita in hand, you’re going to forget all of your troubles – even the British weather!

Also remixed for 2022 are the food vendors at Pergola Paraíso: unsurprisingly, they’ve leaned heavily into the Mexican theme here as well. Crudo Cevicheria and Dos Mas Tacos are running the food here, with returning favourite Filth&Co retaining a presence in the form of their burger shack.

Even more excitingly, we’ve been promised an “extensive menu” of margaritas, so I’m pretty confident in my choice of drink for the evening. True to the party-loving vibes, you’ll be able to enjoy weekly events such as Margarita Mondays (yes) and Taco Tuesdays (double yes) throughout the summer. Plus, they’ve partnered with Corona to offer beers on tap and table service, along with alcohol free beers for sober enjoyment.

Finally, in a first for Pergola Paddington, the beach club will have its own spacious dancefloor, where you can throw out some shapes to the sounds of beach house, spun by Paraíso’s resident DJs. I’m particularly intrigued by their weekly ‘Dusk’ events, which promise fire performers, dancers, and live percussion to really bring the party to life. Happily, Pergola Paraíso will be free to enter – just walk in and grab your spot in a tropical paradise!

Also published on Medium.