The Elgin hires out its spaces for private parties, Christmas gatherings and wedding receptions, from a group of 8 in The Lounge to 120 seated or 240 standing guests across the whole building. It is a restored pub at 255 Elgin Avenue in Maida Vale, west London, with an in-house events team that quotes each booking on request.
The venue is split over two floors. Organizers can take a single space for a smaller group or book both floors for exclusive use of the pub for the whole day. Each floor has its own sound, and the first floor is set up for speeches and slideshows.
Weddings and receptions
The Elgin presents itself as a reception venue rather than a ceremony venue: its wedding page covers the drinks, the meal and the party that follow a ceremony held elsewhere. A drinks reception with canapés can take up to 250 guests standing, with guests met by a glass of fizz or a cocktail on arrival.
For the meal, the first floor seats up to 80 people for a two or three course menu, served family style. Couples who prefer a standing format can choose finger food, grazing tables or interactive food stations. The evening can continue with a DJ booked through the venue, your own DJ or a live band, and a late-night license is available.
Rooms and capacities
The Lounge is the most casual space, taking 8 to 35 guests with a mix of seats and standing room. It can be booked instantly online, with a card held to secure the date.
The first floor has private access, its own bar and a dining area. It holds 80 seated or 100 standing guests under ceiling-high windows, with exposed brick walls and artwork. It comes with a PA system, a projector and screen, and microphones on request.
Whole venue hire covers both floors: up to 120 guests seated or 240 standing, with the PA system running throughout. Projectors and screens are available on each floor, which helps when a speech or a video needs to reach guests downstairs as well as upstairs. A 3D tour on the official site shows the layout.
Catering
Food and drink come from the pub itself. The events menu is seasonal and built on locally sourced ingredients, with options ranging from light nibbles for a standing party to a seated feast. Drinks packages cover beer, wine and cocktails, and the bar mixes cocktails to order. The events team puts the menu and drinks together with each organizer and sends a quote.
History and setting
The Elgin describes itself as a restored pub that keeps its historic character while adding a modern finish. Inside, the first floor shows bare brick and large windows. The pub sits on a residential stretch of Maida Vale, a district of mansion blocks and canals north of Paddington. The same group runs other London venues, including Coin Laundry in Clerkenwell, Never For Ever in Kentish Town and Heist Bank in Paddington.
Getting there
The pub is on Elgin Avenue, W9 1NJ, a short walk from Maida Vale station on the Bakerloo line. Paddington station, with the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express, is a few minutes away by taxi. Heathrow is the nearest airport.
