WORDS & PICTURES: Abi Prowse
Torggata is possibly Oslo’s hippest, most vibrant street. Linking the old city centre to up-and-coming Grünerløkka, this road is punctuated by bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Among these is Peloton: a unique bar and cafe set at the very top of Torggata. What separates Peloton from other establishments in Oslo is its quaint, quirky theme. Cycling jersys are proudly suspended from the ceiling, the pastel walls adorned with vintage posters advertising events such as the Tour de France, or the Giro d’Italia. Racing bikes of all shapes and colours are scattered around the cafe, propped up against the counter and mounted above the tables.
The smiling bartender explains to me, as she kindly makes me a cappuccino, that the company is her brother’s, born from a lifelong passion for competitive cycling: a craze which is slowly but surely seeping into Northern European culture. The cafe’s slogan, fin i farta, is a play on words, she explains. Its most literal English translation would be “on a roll” – which, in Norwegian, also referrs to that tipsy state we all find ourselves in after having a little too much to drink. The perfect testament to a cycling-themed cocktail bar, of course.
More than just your average bar, Peloton is open from 8am every weekday, closing late to accommodate the city’s more nocturnal, youthful population. Their breakfast menu and pastry selection makes them a favourite hangout for visitors and locals, looking to kick off their day with a good cup of coffee. They also pride themselves on their Italian-inspired lunch and dinner menu, their sourdough pizzas each heaped with inventive topping combinations. For gluten-free customers, Peloton also offer a range of antipasti platters and salads.