Trivia: Old bus turned into bars/café etc

[Open top 80]

One of the Bournemouth old open tops has been turned into a bar at Gosport Borough football club. Are there any other examples you can think of?

 

[asw22]

Red bus cafe A64 between Leeds and York.

 

[JD2168]

There used to be a ex First Glasgow/Bristol Dennis Trident ALX 400 parked in a car park at Cleethorpes during the summer months, not sure if it is still there now.

 

[D6130]

There's the 'Bohemian Bus Cafe' - converted from a red (possibly London?) rear-engined double-decker alongside the Up platform at Disley station on the Buxton line.

 

[Deerfold]

There was a "Rootmaster" bus cafe in East London for 4 years (2007-2011). I had good food there a few times and they shared who their wine supplier was for our wedding. I'm not sure where it went.

CLOSED: Rootmaster - East London Restaurant - HappyCow

Reviews of vegan restaurant Rootmaster in East London, England 'My husband and I were on a bike tour that stopped in this complex and being vegan we were thrilled when the guide pointed out this place to us for our 25 min break. (I know it'

www.happycow.net

Category:Rootmaster Café, London - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

 

[Sun Chariot]

One of the Bournemouth old open tops has been turned into a bar at Gosport Borough football club. Are there any other examples you can think of?

Blooms Cafe in Emsworth, on Hampshire / West Sussex border, includes seating in a single decker bus: https://bloomscafe.co.uk/blooms-bus/

 

[GusB]

CJN441C, a former Southend Leyland Titan, appeared at the caravan site just down the road. It was painted red and cream at the time and sat for a while on the old station platform. The last time I saw it, it had been repainted into blue and cream and was being used as a cafe, having been relocated to the other end of the site.

There's a new restaurant building down there now and I'm rather embarrassed to say that I hadn't even realised it was there until a couple of months ago; it's literally 5 minutes away from the house, but not in direct view. I've no idea what happened to the bus. It was getting dark when I last walked past so it may well still be there and I just didn't see it.

 

[D6130]

Slightly further away, but last time I was in Prato, Tuscany, this time last year, I discovered a red Bristol VR double-decker acting as a youth club and cafe in the grounds of the city's textile museum. Prato is a much under-rated and very intresting city - only 11 miles from Florence and far cheaper than the latter for accomodation. Although it's a major centre for textile production - often referred to as 'The Manchester of Tuscany' - Prato also has a very historic centre with an impressive castle and cathedral....plus a very fine Art Nouveau central station.

 

[ajs]

Holliers Park, near Sandown on the Isle of Wight have the Bus Stop Cafe using a yellow double decker bus - origin of bus/ make and model unknown.

They also have a class 483 previously used on the island but no idea if that is used for anything.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There is (or was) the "Steak Bus" at Batley Carr (between Batley and Dewsbury) which served burgers, sausage butties and hot beef sandwiches from a converted MCW Metrorider. Not sure if it still operates though, the pandemic may have finished it off.

 

[jamieintercity]

There is a Stagecoach MAN E300 in the north of Scotland near Wick converted into a cafe. I can't remember fleet number but it was an ex South Wales example.

East Lancs BT7L Ex Strathtay Scottish 702/Stagecoach east Scotland 16922 is now a bar in Yorkshire

 

[JonathanH]

There is a Bristol VR parked on the seafront at Margate.

https://www.thebuscafe.co.uk/our-story

Like all great stories and new beginnings, the very idea of Rosie the bus started in our local pub.

Even though at the time we didn't actually know each other.... at all!

we found that we all shared a similar dream. To cook fresh, healthy and delicious food for the people of Margate and beyond!

By the third drink we had come up with the idea of converting a double decker bus into a mobile kitchen and cafe.

Two weeks later, Rosie, our 1980 Bristol VR trundled her way out of hibernation to start her new life as The Bus Cafe in Margate!

...and another in Deptford.
https://www.disentangle.org/the-deptford-bus

THE DEPTFORD BUS
This was one of our most exciting projects in South East London, activating a double decker bus in Deptford!

The Deptford Bus is a retired Bristol VR double decker bus, which has been lovingly converted into a pizza bar, whilst permanently parked on the wharf by the Creek near Deptford Bridge station.

The bus is located on a big piece of land and a historic site, that once was part of the Royal Docks and also a home to Deptford Theatre in 1840!

Our team took on this project with an aspiration to create something unique for all local residents and international visitors, building on a local landmark and classic London icon.

Apart from the classic pizza and drinks offer, we really wanted to create a space where community members can come and socialise, engage creatively with the venue, present any artistic work and connect with the rich local legacy and naval history of the area.

Our creative team, produced a set of unique performances and intimate gigs, exhibitions, themed nights and community workshops throughout the year.

All aboard!

 

[scosutsut]

There is an ex Lothian Buses Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident that is a Wok bar in East Linton. I don't believe it moves anywhere, but serves as a takeaway and sit in restaurant. Must try it sometime.

 

[Snow1964]

There is a film location company which I think is based in Bristol, has some which are used as mobile canteens at film set locations

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There is a film location company which I think is based in Bristol, has some which are used as mobile canteens at film set locations

That’s BTFS - Bristol Television & Film Services


There’s a former Eastbourne Optare Spectra that’s a cafe at Whitecroft in the Forest of Dean

 

[A0wen]

In Essex on the A1124 between Halstead and Earls Colne is the 'Red Bus Cafe' - the red bus in question being a Plaxton Derwent bodied Ford (YHA341J) which was new to Midland Red and has probably been a cafe longer than it was a service bus.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.co.uk

 

[andrewbowden]

There's the 'Bohemian Bus Cafe' - converted from a red (possibly London?) rear-engined double-decker alongside the Up platform at Disley station on the Buxton line.

It moved from Disley to New Mills a while ago and is now moving to Furness Vale.

Cafe Bar | Bohemian Bus Cafe | New Mills

Take a peek at the magical Bohemian Bus Café; an open-top, double decker bus cafe-bar located in the High Peak town of New Mills. View our exciting and unique menu full of wholesome, homecooked dishes made using the finest, locally sourced produce, and find out how to book us for your next...

www.bohemianbuscafe.co.uk

Don't know if it's still active, but there was a Bombardier branded bar bus

Bombardier — Bus Business

We have rebranded, resprayed, repaired the Bombardier bus for the last 3 years. This year the bus had a full respray, new awning and cracking new graphics added. It is now set for its summer tour. The team at Charles Wells brewery are absolutely delighted.

www.thebusbusiness.com

 

[A0wen]

Holliers Park, near Sandown on the Isle of Wight have the Bus Stop Cafe using a yellow double decker bus - origin of bus/ make and model unknown.

They also have a class 483 previously used on the island but no idea if that is used for anything.

That one is L605NOS an Alexander bodied Olympian which started its life in Sheffield.

 

[randyrippley]

The Berrow Hill Cider "Somerset Cider Bus" frequently seen at festivals and steam engine rallies

The Somerset Cider Brandy Company — Burrow Hill Cider

'The Glastonbury Cider Bus is almost as Iconic as the pyramid itself' according to the Guardian. During the summer it is at Burrow Hill serving traditional cider, traditional perry, delicious cocktails and apple juice. It also goes to the great Dorset Steam Fair and The End Of The Road Festival.

www.somersetciderbrandy.com

And here's a Bristol based Tiger Cub which can be hired as an event bar

HOP ON THE BEER BUS

hoponthebeerbus.com

Bushy's Brewery on the Isle of Man had a double decker converted as a bar 20+ years ago, but it seems to have long gone

 

[Narrowgauge725]

Chain Bridge Honey Farm Northumberland

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That one is L605NOS an Alexander bodied Olympian which started its life in Sheffield.

One of the last Olympians to enter service - built as stock vehicles.

An Isle of Wight vehicle used (might be a cafe?) is a former Southern Vectis all-Leyland Olympian near South Molton

 

[duncombec]

There is an ex "somewhere northern" Metrobus A641BCN on Folkestone Harbour Arm, which conveniently for this thread is going to close this weekend and converted into "something else": https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkes...-restaurant-to-shut-after-eight-years-294999/

Huge and blue, Big Greek Bus has been serving customers at the foot of the tourist hotspot for almost a decade.

But bosses will serve their last souvlaki and gyros wraps from the converted this weekend to embark on “something very new”.

 

[01d-and]

Aztec Adventure on the A38 just south of Bromsgrove Worcestershire have Olympian D251FYM. It appears on their website page.

 

[greyman42]

The "Old Bank of England" pub in Fleet Street, London, has a Routemaster in the pub beer garden that you can hire to hold drinks parties. It is a static bus.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

This is former London United Airbus A122 in use as an Indian restaurant in Southall. Kitchen and takeaway is on the lower deck with the upper deck fitted out with seating. Roof has had clear panel fitted. Been there since 2021.

One of the Bournemouth old open tops has been turned into a bar at Gosport Borough football club. Are there any other examples you can think of?

Hanwell Football Club is in the process of getting a former Metroline TE for the same purpose.

There was a "Rootmaster" bus cafe in East London for 4 years (2007-2011). I had good food there a few times and they shared who their wine supplier was for our wedding. I'm not sure where it went.

CLOSED: Rootmaster - East London Restaurant - HappyCow

Reviews of vegan restaurant Rootmaster in East London, England 'My husband and I were on a bike tour that stopped in this complex and being vegan we were thrilled when the guide pointed out this place to us for our 25 min break. (I know it'

www.happycow.net

Category:Rootmaster Café, London - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

This was RML2690 which is now in use with 'Big Red Bus Bar' http://www.bigredbusbar.com/

Best one I came across was this Lodekka (205NAE) which was a fish and chip restaurant in Antigua back in 2012. Had no idea it was there until taking a short stroll from the hotel and cresting a small rise to see it on the other side. the owners were lovely and quite happy for me to look around and take photos. Unfortunately too early in the day for them to be frying. It seems it survives in Antigua but is in use with a rum bar https://bcv.robsly.com/205nae.html.

 

[JD2168]

That one is L605NOS an Alexander bodied Olympian which started its life in Sheffield.

Originally started at Andrews Sheffield Omnibus then moved within the Traction Group & finished it’s days at Lincoln both in RoadCar & Stagecoach livery.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The is a bus selling Fish & Chips at Ramsgate Street, off Bury New Road heading out of Manchester 'the Dutch Fishmen'. I'll not rip off other people's pictures, plenty available via Google Streetview here:

53°29'43.2"N 2°15'09.0"W​

I'll leave to others to identify the bus, it's history etc.

 

[TR673]

The Three Wheatsheaves pub on Derby Road, Nottingham, has ex-Lothian Alexander Royale P425 KSX in its beer garden:

P425 KSX at The Three Wheatsheaves

The Three Wheatsheaves pub, next to the Uni of Nottingham campus on Derby Road, recently acquired a bus! 1997 ex-Lothian and Herberts Alexander Royale bodied Volvo Olympian P425 KSX now resides in the beer garden, as seen from the passing 36 on 19.4.22 This is the most successful of many...

www.flickr.com

 

[W-on-Sea]

I remember seeing an ex-London Routemaster used as a kind of chill-out area outside a nightclub in Kyiv a good 20 years ago

 

[richw]

Westaways events bar based at St Austell have Bristol VR LFJ858W converted to a bar

Westaways Events Bar

Westaways Events Bar. 319 likes. Fully licensed mobile bar available for weddings, outside events pretty much anything that needs a bar and the access is ok for a bus to get in

www.facebook.com