All aboard the booze bus! Ultimate party vehicle for city tours comes complete with fully stocked bar, dance pole and even a mirrored ceiling

  • The BarBus Maxi is a converted Ikarus 280 that used to be public transport
  • The bus was converted into a party haven by entrepreneur Alexander Berest
  • He was inspired by a late-night journey home on a bus with students
  • Revellers pay £110 at the weekend to drink and dance while on the move 

By Michael Gadd for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

It is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it seems St Petersburg is also keen to capitalise on its nightlife.

Step in the BarBus Maxi, a converted Ikarus 280 bus that is designed to take groups out for a nocturnal tour of the city, while staging an epic party on board.

The former public transport vehicle has everything that could be expected of a raging nightclub, including dance floor, fully stocked bar, TV screens and even a pole in the centre of the floor.

The BarBus Maxi in St Petersburg, Russia, is a former public transport provider transformed into party central

The BarBus Maxi in St Petersburg, Russia, is a former public transport provider transformed into party central

The BarBus cruises past St Petersburg landmark the Church Of The Savior On Blood

The BarBus cruises past St Petersburg landmark the Church Of The Savior On Blood

While many party buses are colourful transport or alcohol-free, the BarBus is the party destination 

While many party buses are colourful transport or alcohol-free, the BarBus is the party destination 

A woman dances on the BarBus Maxi in St Petersburg
The fully loaded sound system inside the bus

A young woman on the BarBus Maxi dances to tunes pumped out by the fully-loaded sound system (right)

While a party bus is hardly a new concept, many places forbid drinking on them while others are simply trumped up transport from one club to another. 

But the BarBus is the destination, says Alexander Berest, the entrepreneur who used his engineering skills to create the ultimate in fun on four wheels after being inspired by a night out on a normal bus. 

'We were in a great mood and one of my friends had a guitar which he was playing,' Berest said.

'The driver was too young to mind us making loud music and the other passengers got involved and we were all singing and dancing.

'As the bus drove through the student's area more passengers got on and joined the party, and the idea for the Barbus Maxi was born from there.'

BarBus also boasts leather sofas, a smoke machine, air-conditioning and a mirrored ceiling.

Inside the BarBus, which boasts high-back leather sofas and an elaborate lighting system

Inside the BarBus, which boasts high-back leather sofas and an elaborate lighting system

The lights appear to be a bit much for this reveller, who protects her eyes with star-shaped sunglasses

The lights appear to be a bit much for this reveller, who protects her eyes with star-shaped sunglasses

The fully-equipped bar stands alongside the dancefloor where the poles have a dual purpose

The fully-equipped bar stands alongside the dancefloor where the poles have a dual purpose

A night on the BarBus costs £80 in the week and £110 on the weekend for four hours.  

Alexander said: 'It took a year and a half to create but the result was worth it as now BarBus is legendary in St Petersburg.'

Next he plans to extend his fleet of party buses, with a retro bus themed around the Swinging Sixties on the agenda.

 

 

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