21st century modernist & sixties underground music culture

Bar Italia Scooter Club

Information

Londons ONLY dedicated Mod scooter club. We meet sundays at 6pm at Bar Italia on Frith St in Soho. Expect plenty of coffee and scenic rideouts throught London. We also provide scooters and riders for film, tv and photography work.

Website: http://www.myspace.com/baritaliascooterclub
Location: Bar Italia, Frith st, Soho, London
Members: 33
Latest Activity: Jul 6, 2014

9 members like this

Bar Italia on Frith St in London's Soho has always been a hang out for like minded sharp cats. Since the emergence of the underground Modern Jazz scene in the 50's, people have gravitated towards this late opening family run establishment, as it promises some of London's best coffee as well as somewhere to watch the world go by. Things haven't changed that much since then. Still run by the same family, the independent coffee house is open 22 hours a day and offers a cup of ground cocoa second to none. The awards in the shop are testament to this!

As time has progressed, those scooter loving cappuccino kids have pilgrimaged from far and wide to taste the brew and soak up the atmosphere that is effectively the birthplace of the movement they revel in. Needless to say, friendships are formed and grand plans hatched when the aroma of cocoa beans in the background. So, in 2002, a group of London based Mods decided to make it official. With the blessing of the family running the coffee house to use the shop as a 'clubhouse' and the name of the establishment as their scooter club name, so it was that Bar Italia Scooter Club was born.

The club has always kept a 'modernist' approach to things. Riding to club nights en masse, organising rideouts to the seaside or passed/through iconic landmarks (Brighton Bank Holiday, Buckingham Palace Rideout), or being involved in film/photographic shoots and special events (Brighton Rock filming, Peroni rebranding, Baracuta product launch, Umbrella underground style magazine, Reading Steady Go Mod exhibition, various international style publications, music video clips,....). We also happily collaborate with club promoters to create that authentic '60's/Mod vibe.

2012 was a fantastic year with a lot of public interest in London life. Our continued programme of scooter rides and events sees things move up a notch to celebrate the year of the Olympics and The Queens Diamond Jubilee. Not to mention taking part in the usual classic scooter riders calender.

2013 is proving to be busy busy busy! Check out the updates on the club wall below and in the 'Pages' section for regular updates. Annual Rides are below and remember our Sunday night meets at Bar Italia from 6pm still take place pretty much weekly if the weather is good!

Bar Italia SC events for 2013

24th March- Kickstart Rideout. The first 'big ride' for the year, clubs from around the country meet at the iconic London Eye and proceed to ride through the capital, finishing at the amazing Old Royal Naval College in the heart of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Scooter competition and hog roast on arrival

www.ornc.org

25th May- Buckingham Palace Rideout. The club teams up with the New Untouchables (60's/Mod group) for the Timebox Weekender club. We meet at Gt Marlbrough Street end of Carnaby Street and ride through Central London, stopping by the Palace en route, and end up in The Strongroom Bar for a scooter competition and an afternoon of music and food, following into the Timebox evening.

August Bank Holiday 2013- London to Brighton Ride and New Untouchables Bank Holiday Weekender. Again teaming up with the NUTS team, we will be leading the charge of scooters along the seafront in Brighton as part of the bank holiday Mod weekender.

We will also be continuing to meet on the last Sunday of each month as the official meeting and all other sundays as an optional meet.

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Comment by PAUL MCCORMACK on October 17, 2013 at 10:27: Hi all-is there a meet up this Sunday at the 'Clubhouse'? Cheers,

Comment by Rob Bailey on September 30, 2013 at 4:24: Hi Everyone, The new edition of the NU newsletter is available to download right here http://createsend.com/t/r-C3947251DF3EA9572540EF23F30FEDED

Comment by Nicky Bubbles on August 1, 2013 at 22:04: Bar Italia Scooter Club dates for your diary:

Saturday August 17th- Ride to Eel Pie Island! We are going to head to the iconic music venue to view the retrospective exhibition currently on display. It's only open for a few hours so meet at Bar Italia at 10.30am. We leave at 11am SHARP! Full tanks please. A small entry fee will apply into the display.

Sunday August 18th- Shiftless Shuffle (from 2pm). The Jazz Funk Masters have found a new venue at The Dukes in Houndsditch near Aldgate station (in case you didn't know). This will be a pre scooter club dancing session. Prepare to let your backbone slip! Plenty of off street parking if you're on your scooter.

Saturday 24th- Monday 26th- Brighton Weekender! Another big date for the scootering season. As usual, I will be leading the ride on the Sunday from 1pm. Meet at the Volks Bar on Madeira Drive. We head EAST from here along the coast to the final destination

Saturday September 14th- Scoot The Thames. We are proud to work in collaboration with Bob Morris as part of the 'Modern History' all day festival on Lower Marsh. Meet at Tubby Isaac's (ok where it used to be) at 11am. We leave shortly afterwards and take in the bridges of London ending up on Lower Marsh for 60's styled street market, along with live music from bands and DJ's in various venues. ALL FOR FREE. More on this to follow.
NB MARSHALS REQUIRED. CONTACT ME ASAP IF YOU CAN HELP.

Don't forget gang we're still also meeting on Sundays at 6pm at Bar Italia weather depending.

Stay sussed.

Comment by Rob Bailey on July 24, 2013 at 5:08: Also taking the Lammy this year Nick

Comment by Nicky Bubbles on July 23, 2013 at 23:00: Cheers Rob! Yeah i'll be there on it. Which scoot are you taking this time around?

Comment by Rob Bailey on July 23, 2013 at 5:38: Looks ace Nick taking it to Brighton as well? Best Rob

Comment by Nicky Bubbles on July 22, 2013 at 4:55: This week at the Clubhouse:

Thursday- We're meeting to ride to Greenwich Vintage Market! I'll be at Bar Italia for 6pm. Leaving at 7pm to ride to Greenwich to display our machines at the request of the organisers of the event. No stragglers!

Sunday- Weekly meet at 6pm at Bar Italia aka The Clubhouse.

See you there!

Comment by Nicky Bubbles on July 22, 2013 at 4:53: Ok so im sorta showing off. The TV as it stands currently...

Comment by Nicky Bubbles on July 17, 2013 at 4:36: Here's a link to the Brighton Weekender Rideout poll. Cast your vote now!

Answer at the end of July.

Brighton Weekender Scooter Ride. Where do YOU want to ride to?

Comment by Nicky Bubbles on July 17, 2013 at 4:22: Hi all. Just a reminder that we're meeting on Sundays from 6pm at Bar Italia, our spiritual home in Soho. It's full tanks if you're on a scooter in this weather as we're always coming up with funk places to ride to on a glorious evening!

Coming up VERY soon is the Brighton Weekender. The scooter ride will again be on the Sunday afternoon departing the Volks Bar on Madeira Drive. You will see that Rob has organised a poll asking where you would like the ride to head to in the forums. Get voting now! My preference is Beachy Head.

More to follow so watch this space...

Meanwhile here's what I've been up to lately. Riviera Mod Weekender in Antibes. I was loaned a scooter for the rideout. Absolutely amazing.