TramPub (SpåraKOFF)

This amazing vehicle, SpåraKOFF,  is a converted tram which was withdrawn from regular service on the streets of Helsinki, Finland in 1995 and converted to a mobile bar, initially in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the famous  brewery, Sinebrychoff  (the oldest brewery in Scandinavia) . The name of the tram, in Finnish , is derived from the word for tram and the beer brand "Koff" which is produced by Sinebrychoff.

The tram's number was changed from its service number, 15, to 175 in celebration of the anniversary. In the summer months it tours the tram system of Helsinki and for a fee, allows travellers to take advantage of the on board bar whilst seeing the tourist sites visible from the tram network. It is not possible to mistake this tram from the normal trams on the Helsinki network as it is the only one with the bright red livery. The normal colours of Helsinki trams are either green or cream. The original intention is said to have been to keep the service running for 2 years only but it proved so popular that it continues to the present time.

Installing the bar (and the small lavatory) has reduced the seating capacity to 24 (from 31) and only passengers with a seat are allowed (on a standard HM V tram up to 57 people were allowed to stand).

You pay as you board and tickets are not pre-bookable. The tour takes 40 minutes and covers most of the tourist sights in Helsinki. At its inception it was the only tram of its type in the world. SpåraKOFF is jointly owned by the brewery, Helsinki City Council and a large Finnish retail co-operative.

Technically speaking the tram is of the HM V class introduced to Helsinki in 1959. There are now 4 of these trams on the network of which 3 are " museum" trams. HM V trams have now been largely replaced by the "Variotram", one of the world's most widely used tram types.