Meet UMNI: The Retired SF Muni Bus Getting a Second Life as a Roaming Speakeasy
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do with it. We gotta go look at it.”
Those were the words lifelong San Francisco resident Oliver Sellman said to his childhood friend Santiago Rollo after stumbling across a Muni bus for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The two made the spontaneous drive to Sacramento, using the time on the road to brainstorm ideas for what they could do with the bus. After batting around a few possibilities, they landed on one that stuck: What if we turned it into a mobile speakeasy? While they didn’t end up purchasing that particular bus, they held tightly onto the idea. They eventually found another retired Muni bus and teamed up with Marc Velten-Lomelin, who would help shape the project’s creative identity and bring the concept to life. Just like that, UMNI was born.
UMNI is a San Francisco-based mobile speakeasy and local entertainment venue hitting the roads this November. Founded by three friends, Oliver Sellman, Santiago Rollo, and Marc Velten-Lomelin, the project reimagines a piece of San Francisco’s transit history as a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience. On the outside, it retains the classic silver and red look that’s all too familiar to San Francisco transit commuters. Step inside, however, and you’ll find a completely different atmosphere, complete with comfortable seating, vibrant Art Deco decor, complementary beverages, and performances from San Francisco-based entertainers. Sellman is particularly excited about one upcoming addition: a three-foot-tall statue of SF Mayor Daniel Lurie. At its core, UMNI is about celebrating San Francisco while giving people a new way to experience and appreciate the city.
Despite the fact that UMNI is literally a speakeasy on wheels, what truly sets it apart from a traditional bar or private event space will be the entertainment. Rather than booking one headliner for the entire ride, the team envisions a rotating lineup of San Francisco performers, each hopping aboard for a quick set before passing the spotlight to the next act. Sellman says performers will have roughly five to ten minutes to share two or three of their best acts before making room for someone new.
The lineup could include anything from local musicians and DJs to street performers, magicians, and other artists from around the city. The founders have also kicked around ideas for roaming concerts, podcast recordings, and intimate sets inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk performances. Sellman has already been scouting talent around San Francisco, approaching street performers and musicians he’s spotted at bars and around the city. And with a mobile venue, the possibilities are wide open. The bus can switch up the routes, performers, and formats, meaning every ride can be its own unique experience.
Keeping the project rooted in San Francisco is especially important to the founders. From the designers behind the interior remodel to the performers who will step aboard, everyone involved in bringing the project to life has deep-rooted, personal ties to the city. Sellman says he’s proud of the energy building in San Francisco. Following the tech boom, he sees a renaissance in the city’s art and culture scene and hopes UMNI can contribute to that momentum. By bringing local artists and entertainers together, the team hopes to give the city’s creative scene another venue to call home.
For now, UMNI is starting with private bookings. The bus can accommodate approximately 35 to 40 guests, making it an option for gatherings, birthdays, weddings, and other private celebrations. Groups can also work with the team to customize their experience and route around San Francisco. Looking ahead, UMNI hopes to introduce public bookings, giving individuals the chance to reserve a seat and enjoy the experience alongside a mix of other guests.
Follow along here for updates as UMNI gets rolling.
