Pete Best Converts Iconic Beatles Venues To An Airbnb
via Daniel Montanher / Youtube
The original Beatles drummer Pete Best and his younger brother Roag have transformed a significant piece of Beatles history into a unique short-term rental. The Casbah Coffee Club, where the Beatles performed nearly 40 times in their early years, has now been converted into an Airbnb. This iconic venue, located at 8 Haymans Green in Liverpool, originally opened in 1956 in the basement of the Best family home and was managed by their mother, Mona Best.
The club initially planned to feature the Les Stewart Quartet, which included a young George Harrison. However, the band split up before opening night. Pete Best recalls:
“George basically turned ’round and said: ‘I happen to know a couple of guys who aren’t doing anything.’ They turned out to be John Lennon and Paul McCartney.”
Now, the property features five Airbnb units named after the original Beatles members: Lennon, Best, McCartney, Harrison, and the band’s original bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe. Roag Best, who later discovered he was the son of Beatles road manager Neil Aspinall, has been working on the renovations with Pete for more than three years.
What’s the Cost of Staying at the Casbah Club Airbnb?
The rooms, available for around $200 a night, are decorated with exclusive Beatles memorabilia, including vintage photos, posters, and instruments. Guests have already flocked to this unique experience from across the U.K., Scotland, Canada, and the U.S.
Notably absent from the suite names is Ringo Starr, who replaced Pete Best as the Beatles were recording their debut single, “Love Me Do.” Roag Best explains:
“Everything we do is about being authentic, and the Beatles that performed and partied here were John, Paul, George, Pete, and Stuart. Ringo was never a member when he was here.”
Pete Best has moved on from the lineup change that occurred over six decades ago. He said:
“I still don’t know the reason today, but it doesn’t worry me one iota.
“It did cause me initial heartache and resentment, but that’s show business.”
Despite the early setback, Best reflects positively on his life, saying:
“I’ve had a great life.”
