This London café serves coffee in an abandoned toilet

In London’s Fitzrovia, you can enjoy food and drinks among original porcelain urinals from the 19th century.

The underground space of the café The Attendant certainly has a unique history. Once serving as a gentleman’s lavatory, now you can grab a coffee in its strange atmosphere.

The café opened in London neighbourhood Fitzrovia in 2013 after the old Victorian toilet had been lying dormant for fifty years.

“Some costumers are confused by the place, but many come inside and find it unbelievable,” employee Vanessa says.

The Attendant is one of two cafes under the same brand; the other is located in Shoreditch. The cafe offers a variety of healthy sandwiches, vegetable salads, freshly made juices and coffee.

Costumers revisit the place after 50 years

The toilet was built around 1890 and closed down in the 1960’s. Even though it has been half a decade since this place was last open to the public, some costumers remember when it fulfilled another function.

“We have had some costumers that used to use this place as a toilet. They come back overwhelmed – but the reaction is really good,” Vanessa says.

The interior is a mix of modern design and the Victorian porcelain. The urinals have been built into a wooden table in one side of the room, and the green seating matches the original floor tiles.