Skateboard Café represents real British skateboarding culture, a Bristol scene video that grew into one of the UK's most respected independent brands, known for jazz-influenced aesthetics, sophisticated deck graphics and a community-first ethos. Shop Skateboard Café at The Vines for decks and apparel from Bristol's finest.
Skateboard Café Brand History
Back in 2008, Rich Smith from the outskirts of Bristol set out to make a scene video of his local crew, no business plan, no brand ambitions, just a desire to capture his skateboarding community with a different aesthetic. The video, "Skateboard Café", opened in a 1950s-style diner with checkerboard floors and jazz playing, and that distinctive atmosphere became the brand's entire visual identity.
The project grew organically: Andy Makepeace joined as 50-50 owner handling distribution and business, while Rich kept filming and designing, and around 2012 Skateboard Café became a proper company with its first team rider and professional releases. The formula hasn't changed since, consistent video output, graphics that reference jazz culture, diner Americana and vintage typography, and growth driven by community rather than marketing spend, including a collaboration with DC Shoes that took the Café aesthetic worldwide.
Skateboard Café Skate Team
The Café team is curated around friendship and creative skating rather than contest results: Korahn Gayle's London street mastery, Dom Henry's style-first technicality, Shaun Currie (the first official rider, signed in 2012), Harry Ogilvie, Josh Arnott, newer additions Sam Nobbs and Ollie Lock, plus international riders Layth Sami and Savannah Stacey Keenan.
With Rich Smith behind the lens as both owner and videographer, the team's parts carry a house style few brands can match, skating that suits the soundtrack.
Skateboard Café Products In Stock
Explore the Skateboard Café collection at The Vines Supply Co.
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Café Stripe & Logo Decks:
The classic stripe graphics, sophisticated colour combinations and refined proportions referencing café culture, on premium 7-ply maple that handles serious street skating.
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Café Pro Model & Series Decks:
Team boards developed through genuine rider collaboration, plus seasonal series with Bristol artists and vintage-inspired imagery, jazz album covers you can kickflip.
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Café Apparel:
Tees, hoodies, fleece, caps, beanies and socks with jazz-influenced graphics and subtle branding, British design sensibilities built for daily wear.
Skateboard Café FAQs
Who founded Skateboard Café?
Rich Smith founded Skateboard Café in Bristol, starting with the 2008 scene video. Andy Makepeace later joined as 50-50 owner, and the brand became a proper skateboard company around 2012.
Why the jazz and diner aesthetic?
The original 2008 video opened in a 1950s-style diner with jazz playing, that atmosphere became the brand's signature, a sophisticated alternative to aggressive skateboard imagery that's now instantly recognisable on a wall of decks.
Who is on the Skateboard Café team?
Korahn Gayle, Dom Henry, Shaun Currie, Harry Ogilvie, Josh Arnott, Sam Nobbs, Ollie Lock, Layth Sami and Savannah Stacey Keenan, chosen for creative skating and genuine friendship over contest CVs.
Are Skateboard Café decks good quality?
Absolutely, premium 7-ply maple with professional concave specs. The refined graphics don't soften the construction one bit.
Has Skateboard Café done collaborations?
Yes, most notably with DC Shoes, bringing the Café's British design sensibility to classic footwear silhouettes in limited releases, alongside ongoing work with Bristol artists.
Who films the Skateboard Café videos?
Rich Smith himself, owner, filmer and graphic designer, which is why the videos and the brand share one coherent creative voice and an instantly recognisable aesthetic.
Shop Skateboard Café in the UK at The Vines, supporting independent British skateboarding. Enjoy fast, free UK premium delivery on orders over £70, with free next-day delivery available for orders placed before 4pm.