Ace Cafe still rocking at 74
London’s Ace Cafe, a mecca for bikers since the thirties, is still the rockingest stop-off on the North Circular and is about to reach the grand old age of 75.
The transport cafe first opened in 1938 and began to attract night owl bikers with its 24 hour opening policy. The cafe was destroyed in an air raid during the war (perhaps an early strike against the British motorcycle industry?) but rose phoenix-like from the ashes in 1949. The paint dried just in time for the rock’n’roll invasion that saw it firmly established as the cool hangout for leather-clad ton up boy boys who flocked there to listen to the likes of Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent whilst combing their brylcreemed pompadours and looking menacing.
This petrolhead’s paradise soon became the No. 1 destination for rockers from all over Britain, with like-minded people sharing a passion for bike culture meeting there and forming friendships, bands and motorcycle groups, many of which are still active today.
In 1969, disaster struck once more. For reasons lost in the mists of time, the cafe closed in 1969 to become a tyre shop, which it remained until a surge of interest in vintage and rocker culture, championed by Rocker Reunion movement founder Len Paterson, helped reopen it in 1994.
Restored to its former glory, the venue has once more become an essential pit stop for bikers old and new, with regular events for bikers and vintage car fans, plus a jukebox that’s still belting out classic rock’n’roll. It’s even licensed for weddings and civil partnerships just in case your love of bikes matches your feelings for your betrothed.
Here at Keep Britain Biking, we’re big fans of anyone who encourages and nurtures a love of bikes and biking and think the fact that this legendary venue is still rocking at the grand old age of 74 is just…ace!
If you have any stories about the Ace Cafe, memories of nights on the North Circular, or have taken part in any events at this fabled venue, let us know your stories here.
Blog post originally written for Devitt Insurance and appeared on their Keep Britain Biking site in 2012.