Tonpub › Ace Cafe London: history and visiting guide
Ace Cafe London: history and visiting guide
The Ace Cafe on London's North Circular Road is probably the most famous biker venue in Britain. Its story runs from a 1938 roadside cafe to a worldwide name.
The history in dates
These dates are taken from the Ace Cafe's own history page:
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1938 | The Ace Cafe opens on the then brand-new North Circular Road in north-west London, open 24 hours and serving truckers. Motorcyclists soon arrive too. |
| 1940 | The building is badly damaged in an air raid on the nearby railway marshalling yards. |
| 1949 | Rebuilt, after reopening in temporary premises. |
| 1969 | Closes after serving its last egg and chips. The Ace's history page puts this down to changing social habits, the growth of car ownership and motorway expansion. |
| 1994 | Mark Wilsmore launches the Ace Cafe Reunion for the 25th anniversary of the closure; rides converge on the old site on 4 September 1994. |
| 1997 | After planning permission is granted, the owner buys the original site and part of it reopens on 7 December 1997 on select days. |
| 2001 | The Grand Re-Opening. |
The Museum of London adds that the cafe is off the North Circular Road near Stonebridge Park station, in Stonebridge, Brent. Its customers adopted the motto "Bikes 'N' Leather, Rock 'N' Roll Forever", and it did not fully reopen until 2001.
What it meant to the riders
The museum describes the Ace as one of many transport cafes that became popular with young bike enthusiasts in the 1960s, when the British motorcycle industry was at its peak. 'Caffs' gave bikers a place to gather when they were often not welcome in pubs. Riders played tunes on the jukebox, mostly American artists such as Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. When night traffic was light, they raced down the North Circular. You can read the wider story in ton-up and café racer history.
The Reunion and events
Wikipedia reports that the Ace Cafe Reunion, first held in 1994, now draws up to 40,000 motorcyclists to its events. The café also runs themed nights and meets. We do not list dates because they change; look at the Ace Cafe London's own site for its current event calendar.
Branches around the world
The Ace's history page says branches have opened abroad: Lahti (2011), Luzern (2015), Beijing (2015), Barcelona (2017) and Orlando (2017). The 75th anniversary was marked in 2013. Branches may have changed since, so check before you visit one.
Visiting by motorcycle
- Check the Ace's website for opening times and event days before you go. Event days can be very busy.
- The North Circular is a busy London road. Plan your approach and parking beforehand.
- If you are riding from outside London, allow extra time for traffic, and check Transport for London's pages for any road works or restrictions on your route.
- Be respectful of local residents when you leave: no revving or racing.
Nearby alternatives
If the Ace is too busy or you are heading north or west, see biker cafés in the south, Wales and Scotland or in the north of England.
Check before you ride
Opening times and events change. We have not quoted hours for the Ace because we could not confirm current ones. Please check opening times before you ride.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Ace Cafe open?
1938, on the then brand-new North Circular Road in north-west London.
When did the Ace Cafe close and reopen?
It closed in 1969. Part of the site reopened on 7 December 1997 and the Grand Re-Opening was in 2001.
What is the Ace Cafe Reunion?
An annual gathering launched by Mark Wilsmore in 1994 for the 25th anniversary of the cafe's closure. Wikipedia says its events now draw up to 40,000 motorcyclists.