I have been "across the pond" a few times. I was in England as recent as 2016....but I have yet to make it to the Ace Cafe....I will, and hopefully soon. I have been to the one in Orlando....but it is not the same.
I got my first Triumph when I was a teen. While the average American would not have a clue, I find a lot of the people who are into British bikes know. Among that group, you will find a lot of people who have a good bit of knowledge about the history surrounding it as well. Even in a place like Texas.
The Ace Cafe made its name before the North Circular became a log jam. I lived just up the road in the early 90s before the retro scene emerged and a touch of faux nostalgia kicked in......it is now as authentic as the pink Caddy at the Hard Rock Cafe on Mykonos.....don’t ask! My idea of biking Mecca has moved with the traffic.......away from it! The van at Devil’s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale is rightly still a magnet for many.
Plus, it is highly overrated as a good spot to hang out. It has a horrible track record of fights and being a magnet for scumbags. Just because some people ride a bike doesn't make them good guys and/or girls.
Not necessarily fights at bike events DD, apologies I should have made that clear. The venue holds many different types of petrolhead events as I'm sure you know and it doesn't have a great reputation on occasion. There are many people who go because they think it's cool to be there without giving much thought to the fact that it ain't as special as some will have you believe. As was said previously the food is rubbish and the prices are crazy. Having said that it does get the crowds.
I’ve been to the ace a few times and I’m not that impressed with it, I think it’s past reputation paints a nostalgic romantic picture of it and the road there is a pile of poo, but it makes a good place to meet and a great background for a photo.
is it not totally changed from what it looked like in it's heyday? a few of my mates went there when they were on Holiday in London and were a bit disappointed.
I agree with most of what's already been said, it's in a shite place, so the ride there ain't great and when you arrive the food is expensive and not that great. I used to go down to the Ace Cafe Rockers reunion on Brighton seafront most years, but got so crowded in the end you would be lucky to park on Madina Drive, don't know if it is still going?
