The Original Motor Cafe - Ace Cafe London

If you grew up in the London of the fifties and sixties, you have already heard a great deal about the motor cafe culture of the new rock 'n' roll era.  In post-WWII London, a restless generation of youth was ready to cast off the shackles of old customs and breathe in the air of new freedom.  Nowhere was this more apparent than at the legendary motor cafe venues of the time.  Originally built in the 1930's as a roadside diner, the Ace Cafe became a stomping ground for motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country.  England at that time had the best and fastest motorcycles, and huge groups of riders would flock to the motor cafe for tea, coffee, and camaraderie.  It soon became customary to organize tumultuous road races from one motor cafe to another, with those who could ton-up (ride over 100 miles an hour) leading the pack.  With the birth of rock and roll, there was more to celebrate, and the motor cafe drew in teens and young adults who could not hear the beloved music of their generation anywhere else.  While the motor cafe culture drew attention as a group of rebellious and disruptive kids, there are those who now look back to those days with longing for the simpler time - the speed, rock and roll, and freedom they felt when they belonged to the cafe racer culture.  Today, the legendary Ace Cafe London has been reborn, thanks to the vision of Mark Wilsmore, who reopened the cafe in its original location back in 2001.  Enthusiasts from all over the world come to pay homage to the famous Ace Cafe.

The birth of the motor cafe reunion:  In 1993, Mark Wilsmore began to put a lifelong dream into motion when he organized the first cafe reunion ride.  With tens of thousands of riders, he realized there was more support for his dream than he had imagined, and the reunion an annual event geared toward reopening the Ace Cafe.

Motor Cafe Events:  The Ace Cafe London was reopened on a full-time basis in Spetember of 2001, continuing to draw millions of enthusiasts from all over the world each year.  Besides the annual Cafe Reunion, the Ace Cafe sponsors dozens of meets and shows throughout the year.  The racer cafe culture has truly been reborn.

Shop the Ace Cafe London:  With its amazing popularity, the Ace Cafe London now draws crowds to its live music events and rallies.  For those who wish to take a piece of history home with them, or for those who can only visit online, a souvenir shop offers gifts of all price ranges from the original motor cafe.