August 2017 website: acecafebarcelona.com

Ace cafe was founded in 1938 on the then North Circular Road surrounding London. It was a simple roadside cafe intended to serve travelers, particularly truck drivers. Due to its proximity to Britain's fast road network and the fact that it is open 24 hours a day, the establishment quickly attracted motorcyclists as well.

In 1939 the Ace Cafe added a service station with 10 pumps, a large washing area, a showroom and a mechanical workshop.

During World War II, the building was severely damaged during an air raid on the adjacent railway marshalling yards.

The Ace Cafe was reopened with a temporary structure to be rebuilt in 1949.

Long before receiving the "greasy spoon" label, the following images show what the restaurant really was, with first-class facilities where homemade food was made.

The increase in traffic in the post-war period and the arrival of the teenager phenomenon led to the rise of the Ace Cafe, and with it, the arrival of the Ton-Up-Boys. The British motorcycle industry was at its peak, along with rock'n'roll. This was not heard on radio stations and the only place you could hear it was at fairgrounds or in the jukeboxes of roadside cafes.

The Ace became the place to meet, have a bite to eat, have a cup of tea, organize races (often to other cafes) or simply a place to get your motorcycle repaired.

People came to listen to the jukeboxes, forming bands or clubs. Some of them achieving great success and reputation.

From this fusion of motorcycles and rock'n'roll emerged the legendary races between each café, which lasted as long as one song on the local jukebox. The Ace Cafe, with its combination of motorbikes, speed and rock'n'roll, was the launching pad for many famous racers and the birthplace of many music bands.

The tabloid press filled its pages with articles that portrayed cafes as places where decent people did not go.

…. What a reputation…..! Paul Trudelle, born in Canada, sent us this great photo of his father and his friends taken in the '60s. His father, Roger (aka Trad) frequented the Ace Cafe and founded the Scorpions. He was also a member of the 59 Club. (Please, if you recognize anyone in this group, let us know)

Bill Shergold: Changes in society, the growth of the automobile market at the expense of the motorcycle industry and the expansion of the highway network, caused the Ace Cafe to serve its last eggs and chips in 1969.