Originally manufactured in the 1960s for use in slot machines, the token carries the same logo as the Ace Cafe. I understand that Bikers all over the world collect these tokens and attach them to zip pulls, keyrings etc as a momentum of this historic cafe

History

It opened in 1938 to accommodate traffic on the new North Circular Road. Because the cafe was open 24 hours a day, it started to attract motorcyclists. It became popular with the Ton Up Boys (and girls) in the 1950s and the Rockers in the 1960s.

From the powerful combination of motor bikes and the cafe's rock 'n' roll juke box came the Ace legend of record racing: drop the coin right into the slot, and race to a given point and back before the record ends.

The cafe was rebuilt in 1949 after being destroyed in a World War II air raid. The building is close to the Willesden railway marshalling yard, target of the raid.

Events in the post-war environment made the Ace a success: the emergence of the teenager; increase in traffic; and the British motorcycle industry at its peak. Many young people started to meet at the cafe with their motorcycles and listen to rock'n'roll. Many bands and motorcycle enthusiast groups formed there.

The cafe closed in 1969 and the building became a tyre sales and fitting shop.

Rocker Reunions and refurbishment

Following the success of the Rocker Reunion movement, started by an original 59 Club member Len Paterson the first Ace Cafe Reunion, organised by Mark Wilsmore and held in 1994 attracted as many as 12,000 revivalists, the cafe was reopened in 1997, and completely refurbished in 2001. Rockers and motorcyclists from all over the world go to the Ace to share stories, fix bikes and see the legend. No longer open 24-hours, the cafe now has an extensive calendar of meets for both bikes and cars to cater for everyone. It also puts on live music and DJ's, and is approved for weddings and civil partnerships.

Film and media

The Ace Cafe was immortalised as a location of the 1964 film The Leather Boys, Sidney J. Furie's notable British "kitchen sink" drama.

In the past it has been used for the Channel 5 TV programme Fifth Gear in the seasons 10 to 13 (September 2006 until March 2008), and for ITV programme Used Car Roadshow. It has also featured in the BBC television series By Any Means with Charley Boorman; mentioned as a favorite for Ewan McGregor by his wife in the documentary, Long Way Down; and the 2008 film Freebird.

In Episode 6 of Top Gear (series 3) Jeremy Clarkson interviewed clients about their love of customising the Citroën Saxo.

Awards

The Ace Cafe won Brent Council's "Best Bar None" award for local bars in 2009.