The Ace Cafe ~ The British Biker Bar

My man is a motorcycle rider, though he just sold his bike this last weekend and bought a car..guess we all have to grow up sometime, huh?

Aww our helmets <3

Anyway, we wanted to enjoy one last night as a biker couple before he sold it, so on Friday night we went to the Ace Cafe.

http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/default.aspx

He had been telling me about it for awhile, and we figured it was our last chance (for now). Turns out it was one of the biggest weekends of the year at the Cafe, as there was a reunion party going on. Not quite sure what the reunion was for, but there were a lot of people there!

What I expected: a dive bar with tons of big old bikers milling around, drinking beer, and starting fights.

What it is: a retro-style cafe, complete with checkered flags and a jukebox. Sure, there were old bikers drinking beer, but also drinking tea and eating sandwiches with their families. The place was insanely packed with bikers of all ages- even children (ok they probably aren't bikers, but I saw a few sidecars I'm guessing they rode in). The Cafe itself is a small building with a long bar and a small dancing area. Only about 10 tables fit in, and all the doors along the side of the building were opened, giving a very relaxed feel. And of course, the place was grungy and with that many bikers packed in, there were sure to be some fights, but overall, everyone seemed to just enjoy everyone's company.

And then there were the bikes. Oh my goodness, so many bikes! Think Bike Week numbers, but a smaller area, and all packed closer together. The parking lot for the cafe was full, of course, but people were parking anywhere they could- at other businesses, in the road median, on a bridge. It was completely chaotic, but surprisingly organized. I mean, bikes closely parked on a hill can be very dangerous- can you say dominos? But, people took great care when walking around the bikes, and I noticed no sudden movements (which was a great relief as I carried a beer, jacket, and helmet).

The bikers themselves were of about the same breeds you see in the states. The less common ones, like the clean-shaved, Wall Street type, and the young badasses on bikes daddy bought, the wannabes on 4-wheelers. The majority, of course, are the bikery bikers. Yea, sounds redundant, but you know what I mean. Beards, ponytails, tattoos, leather. The kind your mother warned you about. Seems they are an international breed!

So what is the point of going? Well, it's just like any bar. People go to have a good time, relax, let off a little steam. Added bonus that there are lots of shiny things to look at and talk about. Not to mention that after a while, the bikers started taking over the road and doing tricks in and out of traffic! Safe enough that that the paramedics whose ambulance they were doing doughnuts in front of just laughed. While we were there, there were no accidents (other than two bikes "kissing" while doing tricks), no fights, and no police getting called. To me, that sounds like a top night at a bar, especially filled with bikers!

I'm not going to lie, being at the bar made me really want my own bike! No, I don't know how to ride, though I have been begging my parents since I was a child to let me learn. Seems they are dangerous or something? Anyway, I guess my biker chick status is on hold, at least until the man can't stand 4 wheels anymore, breaks down, and buys a bike!