London-famous Ace Cafe officially opens first US location in Orlando, fueled by rock-n-roll culture

in Events, Food, Music, Travel

A legend since its opening in 1938, Ace Cafe has been a spot where motor, music and food enthusiasts have gathered for over half a century in north west London.

Now the famous European motor-diner mecca has a North American counterpart in downtown Orlando, FL.

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Ace Cafe has a rich history that includes British bikers, coffee bar cowboys, a World War II air raid, movie shoots and the origin stories of a few rock bands. Since that time, Ace Cafe has expanded to other locations worldwide like Finland and China.

Bringing this entertainment concept to America has been no easy feat. The process actually started about half a decade ago when the owners of Ace Cafe stepped inside a historic building that had transitioned from boiler plant to industrial supply warehouse to famous rock-n-roll venue to church site. They decided they had to have it.

Years later the first phase of an extensive refurbishment on the 100-year-old Harry P. Leu buildings in downtown Orlando is complete, and the new Ace Cafe now occupies 3 acres of land next to the Sunrail station. It spans two stories and features a full-service restaurant, two kitchens, four bars, a coffee bar, a communal counter, a mezzanine and group spaces for entertaining private parties.

Even though “the Ace” proclaims itself to be a “roadside gastro-diner,” it actually is difficult to categorize this particular venue. It opens at 7:00am and doesn’t close until early hours the following day, shifting its emphasis as the sun rises and sets. Mornings begin with the opening of the Ace Coffee Bar that serves roasted coffee, espresso, spiked coffee drinks and milkshakes.

In the afternoons, a lunch menu of gourmet burgers, fresh salads and other quickly prepared foods is added. The gears shift at night when the venue becomes an entertainment hot spot with live music, creative cocktails and a menu that features American comfort food and some popular British favorites brought over from across “the pond.”

Ace Cafe is a concept that is new to Orlando in many ways. Rather than a themed restaurant, the 35,000 square-foot space intends to also serve as a support system to lovers of the bike and rock-n-roll subculture. Along with being a dining destination, Ace Cafe houses a motor gallery of vintage bikes and original artwork. A rockers’ retail shop and a BMW motorcycle showroom are a part of the set up too. And the location also serves as an Eaglerider rental site for those who would like to adventure out on a bike for a few hours or even take a ride down I4 to the Daytona race circuit.

Later this fall, even more will be coming to the new Orlando establishment. Ace Corner–as that parcel has come to be called–will add a backyard beer garden, a live music shack and a smokehouse that puts the famous mouth-watering meats of Oklahoma Joe’s right in the hands of Central Floridians.

Opening weekend for the cafe is packed with activities for the entire family. Come be a part of this moment in Orlando’s history.

Friday, May 19

  • 7:00am – Doors open with Carbs and Caffeine with breakfast menu available
  • 11:00am –  Live Music on the back porch with lunch menu available
  • Raffle for a BMW Rnine T Racer to benefit APCH
  • Registration to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
  • Live painting and sculpting by world-renowned artists: Makoto Endo (Japanese chopsticks painter), Antonio Merinero (Italian painter) and Michael Ulman (American sculptor)
  • 4:00pm – Live Music in the car park
  • 8:00pm – Live Music on stage with Rockin’ Jason D. Williams

Saturday, May 20

  • 7:00am – Doors open with Carbs and Caffeine Breakfast available
  • Ace Cafe’s Cool Cars for Kids car show to benefit APCH
  • 9:00am – Banger Brunch buffet
  • 10:00am – Free Activities in the car park
  • Raffle for a BMW Rnine T Racer to benefit APCH
  • Registration to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
  • Live painting and sculpting by world-renowned artists: Makoto Endo (Japanese chopsticks painter), Antonio Merinero (Italian painter) and Michael Ulman (American sculptor)
  • 4:00pm – Live Music in the car park
Sunday, May 21
  • 7:00am – Bikes and Bacon with the breakfast menu available
  • 9:00am – Banger Brunch buffet
  • 10:00am – Free Activities in the car park
  • 2:00pm – Banger Brunch buffet with the lunch menu available as well
  • Raffle for a BMW Rnine T Racer to benefit APCH
  • Registration to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
  • Live painting and sculpting by world-renowned artists: Makoto Endo (Japanese chopsticks painter), Antonio Merinero (Italian painter) and Michael Ulman (American sculptor)

in Events, Food, Music, Travel

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