Ace Cafe Orlando debuts with Grand Opening weekend for the first Ace Cafe in the USA featuring cool cars and hot bikes, charity ride, motorcycle raffle, special guests, free rock ‘n roll concerts, site-wide giveaways, activities, and more
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines: Ace Cafe Orlando, the first North American location of the celebrated London-based cafe, has made its world debut today, Friday, May 19. Guests are now invited to kick-start the grand opening weekend of the all-new, full-throttle, rock ‘n roll destination Ace Cafe with a cuppa coffee and tea as the Ace officially opened its doors to the public on at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Guests are invited to enjoy an action-packed weekend of festivities at the 35,000-square-foot motor-centric dining, entertainment and retail destination.
North America’s newest home for all who share the passion for speed, thrills and rock ‘n roll is waiving the green flag, signaling that it’s “go time” for Central Floridians and guests from around the globe to celebrate the heritage and history of the most famous cafe on the planet.
City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (pictured above with green flag) arrived to the Ace in a yellow ’58 Corvette earlier today for the signature flag-waving to mark the official opening of Ace Cafe Orlando. “The City of Orlando is committed to providing residents and our 68 million visitors with a diverse array of entertainment and dining options,” said Mayor Dyer. “Ace Cafe is a welcomed addition to Downtown Orlando, adding to the vibrancy and quality of life in the area, and will help to generate increased visitation and economic benefits to the area with its festivals and events.”
All three days of grand opening weekend will feature cool cars and hot bikes, live rock ‘n roll inside and outside both day and night, a BMW RnineT Racer motorcycle raffle benefiting Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (APCH), live demonstrations by three world-famous artists, onsite activities and brand partner merchandise (while supplies last), and a free Friday night concert by Rockin’ Jason D. Williams – direct from Memphis, about whom Rolling Stone magazine says “There hasn’t been raw rockabilly this solid since Jerry Lee Lewis, himself.” A snapshot of Ace Cafe Orlando’s grand opening weekend celebration is listed below; visit www.acecafeusa.com to stay up-to-date on the Ace’s grand opening happenings.
Friday, May 19, 2017
- The first Ace Cafe in the USA opened at 7:00 a.m. Grab a cuppa Julius Meinl coffee – direct from Vienna
- Lunch menu is served and bars open at 11:00 a.m., with live music on the back porch
- Raffle opens to win a BMW RnineT Racer to benefit APCH
- Live painting and sculpting works by three world-renowned artists: Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero painting the Ace’s backyard beer garden bocce courts (opening summer 2017), and American sculptor Michael Ulman (artist from the feature film, Mad Max: Fury Road)
- Music in the car park (parking lot) starts at 4:00 p.m. with live rock ‘n roll lasting well into the night. Taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. is headliner Rockin’ Jason D. Williams.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
- Carbs & Caffeine at 7:00 a.m. Kick-start Saturday morning and drive in for an early morning cuppa!
- Ace Cafe’s Cool Cars for Kids to benefit APCH. For a donation per car, participants can be a part of the opening weekend car show and receive a limited-edition Ace Cafe grand opening t-shirt.
- Free activities in the car park starting at 10:00 a.m. with a variety of local partners and vendors engaging Ace fans until the evening.
- Raffle continues to win a BMW RnineT Racer to benefit APCH
- Register to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
- Live painting and sculpting continues by Japanese chopsticks painter Makoto Endo, Spanish artist Antonio Merinero and American sculptor Michael Ulman
- Live music starts at 4:00 p.m. outside with live rock ‘n roll into the night. Cumberland Gap takes the stage at 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
- Kick-start Sunday morning and ride in for an early morning cuppa starting at 7:00 a.m.
- Raffle continues to win a BMW RnineT Racer to benefit APCH
- Registration continues to win a trip for 2 to the 24th Annual Ace Cafe London Reunion Weekend
- Free activities in the car park starting at 10:00 a.m. with a variety of local partners and vendors engaging motor fans until the evening.
- Live music starts at 4:00 p.m. outside with live rock ‘n roll into the night.
Ace Cafe Orlando is located at the corner of West Livingston Street and Garland Avenue on a three-acre parcel in downtown Orlando in the extensively refurbished 100-year-old Harry P. Leu buildings (the former home of The Edge rock venue). The new “Ace Corner” is adjacent to the modern SunRail locomotive station and is a direct ride to the world-renowned Daytona race circuit via Interstate 4. The Ace spans two floors and features a full-service restaurant, two kitchens, four bars, a coffee bar, a communal counter, a mezzanine overlooking the main floor dining area and stage, private and semi-private group spaces, retail shops, and a motor-inspired art gallery. Boasting delectable and affordable American diner fare with a twist and also featuring authentic British favorites, Ace Cafe Orlando connects great food and dining with a passion for motoring and live rock ‘n roll, providing a totally unique experience found nowhere else in the U.S.A.
“Our team is privileged to continue the culture and heritage of the world’s most famous motor-fdiner,” said Mark McKee, CEO and Chief Gearhead of Ace Cafe North America. “This is exactly the Ace that we envisioned – a beacon for everyone, from petrolheads and enthusiasts, to the after-hours work crowd, families, music lovers, and everyone in between. We have remained true to the spirit of the Ace, and we have done so in a way that honors this incredible space in the heart of downtown Orlando. It is our hope that Ace Cafe Orlando will serve this community for generations to come.”
Ace Cafe is the most famous motor-diner on the planet. Since 1938, Ace Cafe London has been a mecca for those passionate about cars, bikes and rock ’n roll culture. The original location on London’s North Circular Road began as a simple roadside cafe for truckers, then evolved into a popular destination for rock ‘n roll-loving teens riding motorbikes during the ’50s and ’60s. Today, the Ace has a multi-generational appeal from motorsports enthusiasts from all over the world. Ace Cafe North America holds the exclusive licensee rights in North America and South America for this world-famous brand. Ace Cafe Orlando is the first North American venue for Ace Cafe.
More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
