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FAREWELL ROB & THE ACE CAFE SF | “YOU GUYS OWN THE BAR, ALL I DO IS PAY THE BILLS.”

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The ACE Cafe in San Francisco officially closed on March 27th, 2011. It was the day all the beer ran out, because they drank it dry. I regret that I never had the opportunity to visit and pay my respects to a man that clearly ran one helluva bar– some say one of the best. One that is dearly missed by the regulars, and those from all over the world that dropped in and will forever remember the experience and comradery so evident in this farewell video. We’re coming up on the 1 year anniversary, and for many the loss is still as raw as the day Rob Hough closed his doors. Please keep us all posted on Rob and where he resurfaces. I need to experience the warm glow of his spirit and smile one day. Please feel free to share your favorite stories on Rob and the ACE Cafe here in the comments section.

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“You give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.

You teach a man to fish– he’ll drink beer all day.”

Rob Hough

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10 thoughts on “FAREWELL ROB & THE ACE CAFE SF | “YOU GUYS OWN THE BAR, ALL I DO IS PAY THE BILLS.””

  2. Amen, Jon – beautifully said. Next time you’re in SF – you’ll have to meet the man and the legend, regardless of whether or not the brick and mortar is set-up. Drinks are on me.

    Thank’s for posting!

  3. The ACE CAFE SF – One of a kind and 100% genuine, none of your franchise wannabe hangouts. Only discovered it on our last trip to SF March 2010 (my wife came from Alemeda). The warm welcome from Rob the minute we arrived spoke volumes, probably the best night of our holiday in the City. Was looking forward to calling back again, but alas not to be. Thanks Ron, Crew and Patrons
    Con and Eileen
    Bonneville rider
    Nth. Dublin
    Ireland

  5. Great post! Cheers to a place I most certainly called home, and to Rob, and all the good people I met at the Ace.

    The place was incredible because the people that filled it we’re genuine, and because Rob made it feel like our very own living room… Watching the GP’s, celebrating birthdays, or just showing up to a room full of friends after a long day at work, it was always the Ace.

    We had a place for a while, where all was good, but the world moves on, places change, and time passes… no sadness for what was, just contentment in knowing we were a part of something wonderful, and anticipation for what will come next.

    Plus the racer-5 was really good.
    And the Jukebox was epic.
    And so was the night we won the dirtbag.
    And the hood of the Siren’s car bolted to the wall.
    And the ‘tea’
    And the vegetarian option
    And the pacifico ‘a great driving beer’
    And feeding the pig
    unbelievable.

    all together now…
    UNBELIEVABLE!

    A.

  6. God, I didn’t know. I had been going there a few weeks after he opened until I relocated to Mongolia in Feb 2010 . I was one of the lucky ones that worked only a few blocks away and was my local watering hole. Until I retired, The Ace made my job bearable.

    Here’s to you Rob!

    Cheers,

    Keith

  8. I am so impressed by all the history in your posts and the photographs. I was just recently talking with someone about the days of cruising the strip in San Leandro which jarred me to google some old photos and came across this. Thank you for posting and passing the history around.

  9. The Ace SF meant a ton. The ton. And much more. Going there felt like I’d finally come home, and Rob, as well as all the staff there, are great people. Sit down for a few pints and fish ‘n’ chips, watch the TT races or Dakar—and no BS. Living here just isn’t the same since the doors were locked and there isn’t a moment I ride by that I don’t feel like giving the Armory across the street a “salute” and threaten to come back at night and paint that logo back up on the side of the building. I wish Rob the best and hope he can find a way to open again.

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