Farewell To Ace Auto, San Francisco’s Most Unique Event Space

Monsters of Accordion III

Power Tool Drag Races

Monsters of Accordion III

Ace Auto

Crain in Vain

Monsters of Accordion III

Ace Auto, an auto dismantling, computer recycling and unique event space run by our friend Bill the Junkman, is closing for good on November 1st.

Here’s my write-up on Ace Auto from July 2005.

Bill the Junkman and Belinda, Mistress of Junk about the closing of Ace Auto:

it’s the end of the junkyard as we knew it

Well, it looks like the end of Ace junkyard as we know it. Our landlady is not going to renew our lease (and no amount of consciousness-raising, hippie-poi-ball-swinging or fire-oriented fundraisers is going to help, sadly). Things are looking pretty damm bleak right now. It been 25 years and the last 15 after me and most of you found each other have been especially fabulous. While many think I am the generous one, in fact, quite the opposite is true. I given you junk, you have taken this junk and turned it into amazing art, exciting happenings and and ton of fun ad good memories. Thanks to all of you, my life has become much richer. This a richness no amount of money could ever buy, because of all of you and what you create from the junk I give away. Here my heart, mind and soul is filled with wealth from the friends I have found, and the parties and events here.

This past Saturday, night someone said to me “For every door that closes, another one opens.” So let’s hope our next adventure is even more memorable, after all, it’s just the place that’s closing, you and me all still here. One more thing: over the years, you guys have helped me get rid of so much junk, now I need to ask one last favor of all of you. I’d like you to send me pictures, video, stories, etc about this place. Show and tell me about the art or project that we helped you with. It been a hell of ride, thanks to all of you for the love and aloha you have given me.

Bill the Junkman
Belinda, Mistress of Junk

Ace has been one of my all-time favorite venues in San Francisco and it has been host to many amazing events over the years. Here my write-ups and photos on a few of the events I’ve attended:

Power Tool Drag Races 2008

Chicken John’s Lost Vegas

Chicken John’s Woodgas Pickup Truck

A Horrible Dangerous Junkyard Party

Power Tool Drag Races 2006

St. Stupid’s After, After Party

Monsters of Accordion III

Power Tool Drag Races 2004

Power Tool Drag Races 2003

Cyclecide Bike Rodeo in the Junkyard

Mongoloid Junkyard Party

Attaboy & Burke at The Junkyard

photos by Scott Beale

Scott Beale
Scott Beale

Scott Beale is the founder of Laughing Squid and is based in New York City. When not running the blog, Scott can be found posting on Threads and sharing photos on Instagram.