Victor Jones Sr. opened Victor’s, 1230 N. Van Buren, on Aug. 16, 1966. And soon, after 58 years of quality food, drink and service, Jones’ three sons – James, John and Vic Jr. – will shutter the iconic establishment.
“I’m 69 years old, the youngest (of the three brothers), and it’s time to step back,” says Vic. “We’re starting to wear out. We wanna keep playing, but it’s like when Michael Jordan’s knees gave out. We decided we’ve played long enough.”
Victor’s will remain open through New Year’s Day and will officially close on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Not surprisingly, the beloved, storied nightclub isn't going out quietly.
Victor’s will host a 24-hour New Year’s Eve party that starts at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 and runs until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Four different food and drink packages are available. There will also be a DJ Dance Party, free pizza and champagne toast at midnight.
The decision to close the nightclub is an emotional one. “We have six decades of family history in here,” says James.
Victor Sr. – who never indulged in a single drink or smoke in his life – passed away in 2021 at the age of 91. After his death, the future of the business became obscure. The family discontinued food service which sparked untrue rumors that the entire business, not just the kitchen, had closed. Finally, in the spring of 2023, the family put the building up for sale, and although there was interest, it remains on the market today.
“I'd love to see it remain a club, but realistically, I think it’s going to be (purchased by) a developer,” says James.
Between the three Jones brothers, they have myriad children and grandchildren, none of whom want to continue the family business. But the brothers are OK with their decisions and never encouraged them to take it over.
“We’ve been blessed with some really smart, grounded kids – clearly they got their brains from their mothers,” says James. “They grew up knowing this life, but we didn’t wish it on any of them.”
“It was right for us, but it’s a tough industry that’s changed a lot over the years," says Vic.
Historically, Victor’s has been locally famous for its vibrant dance floor, affordable cocktails and ginormous plates of scratch-made supper club-style food. It's known as a place where people of all ages can meet new friends and even earned a reputation as a pick-up spot known with an abundance of available older women.
“Certainly, we’re known for having ‘cougars’ here,” Vic told OnMilwaukee in 2021. “I think the Marquette guys started it. One still calls me and says, ‘Vic, is there any cougars down there?’”
But Victor’s played many different roles for many different people of all ages, races and sexual identities. Victor's has also been the unofficial venue for service industry wedding receptions and wakes.
“We love the many friends we’ve made over the years," says John. "It's been a great way to live."
The Jones brothers attribute Victor's six decades of success to a few things, primarily the fact that people from all demographics felt welcome and women in particular felt safe.
"From the beginning my dad always said the girls at Victor’s have to feel safe. If a fella's not being respectful, he’s gotta go," says James.
Mary Christine was a Victor's regular in the '90s and started working for the bar during the pandemic as a marketing professional.
"I would come in here by myself and feel completely comfortable," says Christine. "I always knew people at the bar and everyone was really friendly."
Victor Sr.'s high standards are also attributed to the nightclub's staying power. “In general, my father did things differently than other bar owners," says James. "He said, ‘I don’t want to get the highest price, I just want to serve the best drink.'"
James also credits the employees. "I can't say enough about all the wonderful employees we’ve had," he says. "That is always the hardest: working with someone for a very long time and then having to say goodbye."
Arguably, the biggest reason why Victor's remained popular and relevant for so long is all of the Jones' affinity for people.
“We love people. That's why we’re in this business. We welcomed them, served them, gave them a great product and was fair to everyone," says Vic. "It’s been a wonderful life."
Victor's hours for the next two weeks:
- Thursday, Dec. 19, Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21 open at 4 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 30 open for the Packers game at 6 p.m.
- Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Thursday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28 open at 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 29 open for Packers game at 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 open at 4 p.m. through 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1 for New Year's Bash.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
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