The Victorian, located on Santa Monica’s once-thriving Main Street, will host its last night of clubbing on Oct. 31 for its annual Halloween party — but there is more in store for the historic 123-year-old building.
The city of Santa Monica announced Friday that the Victorian mansion, currently serving as a restaurant and nightclub, will reopen as The Santa Monican, a family-centered membership club offering dining, recreation, wellness and children’s programming.
Santa Monica hospitality operators Garner Gerson and Adir Tal, who run The Victorian, first approached the city in late 2025 with a plan to transform the party house into a family-focused experience that could serve the community. The City Council unanimously approved the proposal on March 24.
“Garner and Adir came to us with a clear read on their own business. During our early conversations, they shared that their nightlife model had run its course at The Victorian, and that families were what Main Street needed next,” City Manager Oliver Chi said.
The new venue, to be operated by The Santamonican Club, will become a “family-based recreation, events, and wellness facility for members,” with 20% of its membership spots reserved for eligible Santa Monica residents, including families, educators and small-business owners.
The Victorian has undergone various repairs and improvements over the years. Under the amended lease, planned improvements include a new pool, a full-service restaurant and bar, a fitness center and a family park.
The Victorian is the latest in a growing list of Santa Monica establishments to close in recent years, reflecting a trend that, while particularly noticeable in Santa Monica, is also affecting businesses throughout Los Angeles County.
A recent report by the Santa Monica-based nonprofit research institute RAND Corporation found that the city has experienced an economic downturn amid declining business activity.
“The city experienced a large downturn in sales across most retail sectors, for instance, with clothing and accessories down 75 percent and food services down 24 percent from 2015 to 2025,” the report stated. The declines were among the steepest compared with other popular cities in Los Angeles.
The report also found that approximately 11% of the city’s retail spaces are vacant.
Other iconic establishments, including The Misfit and Britannia Pub, also closed earlier this year.
Despite several business closures, the city maintains that Main Street continues to see a steady stream of new openings, including Met Her at a Bar, Punch Bowl Juice & Smoothie and the reopening of longtime fixture Circle Bar under new ownership.
More businesses are expected to open this fall, including Bar Fortuna and Nameless, the latter operated by the team behind The Victorian.
After approximately 20 years in business, The Victorian had become a staple of Santa Monica’s nightlife. Its popularity was especially evident during its pre-pandemic heyday, when all floors were often at capacity on weekends and long lines formed outside the venue.
Co-owner Tal described the community’s response and support following the announcement of the club’s closure as “extraordinary.” He said the team aims to create a new space where the Santa Monica community can make equally fond memories.
“We want kids growing up in Santa Monica today to have the same connection to Main Street so many of us had growing up,” Gerson said. “We want families walking the neighborhood, visiting local shops, having dinner and making memories here.”
Renovations are expected to begin in late 2026, with The Santa Monican targeting a mid-2028 opening. Membership details and pricing will be announced in the coming months.
“The Victorian holds 20 years of birthdays, dates and nights out with friends, and I understand why people are sad to see it go,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “The Victorian’s operators are investing in this historic building because they believe in Main Street, and we will keep making it easier for small businesses to open and grow here.”
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