New information has surfaced regarding the conversion of The Victorian, a long-standing nightlife venue in Santa Monica, into a new private members club.
Located at 2640 Main St., this city-owned venue will be transformed into The Santa Monican, described as a “family-focused” private club, featuring recreational activities, dining, wellness options, and programming for children, as revealed by the city of Santa Monica.
The Santa Monican aims to serve the local community, with a portion of memberships—up to 20%—set aside for Santa Monica residents. Planned updates for the site include a new pool, spa, fitness center, a coffee bistro, and a dining venue.
Renovations are anticipated to begin by the year’s end, with a tentative opening slated for mid-2028.
The shift in operations was initiated when The Victorian’s operators, Garner Gerson and Adir Tal, approached city officials late last year with a concept to pivot from their nightlife focus to something more family-friendly.
The city agreed to modify their lease, and the plans for the new club received unanimous approval from the city council in March, which voted 7-0 to transfer the property’s lease to “The Santa Monican Club, LLC.”
City officials have expressed their support for the transition.
“Garner and Adir came to us with a clear understanding of their business. They conveyed that their late-night model was no longer viable and that a family-oriented approach was needed on Main Street,” noted City Manager Oliver Chi in a release. “The goal was to assist them in this evolution. In a reimagined Santa Monica, that’s what collaboration with our business community entails—listening to operators who recognize market shifts and acting swiftly to keep historic venues active and meaningful to the community.”
The two-story Victorian-style space was originally constructed in 1892 and relocated to its current Heritage Square site in 1973, opposite the California Heritage Museum.
Recently, The Victorian announced its closure after two decades of service.
“After 20 incredible years, The Victorian is closing its doors,” the venue announced on Instagram on October 6. “The Victorian has been a backdrop for countless birthdays, dates, and evenings out, and I can certainly understand the sadness surrounding its departure.”
Its final event will be the annual Halloween party, set for October 31.
