One of Santa Monica’s best-known nightlife destinations is preparing to close its doors. The Victorian, a historic restaurant and nightclub that has welcomed generations of partygoers, will hold its final celebration on October 31, 2026, before undergoing a major transformation into a private membership club.

Los Angeles’ nightlife community is preparing to say goodbye to a familiar destination.

The Victorian, located at 2640 Main Street in Santa Monica, has announced that it will end its operations as a restaurant and nightclub following its annual Halloween celebration.

The closure marks the end of approximately 20 years of nightlife activity at the venue, which became known for combining dining, social events and DJ performances inside a historic Victorian-style building.

The announcement was made on October 5, with the venue confirming that its final weekend would take place during Halloween.

However, while the existing nightclub concept is coming to an end, the historic property itself will not disappear.

City officials have confirmed plans to transform the location into a new members-only destination called The Santa Monican.

A Historic Building With a Long Nightlife History

The Victorian occupies a distinctive building dating back to 1892.

Originally constructed during the Victorian era, the property was moved to its current location at Heritage Square in 1973.

Over the years, it has served several purposes, including dining, private events and nightlife entertainment.

Its more recent identity developed around a multi-level venue that combined weekend parties with restaurant service.

DJs regularly performed across different areas of the building, including its basement, main floor and upper-level spaces.

The Basement Tavern became one of the property’s recognizable nightlife features, offering a different atmosphere from the larger entertainment areas.

The venue also hosted regular dancing events, including salsa and bachata sessions.

This combination made The Victorian a distinctive location within Santa Monica’s nightlife landscape.

Final Halloween Celebration Scheduled for October 31

The Victorian has confirmed that its final weekend will coincide with Halloween.

Its annual Halloween party on October 31 is expected to serve as the closing celebration for the existing venue.

Until then, the property will continue welcoming visitors during its remaining October weekends.

The announcement has attracted attention from members of the local community, particularly visitors who associate the venue with celebrations and memorable nights out.

Unlike newer nightlife spaces developed specifically around electronic music, The Victorian became established through a combination of DJ entertainment, dining and social gatherings.

Its closure reflects a significant change for Santa Monica’s Main Street entertainment district.

The Venue Will Become ‘The Santa Monican’

Following the closure, the property will undergo a major redevelopment.

According to the City of Santa Monica, the historic building will reopen as The Santa Monican, a family-oriented private membership club.

The new concept will focus on dining, recreational facilities, wellness activities and programming for children.

Proposed facilities include a swimming pool, spa, fitness center and restaurant areas.

The project is being developed by the venue’s existing local operators, Garner Gerson and Adir Tal.

The operators approached city officials in late 2025 with a proposal to transition away from the traditional late-night entertainment model.

The Santa Monica City Council approved the restructured lease agreement on March 24, 2026.

The decision allows the property to remain active under a different hospitality concept.

Renovation work is expected to begin toward the end of 2026, with the new club currently targeting an opening in mid-2028.

A Changing Nightlife Landscape in Los Angeles

The Victorian’s closure arrives during a period of continued change across the Los Angeles entertainment industry.

While the city has welcomed new electronic music venues, including recently opened clubs in the Arts District, established nightlife destinations are also adapting to different business models.

Some operators are investing in larger music-focused spaces, while others are exploring private memberships, hospitality and daytime entertainment.

The transition at The Victorian illustrates how historic entertainment venues can change their purpose while remaining part of the surrounding community.

For nightlife audiences, however, the end of its nightclub operations represents the loss of a familiar location.

The Victorian was not exclusively dedicated to electronic music, but its DJ programming and dancefloor culture formed an important part of its identity.

The End of One Chapter, the Beginning of Another

The upcoming Halloween celebration will mark the conclusion of The Victorian’s current nightlife era.

After two decades of parties, social gatherings and live DJ entertainment, the venue will close in preparation for its transformation.

The historic building will remain in use, but its future will follow a different direction.

For the Los Angeles nightlife community, the change serves as another reminder of how entertainment spaces evolve over time.

The Victorian will host its final Halloween celebration on October 31, 2026, before closing for redevelopment into The Santa Monican.