Victory Grill facts for kids
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Victory Grill
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The Victory Grill in 2011
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| Location | 1104 E. 11th St Austin, Texas, USA |
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| NRHP reference No. | 98001226 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 16, 1998 |
The Victory Grill is a famous music spot in Austin, Texas. It's located at 1104 E. 11th Street. This historic nightclub was part of the "Chitlin' Circuit." This was a special group of venues where many famous African American musicians played. They performed here when places in Austin were kept separate by law.
Some of the amazing artists who played at the Victory Grill include Bobby Bland, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, W. C. Clark, and B. B. King. The Victory Grill was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 16, 1998. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
The Victory Grill: A Historic Music Spot
How the Victory Grill Started
Johnny Holmes, who managed bands and booked shows, opened the Victory Grill. He started it on Victory over Japan Day in 1945. It began as a restaurant and bar. It was a place for black soldiers coming home from World War II. In the 1940s, many places in the southern United States were kept separate by race. These soldiers could not just go anywhere to have a beer.
The first Victory Grill was a small building. But soon, Holmes moved it to a bigger building right next door.
Music and Famous Performers
Johnny Holmes knew a lot about the growing Texas blues and jazz music scenes. Soon, the club became famous for its music, not just its food and drinks. People who loved music, no matter their race, started coming to the club.
In the 1950s, which was the club's busiest time, many popular national blues, rhythm and blues, and jazz acts played at the Victory Grill. Some of the legendary artists who performed there include Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, and Janis Joplin. One person who lived nearby said, "The street was so crowded you could barely walk. It was like New Orleans."
Changes Over Time
In 1952, Johnny Holmes rented out the Victory Grill. He traveled to West Texas and then to Alaska. When he came back in 1965, he was surprised. The area around the club had changed a lot.
Laws that kept people separate by race had ended. This meant that many black families could now move to the suburbs. Also, the "Chitlin' Circuit" stopped being as important. Musicians who used to only play at places like the Victory Grill could now perform at many other venues. These changes led to fewer people coming to the club. Holmes had to close the nightclub part of the Victory Grill in the mid-1970s. However, he kept the restaurant open. The Victory's food was still very popular.
Reopening and Restoration Efforts
On Juneteenth weekend in 1987, East 11th Street became lively again. A big reunion party brought many of the Victory's old musicians and fans back together. But the Victory Grill closed again for a while after October 10, 1988. It was badly damaged by a fire that started in an empty building next door.
For many years, people tried to raise money and start movements to reopen the Victory Grill. Most of these efforts did not get much support. Finally, in 1995, R.V. Adams, a friend of Holmes, began working to restore the club. The Victory Grill reopened in 1996. This started a new cultural life in the area, which had become run down.
Victory Grill Today
The Victory Grill is one of the last original "Chitlin' Circuit" juke joints still around. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Texas Historical Commission keeps records of it, and an organization called Preservation Texas calls it a "Texas Treasure."
It is an important example of how a special American music tradition grew. The restoration of the Victory Grill helped connect the music of the "Chitlin' Circuit" era to today's urban contemporary sounds. The café serves delicious southern cuisine. It also offers blues, jazz, and urban contemporary entertainment. The Victory Grill provides educational chances to learn about past African-American music and culture. The venue is open for private events, learning opportunities, and cultural visits.
