Victory Bar
Victory Bar was an Orwellian-themed bar and gastropub in Portland, Oregon, known for Belgian beers, cocktails, comfort food, and curated music videos.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Victory Bar was a bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon, located at the intersection of Southeast 37th Avenue and Southeast Division Street in the Richmond neighborhood. The venue operated for approximately 13 years before closing in June 2019. It was founded by Yoni Laos and Amalie Roberts in late 2006 or early 2007, and Laos was identified as the sole owner by 2014; Eric Moore had also been associated with ownership in 2012. The bar developed a distinctive Orwellian visual identity. Its interior used propaganda-style posters inspired by George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, along with stripe-painted rifles and dated television screens. Those screens showed a curated collection of live music performances called Victory Vision, featuring artists including David Bowie, The Kinks, and The Who. The combination of political-art styling, deliberately timeworn furnishings, music programming, and neighborhood-bar informality gave Victory a personality that distinguished it from more polished or trend-driven cocktail venues. Victory's food and beverage program evolved over time. It initially emphasized small plates designed to accompany wine pairings, then developed a stronger focus on Belgian beers. The menu also included cocktails and substantial comfort food. Coverage highlighted affordable cocktails and dishes such as spaetzle, while other Portland food and drink guides recognized the venue for cheese service, beer, and food. Its offering was broad enough to serve as both a casual neighborhood bar and a destination for visitors interested in Portland's independent drinking and dining culture. The venue received notable local recognition. Willamette Week named it the newspaper's inaugural Bar of the Year in 2013. Later coverage described Victory as beloved, praised its beer and food, and included it in guides to Portland restaurants, theme bars, and American craft-beer destinations. Reviewers often emphasized that its appeal came less from novelty or luxury than from consistency, atmosphere, comfort food, and an unusually committed theme. Management announced the closure on June 13, 2019, and Victory's final operating day was June 14. Laos said he was leaving to pursue new and more creative activities after spending 13 years in the building. The space was subsequently replaced by The Automatic, a cocktail bar operated by Andrew Finkelman. Finkelman stated that he intended to preserve much of the location's physical foundation while creating a new concept. Victory Bar is therefore a defunct local hospitality brand whose historical significance rests on its distinctive theme, neighborhood identity, and place in Portland's independent bar culture.
History
Victory Bar emerged in Portland's Richmond neighborhood in late 2006 or early 2007, founded by Yoni Laos and Amalie Roberts. The venue occupied a location at Southeast 37th Avenue and Southeast Division Street and built its identity around an intentionally unusual interpretation of a neighborhood bar. Rather than presenting itself as a sleek contemporary cocktail lounge, Victory used an Orwellian visual language inspired by George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Propaganda-like posters, stripe-painted rifles, and old television screens created a setting that was theatrical without abandoning the practical functions of a local pub. A major part of the atmosphere came from Victory Vision, a rotating collection of curated live music videos shown on the venue's dated televisions. The programming included performances by David Bowie, The Kinks, and The Who. This music component helped make the bar's theme experiential rather than merely decorative: customers encountered a combination of rock-video culture, political imagery, and casual food-and-drink service. The food and beverage concept changed during the bar's life. Early operations emphasized small plates intended for wine pairings. The program later placed greater emphasis on Belgian beers while continuing to offer cocktails and food. Local coverage frequently described Victory as a place for filling, approachable dishes, including spaetzle, as well as cheese service and affordable mixed drinks. Its combination of beer, cocktails, and comfort food allowed it to appeal to both regular neighborhood customers and Portland visitors seeking an independent bar with a memorable point of view. By the early 2010s, Victory had become a recognized part of Portland's food-and-drink scene. Eric Moore was described as an owner in 2012, while Yoni Laos was identified as the sole owner in 2014. In 2013, Willamette Week named Victory its inaugural Bar of the Year. Subsequent writers included it in restaurant and beer guides, lists of Portland theme bars, and recommendations for cheese service and casual dining. The venue was repeatedly characterized as beloved, charming, and notably resistant to the pressure to become newer, shinier, or more fashionable. Victory remained open for roughly 13 years. On June 13, 2019, management unexpectedly confirmed through social media that the bar would close. The final operating day was June 14. Laos explained that he had spent 13 years in the building and wanted to move on to new and more creative adventures. The closure ended the original Victory Bar concept, although the site continued as a hospitality venue. Andrew Finkelman's cocktail bar, The Automatic, replaced it, with Finkelman saying that he would retain the location's underlying physical character while developing a different business. Victory Bar is now defunct, remembered primarily for its committed Orwellian theme, music-video programming, accessible food and drink, and role in Portland's independent bar culture.
- 2019
Victory Bar closes
[1]Management announced the closure on June 13, and the bar served its final customers on June 14.
- 2019
The Automatic takes over the location
[1]Andrew Finkelman's cocktail bar The Automatic replaced Victory Bar while retaining elements of the site's existing physical character.
- 2014
Yoni Laos identified as sole owner
[1]Coverage identified co-founder Yoni Laos as the venue's sole owner.
- 2013
Named Willamette Week's inaugural Bar of the Year
[1]Willamette Week selected Victory Bar for its first Bar of the Year award.
- 2012
Eric Moore identified as an owner
[1]Contemporary coverage identified Eric Moore as an owner of Victory Bar.
- 2006
Victory Bar is founded
[1]Yoni Laos and Amalie Roberts establish Victory Bar in Portland's Richmond neighborhood in late 2006 or around the beginning of 2007.
Products and positioning
A character-driven Portland neighborhood bar and gastropub combining an Orwellian visual concept with accessible cocktails, Belgian beer, comfort food, and curated rock-music videos.
Beverages
Cocktails
Victory Bar served cocktails positioned as approachable and affordable rather than as luxury mixology products. Local coverage paired the drinks with the venue's warm, filling dishes and informal neighborhood-bar atmosphere.
Beer
Belgian beers
Belgian beer became a central focus of Victory Bar's beverage program after the venue's earlier emphasis on small plates and wine pairings. The selection contributed to the bar's reputation among Portland beer and food enthusiasts.
Food
Comfort food and small plates
The kitchen evolved from wine-pairing small plates toward a broader comfort-food offering. Reported menu highlights included spaetzle, cheese service, and other warm dishes designed to accompany the bar's beer and cocktail program.
Entertainment programming
Victory Vision
Victory Vision was the venue's curated collection of live music videos shown on dated television screens. The programming included performances by David Bowie, The Kinks, and The Who, reinforcing the bar's distinctive music-centered atmosphere.
Brand decisions
2019
Decision to close Victory BarStrategyBackground
After approximately 13 years operating from the same Portland location, owner Yoni Laos decided to leave the business and pursue new creative activities.
Action taken
Management announced the closure on June 13, 2019, and ended operations after service on June 14.
Aftermath
The premises were subsequently occupied by The Automatic, a cocktail bar operated by Andrew Finkelman.
Recent events
- 2019
Victory Bar announces its closure[1]
Other
Management announced on June 13 that the bar would close, with June 14 designated as its final day of operation. Owner Yoni Laos said he was moving on to new and more creative pursuits.
- 2019
The Automatic replaces Victory Bar[1]
Other
After Victory closed, Andrew Finkelman's cocktail bar The Automatic took over the site and retained elements of the former venue's physical foundation.
- 2013
Victory Bar named Willamette Week's inaugural Bar of the Year[1]
Other
Willamette Week selected Victory Bar as its first Bar of the Year, recognizing the venue's distinctive atmosphere and durable neighborhood appeal.
Sources2 sources
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