Born in Monmouth Beach — a member of the borough’s most famous political family — Vivian Johnson was a lady way ahead of her time. As a trend-setter and entertainer. Focusing alone on the Johnson men’s deeds — durable as they are — fails to recognize her moxie and style as an entrepreneur.

This daughter and sister of Monmouth Beach mayors came of age during the “Roaring ‘20s.” She fit right in with the times. Friends and relatives admired Vivian as an original “flapper” girl — a talented, fashionable and fun-loving young lady who enjoyed entertaining others. She was born native in March 1901 and stayed for life.

Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub.

Attracted to the limelight early on, Vivian graduated from the Monmouth Beach School in June 1916 and sang solo at the commencement held in the Precious Blood church hall (the only time it hosted a graduation). Her entertainment operations began in 1923 with a small “Tea Room” on River Avenue (I’m supposing you could get a hard drink there). Her father owned much of the property in that area too. Nearby Johnson Street is named for the borough’s “First Family” of politics. 

By June 1927, she was operating Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub in a classic Queen Anne-stye cottage on Ocean Avenue in Galilee. At first a “speakeasy,” she was finally granted a license “to sell beer” in April 1933.

Her father, A.O. — then in between two terms as borough mayor — owned the property and highly promoted the concept (he even designed the club chandeliers and built the bar). The business expanded in the early-1930s with huge additions — including a ballroom and casino. The new lobby held a water fountain with goldfish and water jets. Big enough to accommodate 700 guests and staffed by 50 in the summer season, the club’s color scheme was “grey and black.”

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.”
—Harriet Tubman

Considered “one of the Jersey Shore’s best known dining and dancing clubs,” Vivian made the spot into a “fashionable shore rendezvous,” according to the Asbury Park Press and “a bright spot of social life on the North Jersey coast,” claimed the Long Branch Daily Record. The club mostly operated during the summer season.

The nightclub’s crown jewel — opened in June 1934 — was the “Marine Room” which sported a unique floating “Yacht Bar.” Described in the Asbury Park Press as: “an almost exact replica of a real yacht, with headlights, lifeboats and fog horn. Above the bar are airplane propellers acting as electric fans. The bar is surrounded by water and lashed to several pilings which act as seats for patrons.” Distinctive in concept and creation — even photos can’t do it justice.

Vivian not only survived Great Depression times, she flourished in them. Local newspaper society pages were filled with reports of parties and celebrations all through the early 1930s at her shore nightclub scene. Vaudeville singer-comedian Sophie Tucker, one America’s most popular entertainers in her time, performed there. Classic music from fine orchestras filled the halls of the seashore mansion (Jack Meyers jazz band, Eddie Davis and Nick Lucas were regulars); her menu included fine French cuisine and sea food.

All was lost during a spectacular fire in September 1935. The fire started in the ballroom and took three baby grand pianos, $1,600 in liquor, and a $4,000 icebox. Fire damages reached $250,000. Living in an upstairs apartment, Vivian got out unharmed. Her only brother, the future mayor Sidney, also escaped the blaze. Just two weeks prior to the tragic fire, a dinner-dance party and fashion show with over 350 guests had been hosted there. Vivian died in October 2002 at age 101.

As to politics: her father was, Abram O. Johnson (mayor from 1917 to 1926 and 1937 to 1945) and her brother was, Sidney B. Johnson (mayor from 1949 to 1978). Combined the two men were elected to 12 terms as the borough’s chief executive. So politically dominate were the Johnson men, that one of them would hold an elective office in Monmouth Beach from 1906 to 1997. They also ran the family business the Monmouth Beach Cold Storage from 1912 to 1977.

Finally, there’s Maude W. Johnson — wife of A.O. and mother to Vivian and Sidney — who was no slouch herself. A Red Bank native, before her death in July 1959 at age 80 she was part-owner of the family cold storage business and was also served as the borough’s tax assessor from 1933 to 1945.

• Monmouth Beach Politics: J & J Style — HERE

Ladies First — Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub at Ocean and Park Avenues, 1930s. Called a “fashionable shore rendezvous,” by the Asbury Park Press and “a bright spot of social life on the North Jersey coast,” claimed the Long Branch Daily Record.

Shore Style — Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub on Ocean Avenue, 1930s. “Nothing to break the view of the ocean,” according to the Long Branch Daily Record, Summer 1927.

Overboard — The Yacht Bar in the Marine Room at Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub, 1930s.

Big Stretch — Vivian Johnson’s nightclub, August 1931 (Red Bank’s “National Sweepstakes Regatta” Program).

Beautiful Music — Jack Meyers jazz band at Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub on Ocean Avenue, 1930s. The club mostly operated during the summer season.

“Yacht Bar in the Marine Room” at Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub on Ocean Avenue (colorized), 1934.

“Yacht Bar” description upon its grand opening. Asbury Park Press, June 1934.

Dad & Daughter — A.O. Johnson with his baby daughter, Vivian, 1905. Vivian would sing at the grand opening of the new Monmouth Beach Borough Hall in April 1918.

Vivian Johnson Restaurant — Asbury Park Press, June 1932. NJ was the last state to approve of Prohibition (18th Amendment) in March 1922. Sophie Tucker was a nightclub performer here.

“The Vivian Johnson” Opens — Asbury Park Press, May 1931. Borough commissioners passed an ordinance in April 1933 “regulating the sale of legalized beer.” The first liquor license fees were $10 for carryout and $25 for onsite. The first applicants were Vivian Johnson (for her Ocean Avenue nightclub) and William Koch (for his Beach Road grocery).

Big Change — Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub Opening, Long Branch Daily Record, May 1930.

Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub fire story, Sept. 1935.

Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub engulfed in flames, Sept. 1935. Three baby grand pianos, $1,600 in liquor, and a $4,000 icebox all added up even in 1935 as fire damages reached $250,000.

Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub engulfed in flames, September 1935. The fire started in the ballroom.

“The Vivian Tea Room and Grill” matchbook, 1920s.

In Long Branch …

Vivian Johnson’s at Ocean and Avery Avenues, 1937. Her new super club in West End opened in May 1936.

Her comeback with an apology. Asbury Park Press, May 1936.

Big League Romance at a city nightclub, Long Branch Daily Record, August 1936. Greenberg was pro baseball’s reigning American League MVP and a World Series champion when he hit the club that summer evening. The Detroit Tiger first baseman entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.