She was the fashionable female contingent of the borough’s most famous political family. Vivian Johnson, born in March 1901, was a trend-setter and accomplished nightclub owner. Way ahead of her time.

Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub.

To focus alone on the Johnson men’s deeds 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.

Beginning in June 1927, she operated the Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub on Ocean Avenue in Galilee. At first a “speakeasy,” she was finally granted a license “to sell beer” in April 1933.  Her father — then in between two terms as borough mayor — owned the property and highly promoted the business.

Considered “one of the Jersey Shore’s best known dining and dancing clubs,” the massive Queen-Style structure hosted many events throughout the early 1930s. Classic jazz music from a six-piece orchestra filled the halls of the seashore mansion; her menu included fine French cuisine. The nightclub’s “Marine Room” sported a unique floating yacht-shaped bar. All was lost during a spectacular fire in September 1935. Living in an upstairs apartment, Vivian got out unharmed. Her only brother, the future mayor, also escaped the blaze.

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. Just two weeks prior to the tragic 1935 fire, a dinner-dance party and fashion show with over 350 guests had been hosted there.

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

Legend is that Vivian started her operation in a small “tearoom” on River Avenue in the 1920s (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. 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. It was 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.

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 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.