Delores L.
Yelp
Sometimes you can go to a place several times and then you rethink your vision of the place.  This happened on Friday night.  My leadership cohort was meeting at Victory East (formerly Victory Grill) for happy hour.  Within the same location is a Speak Easy (Busy Signal) at the back of the building. As I was taking pictures of the mural inside, the hostess told me that everyone in that mural had played or sang at Victory East. These artists where a part of the Chitlin' Circuit, such as legendary artists like Billie Holiday, James Brown, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, and Etta James.  Wow! I knew Victory East had historical significance; however, I did not know the ties ran so deep and wide.  According to the hostess Victory East was originally created as a safe space for African American soldiers returning from World War II where they could freely drink, dance and eat in then segregated South.  After my talk with the hostess, I had a new appreciation for Victory East.
Our cohort had drinks (lemon drop, margaritas, mojitos) and food (fried chicken wings, fried catfish, mac n cheese, salad and jerk chicken sliders).  One the highlights of visiting Victory East is its beverages.  For cocktails, their mixologists combine the perfect amount of alcohol and other ingredients.  The Lemon Drop martini was superbly made.  The food was all 5+/5...perfectly seasoned and cooked flawlessly.
Service was at the next level.  We had two servers frequently asking if we needed anything and removing dishes from our table. They both were very attentive. 
Victory East is a vibe.  You are instantly transported to a different place and time.  The restaurant / bar is dimly lit with dark walls giving a romantic ambiance.  There was a DJ spinning mellow, sultry tunes...such a warm and inviting environment.
Victory East would be great for group gathers, date night or friends catching up.