Sunday April 21, 2019

The Victor Cafe
a family-owned and operated
Philadelphia institution since 1918.

Italian cuisine & live opera nightly.

"Music Lovers' Rendezvous"
From record shop to Italian eatery.

John DiStefano settled in Philadelphia in 1908 and in 1918 opened his first business: a gramophone shop. DiStefano’s “Victor” dealership became a meeting place not only for the musically inclined but also a nexus for companionship and advice.

John often took the South Street Ferry to visit the directors of RCA Victor, located across the river in Camden, arranging auditions and making suggestions of selections to be recorded. His efforts to bring together artist and recording studio are well documented by the signed photographs and operatic memorabilia which literally cover the Café’s walls.

Upon the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and in response to grim economic times, John purchased a beer and wine license and what had been DiStefano’s Gramophone Shop became The Victor Café, “Music Lover’s Rendezvous.”