In the late 1920s, a merger between the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and the Victor Talking Machine Company would go on to leave an indelible mark on music history. These two American giants joined forces to create the first true powerhouse of recorded sound — producing not only the devices that played music, from radios to turntables, but the songs itself. Through the ’30s and ’40s, RCA Victor became a cultural cornerstone, introducing 33⅓ rpm records and vinyl LPs, and building a catalogue that stretched from classical and jazz to pop and film scores. But it was in the 1950s that the label entered legend: in 1955, it signed Elvis Presley. His recordings reshaped pop culture and signalled the dawn of rock’n’roll. Over time, he was joined by artists like Sam Cooke, Jefferson Airplane, David Bowie, Nina Simone, and Lou Reed.
Victor Audio Bar, the Latest Creation by the Tres Monos Team
That timeless legacy now echoes through Victor Audio Bar, the first true listening bar in Buenos Aires, located in the heart of Palermo and born of another epic union — between the Tres Monos team, curating the drinks, and the founders of Niño Gordo, who bring their distinct vision to the kitchen. With its New York soul and clear nods to Japanese jazz kissa, Victor exudes analog allure. Behind the bar, a wide console awaits the most coveted records, while the room is warmed by wooden panelling, leather furnishings, and sleek mid-century lines that carry through into the courtyard. A headphone-equipped jukebox caters to solitary listeners — those who prefer to pick their own soundtrack for the night.
A Cocktail Menu Tailored to Every Sound
The Martini takes the lead on the cocktail list, reimagined across eras and styles. It begins with the Martinez, a historical precursor to the classic, before moving into a Dirty version with mixed olive brine, and arriving at contemporary interpretations like the Porn Star Martini, with maracuja notes and a whisper of vanilla, or the inevitable Espresso Martini for those chasing a bold jolt. There’s space, too, for timeless standards: Daiquiri and Whiskey Sour for a bright aperitivo, or a Sazerac for guests in search of deeper structure.
Niño Gordo’s Take On the Menu
But Victor isn’t just a bar, it’s also a chef-driven kitchen, shaped by the comfort food instincts of Pedro Peña and Germán Sitz, who reimagine American staples with an Argentine twist. The result is unpretentious and exacting: a raw bar with oysters, prawns, and Patagonian mussels, crisp fried chicken, and entrecôte with golden fries.
A seamless blend of sound and design, Victor offers a trip through time without ever leaving Palermo Soho — where the best of international mixology meets the sultry glow of low lighting and the nostalgic pull of analog sound. With the creative force of two cult teams — Tres Monos and Niño Gordo — and an identity rooted in the interplay of cocktails, music, and food, Victor Audio Bar arrives fully formed, with all the makings of a future classic.
The article first appeared on Coqtail – for fine drinkers. Order your copy here
Images courtes Victor Audio Bar
