One of the main clubs in Atlanta that attracted EVERYONE was Mr. V’s Figure 8 at 3131 Cambellton Road SW. It was popular among young Black professionals, celebrities, political types, athletes, literally everyone.
The owner was James Virgil, who had a club in Chicago called The Apollo before moving to the ATL. Mr V’s Figure 8 was open for almost 10 years from 1978 – 1987. He bought the club and expanded into an adjoining pool room and hardware store. At its heyday, it attracted 5000 people during a weekend. Were you there? Tell us what you remember!Mr. V was the perfect host, offering limousine service for VIP customers to and from the airport. You could see Lionel Richie, Steve Wonder, Andrew Young, Maynard Jackson, Harold Melvin, Joyce Kennedy, Evander Holyfield, Donald Byrd, Anita Baker, Sugar Ray Leonard, The Isley Brothers, Leon Spinks, Muhammad Ali and more. Sammy Davis Jr even booked the club for a private birthday party.
Mr. V was ahead of his time when it came to marketing and branding. He created Mr. V’s line of
jeans, jewelry, purses and even license plates! Do you still have your membership card? He even created an awards show called the V Awards. He wrote a book called Restaurant Ignorance, a training module to help aspiring restaurant and bar owners in his community and around the world.
Mr. V is doing well and is writing his memoir to be released later this year. What story do you want him to include in the book?
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