Published August 21, 2025 | Updated June 1, 2026

The move of the VIP Lounge from its familiar home at 90th and Arbor Street prompted me to dig into its story, one which I started months ago but didn’t get around to finishing.

In 1966, real estate developer Dean Winstrom opened the VIP Lounge on the upper floor of the Arbor Building. Omaha native F. Marshall Boker designed the multi-level building and even won an award for its contemporary design. Shrubbery was added along the building to offset its straight lines. The VIP was its most well-known tenant as it faced busy 90th Street to its east.

This location in West Omaha wasn’t Dean’s first choice for a bar, as he had planned to open one at the Regis Hotel at 1416 Howard Street downtown. After reconsidering, he headed west and opened the bar at 9001 Arbor Street. The bar billed itself as a meeting spot for the middle-aged crowd who wanted a quiet place to talk while enjoying a beverage to take the edge off. With that in mind, he didn’t offer live music, instead playing it from the stereo.

By the early 1970s, the bar was operated by bookmaker Donald Quinn. Soon afterward, it fell into the capable hands of Bruce Steinfeldt and his wife MaryLee. If that name seems familiar, it’s because Bruce was the manager at Cork N’ Cleaver, the steakhouse that would become The Drover in 1977 when he bought it alongside his partners. As far as I can tell, Bruce operated the bar for decades in addition to Ralston Keno before passing away in 2001.

Mel Bull took control of the VIP Lounge afterward and continues to run it to this day. He represents the fourth generation of the family to operate either bars or restaurants. His parents had the Circle Bar and Grill in Elkhorn while his grandparents ran the Stockade in Millard and great-grandparents the 10-Mile Inn at 132nd and Dodge.

The VIP, meanwhile, developed a reputation all its own and was mentioned by The Reader as one of the top bars for a cozy hideout in 2020, one where the atmosphere was lively and the bartenders were fun. Perhaps even a place where you get your money’s worth with strong pours and/or free shots. It didn’t stop there, as the bar also developed a following for its spicy and strong Bloody Mary.

After 59 years calling the Arbor Building its home, Mel moved to a nearby strip mall at 8505 Frederick Street in August 2025. Perhaps more popular than ever, he said the bar had outgrown the space, while the new location also had the added benefit of additional parking. Despite the new location and a fresh new look, the VIP is still a classic Omaha dive bar.

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More pictures

• Omaha World-Herald archives
• https://thereader.com/2020/01/23/cozy-hideout-bars-part-1/
• Bruce M Steinfeldt (1938-2001) – Find a Grave Memorial
• Obituary information for Mary Lee Hosford Steinfeldt