Did You Know? Clement Street’s Bar with a Bank Vault Past

By theFrontSteps Real Estate on May 23, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Alright, let’s talk about 540 Clement Street. Today, it’s home to the always-lively neighborhood bar “540 Rogues.” But back in the day? Whole different story.

This spot actually opened up on November 30, 1929, as a branch of the Pacific States Savings and Loan Society. It had big bank energy. Think Mediterranean Revival style with a tall arched doorway, red clay tile roof, and detailed terra cotta work. Up top, you’ll still see those circular plaques nodding to Apollo (yes, that Apollo) and some symbolic shoutout to guarding gold. Oh, and if you opened an account back then, they’d hand you a free fountain pen. Fancy, right?

But here’s the kicker. The timing could not have been worse. The grand opening came just weeks after the stock market crash in October 1929. Not exactly the best climate to launch a bank. The Great Depression hit hard and within five years, the dreams of this Clement Street branch pretty much fell apart.

Fast forward to the mid-1930s. Local couple William and Ella Greely decided to switch things up and turned the space into a bar and buffet. Turns out, pouring drinks was a more stable business than managing mortgages during those tough years. And ever since then, it’s been a bar in one form or another. Pretty much consistently since around 1942.

Even now, you can still see pieces of its banking past. The arch. The fancy sculpted doorway. And yep, that old vault? It was repurposed into a pool table room at one point.

So next time you grab a drink at 540 Rogues, look around. The place has stories. From a symbol of financial ambition to a longtime local hangout. Clement Street knows how to keep things interesting.

Bet you didn’t know that… or maybe you did.