The Bank Vault

beautiful staff. never feel judged. very chill patio for watching dumdums.

I had a great couple of nights on my visit to Auburn enjoying The Bank Vault. Very cool old bank converted into a bar is enough to get me to come in and look around. The exterior at day, or night is really interesting. However, I voted for the evening look as the best with all the lights on and beer signs lit up in the windows which offers a really unique atmosphere on Toomers Corner.
Parking is on the road and by meter. There are some other lots around also by meter. The great news is after 5 PM on weekday you don’t pay a dime and on weekends FREE all day.
Upon walking in the bar you are greeted by security, this is all of the downtown Auburn bar scene so no big deal. I have always thought of these people as your friend and can keep you and others out of trouble. On both occasions it was the same guy and he was very nice and welcoming to all.
If you love the exterior just wait until you get inside and see the wood floors and open bar. Down stairs is the main bar and some tables with televisions around. A big mack daddy 70 inch is behind the bar. Lots of bar signs etc are all around that provides a cozy feel. Great background music is playing in the background, but is not overwhelming. I am unsure if they have live music here, they have the room to do so. My assumption is they do not.
Also down stairs is the big AU tiger which sits on a platform above in a corner. A funny story is it used to be on the exterior patio are up high. One day staff saw someone had climbed up on it and was riding the poor tiger, knocked it over and broke it’s ear off. So the tiger got moved inside and to this day is missing it’s ear opposite side from where you see it today.
A large steep wooden staircase leads up stairs. There you will find a pool table and a second bar. On both visits it was barely utilized due to it being Summer and most students back home. There was a lot of room.
No draft only bottle and can beer at this establishment. This is not such a bad thing even though I love my draft. I has many of the college crowd drinkers that want cheap beer by the pitcher to go else where. On both nights I completely found this to be true as other places were slammed with mobs of drinking AU students. The Bank Vault had a more mature crowd with as mixture of students. The feel was just more sophisticated in my opinion. Now football game days all bets are off every where. The only food served is on Tuesday taco’s, so go eat at one of the other twenty or so nearby restaurants and come in here after for a drink, or two with friends.
Both visits were made so much more enjoyable by bartender extraordinare Ben. he had command of the entire bar. He chatted up the locals, but never left me out like I was a nobody even though I was from out of town. He provided lots of good info on the town and history since he has been a local most of his life. He has a great smile and chuckle which completely relaxes you and makes the customer feel important… not to mention stick around a buy another round.
With just two visits I found this to be a place I would come often if a local, especially if Ben is the bartender. I can’t really justify a full five on this joint, but believe me it is a really cool place to enjoy a libation with friends.

By far, the best bar in Auburn. If you’re not into the typical college crowd that saturates the other bars in town, then this is the place for you. On any given night, you can find some regulars sitting at the bar. The bartenders and door guys are super nice, and will remember your face. These things add to the cozy neighborhood feel of this spot. Downstairs you can find a full bar, sports on the tv’s, and plenty of tables. Upstairs you’ll find another bar, a pool table, darts and a jukebox. And did I mention the huuuge patio in the back? They have great specials as well. On Tuesday nights, you can get $ 2 tacos while you drink. On Wednesday and Thursday, you can find some great well drink specials. Check it out!