SF Old Mint

I was here in November of 2014 for the Hendrick’s Emporium of the Unusual event.
As an event venue, I think SF Old Mint is beautiful:
. Hendrick’s use of the space was great. Each room had its own theme and drink. Very fun. My favorite area was the enclosed courtyard. They had a photo op out there with an old school bicycle, but I could imagine this being a great area to have drinks.
After the event we walked into an exhibit room with artifacts and tidbits about the old mint and SF. It was a nice way to wrap up the evening and remind us of the history of the building.
I wouldn’t mind coming back to visit as the Old Mint building. I do love history. And who doesn’t like a place where they use to make money?

Comprehensive tour of the US Mint — the one featured on the Discovery Channel’s «Underground Cities» or whatever that show was… pretty cool to see where the country’s supplies of gold & silver were stored, the vaults, the coins that had made impressions into the walls due to the volume of shtuff that was crammed in those vaults.
Our guide wasn’t the best (his assistant was more knowledgeable) but he was very passionate about the Mint & coin collecting so couldn’t fault him too much… plus, they’re volunteers so we know they’re in it for the love.
Interesting to learn how the bldg was completely made of metal — doorways, window frames, stairways, columns… everything.
Also it sits on a sand bed to it’ll move w/​any earthquake & stay intact & b/​c it’s made of metal, it’s fireproof & survived the great fires from the 1906 earthquake… too bad the section of the bldg that is crumbling was due to the CIA in the 1970s who took out the columns in the room & ruined the stability.
We were told it’ll cost $ 100 MILLION to refurbish this bldg & get it «back up to code» so for now, they can only have 49 people in there at a time & the rooms are mostly gutted & rundown.
Such potential for a well-​visited historical landmark!

For an event space, awesome… Really. The bottom floor has quite a few rooms to hang out, even the hallway is long and dramatic. You can feel the history there. The main floor has some very tall spaces for dining or dancing or hosting. Very cool venue. There is also a sizable central open air courtyard. We had a wedding hosted here, with a ceremony in the courtyard, drinks in the vaults, and dining and dancing in the main rooms. Everything was awesome… One stop shop… If you could afford the Mint it’s got such a variety of spaces it can be anything you want. Highly recommended.

What a gorgeous building. I got to check this place out for the Hendrick’s Gin event a few weeks ago. Though it was at nice, the building was gorgeous and the courtyard was a nice place to have some drinks under the moon. I’m sure it’s pretty expensive to rent out, but would love to rent the venue out for an event. Maybe some day :) Check this place out if you can.

I have been here for a few events. I like the space and historical artifacts and displays. There are multiple rooms and the building can probably accommodate a few hundred people. I love the courtyard/​atrium. The lavatory and women’s restroom situation needs to be addressed though. The long lines for an old outdated facilities need to be remedied.

The building itself is impressive and definitely worth seeing. The bottom vaults where they held the gold is a must see if you attend an event there.
That being said, the last few exhibits I gone to have left much to be desired. Last weekend, my boyfriend and I went to see the sf art that had been on for weeks. After we bellied up our ten bucks a pop, we wondered through the rooms. After seeing some of the «exhibits» of photographs of homeless people and my favorite a guy with his pet rat, I did not need to wonder why we had the whole place to ourselves. Mind you, I have no problem paying $ 20 to support the arts, and I realize that art is subjective, but that being said I do have an issue paying to see an «exhibit» which is only in a few rooms, when 70% of the mint was empty.
The event we went to a few months prior was basically a large career fair for organizations in the area. It was a strangely organized and odd to attend. Especially at a price.
I do want the old mint to succeed, and hope that they pick better events to host and more in depth exhibits. At this point I’m going to compare the old mint to the boy that cried wolf. Shame on them for suckering me in for another lackluster exhibit.

SF Mint is a hidden gem loaded with local history. If you are a history buff, a cool way to spend a Sunday afternoon is at the Mint. They offer tours Sundays from 1:30 — 3:30. This is also an amazing venue for events. There is a beer tasting event coming up, and they even had an awesome Haunted House here last Oct. A cool off the beaten path spot to enjoy SF History.

This building is indeed a treasure of San Francisco. It has just recently been restored last year and since has had a great selection of events held there. My boyfriend and I have so far been to two of these events. However, the first one which was the Halloween haunted house event that we went to, I would have to say was so-​so. I am a major horror fan and know a good scare. I do not easily scare and just thought that the event was full of horror movie cliches that were done too campy. Nothing I saw at this event was really original and stood out. If I could have rated this event, I would have given it a 2 out of 5. It was an overly advertised event to made it out to be more amazing then it was, I guess it was geared to teenagers and other young people who easily can get scared.
On the other hand, my boyfriend and I went yesterday to the history expo being held there. I loved it! This event was truly outstanding as it included all kind of history organizations represented there. It was a great event for history fanatics like I am. There was information regarding genealogy, Cliff house, Funland amusement park, Sutro Baths, old railroads and transits, Golden Gate Bridge, nautical history and so much more. There were lots going on including lectures, video footage, and demonstrations. I really hope that this history expo comes back next year as well. If I could rate this event, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars!
Pros:
–Great venue for events esp. the history expo.
Cons:
–Difficult to find a parking space nearby

This impressive building opened on November 5, 1874. It survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake when everything around it burned or was leveled by the quake. It is currently being restored; the upper floors are not open to the public. When the restoration is complete it will house the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society. For now, it is primarily as an event center.
I toured the building when I went to the S.F. History Expo. The interior is impressive: high ceilings, chandeliers with gold inlay, rich woods and connecting rooms. Then there are the vaults with heavy steel doors that at one time held a third of the country’s gold reserve.
The expo is an annual event and well worth attending. I am always looking for ways to trace family history in San Francisco and I sure was able to find some useful information from some of the 60 or so groups that were at this event There were also several statewide and East Bay organizations at this expo.

Went to a coin show here yesterday which included a free tour of the vaults and history as well. Went downstairs to see the old rooms and enjoyed the table set ups in each vaulted ceiling upstairs rooms as well. Lots of history, cool coins and the tour!

Someone could describe this place to you in detail, but you’ll never realize its full potential as an event space until you actually stand inside it. To me, it felt a little bit like a throwback to colonial times, with detailed architecture, handsome woodwork, spacious connecting rooms and a long open hallway that stretches the length of the building. It also reminded me a bit of the mansion in «Eyes Wide Shut,» with room after hidden room of new surprises, and I say that in the best possible way because I happen to really like that movie. The party I attended took advantage of the whole space, offering different food setups, music, beer and wine bars and games that could be discovered as you casually explored. I’m not sure of the costs connected with doing something here, but if you can swing it then it looks well-​worth it!

Had our company party here and the place is pretty nice, but probably more suitable for a smaller event. 800 or so people in an area with multiple rooms and only 2 bathrooms was not as comfortable as one would’ve hoped. I liked the outdoor area and perhaps if it had been a little warmer (meaning 60+ degrees) then I probably would’ve stayed out there longer. It seems like the perfect set up for a small outdoor concert. Lots of cool history at the SF Mint too and apparently the upstairs is where some old equipment is to check out for private events. Cheers!

Came here for the Holiday Arcade, pretty cool and different something to do on holiday weekend. Loved the vibe, but since it was the Friday after Thanksgiving, there weren’t as many people. They were expecting more people on weekends, hopefully that’s what happened.
This building adds to the collection of historical landmarks around the city. I wish they could create some kind of business or library with it to make use of the building. For now, it is used to host things here are there.

SF Old Mint has a lot more renovation to do, but what it had to offer for Marketo’s Dreamforce party was freaking cool. I’m sure a lot of my experience here was owed to whoever Marketo hired to decorate the place, but the fact that you can walk through the bank vault, look inside the door of a safe /​lock /​vault thing, and do bad things like sneak into rooms upstairs and downstairs… makes it a fun place to explore!
A lot of the upstairs is blocked off, but there are parts of it where you can stand on a balcony and look down into the main floor. I don’t think I’ll be going to any high school proms or anything of that sort any time soon, but if I were hosting some sort of dance /​event /​whatever, it’d probably be here.

The venue is unique and beautiful. Tamara and The Old Mint events team is fantastic to work with. As an event and wedding planner, I could not ask for better service!

The doorman at the event was not pleasant. He didn’t let my wife in because her driver license was international and he required a passport. With all the respect to current laws… my wife is on 8^th month of pregnancy so there is no way you don’t see it. She’d not be drinking there! Nevertheless the guy made a pregnant woman to go home for the passport.
Ahole.

(See pics) Review #1348. Was here for a single malt whisky event and it fitted right in the SF Old Mint with its classic and traditional look.
So much history about the vault but from the first floor where the event was hosted, there’s not too much to see. However, the exposed brick walls and chilled environment made the event much more serious and almost formal.
The event had utilized each room as each vintage year tasting, with the hallway filled with different kinds of small bites. In the middle of hallway is where the history is seated. There were some artifacts and pictures with descriptions to piqué your interest. Some chairs were also set up for people to enjoy how the vault was the only financial institution that was intact after the 1904 quake.
There’s a second floor but had not been and it’s likely to have a different style and setting.
Definitely a venue for both business and fun events that have a progressive or multiple themes for the first floor.

With all that history, this place is still pretty unassuming and seems a bit lonely, and forgotten amidst the back-​packed tourists, busy professionals and homeless peoples huge puddles of piss. Inside is, well, quite … stunning with spectacular ceilings, chandeliers, gold in-​lay and old maps and artifacts. Plus, vaults and all the eerie original nooks and crannies of an original bank replete with heavy, humongous solid-​steel doors that require multiple people tug of warring with it’s weight and strength.
This is United States Landmark # 875. Constructed in 1969, it’s California’s only federal building in Greek Revival-​style architecture. It housed San Francisco’s Mint — the center of coin and gold production. Tall thick pillars resemble the Parthenon. This Greco (& even Roman and Nordic Classicism that incorporated Swastika-​esque motifs) style was a fetish of the Victorians. And you can see this manifested interest in many San Francisco buildings.
The Old Mint of San Francisco, designed by Alfred Bult Mullett, has gone through several re-​incarnations. According to record, In 1874, it became a sub-​treasury. Beyond money & Greek inspiration, it’s other great claim to fame is that it remains one of San Francisco’s only buildings to have survived The Great Fire & Earthquake of 1906. It became a clearing-​house bank, shortly thereafter, and then closed for good on 1937. In the 70s, Mint Director Mary Brooks gathered a team of restorers, with hopes of preserving this iconic institution and landmark for the public. In it’s heyday, it became «the repository for wire transfers from around the country — $ 40 million in the first two weeks alone, about $ 900 million in today’s dollars.» (Smithsonian, April 2006, Volume 37, Number 1).
Now, FlipSide, a community collective of «young» history-​lovers, which is an extension of the San Francisco Historical Society, have come together to update the building and develop it into a full-​fledged historical museum devoted to the ancestry of this city. San Francisco is, apparently, the only cosmopolitan American city without one.
In effort to raise money for the revamp and keep the space alive, its used to host dinners, luncheons, fundraisers, charity events, fashion shows, themed gatherings, plays, weddings and screenings, films and photo shoots.
Be sure to go for a visit for these upcoming events!
* April 18, 2013, «An Evening Gala» — w/​San Francisco style fashions, opening.
* April 20−28^th, an Open Exhibit on the contributions of SF to the world of fashion.
(entry is by invite-​only, or on special days open to the public, you’ll have to watch out for specific events and programs.)
You can join FlipSide &/​or the San Francisco Historical Society @
.
ps. The ‘swastika’, a Sanskrit word meaning something auspicious and of greater good, is originally an ancient sacred Indian symbol seen in Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism.

The. building is a gem in itself, if you’re in the neighborhood, but the current exhibition of Golden Gate Bridge photos is worth a short drive (and a small donation to the historic society; though the exhibit is free).

I went to the SF Old Mint because A. told me about it. It’s on 5^th Street @ Mission, SF. Go to the Main Entrance on 5^th St — up the stairs & wait at the door. Someone will let you in at 12pm on certain dates. It was mentioned in at least 2 food blogs, I will help get the word out.
It’s open for a few weekends. May 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31. Other days they are Closed. Maybe in the future it will be open more often, not sure.
Cost: $ 10 non-​member; $ 5 if member. CASH ONLY!
The exhibit they have now is: «From Earth to 5-​Star: The Bay Area’s Innovations in Farming & Food». I thought was just just ok. Lots of posters w/​nice photography and lots to read in small print. That’s about it. There’s a program or two that you can stay for included w/​admission.
When I went on Sat ⁵⁄₁₅ it was 2pm: Marin French Cheese Company — this cheese company is in Petaluma and makes Brie, Camambert, & other cheese. They gave us lots of samples. I didn’t stay for the 4pm: Farmer Jane: Women Changing The Way We Eat.
Tours of building: They have 3 different times for tours: 12:30p, 2p, or 3:45p. I went on the 12:30pm tour. Kristin Morris, Associate Curator, was our tour guide. She was Great. Tour was a little over 1hr. The Old Mint was where they made coins, so a factory now empty. Got to see Main floor & Vault. You can see the Vault on your own too, but better on tour.
Vault is just vaults — empty! They used to have tons of silver dollars down there. Room w/​Joshua Hendy machine is neat to see — it’s not suppose to be there, will be removed one day. It’s the elephant of the Old Mint.
Rooms are pretty empty too. Courtyard was ok to see.
Not sure if other floors are open for looking around — didn’t ask. Wanted to know if the Roof Garden was available to see — didn’t ask.
Worth going maybe if you’re interested. Hope they have more stuff to see in the future.
For more information, call (415) 537−1105×100.
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