San Francisco has a secret that even many San Francisco Bay Area natives and visitors alike are not yet privy to. Nestled in the heart of the Financial District, 155 Sansome St. houses one of the City’s best kept secrets: The City Club of San Francisco.
Located on the 9th, 10th and 11th floors of the Stock Exchange Tower building designed by architect Timothy L. Pfleuger, The City Club of San Francisco originally opened as the men-only Pacific Stock Exchange Luncheon club in 1930, with the transition to The City Club of San Francisco occurring in 1987 after an extensive restoration and remodel of the space. The art and interiors of the Stock Exchange Luncheon Club cost a third of a million dollars in 1930, a very significant sum in the Depression Era times. Iconic and opulent, the décor of The City Club reflects the height of the times in which it was built, with lavish appliqué work existing throughout the entire club, bronze, gold and silver adorned ceilings in addition to the club’s centerpiece and iconic symbol: the Diego Rivera “The Riches of California” mural that takes up one entire wall between the 10th and 11th floors, along the grand stairway connecting the two floors. The City Club houses a plethora of historical facts, artwork and memories from the era of prohibition, the stock market crash and California’s rip-roaring 1930’s.
In addition to the iconic Diego Rivera mural and the two stunning main ballrooms, The City Club also boasts the “Wine Cellar Room” and the adjacent “Game Room”, both of which hold secrets of their own. Both rooms boast speakeasy-themed accents that during their heyday attempted to conceal the consumption and sale of alcohol that took place during the infamous prohibition era of the 20th century, when the rooms were being constructed. Additionally, the game room holds numerous surreptitious doorways and stockrooms, along with a hidden cubbyhole to hide the once outlawed alcohol.
We invite you to see what one of San Francisco’s premier secrets is all about. The City Club of San Francisco is one of the Bay Area’s outstanding spaces to host any type of event ranging from a large wedding to a simple and straightforward business meeting. Although the ambiance of the City Club may be opulent and regal, the warm, welcoming and personalized service provided by The City Club’s staff is what sets the club apart and has kept it alive and growing for 86 years.
To book your next event or inquire about membership, contact The City Club today at 415.362.2480, or at our website at www.cityclubsf.com.
