While most people now associate The Vault with college nightlife, the building it is in was initially used for a much different purpose.
A century before it became known for serving drinks, it was primarily known the location of Auburn's first bank.
The Auburn Bank, originally known as the Bank of Auburn, was founded by Sheldon Toomer, the businessman and pharmacist behind Toomer's Drugs. Before it opened, Auburn citizens had to drive seven miles by horse and buggy to Opelika to visit the bank.
Toomer, tired of taking the nearly day-long trip just to do his banking, decided Auburn needed to have its own bank that would cater specifically to the needs of a college community.
Ben Barley, manager and bartender at The Vault, said the building was constructed in 1906 and opened January 3, 1907. Located across the street from Toomer's Drugs, the building has also been the site of a cigar shop and a coffee shop over the years, Barley said.
What truly sets The Vault apart from other bars is not just its historic location, however. After all, it's not like every bar has a piece of history tucked away within its walls.
The old bank vault is still in its original place from when the building was first made into a bank. Barley said they still keep the titular vault in use, though it serves a different purpose these days.
"It's where we keep our actual dry storage and supplies and liquor cases," Barley said. "It's just a big room that's secure with the vault door and it's good storage. It's a pretty big size and everything."
Barley has worked in the building since 2003 and was previously manager when it was called Bodega. Although ownership changed, Barley said, the staff remained the same. Barley said that the bar is now owned by James Kahler and Kealon and Laura Leigh Drake.
Will Rankin, assistant manager and bartender at The Vault, has worked there since 2005 and said he thinks the building's location is what makes it unique.
"It's got a lot of history behind it," Rankin said. "It used to be the bank vault, and then it was the savings loan for awhile, and you can kind of see the history in the building of that. This building has seen numerous wins and championships."
Both Rankin and Barley said they have enjoyed their experiences while working there.
"You get to deal with a lot of different people," Rankin said. "It's a cool job to meet new people, and you get to see people grow throughout their college experience."
They have a good location, Barley said, and they always do really well during football season.
"It's fun working here during football season," Rankin said. "There's all sorts of crazy things going on at the corner when we win a game."
Because it is one of the few bars in town that restricts its patrons to 21 years and older, Barley said the bar tries its best to compete with others that allow younger students in at 19 years old.
"We cater to a little bit older crowd, we try to anyway," Barley said. "We have a considerable amount of regulars, and we like to take pride in having them. We try to cater to folks who come in here a good bit."
Aside from its namesake, Rankin said he thinks The Vault's laid-back atmosphere helps set it apart from other bars.
"I think we offer a nice place where you can come sit down and relax as opposed to some of the higher volume, more party bars," Rankin said.
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