If you were to go by looks alone, this would be the most Casey-appropriate environment in the Inland Empire. Red-painted walls lit by dim bulbs, a well-apportioned back bar featuring some decent whiskey and gin, bartenders dressed in vintage clothing. A bricked-in back patio with dangling christmas lights, music piped in, ashtrays, and a thin rail to hold your drink as you move around and socialize. Its exactly the sort of place that I'm happy to go to, happy to spend time in, and happy to be seen in.
Tragically, the ambiance is the only part of the Vault that would draw me back, as both of the drinks I had were unremarkable. My Negroni (8$) lacked the refreshing balance that I would normally expect from this venerable cocktail. Despite being made with Hendricks, the herbaceous, savory notes of this excellent gin were never able to stand up to the bitter flavor of the Campari, which aparently got lead billing, as opposed to the equal role it was supposed to play with sweet vermouth. A well gin Martini (7$) was decent, made with Krista Gin and stirred not shaken at my request (fuck you James Bond!), while I loved that they gave me three olives, the flavor of the gin didn't come across as a component of the flavor profile. From what those around me were ordering, It seems that this bar specializes more in flavored Martinis, Long Island Iced Teas, and Irish Car Bombs, none of which I'm interested in.
Overall: A totally bitchin' ambiance is not nearly matched by underwhelming cocktails, 2.5 stars.
Extras:
Close to Omnitrans 8, 9, 15, 19.
Live music most nights.
The Bartenders have some SERIOUS flair.
Credit Cards Accepted
Limited selection of Beers on Tap available.
I am more fond of this place now that they have extended to the next suite over. Before there just wasn't enough room. I like the look of the place, and I LOVE the alleys that you can hang out in. The music is always waaaaaay too loud (and I'm partially deaf, so yeah, it's loud). I usually only get beer or gin and tonics which are always delicious, but you have to wait FOREVER to get your drinks. There are three bathrooms now, so that is great. For a while when there was just the two, the doors didn't lock, so I've had people walk in on me (always a wonderfully awkward experience). Sometimes they have live music (not creepy DJ's) and that's cool. I think I mainly enjoy my experiences at the Vault because of the wonderful people I go with. It's definitely worth a try though!
Review Source:What sells this place is its atmosphere and that back patio. Â I could sit out there all night! Slightly better bar staff would make the place amazing, although perhaps I was there on an off night. Â The bartender couldn't remember how much to charge us for our drinks and I think ended up over charging us. Â I doubt she would have been able to make a decent martini. Â I'll be back, but admittedly because I love hanging out in that patio.
Review Source:Love coming on nights other than the weekends for some good live jams and great people. If I'm feeling a different vibe and more of the crowd experience the weekends are cool too! Very laid back! Love the new added on room this year with the nice seating area! The staff are great and personally make me feel at home!
Review Source:I've been to the Vault more than a few times and have always had a positive experience. I almost always walk past it because the lamps in the front make it look like an antique store.
I usually stick to simple 2-3 ingredient cocktails like whiskey sodas or gin and tonics. I didn't look over their specialty martini list, but quite a few people were ordering from it. There are a couple of reasons why I decided against trying any out. Â First and foremost, I'm not really a martini person. Second, I don't like holding drinks that are served up in a crowded bar where I'm getting elbowed or shoved past on the way to the patio. Third, I saw one of the bartenders pour soda into a shaker and shake it. I didn't get to see the final result of that, but I wish I had.
The bar and the back patio have a good vibe. There's usually 3 bathrooms available for this fairly small bar (now that they bought out the tobacco shop next door). You're going to need them since you'll probably stay awhile. The bartenders are really fast. They handle the big crowds well, but it's been hit or miss that they're friendly with me. At least, that's been my experience as a non-regular. I also noticed that they bus all of the tables inside and out which means there's only one guy serving drinks sometimes.
Came here to catch up with a high school buddy and wanted to go to a spot in the I.E. where we wouldn't have to deal with ghetto fools. Thank goodness for Redlands. The ambiance was cool, save for the smattering of "bros" yelling incoherently from time to time, one star off for that.
$2 well drinks looked tempting, but I opted for a dirty martini instead and got a Manhattan for my buddy. They were strong! Came out to $15.00 total. Not bad.
The smoking patio out back was a nice spot to hang out as well. Looked like live music was setting up as we had to leave. I'll have to check that out some other night...
My favorite bar in Redlands! As a local I have been to them all. The bird, the boiler room, chucks nuts, etc... The most interesting people and the best ambiance. A cool enclosed patio strung with lights. Makes you feel transported......decent drinks. Big martini list. Good looking bartenders and great musical variety! Great place to go with friends or a to meet someone unique.
Review Source:I Heart the Vault.
I originally was going to take my mom for a cup of coffee, but the taste of an alcoholic beverage changed my mind. My mom was happy!
It was around 5:30 on Thursday, not crowded. I've been when its crowded and its no fun.
Our bartender Colin was cute and helpful. Â
I had a Blueberry Martini (which really tasted like Blueberry. I don't know why I was surprised. I thought to myself of the scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). It was delicious, afternoon time approved strong and slightly sweet. Not overwhelming.
My mom had a Sour Apple Martini. I tasted it, for quality assurance of course!. It was good, but I've had enough Apple Martinis for one lifetime.
2 drinks $14! SCORE. Â Nice Thursday afternoon outting.
Fun place on a Wednesday evening. It's very dark and dingy but when you walk down the stairs your outside, surrounded by an old brick building. They have an area for live music and this night they had several different performers. The music and acoustic where fine, the drinks stiff and inexpensive, the bartender very friendly.
I like the Vault and will be back soon. In fact Redlands is fast becoming my favorite spot to hang out.
i really enjoyed this unique, small charming bar. it definitely reminded me of the bars in Europe.
they have great happy hour specials on everything from wine, to drinks to beer, pick your poison. Â we came here one day after work for a quick happy hour drink and it was deserted. probably because the college students were not out on the prowl yet because it was still light outside.
the patio is really nice and spacious as well. Definitely a cool little spot to meet friends, chill, hang out and have cheap booze =)
Love this place and have been coming since it opened. The bartenders are fast and not hesitant to make a strong drink. Live music or djs on a good number of nights.
I wouldn't call the place hipster by any means but it's probably about as hipster as your going to get in a city sandwiched between Yucaipa and San Bernardino.
Love the brick wall feel with the indoor-outdoor vibe.
I have never eaten here and so my rating only applies to the bar aspect.
The vibe is quite hipster. Lots of college folk, trendy middle agers, you know how it is. I've never met a rude person there and you can tell that people are having fun.
I go primarily for $2 Tuesdays where in the evening well drinks are $2. This is a great night to go out and my friends and I often look forward to it when the prior week has been totally sucky. My recommendation is to get there before 9 PM (and preferably before 8:30) because it can start getting crowded leading to a line outside. If you get there earlier you can find seating and actually carve out a place to chill and talk.
There is a second bar that they open up when it gets more crowded, and this section has an upstairs area with more seating. It's pretty cool how there are multiple indoor spaces with an intervening outdoor, alley-like area that wraps around.
There is live music here some nights which draws a small crowd. Pretty fun times if you happen to catch it.
The bartenders here can be super cool or super douchey depending on your luck. Some are the type of people who will splash a little extra liquor your way if they like you, and others give in to the hipster vibe and just don't give a crap that you're there.
If you are in the mood to get trashed, go to $2 Tuesdays. And I mean sloppy trashed, like make out with your cousin and an animal trashed.
This is my Favorite bar in the Inland Empire! It doesn't look like much from the front window but once you walk in you feel like your in New York or some kinda european courtyard. They have an upstairs in the back which is open on the busy nights.
Not sure about it being a hipster bar tho? There's a lot of musicians and artists that, hang out there, Crowd has been pretty eclectic everytime ive been in, But I guess there will always be haters, I imagine a lot of the negative reviews come from folks that have been kicked out of there, as it seems they have no tolerance for troublemakers, which is nice. I think I would prefer so called hipsters to some of the terrible experiences ive had at bro bars in the area.
Like to go on the weekends as they always have live music on Saturday, Great little menu too. Staff has always been great too me. They always seem like they have a lot of people on so drinks come out pretty fast. I guess my only complaint would be it gets a little too crowded some nights, but usually around the holidays and on tuesday nights.
all and all a Great place, If you like hanging out with big dumb monkeys, with truck nuts, The falconer or boiler room might be more your speed! But i'll take the Vault or Caprice, for a little culture and conversation instead
This place is ALWAYS Â a good time! Definitely my favorite bar in Redlands. Chill atmosphere and a good crowd :) Try the Pretty Pretty Princess, a cocktail made with watermelon; The bartender was so sweet and made this for my cousin on her Bday :)
Yayyy! Why only 4 stars, if I like this place so much??? They only have a few beers on tap and last Saturday the kegs were empty by the time I ordered my drink! I'm a beer girl, so I like a good selection of beers on tap. They do have bottled beers, but a beer on tap is Ohhh so much, BETTER!!
I am sooooo pissed!!!! Â I just went to the vault with 4 friends. Â We each ordered our own drinks. Â My friend paid in cash for her drink then the bartender James told me & my other 2 friends we owed him $24. Â My 2 friends attempted to pay with their own cards. Â James said I'm only accepting payment on 1 card so "figure it out". Â I put $8 for my drink (the exact cost) on the bar counter & eventually wandered away bc James was taking so long to come back. Â He finally walked back over to my friends who again reminded James that they ordered separately & asked nicely to pay separately
Without saying anything, he glared at us and dumped my friends two drinks, which were already made, down the sink right in front of us!!!!! WTF????!!!! He actually refused to accept payment!!!!
Then he walked up to me and insisted i hand him back my drink, which I already paid for!!! I asked him why, but he just glared at me & continued to insist I hand him back the drink. I showed him I paid for the drink, but he kept insisting I give it back, so I did.... Mostly bc I was confused. He immediately dumped the drink I PAID for down the sink!!!!
James is a freaking asshole!!! Â He refused to accept our money and was incredibly rude & hostile, for no reason. Â We were really nice and polite. Â I will never return unless they fire that douchebag. Â Worst bar experience of my life
Awesome, awesome awesome.
Amazing atmosphere in and out, great pricing, attentive bartenders, and one of the best karaoke nights around Redlands. I love walking through the maze of brick and finding my way to lean out on the cast iron fence by the trash bins. :) I have yet to find my bar in Oly, but if it is half as good as The Vault, I'll be home again.
Went to the Vault Martin Bar again last night (Saturday). Â We went here after dinner at Dhat Island. Â I ordered a Laguna Beach Martini which definitely hit the spot! Â We sat at the bar and enjoyed our drinks. Â I was able to have a conversation at the bar, since the band was outside & it wasn't very loud. Â We didn't go outside on the patio this time. Â Btw - the lighting is very dark! Â Dimmed lights + Martini = Relaxed mood. Â It seemed like the lighting kept messing with my eyes, as if it made me feel even more relaxed with the martini.
Parking - same street as the bar.
No Cover Charge! Â
Decor - weird, no other words describe it.
Drinks - 1 Martini and a beer was about $13 without the tip
I love this bar! Out of all the DTR bars, this is my favorite due to the intimate setting, live bands that play in the alley, 2 bars, and plenty of space.
When you first walk in, it seems like a small bar but once you walk outside you can see like an alleyway area with tables and chairs around. Also if you go around, there is another bar and there is a flight of stairs which leads to an intimate seating area. Also, not to mention there are multiple bathrooms, which is very good. The overall vibe is really hip, intimate, and cool at the same time.
The bartenders are great and they make good and strong drinks. Our favorite is the shake and bake, which I think is a house favorite. Drink prices are not bad either!! Well drinks can go from $4-6. I know on Tuesdays they go for $2. And better yet, sometimes the bartenders can hook it up with drinks. Really really cool!
Overall, a great bar in this quiet town of Redlands. This is a great place to come with friends over drinks, cool vibes and great atmosphere.
I haven't been to this place all that much, but if I ever had occasion to drink socially in the IE, this would be the place I would go. Â
It's located on the southside of old town Redlands, near the Smiley Heights library, right next to a coffee shop. Â The place is small, and when it gets crowded it can be cramped. Â The location is nice though, and you don't really have to worry about running into any trouble outside.
Some people have complained about it being dark, but I like it like that. Â Definitely more so than some noisy sports bar with a bunch of glaring flatscreens. Â
I didn't even know that this place had an upstairs, so I can't speak on that, but one thing that really wins me over here is their outdoor patio area out back. Â The space is enclosed amongst all the other neighboring buildings, but they are all old brick. Â Because the building itself and all of the surrounding ones are two-story, it tends to be sheltered (unless it's raining of course). Â Small lights are strung up overhead, giving the place a whole 20's feel. Â There are small iron tables and chairs as well as a couple of narrow counters mounted on parts of the walls so that you can still place your drink somewhere and stand if you can't find a chair or prefer not to sit.
DJ Hobo really completes the atmosphere for me when he's playing 20's-40's jazz and the other assorted really old school stuff. Â There really is nothing like sitting at a table against the wall and talking to a friend while people-watching as Billie Holiday's voice drifts lazily about.
It should be noted that when it is crowded sometimes it can be hard to get in a drink order at the bar. Â
The crowd seems pretty hipstery, mixed in with some college kids and occasionally invaded by Loma Linda med students upon surviving some horrible series of exams.
Overall, as long as it's not too crowded, I think it's a great low-key place to relax in a dark (but not seedy) speakeasy-esque setting.
Not sure why I have never reviewed the Vault before considering how many nights and dollars I have spent in this place over the years. In short, the Vault is by far my favorite bar in Redlands. It seems from the other reviews that the narrow winding feel of the place is hit or miss with patrons. For me, it's a hit. The patio changes the entire feel of the place. It's like the secret garden of bars. I think everyone is surprised by how extensive the bar really is once you walk through the first bar area and enter the patio. Although it is true that when the place is busy, you have a hard time walking around without bumping in to other patrons. Â I love the bartenders. Not pretentious which is refreshing. The live music is sometimes good and sometimes bad but I promise that if you have another drink it gets better!
One last thing - Everyone keeps commenting on this being a hipster bar. I guess I missed that memo. I'm definitely not hipster and I fit right in! The crowd is usually pretty diverse at this place. I would never really be able to find the correct label other than than noting that the bro crowd usually doesn't make it that far south. Something about the magnetic pull of CJs on the rims on those ridiculous lifted trucks...
The bartenders have always been alright. The service is notoriously slow and like others have mentioned they expect you to tip well. They have good deals on certain nights, but I was always put off by the amount of douche bags that congregate there.
Everyone has noted the lack of bros and frat guys. I don't know that that's true. Some nights it's packed, but I was in a fraternity and enjoyed the nights when the college environment overwhelmed the hipster scene. It made it feel more like a laid back place and not all uppety with their anti-establishmentarianism agenda.
It's a nice hang out on the right night, but if there's any kind of crowd the door guys are tools and I've seen more people leave more wasted than they should be. There's certainly an element of personal responsibility for that, but at some point the bartender should also display some. Also, this place has terrible bathrooms and tends to smell like urine because people tend to use any wall or concrete patch to relieve themselves.
Gotta love this swanky little bar in the I.E. Â It's one of the best bars out in this area. Â When you walk into the main entrance, the lights are dim and your eyes are attracted to the vintage decor. Â You walk to the bar and order one of their tasty martinis for only $7! Â I love their banana martini even though I tend to dislike anything banana flavored, Â After you grab a martini, you walk down a few steps into the next room. Â You get a sense of being in some type of underground alley. Â There is always music playing and a crazy light show flashing on the brick walls. Â
This is a great place to just go and chill or to have a crazy night out with friends.
Tuesday - Get there early or wait 1 hour to get in. Â some how this is the only place in Redlands that people go to on Tuesdays.
This is an artsy-fartsy type of place. Â You could go in shorts and t-shirts and flip-flops and fit right in.
The GIRLS: an even mix of all types, from cute punk rocker chicks to SoCal hot chick.
The vibe at this place is super chill! Â If you are on the RBC (Redlands Bar Crawl), this spot is definitely a place in which you need to stop and have a drink. Â
Seating inside is limited and it can get crowded especially on a weekend. Â However, there is the option of sitting outside and in the back "alley way" as I like to call it. Â It's such a cute area outside. Â Brick buildings, dim lighting and on the weekends DJ HOBO something or other. haha. LOVE IT!
Adjacent to the main building when you walk outside is another building you can walk into with a bar at the bottom and seating upstairs. Â I think this is only open on the weekends though. Â Weekdays, one is limited to the indoor seating in the main little building and outdoor seating. Â This is not the place to get your grind on and dry hump on the dance floor, it's more of a bob your head and sway back and forth kind of place.
Wow, after all the hype I was very disapointed. We went for their $2 special drink night (every Tuesday) and ended up paying $30 for three drinks and two appetizers. The appetizers were really small and they charged $10 each for them. The martini my hubby got wasn't on special so his was $7. My drink and our friend's were $2 each, but yea...
We were also disappointed in the ambiance. Perhaps it was the night we were there (everyone else here on Yelp seems to have liked it) but it was just like any other bar inside, very small without much seating, the music was nothing to write home about and it was mostly all regulars it seemed without any sort of mingling going on between anyone there.
If I were to know someone playing the open mic night I might try it again...
Used to go here ALL the time a couple years back. Â Great spot to chill / hang out...although it can get a bit loud at times. Â $2 Tuesdays get a bit busy, but the crowd is usually pretty decent. Â The live bands are kind of hit or miss...depends on the style of music they have and your taste in music. Â The drinks are quite good (although my favorite bartender, Dave, no longer mixes drinks there any more ...)
Great spot considering it's hidden in little downtown Redlands =)
Very amazing place for Redlands! Â As pretentious as they try to be Redlands is a bunch of fluff, kinda like a nine west outlet.
Anyway the Vault has been around for a few years already, and I have never left this place sober.
*Excellent strong stiff as a strap martini.
*Excellent dark, lusty, mysterious, brick loft, one night stand         atmosphere
*Excellent selection of top shelf alcohol
*The perfect music for your lush kisses
*$2 Tuesday Well Drinks
*Alley outdoor area perfect for the stars, and for the drunk in you.
Definitely a must for the lush in you.
I imagine the bathrooms here must be filthy, but I suppose that's all part of the gritty charm complete with the questionably sticky countertops and dingy laminated menus.
It's awfully dark in here too. If one is severely depressed with a drinking problem, the Vault would likely drive him to suicide. But minimal lighting aside, the place does have a certain je-ne-sais-quoi. It's very relaxed and casual with a large patio fitted with ample seating and appears to be a sanctuary from the Ed Hardy crowd that manages to infiltrate every corner of life around here.
Its nice to find somewhere else to go besides for Worthingtons!
You're probably wondering what I was doing in Redlands, right?
One of my close friends went to U of R and she was the only reason I'd drive two long hours to the Inland Empire.
One night we pre-party at this place and oh my I was delighted.
It features an intricate structure, it looks small in the front but don't be fooled, the back looks like a small neighborhood of its own, with alleys and brick walls and homey feeling, it's like a wonderful maze! I'm a loungy kind of gal, either I am shaking my ass off (no spillsies!) or lounging on some cushioned shit.
This place reminds me of those warehouse parties that have ADD that have different things going on in every corner: a band in one place, DJ on the next, games in another one. Pick one, party! Just pick one and stick to it. And party is like, "No, I will please everyone, even if I have to be torn apart into different scenes/themes/activities/moods."
Vault Martini Bar & Grill is just like that party with ADD.
I must come back!
I wish I lived closer so I could come more often. I came for a friend's birthday and had a great time. The feel of the place is great, people are fun, there's a diverse group of different types of people, the drinks are cheap, and the ambiance is just right. I love how they've done the place with the part alleyway, part regular bar, and part home/apartment feel.
Making people wait outside in a line until x amount of people go out is kind of stupid, but I guess they have their reasons. And the wait isn't long, with no cover.
Overall it's fun times.
I came here with a friend and convinced her from yelp reviews that it was cool. Â On the walk from where we parked we met up with some ladies and they walked with us.
Apparently, the one was hammered and they would not allow her in....I don't disagree...she was so we left them outside and went in.
It is really small and maybe I am spoiled but I was instantly bored and we left.
There was a time when I came out here almost every other day. Times change and life is a lot more busy now than a year ago, but the Vault is always there when I need it. Cheap drinks, not many people there who you don't want there, and the drinks are simple and to the point. Whenever I'm out at other bars in LA or wherever, there't a part of me that always longs to be back at the Vault. It can get damn crowded sometimes, but there's no place like home.
Did I just refer to a bar as my home? Hm...
So im now coming here every friday night, after stumbling from the underground when their happy hour ends at 6. Really reasonable drink prices (my vodka tonics xlime are 4 bucks) and the bartender that knows my friends and i always hook it up with the extra lime, like a whole lime, sliced around my drink. SWEET. I feel sophisticated when i come here, like i should be wearing a knit beret and a scarf and reading nietzsche, while sipping my campari over ice. But thats just me. A friend of mine is trying to do one of the bartenders so i better like it here. She dont give up easy!
oh and last i knew, $2 happy hour on tuesdays. bonus!
I went here with my friends for my 21st birthday, & I loved it! Theres 2 bars inside, an upstairs loft area, outdoor smoking/live music area (that makes me feel like im in italy!) & the bartenders are REALLY nice. One bartender was so excited for me to turn 21, he made me a lightweight friendly drink on the house, & blew me a kiss!:)
I love this place, and plan on returning very soon!
Not one but two bars (the second one opens later at night in the back)
From the street it looks like just a small bit of retail space, but The Vault extends to the alleyways and courtyards of the buildings that surround it, including the second bar and lounge/loft in a neighboring building.
This place is always pretty laid back and while it gets crowded, the people here don't make you fear for your life like at the Boiler Room. The drinks are cheap and plentiful (moreso on Tuesdays) and the people working the bar are pretty nice most of the time.
Very low key bar/lounge.
It's kind of small and gets packed but I absolutely love the back/patio area. It makes me feel like I'm in Europe or somewhere that's very rustic and old world like. It's pretty much a space between buildings, like a bigger alley that provides a dance floor (music privided by varying DJ's)
This is one of the local bars that I don't mind going to.
The only bar in Redlands that I can tolerate. Very low ratio of bros and frat boys and the closest thing this town has to a live music scene (minus the Christian hardcore bands that play the youth group circuit), with bands playing regularly and an open mic night
I don't really drink Martinis, but neither does anyone else at the Vault from what I've seen. They have a wide selection of drinks, and you can get a beer for about $4.
The best thing about The Vault would have to be the back patio. It's huge yet cavernous at the same time, being situated in a narrow corridor between tall buildings, and one of the only places I know of around here where one can drink and smoke at the same time.
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