Bank Heists with a Side of Smash Burgers
A Century-Old Bank Robbery Inspires a New Speakeasy-Style Gastropub
In 1924, the Bank of Pompano was the scene of a daring heist, with John Ashley, leader of the notorious Ashley Gang, and his cohorts making off with $5,000 in cash and $18,000 in securities. The gang’s 40-bank robbery spree would eventually come to an end with a midnight police ambush on a bridge over Sebastian Inlet, leaving Ashley and his cohorts dead. But the legacy of the Bank of Pompano lives on in the form of The Vault Bar & Restaurant, a new speakeasy-style gastropub that opened its doors in Pompano Beach’s Old Town on February 27th.
Banking on the Vault
The Vault is the brainchild of Jessica Spill-Chaples, who spent two years researching the Ashley Gang’s misdeeds and drawing inspiration from the bank’s history. The original 3-foot-tall vault, now on display in the restaurant, is a testament to the bank’s past. The Vault’s menu is also paying homage to the Ashley Gang, with dishes like Withdrawal Wings, Raiford Egg Rolls, and UpTheGrove Shrimp Cakes.
The First Bank Smash Burger
One of the standout items on the menu is the First Bank Smash Burger, made with two 3-ounce smash patties, gruyère, pepper jack, sautéed mushrooms, and onions, and house-made bourbon peppercorn aioli on a brioche bun, served with fries.
King of the Glades and ‘Giggle Water’
Inside the Vault’s gray-walled dining room, the sound system cycles through covers of Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” and Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” from Postmodern Jukebox, a band that turns modern-day hits into jazzy 1920s arrangements. The decor, designed by Spill-Chaples, features white-checkered rattan chairs, marbled countertops framing an L-shaped bar, and a steel-plated, 3-foot-tall vault that’s a nod to the bank’s past.
Entrees
Entrees at the Vault include the King of the Glades Sandwich, a chicken parmesan handheld on sliced brioche; the First Bank Smash Burger, with pepperjack and gruyère cheeses, sautéed mushrooms, and bourbon peppercorn aioli; and We Got It All Short Ribs, braised for four hours and smothered over cheesy baked mashed potatoes.
The Desperadoes, the Bank, and the Glass Eye: An Oral History
The sensational saga of the Ashley Gang spanned 13 years, from 1911 to 1924, and Florida newspapers captured it all in violent detail. Using archival newspaper reports and interviews with a local historian, here’s a blow-by-blow recreation of the Ashley Gang’s demise – from September 12, 1924, the day of the Bank of Pompano robbery, to November 1, 1924, the day police killed the gangsters.
Conclusion
The Vault Bar & Restaurant is a unique dining experience that combines a speakeasy-style atmosphere with a menu inspired by the Ashley Gang’s misdeeds. With its 3-foot-tall original bank vault on display, the Vault is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, food, and Prohibition-era culture. Visit The Vault at 61 NE First Street, Pompano Beach, or call 954-218-3627.
FAQs
* What is the Vault Bar & Restaurant?
The Vault Bar & Restaurant is a speakeasy-style gastropub that opened in Pompano Beach’s Old Town in February 2025.
* What inspired the menu at the Vault?
The menu is inspired by the Ashley Gang’s misdeeds and the history of the Bank of Pompano.
* What is the 3-foot-tall original bank vault?
The 3-foot-tall original bank vault is on display in the restaurant and serves as a testament to the bank’s past.
* What is the King of the Glades?
The King of the Glades is a dish on the menu that features chicken parmesan on a handheld on sliced brioche.
* What is the First Bank Smash Burger?
The First Bank Smash Burger is a burger made with two 3-ounce smash patties, gruyère, pepper jack, sautéed mushrooms, and onions, and house-made bourbon peppercorn aioli on a brioche bun, served with fries.
