The Merchants Exchange Club is a modern legend, at once unquestionably historic and fully contemporary. Located in the lower level of the eponymous Merchants Exchange Building, the once exclusive 110-year-old Club has been reborn as one of San Francisco’s hottest private event spaces, featuring plug-and-play A/V, flexible room configurations, blistering WiFi and our professional production staff.

SPACE

The Merchants Exchange Club boasts more than 6,500 square feet of exhibit and event space discreetly positioned with a private entrance on Leidesdorff St. With flexible room configurations and the opulent Moya del Pino Bar and Lounge, the venue is ideal for multifaceted events and multiple breakout sessions.

LOCATION

Strategically positioned amid fine hotels, notable restaurants, cultural attractions and the energy of the City’s financial nerve center, the Club offers guests the best of everything San Francisco has to offer, including excellent walkability, numerous public transportation options and abundant evening parking.

SERVICE

We strive to accommodate any special requests, maintain absolute discretion at all times, and offer our clients the City’s most professionally produced events in a truly legendary space. Our team is focused on the total guest experience, from gourmet food and beverage service down to the smallest detail of event production.

The 110 Years of History

For decades, the Merchants Exchange Club – an elegantly appointed private club in the lower levels of the eponymous Merchants Exchange building – was a meeting place for highest stratum of San Francisco’s booming Financial District. Over time, the club – like so many of its once opulent contemporaries – fell into disrepair and disrepute. The lights went out on the club for good in 1997.

In 2013, the Merchants Exchange Club was reborn, this time as San Francisco’s hottest new special event space. Backed by the proven professional staff of the Julia Morgan Ballroom, the Merchants Exchange Club is now a stunning and adaptable venue, offering social, corporate and nonprofit clients a variety of space configurations and a one-of-a-kind experience.

Stunning architectural details, rich finishes and the striking reemergence of three historic murals, each colossal in scope, make the new Merchants Exchange Club a sight to behold. The rejuvenated Club offers social, corporate and nonprofit clients unparalleled history, true plug-and-play convenience, a variety of space configurations and an experience unlike any other.

Philip Spiegel

EXECUTIVE VP, SALES & OPERATIONS

Phil Spiegel is a third-generation native San Franciscan with more than a decade of executive experience in the City’s thriving hospitality industry. He oversees all sales and business operations for the Julia Morgan Ballroom, the Merchants Exchange Club, Credo Restaurant and the Nob Hill Gazette. Phil is a graduate of the University of San Francisco’s McClaren School of Business. If you spend much time in San Francisco, you’ve probably met him.

Frank Holland

EXECUTIVE VP, MARKETING & STRATEGY

Frank Holland has spent the better part of a decade steering business, nonprofit and government initiatives in the Bay Area and in Italy. He oversees marketing and strategic initiatives for the Julia Morgan Ballroom, Merchants Exchange Club, Credo Restaurant and the Nob Hill Gazette. Frank holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. from UNC Chapel Hill and University of Siena in Italy. He has three kids and doesn’t sleep much. Forgive him.

Vicki Tom

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Vicki Tom is Director of Operations for the Julia Morgan Ballroom, the Merchants Exchange Club and Credo Restaurant. She joined Merchants Exchange Productions after 19 years at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. A graduate of San Francisco State University, Vicki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics with a graduate certificate in hotel and restaurant management.

Larry Finn

CULINARY DIRECTOR

Larry Finn’s star-studded culinary career has included extended stops at legendary establishments such as Café Gray, Morimoto and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Café in New York City. Larry made the trek to California to assume the helm of Scala’s Bistro before bringing his considerable talent to the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Larry holds a B.S. degree in Food Service Management from Johnson & Wales.

  • President Barack Obama Reception
  • Jane Goodall 80th Birthday Celebration with Dave Matthews
  • Roca Brothers World Tour presented by BBVA (Five-day event)
  • First Lady Michelle Obama (Two events)
  • App Direct Conference (Three-day event)
  • Health 2.0 Conference (Two-day event)
  • Project Production Institute Conference (Five-day event)
  • Genentech Conference (Three-day event)
  • National Football League Women’s Leadership Summit
  • Next Generation LGBT Leaders Forum
  • Dell Computer Spring Data Center Press Event  (Three-day event)
  • Harvard Business School Reception
  • Edison Awards Gala honoring Elon Musk & Yang Yuanquing
  • One Medical Holiday Party
  • Princeton Alumni Association Reception
  • Red Cross Annual Gala
  • MIT Sloan Alumni Reception & Lecture
  • Cisco Product Launch Event
  • Asia Foundation with Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
  • Zephyr Opus Advisors Holiday Party

Quoted

Larry introduced us to the menu in a way that made us all feel so welcome. The food was unbelievably delicious, the wines were unique and the service was perfect! My friends and I had a truly memorable time.

BEYOND DIFFERENCES, “WE DINE TOGETHER”

The feedback from our party was excellent! Everyone really enjoyed themselves and the setup was perfect. It was great working with you and I really appreciate your flexibility with the last minute changes we, as a company, needed to make.

ZEPHYR HEALTH

This was a party for the ages. It was a big event for our company to reach the billion dollar pinnacle and your venue served as the right place for us to celebrate that accomplishment. Hats off to your staff for providing first class service and professionalism.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Thank you so much for everything! Your staff was truly a delight to work with! Everything went so well -- we cannot thank you enough for making it easy for us and making us look good.

APP DIRECT

Thanks again for everything you and your amazing team did to help make this year’s event a great success.

AIDS LEGAL REFERRAL PANEL

Of all the feedback we received about the event, the venue and how amazing it is was on repeat.

GRANT THORNTON LLP

The event was successful and I think we pleased the people who are not easy to please... big thanks to you. We’re looking forward to working with you again.

ZHEJIANG CTS GROUP, CHINESE GOVERNMENT DELEGATES DINNER

Where to Find Us

The Merchants Exchange Club is located in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Financial District just off of the California Street Cable Car line between Sansome and Montgomery Streets.

We are four short blocks to BART/Muni, 14 miles to San Francisco International Airport and less than one mile to Moscone Center. With ample evening street parking and several nearby garages, your guests will enjoy a variety of transportation options.

Download and print detailed directions and parking information below.