The Sir Francis Drake Hotel doormen dress as Beefeaters:

"Beefeaters were originally established in 1485 as King Henry VIII's bodyguard and and are are best known for their scarlet and gold dress uniforms which date to 1552.

The uniform consists of a knee-length scarlet tunic, scarlet knee-breeches and stockings, and a round brimmed hat called a Tudor bonnet. Queen Elizabeth I introduced the distinctive white neck ruff worn by the Beefeaters. The uniforms are only worn on state occasions."

I guess that you could liken staying in Union Square to a state occasion.

My first few visits to San Francisco involved staying in Union Square and I hated it. My hate began to fade when I happened to pass a gentleman on Powell Street who had a latex glove pulled over half his head. He was exhaling through his nose to inflate the fingers skyward -- part chicken man, part Statue of Liberty, he gave me hope.