At times Clifton's has difficulty handling crowd, and my friends told me their experience ordering the food was confusing. The remodel looks very nice after being closed for years tho, and the space seems even bigger actually now. But tbh there are some things that should have been remodeled that were not. Not sure how often I'll be back, but it's nice knowing Clifton's will probably always be around. read more

Omg, the server Amber is basically telepathic. She had my order ready before I could ask. She also made the uniform look cool af. read more

Clifton's Republic - Dance floor - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you are closed SAY SO. - signed, everyone standing outside at 7:30pm on a saturday with no warning about being closed on any website, instagram, apple or google maps. Absolutely unacceptable to let people drive from afar only to find this. Edit. They had the audacity to respond on Instagram just being like " sorry you didn't see our stories about closures" , I checked your entire Instagram before we drove AN HOUR, and while standing outside after paying $20 for parking and walking through sketchy downtown and there was nothing posted you little liars. read more

Food, music and drinks. Were not good at all and waiting 40 minutes for simple side fries was ridiculous. Flouta's we're 2 inches long, literally a little bigger than a cigarette. Skewers were overcooked and small. Burger was ok and Fries were good. That's why we wanted another side order. The decor was amazing though. read more

Thank you Anastasia and team for treating us well for my wife's bday. My wife had been looking for a nice party spot that is reminiscent of how things were back home (she's not from the US) but she thinks every spot she's been to LA either a) music sucks b) people suck c) ambiance sucks or d) all of the above. She thinks the city seems dead and she's not wrong - before 2020, you would say "where should we go?" Because there was an abundance of places. Now when you say "where should we go?" Because most things suck or are dead. My family business is 4 doors down from Clifton's so I said let's give it a try-I've always had a great time there. She absolutely loved it! She loved the food, the decor, ambiance, people, DJ, and keeps mentioning for us to go back there again to dance. read more

This is it! This is the birthday place from here on out! I apologize for no photos but that's the sign of a great night out. I had my 50th birthday party here, and I worked with their event team to reserve a space and they could not be more accomodating. I had a space from 7-9, and then we danced until about midnight. What's very nice is if you need some downtime and quiet, the lobby has a ton of spaces to sit and relax. We had an epic night out! read more

Server. Shoved me out of a table so she could accommodate a 25 persona party. Was sitting and listening to music after I purchased a drink. The line is insane for a drink. Wait time is nuts and this place is not managed good with regards to being friendly with new customers. I like the DJ but won't go back because of this rude lady. I'm usually forthcoming and speak my mind but I let it go. It's a shame. So if you want to wait for a drink 30 minutes have fun. read more

Dj sucks !! Spent a good amount of money on drinks and not even a buzz . Service was good though, I'll give them that. read more

Hands down best bar in LA. To me at least. This was my first time back in a few years. My friends and I used to regular this spot every weekend prior to covid. I believe it's changed owners a few times and has had minor upgrades. Will go more and fill you in on the changes... read more

This place was so cool and definitely worth checking out downtown. Four stories and a different vibe on each floor. The top floor is a tiki lounge. The giant tree in the middle adds to the ambiance. We came on a Friday night in October as it's supposed to be haunted. There was no cover and they let us in, in our Halloween costumes. The drinks are pricy here but as to be expected from a club in DTLA. read more

Clifton's is my all time fave place!!!!! It's like an adult Disneyland. I miss Clifton's so much and hope it reopens soon!!!!!!! read more

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Multi-level bar with eclectic decor (particularly of the taxidermy variety). Came here with some friends on a Friday evening at 9:30 and there was no cover. There's a bar on each level and they serve different drinks at each one. The cinnamon drink made on the third level was the most fun to watch. Restrooms were available on the second level. There's a fair amount of seating and you can reserve tables. The Tikki room that night was unfortunately closed. The music was bumping and we really liked the big tree in the middle, which held a fireplace at the base with a couple of chairs. read more

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Loved the Tiki Bar. The ambiance is amazing. The bar food was exceptional. I highly recommend trying this bar out. read more

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This place is never fucking open and never post their hours, third time I've driven to them and they're closed.

I was just introduced to Clifton's on my last visit to L.A. We only had time to stay for one drink and I could have stayed all night. What an incredible setting for a bar and the Tiki Bar is fantastic. We were able to get a table and have service at our table which was very welcome. The decor and setting of Clifton's is like stepping into a movie set! You will forget all your worries while you are enjoying a cocktail and listening to the live music. read more

Clifton's Republic - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Friend brought me here Friday and was in absolute awe of the place! So beautiful, and the bartenders and djs did a great job!might have to make this my regular outting location for them! read more

Loved it! Went to check it out after opening up again. So interesting, the history and the imaginative use of this great space. The service was great. Of course we didn't go on the busiest nights and expect no one else to be there. We'll be back. read more

Man, I'm kicking myself for coming back here again. This is probably the most below average joint in the city.... Came here on a Friday night to celebrate a friend's birthday - the cover was as usual, $20 per person. Although two of the four floors they offer were closed. The ballroom and the tiki bar were both inoperable. So only the main areas were open, which makes this any other basic bar. For a basic a$$ cocktail, they're charging $23... which was annoying, but nothing new. We ordered a pineapple whiskey cocktail and it tasted below average. The music was below average, the ambiance was below average, the vibes were below average... hence the below average review. I would recommend you go to any other place like The Queensberry or something. read more

Clifton's Republic - Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Oh, Clifton's, you glorious treasure trove of nostalgia and whimsy tucked away in the heart of downtown LA! Walking into this place is like stepping through a portal into a time machine where California's quirky history takes the spotlight. Honestly, I half-expected to see a giant grizzly bear lounging on the redwood furniture, sipping a cocktail and reminiscing about the good old days. Let's talk decor: it's like somebody curated a museum exhibit dedicated to all the funky relics California has to offer. From the taxidermy (yep, you read that right) to the cascading "stinky river" that meanders through the space, there's no shortage of eye-catching oddities. Sure, the river might scent like a questionable swamp, but it adds character--right? And when it comes to the dance floors, oh boy, get ready to bust out your best moves! With music that can shift from retro to contemporary faster than you can say "California dreaming," you'll find yourself shuffling, swaying, and possibly doing the electric slide next to a group of vintage-clad party-goers who've clearly stepped out of a different era. Now, let's not overlook the food and drink. It's a bit of a journey through a menu that's as eclectic as the vibe itself. Grab a drink that could probably give you a bright flashback to the '70s (trust me, they're strong) and pair it with some comfort food--because, after all, who doesn't love a good mac 'n' cheese after a wild dance-off? The staff here feel like they're part of the quirky lore of Clifton's as well--friendly, accommodating, and always ready with a smile (even if they're also slightly bewildered by your enthusiastic dance moves). In conclusion, Clifton's is not just a bar; it's an experience--a delightful amalgamation of the past where every corner has a story to tell. You might leave questioning your life choices (like that extra drink you just had) but you'll also leave with a grin plastered on your face and a heart full of quirky memories. So grab your friends, embrace the funkiness, and prepare for a night of fun at this one-of-a-kind LA gem! Cheers! read more

Another must-do for non locals. Clifton's has many mysteries. They always focus on the whimsy- secret rooms, bars, absinthe, themed nights, a private ballroom. They are currently remodeling their world cuisine center that they started re-working during the pandemic. There is so much space in this bar. "Founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton, the design of the restaurants included exotic decor and facades that were "kitschy and theatrical", and would eventually include multi-story fake redwood trees, stuffed lions, neon plants, and a petrified wood bar. Some considered Clifton's as a precursor to the first tiki bars" Be ready for a $20 cover after 10 pm. Get there before 10 and buy yourself 2 drinks. The music is incredible and the crowds are always rowdy. Ratings: Ambiance: 10/10 Overall deliciousness: 10/10 Pricing: $$ Parking: no, use Uber or a $10 lot nearby Liquor License: yes read more

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I went there yesterday for a birthday and didn't expect there's a cover fee since no social media or website mention about it. For $20 per person is really high to just go in and getting a drink at pacific seas Pacific seas have an amazing service along with the theming of being in a tiki oasis. Although the ambience is throwing me off since they're playing loud clubbing music so it's really hard to talk with friends in there. I'm not much into clubbing but I only go there to try the drinks out. I was bummed out that they didn't serve food in the building anymore. Will I ever go back there? Probably not since the cover fee really hurts the experience for just getting drinks alone. I'll go back for pacific seas again since they improve their drinks a lot but they really need to let their customer know that there is a cover fee to get in read more

If I could give them a negative 5 stars I would!! My partner and I bought the Valentine's Day dinner package that included a prefix dinner and access to all the different rooms and events happening on Valentines night there. It started to look like a terrible idea as soon as we got sat in the Pacific Seas restaurant and all the couples at the tables around us looked miserable. I was curious why and by the time our first drinks arrived, after our appetizers btw, I started to understand why. Between having to wait a long time for everything single thing we ordered, to some things never arriving and having to go to the bar to get served, then when we would get a drink it was disgusting and almost undrinkable. Once we started talking to our neighbors at the other tables and they shared what they were going through, I felt even worse for them! One couple never received one of their entrees after an hour and a half wait!! The other table had been waiting 45 minutes just to get their check! We were all prisoners and trapped in the hell that is a Tikki Bar with terrible rum drinks! Once we finally escaped purgatory, we headed towards the other rooms hoping the place would redeem its self but no.. a vodka martini with sweet vermouth?? While gagging and drinking those martinis down from pure desperation, at this point, we noticed that the music being played by the DJ was this random, sleepy down tempo 80's RB to nap to stuff. No dancing here! I could write a book at this point about how the journey continued to suck. But to wrap this up in a nutshell, this is not the same cool LA quirky historical spot it use to be. It's so sad to see it wasted this way. Between the DMV vibes and sheer lack of experience by anyone working there, we will never be back!! Farewell Clifton's, I'll hold on to the pre-Covid memories forever. read more

A shell of its former self. This was once a true gem in DTLA, catering to anyone from swanky yuppies, to everyday joes looking to have a cheap and decent hot meal. My grandma would take me here as a treat anytime we were on Broadway, and quite frankly walking inside was always such a shock. How is it that you go from a busy downtown street to an indoor redwood forest with a waterfall and lifelike taxidermy? It's was quite literally an oasis in the middle of downtown. The cafeteria was everything you can imagine. Carved turkey, meat loaf, fried chicken, all the sides you can imagine, tons of desserts. You see what you like and you plop it right on your tray. Nothing beat that experience as a kid. Truly nothing today compares to Clifton's Cafeteria back in its heyday. But the sad truth is that Clifton's Republic is nowadays just a money grab to appeal to transplants living in gentrified Los Angeles. There's no soul in it anymore, plus the food is sad and is an afterthought. I brought my gf here before the pandemic after hyping it up as a staple of my childhood and was disappointed in what Clifton's has become. Clifton's was one a great equalizer. You'd sit next to a couple homeless people enjoying a cup of coffee, or sit next to some well off business peeps that worked nearby. It was a shining example of civility and humans just being bros to each other. But no longer is that the case. Expect to pay $20+ for one cocktail in one of many lame bar concepts. The food is overly salted and just plain sad. Management has been said to be incompetent and catering only to those that shell out ridiculous amount of money for lackluster private events. The only positive thing (I would hope) is that walking into Clifton's still feels special, but any Angelino who had been luckily to experience the original cafeteria will immediately know that they are no longer welcome. The whole place reeks of corporate theming, greed, and mediocrity. The lack of culture and disregard for what Clifton's stood for is insulting to those that remember a once great place in downtown for anyone just looking to get a hot meal for a decent price. Shame on the current owners for destroying a piece of Los Angeles history, and shame on the culture shift that has destroyed many original things in DTLA like the Grand Central Market. We don't need overpriced garbage. We need authentic and inviting third spaces that doesn't exist solely for siphoning money from people who don't know any better. read more

Welcome to the Pacific Seas on the third floor of the old Clifton's building. They've done a really nice job with the decor. Truly. Open seating and lots to choose from. Two different bar areas; for now you need to go to the bartender and order your drinks. Not a deal breaker, just letting you know. We had reservations at 6pm and they were confirming emails for reservations. The dress code seemed to be a little less enforced as we saw people wearing shorts. I still wouldn't risk it driving as far as we did to get there. Parking was as good as it gets in that area. After 6pm we didn't need to worry about parking meters and found a spot around the block. It is a crazy area and it can feel intimidating if you're not familiar with it. It's fine though. Really. The drinks were good. We ordered Three Dots and a Dash, the Himalayan Mai Tai, The Jungle Bird, and Bali Hai Swizzle. All drinks were well crafted and tasted good. The staff walked around with some food offerings to sample. I'm guessing they are trying to figure out what works for most individuals to get something in place later. The music was still getting worked out. Not 100% tiki music. The ambience was fun and you forgot where you were for just a moment. If you're in the area, check it out! read more

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This 3 story lounge was amazing! The drinks were on point. Lots of photo ops. We had a great time. Will definitely return!

Clifton's is what New York wishes it could have but could not possibly find the real estate for. If you're visiting LA, this place is a must, and if you live in LA, this is the place to flex on your visitors (I do this). Clifton's is one of the most unique bars I've been to. It's several floors, and each floor seems to be equipped with its own atmosphere. Whether it's an intimate date night, a wild night out in the town, or an easygoing live music show, you can find just about any ambiance you would want from a bar just by walking between floors. Unfortunately there is a $20 cover fee, but I see this as paying for the convenience of being able to bar hop within the same building. If you pay this in cash, you can skip the line. read more

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I know the history of Clifton's, Sarahe That's why many of us hate what it's become I lived a block away from 2008 to 2013 We often people watched and ate in the cafeteria I saw the renovation in 2022 They ruined the cafeteria Yes it needed cleaning and repairs But they didn't have to scrap the cafeteria The owner pretends to care about the history but this change shows he doesn't Clifton's was all about affordable food for all not a party spot for the young and privileged read more

A weird, wonderful LA institution. Lots to explore with the top floor being my favorite. But it's hard to beat dancing under that giant tree. Enjoy! read more

It's a ClifTON of fun to check this super eccentric and elaborate bar that used to be a cafeteria! There is no cover charge before 9pm and we enjoyed walking through their 4 floors and admiring the intricate layout and decor, especially their renowned hollowed tree in the middle festooned with lights and a fireplace inside. We ordered drinks from the Pacific Seas tiki bar on the fourth floor which had $18 cocktails. The drinks we ordered was the Emerald Mist and the Singapore Sling which are unique in their flavor and quite strong in alcohol. The drink menu can be found by scanning the QR code and it's also accessible here at https://cliftonsafterdark.com/. A fun night out with music and drinks, definitely dress up and enjoy yourself by painting the town red! read more

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We (a group of 4 persons) arrived 45 mins. before the event. We were standing outside of the Clifton. At 7pm a man named Dave arrived ( he mentioned he was Worker came to turn off the microwave that had been left on. But he informed us that the performance had been canceled Serval weeks before and that we should have been notified thur our email. Unfortunately that didn't occur and we wasted our evening , gas, and additional funds for parking. We were all very upset, looking forward for a beautiful performance. read more

Love Clifton's and in particular their tiki bar upstairs. Easy to get to via metro or parking right across the street. Drinks were in point and when we were there they offered a tasting of some food that will probably be served when they start that. read more

They played Spanish music NONSTOP and have the absolute WORST DJ in the Greater Los Angeles Area. SUCH A SHAME BECAUSE this place has such a nice atmosphere and aesthetic, however there in absolutely no doubt in my mind that this DJ is the least COMPETENT DISC JOCKEY I HAVE EVER EVER been in the presence of. FIRE THE DJ! read more

This was our first visit to this historic venue and as much as my wife and I had fun, we were disappointed that half of the lounges were closed for renovation. The website was not at all clear on this, nor was it clear that you only needed reservations for the Spirit Society dinner. We were especially bummed that the Pacific Seas lounge was closed as we dressed for that theme. Next time we'll avoid the website entirely and call ahead during the day to see what is open. That aside, the Forest Glen, Monarch, and Goth Bar lounges were very entertaining and filled with eclectic decor. The pizza options were pricey but good as were the themed cocktails on each floor. The staff was friendly and I saw several of them helping people with mobility issues navigate the twisting corridors and irregular staircases. We'll definitely check back later and return once the other lounges are open again so we can get the full experience. read more

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This place used to be my absolute favorite but it's really gone down the drain. There's storage going on in floors where patrons can see, there's a lot of disrepair (the waterfall and photo cave weren't working among other aesthetic issues) and the drinks are way overpriced. I got here at 6:30 PM and not all areas were open, when I asked about food they said they were only doing pizzas for the off season (I remember when the cafeteria was open and had some of the best food I've ever eaten, what an absolute downgrade), asked for a beer and most of the taps weren't working, and they're not even enforcing any kind of dress code anymore... all of this on a Saturday. I guess the days of live swing bands, Polynesian dancers, good food, and fun at Clifton's are dead. It's a shadow of its former self and it breaks my heart. Update: beer taps were finally fixed at about 9 PM. DJ came on at 10:15 PM or so but they're not good at all. Preferred the 70's playlist they had on before, felt more appropriate to the theme of the location. Feels like they just want to turn it into just another club. read more

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Hope they get all of old recipes and make it to a book. Because it's only way you'll get to eat faves again. They only serve extreme limited amount of faves and it's just not the same. Miniature or trendy portions. read more

I am well aware that many Clifton's visitors are not locals and so they may not know the historical background that this establishment has. I may forgive them for their ignorance but not for the low ratings. I grew up coming here for lunch with my grandmother and mother. Clifton's provided low cost dining for Angelino's when my grandmother arrived to this country. She was able to take out six children as a single mother in the 1970's and show them the beauty downtown LA had to offer at the time. I'm grateful I was able to experience this place when it was a fully functioning cafeteria. The taxidermy is very unique including all of the spaces and floors. You will feel like you just stepped into another time period. The decor and architecture is so fun! The after hours club is something to experience and I believe there is a speak-easy downstairs (unless it's gone now). If you're visiting LA this is a must see historical site! read more

Female bartenders working 12/21/24 on the second floor are some of the rudest most unprofessional and miserable people I've ever encountered. It's actually sad to see during the holiday season. Hope they heal and find peace (not behind the bar). Bathrooms had no soap during the 3 hours (!!!) that we were there, that is absolutely disgusting. Music was giving confusion. read more

This is such a boujie place in downtown LA! There's several floors (at least 4 floors), and they all have different vibes! Two floors involve louder music, closer to the DJ, so there's a lot of dancing there. There's a tiki bar upstairs that is super cool. Each floor has its own drink menu, which is fun! The downside is the drinks are expensive (per usual). But I really enjoy the vibes of this place. It is great for a lot of different types of social people (depending if you want to dance or chill out). Highly recommend checking this place out! read more

We celebrated my brother's 40th birthday here, and it was absolutely wonderful! We reserved the Monarch space, which was perfect for the gathering because of it's secluded chill vibe however easy access to the dance floor when our favorite songs came on! We loved being able to explore all the themed spaces throughout and experience multiple bars within the establishment with delicious drinks. We got there a little early so we were able to experience the buffet which was also outstanding. All in all, everything exceeded our expectations, and the thoughtful coordination made the evening seamless and special. Highly recommend this place for any celebration! read more

Three story area with multiple bars. Unfortunately only one bar at the top floor was open on thursday night. Great insta worthy decor on each floor. The rush was less as compared to other bars in the neighborhood for thursday night. Its a tikki bar at top level with limited amount of food and beverages. We ordered mai tai and pinacolada. Both were ok! read more