This place is South Seas heaven. Fantastic, classy decor — half Tiki, half Explorers Club — friendly staff, and best of all, delicious food and drinks, with top marks for presentation as well as taste. I had a Message in a Bottle, which came in its own ice-lined treasure chest — a slightly pricey short drink, but well worth it. I've been to about three dozen Tiki palaces by now, and Clifton's is one of the greatest experiences I've ever had at a bar. Just gorgeous.
Tiki Bar
Clifton's Pacific Seas (Modern) - on Broadway - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
Pacific Seas is a bar inside of the Clifton's complex in downtown Los Angeles. It opened November 12th, 2016, and pays tribute to the original Clifton's Pacific Seas, which was located a few blocks away on Olive Street and operated from 1939-1960. This Clifton's location on Broadway opened in 1935 and remained in operation until it closed for extensive remodeling (2011-2015) by new owner Andrew Meieran.
In addition to the nod to Clifton's own Polynesian Pop history, Pacific Seas incorporates elements from the later heyday of 1960s tiki, thanks in particular to decor purchased from Bahooka after it closed in early 2013. Pacific Seas was built by Bamboo Ben, grandson of the famous early Tiki decorator and builder Eli Hedley.
Reservations are recommended, and there is a dress code (basically: don't wear shorts and a t-shirt, put a little effort in and you'll be fine, wear some nice vintage aloha and you're golden).
The venue was open sporadically and for special events since closing in 2018 and again in 2020 during COVID.
In September 2022, Los Angeles real estate investment firm Robhana Group acquired Andrew Meieran’s Clifton’s Cafeteria, aka Clifton’s Republic for $8.6 million. It was said Clifton’s signed a long-term lease with the new owner so that the nightclub, including Pacific Seas, would remain open.
However, since then, the Pacific Seas remained closed until the end of August 2024 when it finally opened once again.