One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Clifton’s Republic Is Reopening In Downtown LA Next Month
Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles.
(
Photo by Open Air Control Testing Ground via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
)
Clifton’s Republic will be reopening its famous multi-story venue on South Broadway in downtown L.A. next month.
The more than 90-year-old dining and cocktail destination will be bringing back a revamped version of its iconic cafeteria this summer, along with the tropical-themed Pacific Seas tiki bar, and the Forest Glen, Monarch, and Gothic lounges.
But you can get a sneak peak even with Illustrium by AirOtic Soirée, a burlesque-style circus cabaret and dinner show that launched last week.
Pacific Seas and the lounges are all coming back in June after being closed for about a year because of “unexpected flooding,” according to Clifton’s social media posts from 2023.
“It’s been an extraordinarily difficult period for restaurants everywhere and Downtown Los Angeles has been particularly hard hit,” owner Andrew Meieran said in a statement to LAist. “We’re excited to open this new chapter in Broadway’s storied history as Clifton’s and LA’s Historic Core reinvent themselves to meet the challenges of a post-pandemic world.”
Sponsored message
Their instagram announcement was flooded with comments about bringing back Clifton’s Cafeteria, the Great Depression-era establishment that was known for giving away meals, with author George Pendel describing it as a “surreal sanctuary from the broken world” in his 2005 book Strange Angel.
Crowds shopping on Broadway at Christmas walk past Clifton's Brookdale circa 1937.
(
Herman Schultheis, Herman J Schultheis Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
)
Pianist Julius K. Johnson, violinist Caroline Hermann, harpist Grace Curey, and string bass player Nathan Harrison, who make up the Clifton's String Ensemble, play inside the raised Aloha Entertainment Platform at Clifton's "Pacific Seas" Cafeteria circa 1945.
(
Lucille Stewart, Lucille Stewart Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
)
A family including, from left, Billy, Michael, Helen, George, Jimmy and William, at Clifton's Pacific Seas Cafeteria in Los Angeles circa 1951.
(
Shades of L.A. Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
)
Dining area of Clifton's "Pacific Seas" Cafeteria pictured on a postcard that reads: "A fantastic neon palm by polynesian grass hut. Only one of the many fantastic features. Guests pay what they wish and dine free unless delighted."
(
Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
)
The front facade of Clifton's "Pacific Seas" Cafeteria, with its waterfalls and tropical decor circa 1940.
(
Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library
)
Clifton’s confirmed in a comment that their “innovative retro-futuristic cafeteria concept will debut this summer.”
If you’re hoping for more family friendly offerings than the Illustrium show, which currently has tickets available through the first weekend of August, Clifton’s will be offering brunches and daytime hours that will be welcome to all ages.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
