Clifton’s Republic Is Reopening In Downtown LA Next Month

Makenna Sievertson covers the daily drumbeat of Southern California — events, processes and nuances making it a unique place to call home.

Published May 15, 2024 12:24 PM

The exterior of multi-level building at night. A white illuminated sign with red text reads "Clifton's Cafeteria," with shadows covering most of the second word. The overhead ceiling lights are on in the entryway into the building, but there's no people in view.

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.”

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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.

A black and white photo of a city sidewalk packed with people walking past a multi-story building, which has been decorated for Christmas with a large tree on top of the entry and fake snow sprinkled about. Signs on the facade call this 'Brookdale Cafeteria" the "worlds largest" and indicate that it is open "6 am to midnight" The first and second floor facades are open with diners visible past decorative wooden pieces. A Salvation Army bell ringer has set up in front of the restaurant.

Crowds shopping on Broadway at Christmas walk past Clifton's Brookdale circa 1937.

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Herman Schultheis, Herman J Schultheis Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

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A black-and-white photo of a raised platform decorated like a tiki bar in a packed room of people. The platform appears to be made out of wood, with the word "ALOHA" facing the front. Palm trees and plants are scattered throughout the room, with people sitting at tables, walking around, and waiting at the bar.

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.

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Lucille Stewart, Lucille Stewart Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

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A black and white photo of a family of six, a mother, father, and their four young children, sitting at a restaurant table. The table is cluttered with empty dishes and condiment containers while all six smile into the camera. The youngest child, a toddler, is sitting on a raised wooden high chair. The wall behind the table is decorated with a landscape featuring trees and clouds.

A family including, from left, Billy, Michael, Helen, George, Jimmy and William, at Clifton's Pacific Seas Cafeteria in Los Angeles circa 1951.

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Shades of L.A. Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

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A faded by age, but colored photo of an interior two-story dining area. The room is tiki themed, with illuminated palm trees, wooden decor, and thatch-roofed bars. Several people can be seen around the bar and sitting at tables.

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."

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Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

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A black-and-white photo of the front of an intricately designed multi-story building, with waterfalls and tropic decor on the front facade. Signs read "Pay what you wish", "Visitors welcome", and "Clifton's". People can be seen out front sitting on the bench, or ordering from the counter at left.

The front facade of Clifton's "Pacific Seas" Cafeteria, with its waterfalls and tropical decor circa 1940.

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Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

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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.

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Clifton’s Republic Is Reopening In Downtown LA Next Month

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