From restaurant to night club.I was feeling disappointed when I entered this very famous, historical cafeteria!Since I had done my research prior, so I knew how generous and giving the original owner, was trying to help people and served a lot of food for decades.However, when I asked them which kind of bar food they serve, the only thing I can get is Pizza and only Pizza.When I entered this Pizza bar and night club, it was much smaller than I was expected, or what I saw on YouTube.Needless to say that you need to park your car around the block and pay, then you need to pay 20 dollars cover to enter the night club.I was told that most music they play, was hip-hop, no live band.I happened to be non enthusiastic about hip-hop music for dancing, so I was feeling further disappointed. Plus, the lightning inside of the night club, was so dark, so I can imagine that you were not be able to see your friends face, especially in the stairs area leading to the Powder Room down stairs. I had to walk very slow so I could see what was under my feet, and not to fall. Since the light was very weak, so I was not able to see my face and make up in the mirror.I finally got a chance to visit this landmark in Broadway of downtown LA, but I certainly will not come back soon.
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.
It was my first time visiting this venue and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the vive, drinks, and food Clifton’s offered. All the employees were super nice and I thought there was so much to offer. This place is great for most any occasion. The cocktails were great and I throughly enjoyed the pizza. I’d highly suggest checking this place out.
Probably the best bar in downtown LA. Dress code is relaxed to business casual and the vibe is great. There’s a massive tree in the middle and it’s also a restaurant/cafeteria. Next time I’ll try the food.It’s three floors with different types of rooms/styles. The lines outside can get long but it flows in pretty quick. New changes since I last stopped by in 2019. The new changes are great, I’d definitely come back again.
Visited this place on a Saturday at around 7pm. My friend and I beat the crowd since they open at 6pm. The place is amazing! It has 2 maybe 3 floors? It was hard for me to tell. Each room has a different vibe and a different list of drinks. You can order a drink and roam the place which I love. Theres a hidden little bar somewhere in the place. I suggest you check it out. The only complaint I have is about the bartenders. They take their sweet time to ask you for your order and when they do, they dont seem happy about it. One of the girl bartenders was completly ignoring the girls but was helping every guy walking up to the bar. A random person behind me even realized it and asked me, werent you next? I said yes! And we both shook our heads. Gotta say the drinks were pretty tasty.
Great bar in downtown with lots of different levels and areas to explore. VERY eccentric and unlike any other place in Los Angeles.Note that the Tiki bar is on the top floor which is where the majority of the crowd was. Drinks are on the pricey side but good quality and tasty.Bar opens at 7pm - recommend getting there early before the crowds come so you can explore at your own pace without feeling rushed.
Easily one of my favorite bars. Several floors each offering a different theatrical decor ranging from jazzy beatnik, rustic hunting lodge and mystic catacombs. Cant wait to see the new renovations
Before they closed in 2020 i visted and had the best moscow mule of my life. Thats because it was ten cents and in one of the coolest most fun decorated buildings in LA. I asked a maintence worker if they would open soon, and he said there was about a month left of renovation. I hope they stick with their original ethos and feed the public again soon with cheap food.
This is the most magical restaurant in all of Los Angeles. Flawless, historical perfection, in a monstrous, perfectly restored building, full of history, wonder, and delicious food. If you ever want to impress your friends or visitors from out-of-town, look no further. Ambiance abounds, with fantastic music playing at just the right volumes. The prices for food are very reasonable, and the atmosphere is in the Top-3 I’ve ever been in, despite travelling all over the world. If you’re looking for comfort food, look no further. The meat loaf, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, gravy, biscuits, desserts, and drinks are perfection. You’ll find a huge assortment of healthy options as well. Kids absolutely love this place, and the service is 5-star, every time. If you’re looking for cocktails, Clifton’s has several bars, tucked away inside, where adults can hang and enjoy time away from younger patrons. I can not say enough good things about this place.
Saw the circus show Illustrium here last night. Such an amazing show and the performers are insanely talented!! Perfect date night, everything about it was incredible — also loved that a drink was included with the ticket (:
A weekend is the right time. You are going to be mesmerized by the ambience. 3 floors each with its own decor from a stuffed animals to French architecture to Hawaii ambience. You will get something to satisfy your taste. Music is amazing and they will surprise you with some special show ( this time it was a Salsa number )You will enjoy the fullest when you are Cliftons and that is a guarantee.Off course be prepared for a very very long wait if you arrive late.
A novelty place to visit. We initially went there recently for the cafeteria-style food I remember they had a long time ago, but the host said it wasnt open yet. Definitely a good place to take a date, but.. I dont know - theres hardly any food! Outside of the coffee and sweets at the front, and fries and finger foods upstairs, theres really not much to do but enjoy the scenery, antiques and drink.
What can I say about this place that hasn’t already been said? This should be a must see stop on any tour of Los Angeles. The area isn’t the greatest, but is is historic and the place is well worth it. So what is Clifton’s? It’s essentially a bar with multiple levels, different themes on each level, dance floors, and curiosities on every floor.Clifton’s started in the 1930s as a cafeteria and slowly evolved over the years into what can only be described as a house of curios. In its current form the spot has multiple floors each with its own theme. Allegedly, Walt Disney got his inspiration for Disneyland here. And you can see how that might have happened given the decor, the difference in themes from floor to floor, and just the oddities all along the place. I won’t ruin it for you because it really must be experienced.Heres a pro tip: the place gets jam packed and there is a line out the door and wrapping around the block just to get in. Our trick is to come at happy hour where you cannot beat the $4 beers and wine (yes, in LA) and the .35 cent cocktails you can purchase with every happy hour drink you get. The great thing about arriving at happy hour is that you can just walk in, grab some spots and then wait for the place to fill up. No lines, great prices on drinks and you have a chance to explore the place on your own with little to no crowds.Keep in mind if you get there early that the main bar is open on the first and second floor, then the other bars open at 6pm and finally the dance floors open at 9.Have a blast!!
Very eclectic lounge. As soon as you walk you feel like youre at Disneyland. Theres animal case displays, beautiful wall and furniture decore. A redwood tree in the middle of the 2nd floor. 4 levels of areas where you can lounge and have drinks. great date place as well as group outtings. I think it has a fun atmosphere. Theres also a DJ playing some good tunes to dance to.
Always an amazing and glamorous time at Cliftons. We always dress to impress and to the nines. We come here to swing dance mainly and to mingle and make new friends. There 5 different rooms and it is like going to 3 diff clubs. Cause they have swing dancing with swing music and a LIVE BAND! and then on the main floors they have top 40s and hip hop. Then they have the tiki room which has music from now and to the 80s. So this place is the place to be! If youre new in town, you must visit this place.
I went for the night scene one Thursday. it was really fun! i dont know who the dj was, but he kept the floor moving. it was mostly 20 somethings, BUT a few 30s and 40s. it was easy to get a seat in a somewhat private spot to chat away from the crowd. entry was free. safe environment. typical bar price drinks. i will go back.
OMG! This place is fantastic. So much fun. Eclectic collection of antiques and taxidermy animals. Defies description. Limited menu. Had the Soylent Green pizza. Hopefully not too realistic to the name, lol. It was delicious. DJ fired up at 10:00, great music. So glad we came out, will definitely be back.
This review is for Cliftons cafeteria in Los Angeles CA I last went in the 1980s with my parents ! They went on a date there in the 1950s we even sat at the same table they did all those years ago. It is ashamed it is closed ! I really enjoyed it I was taken there several times as a kid by my parents. It will forever be in my memory .
The only people that give this place a good review are the ones that dont know what this place was or meant to the people that came here that lived here when it was the famous Clintons cafeteria now its just a regular place for people to drink and party ruined a memorable place to lots of family and customers very sad
One of my favorite places to visit in LA because it is such a unique place. They now have Jazz in the evenings so check when that is and also serve food. For those that know where the tiki speakeasy is I recommend the new cocktails in there. Not that they were bad before but they have now been elevated from being those super sweet drinks to something that is more well balanced.
Probably one the most awesome bars around. They did such a great job with the detail with the different themes. We came here specifically for the tiki bar but you can spend hours here experiencing the different rooms. Drinks are great but it is a pricey cocktail bar so you can run up a tab real quick. Excellent for a date or with a group.
I use to love this place which is why I gave it 2 stars. Im hoping this place will get better as it has lost its fun. The new renovation are ok but not much of a difference. The dj looked bored as he was on his phone the majority of the time I was there. The music was so low, that you couldnt even dance to it. They now charge you $20 to get in, which I dont think is worth it since it feels more like a bar now. The part that I dont understand the most was the fact that made people wait in line for a while to give the impression theyre popping, while the inside of the place was still empty.
Note: as per my visit in late September 2019, the caffeteria is closed for remodel into a market featuring international fare. Call ahead if youre looking to eat there to, as it was just the Cafe in front when I visitedI wish I could capture the feeling of walking into this fine establishment in words and still do it justice, but I just cant. More akin to an attraction at Disneyland then any mere restaurant; this place is a true hidden gem of LA. Theres actually a cafe, a bar, a speakeasy, and soon a marketplace all in this building. I cant recommend it enough.Also, if youre there between 3 and 7 PM on a weekday and buy something downstairs, show your receipt at the upstairs bar for a 35 cent mojito!
6-1-24 there is currently no food. Only drinks. Club is not open to the public, just for the Airotic Cirque Style Cabaret which is rad.
Line to get in was ridiculously long, lets just remember shut down time is 2 and were really close to skid row... Other than that... This place is pretty cool inside. Love the giant tree and the whole ambiance is just cool. I felt like I stepped into a time machine and I enjoyed that. Dj is amazing, be ready to dance! Marcellus makes a wonderful Moscow Mule.
I had so much fun here. I really enjoyed my beef pot pie and the atmosphere is so Disney-esque. The jello desserts were a work of art. However, they were out of a lot of the food choices, and when asked when more would be arriving we just got a I dunno I am dying to go back and visit the tiki bar on the top floor.
Lots of different exciting spaces. Very interesting place just to walk through. Dance floor is hit or miss based on the DJ, but everything else if fun.
Been here before & it was fun, but this time it was closed. There was nothing about this on their website and nothing I saw online said anything about them being closed. They had several different signs posted, but it appears theyre closed for several weeks due to a city Order to Comply saying they failed to follow something pertaining to life safety and have until 12/20/19 to comply or face fines.
This is not Clifton’s !!!This place used to be special. I would eat here as a kid, back when you didn’t have to pay. That’s right, Clifton’s used to have a ‘pay as you wish’ policy. It was a fun place where people of all socioeconomic backgrounds could eat simple food together. Now, it’s an overpriced and obnoxious nightclub with a $20 cover charge.If you’re a transplant or recent arrival to LA, do yourself a favor and check out this city’s real nightlife, which there’s no shortage of. Don’t want to be a gentrifier? Stop going to places like this! Don’t patronize parasitic capitalists who infect this city with mediocre food and expensive drinks while killing our local culture.If you do find yourself at this yuppie-hipster abomination built upon the carcass of a working class establishment, stop for a second and think about the thousands of hungry people living in tents a mile away who might have benefitted from a free cafeteria, which this was (until 2018!).Please, for the love of god, just go get a drink at La Cita and dance with the locals.
Bartenders steal money from customers. Dont go....and do not use a card here!!!! Bought a couple well drinks for $26- ... I left a $9 rip to make it $35. Thought a $9 would be appreciated fpr $26 ticket.... instead I see my bank statement showing $85. The bartender creatively manipulated the 3 to an 8... I called them to tell them and I still havent gotten my money back. Security is soft and drunks are not dealt with here the way they should. Cliftons should be calledCrooks Inc. Sad... amazing building and property with great talent tainted by crooked staff that set up to steal money from well tipping patrons.
I would give more than five stars do this place because its not just a dining or a club or even a pop its everything its a nice historical site where every part of it has something to say upstairs is restricted to specific dress code no graphics or very casual at least when we went cuz there was a nice Amy Winehouse Blues night on another evening it was a different event but if you go at anytime you should explore the other areas upstairs is very classic Victorian style loveseats and then if you go downstairs you go around they have the Safari theme with animals and a river with a small bridge to walk over the nicest thing as if you go downstairs where they have the restrooms you will find the oldest Naon light that has never been turned off except once I believe during an earthquake since 1930 you could read the information but that adds to it so when they did the construction they made sure it stays connected and intangible. They also have happy hours during the day and the menu is good too
I was a bit disappointed that they still have not re-opened the cafeteria. I thought it was operating as a restaurant with a club at night. When we arrived, they Id checked everyone and let us know they offered appetizers and some desert. They also let us know they become a club at 9 pm and charge $20.00 at the door. The last time I was there they didnt do that. Also, I have known this place since I was a kid, so its like memory lane to me. When I last visited as an adult in 2020, they preserved most of its look and added some things. They could tone it down with the Lazer lights. I hope they bring back the cafeteria/restaurant part of this place.
Great place! The layout is incredible and so fun to explore. The atmosphere was wonderful, all the employees were very friendly and enthusiastic, I felt safe and had lots of fun.The DJ choices are a bit questionable though, some were great, some were ok, some… we don’t need to talk about them
Wow, Im so glad I got to visit Cliftons the restaurant and much of Downtown before the 70s decline, you literally have to be Born Yesterday to not know how screwed up things are now. Things cost more now and are not worth a quarter of what they cost long ago. Feel good about that, theres an old term that isnt used now either... SUCKERS !
Super cool place in LA! Different levels to fit anyones aesthetic with Good drinks and good atmosphere! The only thing I thought was weird was the person at the front who takes a $20 cover charge gives the option to tip.... for what? Aside from that I really liked the sea-like bar on the top level with the hidden door. Drinks were super strong which means less I have to drink to let loose, five stars to that
I came here with a group for an after party of a wedding and we had a great time. I never go to places like this, so I really had no idea what to expect, and while I dont really have anything to compare it to, our particular experience was great. We had a reserved area for a large group and ordered mostly bottles. I didnt pay, so I cant say how the prices were. However, service was really great. Ive always had the impression of these club places that staff are kind of rude, but I discovered that here at least it was just the opposite. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive.The ambiance and vibe of the place if very cool. There are multiple themed areas, including a swing dance room that looked great. The music was at a volume where it was still possible to have a conversation. My only complaint is that although the place is huge, in the upstairs at least there seemed to be only one bathroom, and for the mens, one urinal was broken leaving literally 1 toilet for an area that had hundreds of people. There might have been more bathrooms, but I couldnt find them.I wouldnt come back here on my own, because its not the kind of place I hang out at, but I was really surprised how great the service was and how enjoyable of a time I had.
Among the cultural elite of LA, Cliftons is a bit of a joke. At least that is what I gather as someone from out of town that has been a couple of times. Like a New Yorker who has never visited the Statue of Liberty, the joke is, supposed to be, on the tourists. Well, let me tell you, the out of towners know a gem when they see what. Does matter whether you eat or drink, the place is a magic portal to something wonderful. Its a fantastic place that makes you go wow. Stay and have a drink or eat, if the cafeteria is open (it was closed the last time I was there) and to yourself a favor. This is the dream of California packed into a classic storefront.
The New Years Eve could have been so nice but was poorly planned and disorganized. The open bar seemed intentionally WAY understaffed in order to soft-weasel their way out of serving the drinks guests had already paid for. Rooms opened up hours later than advertised and much of the overwhelmed staff became snippy, grumpy, and increasingly just plain rude as the night wore on. Lovely venue but wont come back unless events fall under different management.
Atmosphere is magnificent, but watching a bartender struggle to make one cocktail for 25 minutes wasnt worth the $23 cocktail. It was really embarrassing for the group that was so excited to partake, and we were all too polite to say anything. Cocktails werent made right either, far too bitter. This wouldnt fly anywhere else.
This place was much better before any renovations, food quality went way down and prices are quadruple what they were. Its nothing but a hipster poser operation moving forward...either sell the building and land and get out of the bar business or go back to $1.75 enchiladas and $2.00 Mac and cheese, and hundreds on 1980s food favorites that we all loved in those times, not hey can we hook up latter darling place to prey. This neighborhood offers few parking options.
I was just introduced to Cliftons 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 Cliftons 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.
A great bar and club atmosphere, the history speaks for itself as it was a refuge for LGBTQ+ members in early 60s I believe. Me and my friends have enjoyed coming here.
Amazing decor, but the atmosphere is old and dry. No music, stamps upon entry, idk 2000 & late. Did not see levels 3 and 4. No one stopped by the table to take an order. Drank a beer and left this sad museum.
Wouldnt let my friend in because of the dress code, but he was wearing a collared shirt. And $20 to get in? I dont think so. And the bouncers were rude as hell. So l paid for parking across the street for nothing. Boo.
I miss the old Clintons but its still cool. Cost of two drinks was about $40 bucks. But the theme is amazing. Cover is $20 per person
Very cool ambiance but the service and drink quality are just not up to the level you would expect for a $19 cocktail. Clifton’s has a long legacy of delivering good times but those memories seem to have faded and there are just too many superior options nearby to make this place worth a visit anymore.
It looks nice in pictures, but its just an okay place. The furniture on the 4th floor is kind of run down like it was picked up from a dump. I made a reservation for a group, and we got moved to 3 different spots because the hostess could not find a spot to fit our group despite the fact that we had a reservation. We left with frustration.
I didn’t have a good experience whatsoever…the bartenders were slow, the waitresses were slower. The food was delivered to the wrong table, the replacement never came…but worst of all, the manager struggled to remove the food from our bill and refund us. She had a horrible attitude. She didn’t know how to use their own POS System.
Cliftons is a great place with an amazing environment and staff. Fries are delicious af. The ambiance with the five floors which all have their own theme is a great experience. To the bartender who thought I ordered four orders of fries when I actually ordered two Im sorry for ruining your night. Overall great place for The vibes
If youve never been youve gotta go at least once, the building alone is absolutely remarkable, and I must say the food does not disappoint either, one of the best burgers Ive ever had. The place is huge, definitely worth exploring, there are multiple bars, which, fair warning, it may take you quite a while to close out your tab later in the night because of the lines, and you must do at the bar you payed at. I reccomend a closed tab. Now the reasons for four instead of 5 stars: 25 dollar cover charge just to get in the building, which they even expect you to tip on (which I find ridiculous) and even after that they have a two drink minimum to sit at the tables (which luckily they didnt seem to be enforcing, at least we didnt have a problem) not to mention 16 bucks for a cocktail, 8 for a for. So if you have plenty of money to throw around, then by all means enjoy, but otherwise this might be just a one time or rare occasion type of place.
Phone and wallet was stolen and management dealt it horribly. I understand there is not much they can do, but they continuously rolled their eyes at me and didnt bother to help. I told them within ten minutes of having last used it, so the person who stole must have still been inside. My credit card was used and over $200 were spent. Yet, this was no big deal to them. I was just a whining girl who lost her phone. Never coming back.
I use to love coming to get $2 cup of coffee in the morning and a $2 cookie and watching the streets below. The new vibe is a far cry from those old memories. I hate paying to go into a place to pay for more stuff. $20 at the door seems a bit excessive when your drinks are almost $18 each, even if the drinks are on the stiffer side. Which speaking of, there were multiple scuffles and altercations with overly drunk people. The downstairs restrooms have zero light and on more than one occasion did a man try and follow me into the ladies room, it felt so creepy. So I tried the far more lit and crowded upstairs restroom Wich was just filled with girls vomiting all over the place, literally I watched a girl puke on to another girl while in line. Each stall had vomit somewhere. It was a mess and at that point I just wanted to go home. I wouldnt say they have food more like elevated bar bites, duck fat fries and poke tacos were tasty but Im really not into paying $14 for 2 tacos. I know I keep bringing up the prices but for the amount of money I dropped there, it was a most unpleasant experience and as much as I loved that place I doubt that Ill be returning.
Wow what a divisive bar! I am loving the other reviews. Im def in the I had a great time crowdI arrived around 9 on a Friday and was so in love with the quirky and historical interior. We got drinks at the Pacific Seas which were great (but other tiki bars have more options), and left around 12 when the place became a full on club and crowded. While I didnt have time to stay, the vibes were great and I would go back another night to dance.Re: $20 cover at the doorSo at first I understood the cover to be like an admission to a museum/historic building. There were plenty of delightful decorations and vibes to take in. Then party mode switches on and its just like a typical dance night cover maybe? I hope they use that $$ to keep the place preserved forever.From what I understand, you can expect to pay $20 at the door after 9pm Friday and Saturday--but this isnt posted anywhere so its hard to say?Minus one star because no pina colada
As predicted Andrew blew it and destroyed my favorite landmark. Clinton family shouldnt have murdered old Jeanne Clifton and stole it by selling it to a hipster developer. Sue me!!
This place seemed pretty quirky and eclectic which is one of the things that piqued my interest about it. I also thought it would be a funny surprise to bring a friend where they filmed the ‘Jurassic Fork’ scene from the show ‘Parks and Recreation.’ It seemed to have a promising reputation as well, considering it has been around since the 1930’s. Other than there being one photo of a line of people outside of the front door on Google images, all the other pictures feature the interesting decor with no people in them. 90% of the reviews are from 3 years ago or more. Quite a few mention how they used to visit the restaurant all the time when they were younger and how much they enjoyed it. The environment is almost the exact opposite of what you’d expect looking at those Google images and reviews. It unfortunately was completely misleading. You have to pay $20 per person to get in, when we were there it was extremely loud and crowded with barely anywhere to sit. We had to ask a waitress/bartender how to order food because it’s more of a bar now than anything but it also seemed like they didn’t have any sort of routine and the energy there was just a bit chaotic. The only reasons I gave this review more than 1 star is because the staff were very friendly and although the menu is extremely limited, the food was very good. After we were done eating, we had a difficult time just trying to close out our tab. We waited for 10-15 mins just to be able to squeeze through the front of the bar to ask the bartender to close our tab, but then we were told we had to find the person who originally took our order in the giant crowd of people that was there. After looking for about 5 minutes, we could not find the person and I had to stop another staff member to try and get some help locating our server. We were able to finally pay our tab and leave. I feel like the uniqueness and unconventional aesthetic of this space is not complimented by the loud dance club vibes that accompany it. I feel like such a place, especially one that’s been around for so long, should be appreciated for what it is and not overshadowed by loud dance music and large groups of intoxicated people. Even their website is completely confusing as well. I really wanted to like this place but my expectations based on the website, reviews, & images vs. the reality of what is ‘Clifton’s Republic’ was really disappointing.
This was at one time my favorite downtown spot. In mid April a large group went to the tiki bar to celebrate a birthday. Unfortunately they cut down the drink menu to 5 drinks and the servers were not organized. Closing our tab was a big issue. Will try again once this place settles into its new management.
The only thing I didnt like about this place is the $20 cover at the door after 9 pm. Dont see it listed anywhere. Also lots people dressed in different ways, from casual to dressy. Great music though.
Such a cool place! For my first time in downtown LA it was memorable because of this place. Theyre currently remodeling their cafeteria kitchen area so its only baked goods, otherwise they have like 4 bars! I ordered the mountain mustache and it was my first time drinking liquor but it was GREAT! Very strong but really yummy! Ive been back since then about 2 times! They also have a cute photo booth! It was a great time indeed.
Love the inside ambiance of this place. Really hit or miss whether different areas will be open or not. Impossible to reach management or get questions answered via their contact info. Even when they do answer , information isn’t always correct. Staff and management never seem to be on the same page. But it’s beautiful inside and the music is great. I am a regular patron.
Hands down the most interesting dance club Ive ever visited. You can explore the different nooks and crannies all night long, including the swing dance room where people are dressed in proper vintage attire, the safari room where the DJ plays from a teak boat, or just enjoy the wonderful vibes on the main dance floor. There was a random burlesque show while we were there. And did I mention there is a three-story tree in the middle? Absolutely worth the wait and $10 cover.
So this place could easily be 5 stars! But, when we went I was given three sets of differing information on hours, rooms available, etc. So when we showed up we knew last call was coming soon but had been told the bars hours werent changed (2am) and were told to head up grab a drink and hang out.We got our drinks, learning that only one of their bars were open (sadly the one we cared the least for) and before we could sit down were told it was time to leave and finish our drinks. This was before 1 am and were rushed out by employees.Now I get the why of this experience, but an establishment such as this shouldnt be giving out different information on hours and get guests hopes up. I came to LA exclusively to come here for my partners bday.I will return again in the future but maybe when I know what is being offered.
Wow, the decor is absolutely amazing and fabulous. This is a very imersive place. They do have signature drinks as well as a menu thats is great for sharing plates. It is on the pricy side tho. With one drink costing 20 bucks. Yes the glasses are cute and you are basically paying for the decor. But its not your everyday place. This is a place for celebration and to really dress up in your best Tiki wear. Lots of ares for great pictures but it is dim.
I love this place! They have 4 floors of bars and music. They have a cool tiki area with sweet tropical drinks and fun wall decorations (lets see if you can find it on your own). They have another area where they swing dance and thats where they probably have their salsa nights too. They whole place has a great atmosphere, and plenty of places to take pictures and order drinks. They have good food here too, excellent date spot.
Clintons is not well know by locals it is very extravagant and a whole adventure. ✨️3 floors to explore, taxidermy animals all over the place from bears, raccoons to a giant Buffalo 🐃 😀.✨️The atmosphere is like partying in a museum 😀, there is waterfalls, and seqouia trees mural all over the walls.✨️Including a massive Seqouia tree center stage on the main floor with a fireplace for ambiance.✨️during the day it is still a buffet to enjoy.I come here for my bday 🎂 celebration 🍾 and I love seeing my guests have a great time.
Wow. Just wow. This once rundown historic institution is now the most beautifully art-directed club in town. Three floors of crazy fun. Pay no attention to the website about reservations, because it makes no sense. Just show up on a Fri or Sat night around 11 and have a great time.Mi hijo and I found it on the way home from another club, went in and we were blown away. Awesome DJ, too. I have a great video of mi hijo singing along to a track.
For private events this place is cool. You get to freely explore all the hidden nooks and enjoy it without the massive party crowd. Although the chef has catered a fully vegan menu at before, I’d personally would stick to the drinks especially those in the hidden tiki bar. Obviously not serving the inexpensive food they would that gave them their fame back in the days, so expect downtown prices for the vibe. Every third Thursday there’s a ticket event for $10 that gets you in the door and lets you enjoy the rest of the venue. Want to bring my mom so she can point out how much it’s changed since their cafeteria days.Happy Munchies,@aVeganAndHer
Nice atmosphere, especially love the tree in the middle of the room. Goes up three levels and the swing dancing room was really cute. Nice place to sit down for a bit and watch the pros do their thing. The dj needs to play better music, most of the songs were kinda boring
WOW! WTH! Happened to Cliftons Cafeteria?I heard it was going through renovations and I thought hmmmm, it would be nice to restore its glamorous glory from the past.With its beautiful tropical trees in the front, the friendly staff but more than anything the. FABULOUS FOOD at affordable prices.But unfortunately whoever decided to remodel this historical cafeteria really did a horrible job. It not only changed and remodeled the place completely for the worse but it erased memories that meant a lot to many people.Its like dressing a beautiful swan in a broken down atmosphere with the worse possible clothes.Its unrecognizable and looks very cheap and sketchy.All of the electric lights and what not, can never add the class it once had. CLIFTONS CAFETERIAis just another casualty of a woke generation.Hope the new owner gets what he paid for.
Was really excited to go here on their grand grand reopening weekend during the Super Bowl weekend. Was always one of my favorite bars in Los Angeles and this has not changed. Cool vibes with 3 different stories, each of which has a different theme. Hung out mostly on the 2nd and 4th floors. Would highly recommend if youre looking for a spot with good drinks and good atmosphere with an open dance floor.
This place is sooooo cool!! It’s HUGE and three stories! Each level has a different thing going on. The dance floor/room is seen on all three levels which is so dope. There’s a huge tree in the center of the room. The third floor had a flapper/1920s thing going on with music. There’s also a bakery which was open even when we left around 130am. Took my boyfriend and some friends there for their first time and they loved it. So visually appealing and good atmosphere.
Never thought I’d be someone who’d leave a review on a nightlife establishment, but I hope this changes at least one person’s mind on visiting.Clifton’s is not the same!! That fun, charming, and somewhat quirky atmosphere no longer exists. What took its place is a generic bar that now charges $20 per person for entry (really??) and increases the price of drinks to $20 each.3 of my friends had their phones pickpocketed this weekend, and security refused to listen and became aggressive. Stay away!
Great atmosphere! Cafeteria style dining, with an outta this world decor. A bit pricey, but pretty good food and a lot of choices. Dont forget to ask about the tiki bar. There is also a cool story about the neon in the basement. Definitely an iconic place to check out if youve never been.
One of the most unique bar experiences and certainly a great place to impress out of towners. Eclectic decore on each floor with great DJ and music! Highly recommend.
Crazy experience that everyone should try at least once in their life. Basically 5 themed bars rolled into one building. I loved the atmosphere and the performers. The drinks were pretty dang good dispite being really expensive. Id recommend the Monarch Mead from the Monach bar, The Curse of the Black Eye from the Gothic bar and The Zombie from the Tiki bar. Expect to pay 17 to 20 dollars per drink. They do make them relatively strong though.P.s. if you dont do well in crowded nightclub like spaces you might have problems here.Also parking in the lot accross the way is convenient but 20 bucks flat rate for the night dispite the misleading 10dollars on the weekend signs.
I was looking forward to showing my friends one of the bars here but it was closed for a private event and I saw no information online explaining this. It took like 45 minutes just to get one mediocre drink, and several options were out fairly early in the evening. I was pretty disappointed.
This place is so cool! I went here for the first time ever at night when it was lit up like a night club. So cool. The decorations are awesome I was very impressed. There is a huge multi story tree towering over the dance floor with chandeliers hanging from the branches like Christmas lights. We made it up to the top floor tiki bar which is like the VIP lounge. Each level had different music. We started at hip hop and ended dancing to oldies!
Ive been living in LA for a little over a year and a half and have been going out from Burbank to Long Beach to Santa Monica to Pasadena and more in that time. I went to Cliftons last Saturday night and it was the first time since being here in LA that I really felt I was out in LA! However, whats more important to me is the fact that I got pretty inebriated I will admit, and wrote in incorrect totals on my bills there (for more than I tipped, on three separate occasions) BUT, I was always charged only what was owed and what I tipped! Thank you for your honesty!Also, the vibe was awesome, the music was great, there are three levels (probably more, but I was too many levels myself), and the wait for drinks wasnt bad (if you couldnt tell already by my story, haha)! Finally, there was food right outside the door when we left AND I waited less than 10 minutes for a Lyft home! All in all, I will be back and I will be bringing people!
The downstairs bathroom could desperately use a remodel. The standard bar drinks are pretty decent but the tiki bar alcoholic drinks are light on the alcohol. The Atmosphere is very awesome and I love the fact that they have a live jazz band playing. Overall would recommend to go
Good food, good service, but the place just isnt the same as the old Cliftons. Gone are all the familiar faces from before. Not surprising considering how long they were closed for renovation. Lots of new stuff to look at though. The owner isnt kidding when calls it a Cabinet of curiosities . Lots of very unusual furniture and displays. Its worth eating here, just to look around and explore. The food is good. Typical cafeteria fare. I enjoyed the Grandmas meatloaf it was as good as I make it at home. Prices arent bad. If you get an entre alone, its only $7. Still, as some one who ate breakfast at the old Cliftons almost every day, its just not the same.
A must-see in LA! Great place for any event! Great atmosphere for birthdays, families or drinks with friends. Super family oriented, but has an even better night life/bar scene after 10. Love the options for food, but the different themed bars are my personal favorite and what really give this place such a unique flair! The customer service is exceptional and they really go above and beyond to make sure everyone has a great experience at Clifton’s!
Open Friday - Sat @ 6PM - 2AM.Arrive before the club kids. After 9pm the line starts outside & they charge a cover. Highly suggest arriving before so you can truly take in this historical LA staple.Est 1931 🎠
Cliftons is so cool!!! We showed up just after 8, super chill at that time, no line and no cover. Its nice and dark, theyve done an amazing job decorating. There are several levels with different themes, all really well done. You could just walk around and look at stuff all night and never get bored. I live in Phoenix and typically go to divey places, so the drink prices are higher than Im used to, but they were really good. The music was very cool, Nine Inch Nails mixed with the Beatles for example. They had swing dancing. It got much busier later, when we left at about 11pm, there was a long line outside. It seems like Cliftons is where its at! Cheers!
Very cool spot! The themed rooms are a lot of fun, especially since thats how they were back in the 30s-40s. Id like to come back for a tour. We got there at 7 and it was practically empty. By the time we left at 11:30 there were easily 100 people in line outside. So just show up early, eat dinner, then party.
Great service with nice, kitschy decor. It gets extremely crowded at night, so sit on the second or first floor if you want to be able to have a conversation. The bouncers, waitstaff, and bartenders are all top shelf, and the food is pretty great. Get the sliders and you cant go wrong. They make a good mixed drink.
Love this place, always have. Historical and has so much intriguing decor. Really brings a piece of L.As history to the public. I came here back in the 90s and early 2000 and now 2020. The only complaint I have is I wish they had kept the cafeteria going. They can definitely find a way to bring that back with the new bar/lounge setting that I also think is great. The artifice remains great and now has a gothic touch to it. Always recommended for newcomers and L.A visitors.
This place is okay. It wasnt really my style. The ambience was very laid back and chill. This is a good place if youre looking for something to socialize. I also felt the drink were very expensive for the amount that they serve. I reccomend this place if youre looking for a casual night out, but if you want to dance and have fun I would go elsewhere.
Such a fun place with many curiosities to explore. Its a dynamic atmosphere with different types of music on different floors, and a fun for all. Great, friendly vibe, all ages. Theres something for everyone. The cafeteria is closed for remodeling and will reopen sometime next year.
Fantastic club with multiple dance floors and multiple areas including a tiki bar, a jazz performance area (with live band), and other more modern music areas. Drinks are reasonably priced. The wait outside is not usually too long no matter how popular the place is. Would recommend.
I really wanted to love this place, great setting awesome environment. Unfortunately it took an hour to get fries and they were cold. The wait staff was lost, no napkins or utensils. Ive been to similar places small bites finger foods, I get it not a restaurant, please napkins at least. The music or DJ was terrible there was no transition or flow.
Really good music! Came on a Friday night and we had so much fun! The drinks are a little expensive but they are made pretty well. The whole crowd was really cool, not snobby or pretentious... Everyone was having fun. Im really looking forward to go back! I must admit Ive been hearing some bad press every now and then but I was impressed.
Loved the eclectic environment! Great interior! The hidden Tiki Bar was extra fun! Loved the mermaid blowing bubbles on the boat! I had a delicious Pain Killer! Thank you Cliftons!
This place is expensive but youre paying for ambiance! Which it has in abundance, cute details abound inside including the worlds longest running neon sign!( Downstairs by the restroom). I had the burger and fries and it was only okay, had a nice experience all the same. Lovely, fun casual place.
I always have a good time at Cliftons. The venue is cool and kitschy, and each room has a theme. The bar is four stories with an atrium in the center and a tree reaching the highest balcony. Theres also a speakeaay behind a mirror ;) They play fun music at multiple floors, their drinks are crafted with care, and downstairs has a bakery. Be sure to get there a little earlier than 10p, because the spot is popular - rightfully so! - and the line can get long.
Crazy concept place to share a drink with family and friends during the day although I would say it really shines the best during weekend nights. The offer some of the best live jazz performances in the afternoons and if you can find the secret mirror wall door you can go up to the Tiki bar which has professionally prepared cocktails, each with their signature glass and served on the side of a 1920s motor boat straight out of the Great Gatsby! Great place to go and impress friends and family coming over to visit you in LA.
It is a very beautiful establishment went yesterday (Saturday) and its a club feel and a room that had swing playing with a live band which was awesome! The rest outside of that room was okay the dj repeated a few song no real diversity as far as the music went it was a bit boring and I kept hearing people say the music is lame, boring, repetitive etc. First I had been here and it was chill but if thats the only music they play Im not excited to go back but I would for the drinks those where delicious!
I went here yesterday with a group of people. Starting off with a 20$ entrance fee. No cash because of covid. What type of club ONLY accepts debit and credit. The aesthetic of the place is on point. They sold food for a certain time and music as well. The bathrooms were trash. Some of the toilets didn’t flush and there was no LIGHTS (kinda pitch black) the “main” dance floor was pretty small. You can barely move around. There was a bar in each floor. There was point where I felt claustrophobic and the fact that THEY DIDNT HAVE AC WAS TRASH! We were all sweating so much. The dj was alright it wasn’t popping they played retro music and barely of reggaetón as well as old school music …probably not coming back there’s better clubs out there. This isn’t one of them.
Imagine that a natural history museum, your grandfathers old office, and a nightclub got hit by a meteor, then a volcano shot up through the wreckage and everyone kept partying.That is Cliftons.The only complaint I have is that the place needs a review of how the actual operations of the bars work. I spotted a lot of staff going above and beyond to cover tasks that should have been handled for them, and the way they billed at some of the bars was very inefficient and labor-intensive. I feel like if they broke the staff into brigades and everyone knew exactly what they were doing, with one person on registers all the time, they could get a lot more drinks sold.
Great food quality. If the chicken strips are available, get them with the roasted vegetables. They are great but the only complaint is that portion size is fairly small. I would need to order 2 servings to be full. The decor is also cool if youre a tourist.
I had my hopes pretty high for this one and they were a little let down, but this is still an amazing establishment. There was a live jazz band in the library and they were awesome. The space itself was difficult in this room ... There are small tables that make it hard to stand without being in the way and pillars blocking the view of the dance floor and band, but there were some people that really knew how to dance to the music and they were fun as heck to watch. The other main room is a night club setting with a giant, what I assume to be fake, tree growing out of the center of it. The space itself was amazing, but the music was all from 10 years ago. I preffer a more current selection of music and that is a very large part of my experience. The crowd was loving it though. I would avoid upstairs in this room. People crowd the balcony and then security comes and moves everyone back and then there isnt really space to enjoy. The balcony is a safety concern so I understand, but the staff was very agressive. Not just security, there seemed to be a strong handed culture to the entire team. When all is said and done the venue is super unique and cool, but wasnt really my speed, I ended up at the Edison which had a similar unique feeling and better music and better space.
This is a great Brazilian steakhouse. Even the restroom is good! Its on the second floor of a building.Great service and very friendly waiters.They have a small card that is red on one side and green on the other.The green side is for if you want the meat the waiter brings to your table.The red side is for if you dont want what he brings to your table.They have Brazilian style grilled pineapple for dessert.
The food here is top of the line. These are chefs, not cooks. A must stop when in Los Angeles. Although a review mentioned thefts here I never had that happen to me nor anybody else I know that comes here because of the excellent security staff. Thefts can happen anywhere. Example, a couple I know was visiting the SaMo pier earlier this month and he had his wallet picked from his pocket. The lowlife thief was never caught nor was the wallet ever found.
I’m giving only 1 star because of their valet service in hopes Clifton’s will not do business with Advance Valet service anymore. If you’re reading this, please DO NOT USE Clifton’s valet!The valet driver dropped my car key down the elevator shaft. This valet driver and his boss were no help whatsoever. I had to leave my car overnight and Uber homed. Next day I had to pay outta my pocket to get my car back to my house and buy my key fob because the boss of the valet wouldn’t do anything when I asked him. The boss wasn’t cooperating but he said he’d pay for the key fob. Now that I sent him the receipt to get reimbursed, he’s ignoring my calls and texts.I’ve tried to get into contact with Clifton’s but they too are not responding. Spreading the awareness of the negligence that Clifton and their valet service have for the guests cars.
HORRIBLE service!!!! Totally outrageous. Six phone WERE STOLEN while we were partying there last night and the did NOTHING to solve it. They said that they had called POLICE and we waited for 2 hours. Suddenly, they closed the bar and six people without phones. Humiliating!
Super cool place. Has several floors, each floor has a bar and the top floor is a Tikki bar. The decor is really pretty. Good drinks as well.
It used to be better years ago. They are charging $20 cover fee after a certain time. Also, the drink I had at the Tiki bar was watered down and with the LA price tag.
Omg! I was recommended this place by a friend, and Im a huuuuge fan. We went here on a Saturday night to go out dancing, and its huuuge and amazing. We got there late, at about 11.30, and had to stand in line for about 10 minutes, which was fine! The first floor has a lot of gross taxidermy that is still kind of funny, and then the second and third floors are like, pure dancing! They have a 20s room with a cutesy live band, but the main area is just a club, and they play general hits, which is fun to dance to. Up another floor is the tiki room, which I dont think has a dance floor, but we wanted a place to sit down for a bit, and there were plenty of seats and tables available. Its reaaaaally hot EVERYWHERE, so dont wear long sleeves or anything. Theres also no outdoor smoking area or anything, so you cant go outside to cool down. We only got vodka drinks, and they were reasonably priced- I think other drinks would be more expensive.But ya great place, great vibe, cool place to go out if youre in your 20s or so. The 20s style room definitely has an older crowd, but most people seem to be about 20-25.
Im attending a tech conference, and one of the happy hours were hosted here. I cant speak to the price since it was open bar, but the quality of drinks and the atmosphere was amazing. The staff calmly handled the huge crowd for the night, without risking quality of drinks. No ingredient was missing, and presentation was spot on. I love the vibe inside, like an adult Rainforest Cafe without the creepy animatronics. Would go to again when Im in DTLA next.
Stopped in for a drink before a show at the palace ! Giovanni bartender super nice! Made a great drink ! cool place will come back with friends for dancing
This place is great. There’s an old fashioned style cafeteria with classics like green jello and mac and cheese. There are also salads and veggies too. The club itself is really big. Stop and see the taxidermy, especially the buffalo! There’s even a hidden tiki bar upstairs with luau performances. They have live music too!
Awesome adventure. Tip ... come for dinner and then stay. The line is impossibly long on weekend nights. Definitely worth the visit. Lots of hidden secrets... try to find them all. Food is average ... got to wait a long time for the pastas at the grill... they are made to order. Pricy but worth the visit. Swing dancing and live swing band nights are a must. Definitely recommend this place!
My go to for night life! There are different areas in the club depending on your mood. The main room (when I have gone) plays top 100s and gets really lit. There is a goth bar upstairs and a really cool jazz room as well. There is also a speakeasy in the place that is tiki themed. It is really a great venue! Drinks are priced fairly and if you eat there, you can get a cheap drink! Recommend both the food and the club/bar
We had a really fun night and the different rooms/ music made the evening more enjoyable. The only downside would be the audio for the four floors was rocky; I believe the music was only coming from two large speakers and came across as somewhat crackly but still a minor set back for a really enjoyable night!
Shame on the business owners and customers who are unaware of the past and act as though they know more than others. You have stolen the memories of many people who used to come here with their families for breakfast or lunch on weekdays and weekends in exchange for a few dollars and exposure. This is a great illustration of gentrification in action. I used to come here as a child in the late 1980s early 1990s and as a young adult in my twenties. Bring back the old Cliftons Cafeteria... Oh yeah, its probably too offensive for the new customers to the see the clientele that made up Cliftons before remodeling took place.
Amazing transformation. I used to go here when it was basically a cafeteria. Its brought back to its old glory. I didnt eat, but stopped in to look, and had a perfectly crafted drink. Its worth it to go here, if not to just look around. Such a great job they did! ***Make sure to pass through the mirrored door!
Wow !!! Beautiful crowd. Amazing drinks. Beautiful bartenders ( ladies ) lol amazing atmosphere! Definitely will heading back soon. Good diverse crowd and amazing music 🎶 good job team
I previously gave this place 5 stars because it was a wonderful place. It was a great place my family took me to when I was younger and I was excited about the renovation they made. The new atmosphere and food was amazing. I moved away and come back 3 years later to find theyre closed during the middle of the day. And that they turned it into a hipster night club!!! Im completely infuriated and disappointed in what its become now. What a waste of a trip here.
My aunt would bring me to this restaurant often when I was a little girl. It was nice back then.. Now I want to take my family and let my children experience it, but after reading the reviews good and bad. I realize that it turned into a nightclub. I’m I right? Is this only a night club for 21 and over?I also saw they open until Thursday and until 6:00pm .. my kids have summer vacation and want to take them on Tuesday for lunch .. I live 3 hrs away, just want to make sure it’s no longer a family restaurant so I won’t take the long drive 😬
I use to come here as a little girl, we use to go almost every weekend, the food was great. Cliftons closed for a couple of years and when we went back it wasnt the same, the food wasnt really that great, even the cooks that i grew up seeing in the kitchen werent there anymore 😔 sad to say that this place, the food and the atmosphere isnt the same anymore, they should of just kept this building as history with all its pictures and decors it use to have, too bad I wont be going to this place to enjoy the delicious food they use to serve 😭 oh well!
What a fun spot! The decor is something else. Go in for that if nothing else. They dont have a very great selection for gluten free people, but its fun all the same, and they do have a nice salad.Its a downtown classic, and everyone should go.
Really liked visiting this place. Went for the tour and got to see the Tiki Bar on said tour. The tour guide was wonderful, funny, informative and amazing. Very nice. The food was good. The wait for the food took awhile, but, that was because in the salad aisle, a woman was ordering chicken with her salad and was very particular with what she wanted on said salad and there was only 1 person at that moment doing it. But then, he had help come and quickly moved the line. The other was where they had hamburgers,fries, pot pies (chicken and turkey and both ran out) and vegan meatloaf (which was good, BTW).Drinks (bottled as well as fountain and alcohol and FYI, Coke products for fountain drinks so, if you are a Pepsi girl like I am, just get bottle or tea or lemonade or whatever). Soup was very good (tomato). With the small salad, meatloaf veggies (sauteed baby carrots), soup and chocolate cake (which was the only thing I did not like because it was dry as all hell, not moist at all and was sad I paid about $5 for that extra sweet, very dry cake and not a pie) came to the price of $34.71. Kid you not! You pay for the experience mostly. And some decent food (sans the extra dry chocolate cake).Would I visit again? Maybe. Maybe for the Tiki Room (which I was told opened at 6pm with no reservations).Other than that, its historical and worth visiting.
Cliftons is always a great spot to meet friends, host events like birthdays, and just have a good time all around. There are somewhere around 5 different bars, each themed differently, and are always worth checking out if you dont have a table reserved. The staff are nice, but the line is unbelievably long anytime after about 10-11pm. There is a cover charge so beware of that, and dont bother with the coat check at the moment - theyre a hot mess right now lol.
One of my fav bars in LA. Love the unique twists of the different bars in each floor (Tiki Bar is my fav). Good DJs on the weekend. They do have a cover but its always good times.
My favourite place in LA! The food was okay, but the main attraction for me was the building itself. I ran about like a kid in a candy store to admire the decor and atmosphere long before I sat down for a meal. If ever I visit LA again Ill be sure to make another visit here.
Really rude bouncers kicked my friend out for wearing shorts. Ive gone in the with shorts before and it was fine. They waited for us to get to the very front after 20 minutes to tell us this. Would not recommend. Any other bar is better.
This place is pretty darn cool. They have multiple floors which include the welcomeish area and hip hop floor. I then went upstairs to the oldies area which is 40s themed where they had swing dance lessons.The swing floor is pretty cool with a small portable bar and a large bar on the other side which over looks the hip hop floor. They had a live bandThe top floor was the coolest which was a tiki themed bar area. That floor was super cool and they had all kinds of speciaty drinks and a live dance show every few mins.
I am 54 years young and my grandmother took me and my sister to Cliftons for lunch when we were little girls. Chicken and rice was our favorite. I will FOREVER LOVE Cliftons. So happy theyre reopening. Brings back great memories😊
This is pretty much the coolest place I’ve ever been. Any time I visit I have an absolute EXPERIENCE and completely immerse myself in the alternate reality that is Cliftons. I’ll never forget my first visit here, with surprise and delight at every corner. I recommend going in a group, and dressing in something that makes you feel funky, slightly fancy, and vibey. Have funnn ;)
One of my favorite bars I’ve been to so far in LA. Went on a Friday night for a friends bday party. We started downstairs where the DJ was killing it, not all top 40 trash.Made our way upstairs slowly but surely, stopping in the jazz room(full live band) which is classy af. Finally made it all the way up where I had a Painkiller that really tickled my fancy. Even caught the hula girl dancing to a live piano.Can’t wait to be back.
We were met with friendly staff and were even given free food as a promotion, which was delicious. Love the theme and the ambiance. I definitely plan to go again when everything is fully open.
Very nice place, extremely bougie. Expect to pay 10 for q glass of beer with tip included, and 15ish for a well drink. With the line around the block, it seems like the place to be, honestly, its absolutely beautiful, I personally dont feel the drinks should be that expensive because of the flow of people coming through, it seems as if the owners have taken advantage of the public, rather than keeping a place as close to the way it was back in its early days #hipster
Came here for drinks. They were good. The style of the place wasn’t really something I’d choose but my date thought it would be a good choice for drinks before heading for dinner and yes I agree with it being a quiet spot for drinks. Or at least it was mostly empty when I went there.
What made the difference at this club is the décor and the layout. Song selections could have been better. Drinkware is nice.
Loved the ambiance and music selection, can take a while to order your drink though you end up sobering up by your next one
Cool concept for a bar with good food. Theres a secret door behind a mirror to the tiki room. But if youre a tourist like me, be aware that this is no longer a cafeteria style restaurant. It was bought by new owners and converted into a bar, so some of the photos on Google are not accurate anymore.
Best bar in LA. Such a unique experience. Any time someone visits us from out of town, we always take them to Clifton’s. Each floor is different and has so much character. Truly a gem.
Quite a strange place. While waiting in line for it to open, a lady mentioned that it used to be a nice neighborhood cafeteria. Now it definitely feels like it has gone upscale hipster kitsch with pricey ($14) cocktails. There is a huge tree in the middle, and all of the seating areas are a little different with different style chairs and table -- lots of wood. My friend was quite bothered by her allergies while we are in there, to the point that I thought we were going to have to leave. Not sure if that is normal. They have magic hour, which is, in fact, magical. You can get one of their beers on tap for $4 and add on a pre-selected cocktail for something like 35 cents! The pre-made cocktail was even pretty decent.
Cliftons live up to my expectations! Ive known about this place for a long time and always wanted to check it out. The Tiki bar on the third floor was great, the Art Deco themed parlor on the second floor was a lot of fun too. its a greta place to explore whether youre there to party at night or for a bite to eat during the day. Drinks were reasonably priced but we did have to pay a $10 cover fee, despite the website saying it was free entry before 10pm.
Please avoid this place at all costs if you have a large party!!!! We made a reservation for the upstairs Pacific Seas room for 9 people for Saturday. In which case, we were given a table with a private host and freedom to bypass the front line. When we got there, things were ok until our server Kaylie was assigned to our table. We ordered drinks which took forever to come by. She left us water on our table but then took it away, and when we complained - left it back. Every 20 minutes, they kept taking our drinks that were still half away from our table. We complained about it, but they just brushed it off. I get the feeling they were trying to increase our tab deliberately so they could make more money. In addition, we had issues with our party getting in even though they were on the list. It wasnt a crowded night by any means, and we tried to add a few more people to the reservation. They made a big fuss about it and kept threatening to increase our minimum bar tab. At the end of the fuss, they didnt end up increasing it and we spent well over the amount. We left after a few hours because we were over it. Take my advice and never go back.
We went on a odd Sunday where almost ever floor was closed off and there was only one bar open. Wasnt impressed with the bartender that night but we enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Might be better on a Friday or Saturday but dont come on slow days. The jello REALLY is good :)
Three Story Bar, very unique setting filled with taxadermi animals and even a waterfall. The bottom floor plays dance music, middle floor has a jazz club with live music, and the top floor is a Tiki Bar, seemed like they were playing salsa music in the Tiki bar rather then anything tropical-esque. Not a very casual place, drinks are expensive and the crowd is young. Its a cool place to see. When its not busy there are many places to sit, but when it IS busy prepare to feel like a sardine. No re-entry and no patio so smokers beware.
I really dislike the fact that they are using the location and name Cliftons, which is a Los Angeles classic and served so many in the cafeteria style. Now, this place is nothing like it and doesnt serve the Los Angeles community but is opportunists.
Came out here a while back with some friends from NYC.Place is chill with live bands, lots of seating areas, bars with good drinks.Venue - Large venue with 2 stories. I bit confusing at first trying to figure out whats where.Crowd - Mature older crowd.Prices - Typical L.A. prices a bit on the higher side.Parking - Its L.A gotta look for those parking lots thatvyou pay by the day.Overall chill place and would come back again.
I showed up to get my credit card at 11:30 and they told me I would have to come back at 2am or 5 days later because the couldnt get a manager to help me. The security told me I should cancel my card.It doesnt matter how busy yall are, you need a system to get people their credit cards back in a reasonable amount of time.Also the $17 cocktail I had was bland and the whole place smelled like urine.
Great place for an evening visit. The redone Cliftons has many rooms to explore. For those of you that dont know, it is really a night club, not so much a cafeteria like it used to be. Make sure to check out the secret Tiki bar. There used to be another hidden bar downstairs but it appears to be closed now.
I remember my mother took me and my older brother to Cliftons in 1978 and she told us when you go in this place youre going to be surprised by the decor so dont freak out boy was she right the decor was entertaining and the food mind blowing I still remember that Meatloaf and I love to come there again
Love the revitalization going on downtown. Lobe that the former incarnation of Cliftons Cafeteria hasnt been erased...love the concept of a variety (4? 5?) of bars in one large location, all with different themes. Tiki bar had fun vibe with surf band and dancers.
You ever wanna get hammered with your friends next to a giant tree inside? This place will EXCEED your expectations.Lots of places to sit, fancy venue, really nice security, mfs from all over the damn world. This place is lit asl trust me
I went to Cliftons last night for my friends birthday party. I moved to LA four months ago from New York and still have my New York drivers license. When I got to the door the bouncers looked at my ID and told me it was fake. They all took turns looking at it and then laughed at me when I asked them not to bend it. I had no idea that this was how you checked as I have NEVER had an issue before. I understand the importance of checking ID, but I find it rude that there are no rules in place for out of state IDs. Its an old drivers license because it hasnt expired yet. I am 25 years old and that was my driver license. It was not fake, and I am not underage. I was embarrassed in front of all my friends and very upset as I was so excited to spend the night with friends at this bar. I ended up leaving and dont plan on returning as I dont find this an acceptable way to treat people. I shouldnt have to carry my passport around to prove my age, my ID should have worked. It works everywhere else. Train your bouncers how to act and how to check ALL IDS. I pray that other people from out of state feel more accepted than I did last night.
Im completely disgusted. You have turned what Clifton family originally established into a den of theives. No more hospitable comfort food just a place to take folks hard earned money and all in the name of the owners greed. You have trashed history and the Clifton namesake to fill your bank.
This an amazing, fun, historical place for food. The portions are big, which makes it hard to try everything. So far each dish we have tried has been quite good. They have wine by the small and 750 ml bottle. There is also a full bar on the second floor. Somewhere there is a hidden entrance to a Tiki Bar.Before you leave, check out the oldest continuingly operating neon light in the basement.
Great place to just get down and boogy on a weekend night. My favorite thing about Cliftons is the variety inside! From secret bar upstairs to seeing dancing floor in front of a live band to good old fashion DJ and dance floor on the first level, theres something for everyone here! As long as youre not a wallflower.
This place tries to be both an upscale restaurant and a bar. It achieves neither well, but excellent location guarantees customers, so it will probably stay this way. It has a huge 3 stories space with some meh decor. OK tap beer selection.
So much fun! Always a good time here. Everyone should experience this place dress up a little theres many different floors theres swing dancing where they teach uou on another floor also and there is different music on each floor. They have snacks and giod drinks and taxidermy all over. The entire insode is built around a tree its such a rad set up! Worth going at least once !
Best! I used to stop by for the elegant cafeteria style dining and of course the history of this gorgeous venue. Plan a night to enjoy in DTLA and do not pass up visiting this spot with friends!
Im not sure what part of Cliftons is the Republic. I know that I went to the Gothic bar with my wife, and had a fabulous drink called the Two Rays. It was just great. My wife went upstairs with me to the tiki bar, and she had the blue Hawaii. She completely loved it. After we sat next to a fake tree and enjoyed our time together and our wonderful drinks, we departed. We would go back again. The tiki bar seems like a lively. I Imagine that for the under 40 year old crowd, its great. My wife and I preferred the laid back vibe of the Gothic bar
There set up isn’t that great,especially if you have to wait on others in your group to get there food,due to the different line lengths in different sections. Also the food wasn’t that flavorful,but the eating area was very nice,quiet and lovely. Wouldn’t recommend for a date,it’s not what I would recommend to people but it’s a very cool place to say you’ve been to.
- Address:648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
- Site:https://cliftonsrepublic.com/
- Phone:+1 213-613-0000
- On-site services:Yes
- Dine-in:Yes
- Delivery:No
- Takeaway:No
- Great bar food:Yes
- Live music:Yes
- Live performances:Yes
- Quiz night:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
- Alcohol:Yes
- Beer:Yes
- Cocktails:Yes
- Dancing:Yes
- Food:Yes
- Food at bar:Yes
- Happy-hour drinks:Yes
- Spirits:Yes
- Wine:Yes
- Seating:Yes
- Toilets:Yes
- Wi-Fi:Yes
- Wi-Fi:Yes
- LGBTQ+ friendly:Yes
- Transgender safe space:Yes
- Debit cards:Yes
- NFC mobile payments:Yes
- Credit cards:Yes
- Good for kids:Yes
- Free of charge street parking:Yes
- Paid multi-storey car park:Yes
- Paid parking lot:Yes
- Paid street parking:Yes
- Valet parking:Yes
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