Clifton's Republic

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!

Awful. They forced us to wait in line for hours just to close off the club and let a huge private party in. For a private event. They definitely knew that they were not going to let us in but kept us in line for the "visual effect" of a busy club letting in a vip party.

Ended up waiting in line just to have to go home.

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!!!!!!!

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

4 floors, beautifully designed bars in Clifton. My personal favorite cocktail was the Chi Chi Galore in the tiki room.

Minus 2 stars for the following reasons:
- entitled, rude staff.

- BEWARE of coat check. They gave me the wrong ticket (idk how that could happen) and wouldn't give me my coat back until a very long argument.

- now Clifton's charging a $20 cover charge after 9PM. And they had the audacity to ask for tips on top of the cover charge

- overpriced drinks ($20 average)

To summarize, be prepared to spend $$$ if you're going to Clifton's. But a great night regardless.