Clifton’s Republic

How would I describe Clifton’s Republic in Downtown LA?  It’s a cafeteria, vintage bar, and kitschy “natural history museum” all rolled into one amazing multi-level building. It’s one of the last remaining vestiges of golden-age Los Angeles charm. It’s an amazing Swing dance venue as well!

History

Clifford Clinton opened Clifton’s Cafeteria on 648 S.Broadway in 1935. It’s the oldest surviving cafeteria-style restaurant in Los Angeles. Established during the height of the Great Depression, Clifford Clinton had his restaurant serve millions of meals for free to needy patrons, as well as to paying ones.

In 1938, Clinton re-decorated the facility, using the Brookdale Lodge in the Santa Cruz Mountains as inspiration.  He added waterfalls, murals, and trees to create the atmosphere.

Clifton’s reached the height of its popularity during the 1940s when there were lines out the door to get in.

In 1946, Clinton sold his cafeteria to his children and retired.

In 2010, Andrew Meieran, owner of the amazing Edison nightclub, purchased Clifton’s with plans to restore it to its former glory. He removed the hideous aluminum facade that was added in 1963. Known for being a perfectionist when it came to design, he finally opened the restaurant in October 2015.

The Venue

Clifton’s has five publicly-accessible levels: the basement and three regular floors, plus the Pacific Seas which has a separate line to enter. The fireplace-tree is the centerpiece on the second floor, extending up through the third floor.

The second floor features additional dining space, a small stream, the famous fireplace/tree centerpiece, and a vintage bar.


The third floor features the “Gothic Bar” on one end, and a huge 1930’s-era dining room (the Brookdale Ballroom) where the live performances happen on the other. In between is a vintage lounge area.

Walking around, you’ll immediately notice that Clifton’s is populated by a menagerie of taxidermied animals – actual animals that were stuffed.What do stuffed animals have to do with a cafeteria? I have no idea but I love it.

In short, Meiran has preserved both the classy and kitschy aspects of Clifton’s to create a charming forest oasis in the heart of downtown L.A.’s Broadway district.

Dancing in the Brookdale Ballroom

Swing dancing at Clifton’s happens at the Brookdale Ballroom on the second floor. The ambiance is incredible and it’s really fun to dance here.There’s a good-sized wood floor which is actually very good for dancing.

The Brookdale Ballroom hasn’t been as packed as it was pre-COVID, which means there haven’t been drunk people wandering onto the dance floor, and there is often plenty of space to dance.

Usually, there are some Swing dance regulars who show up. You often don’t need to bring your own partner, but if you want to be guaranteed some good dances, it’s safest to bring your own dance crew.

Of all of the remaining dance venues, the Brookdale Ballroom reminds me the most of the Derby in its heyday, albeit with a much smaller dance floor.

Logistics – Updated in November 2024!

Swing Dancing has returned to Clifton’s! Even with the cover, I think it’s a bargain to experience this amazing venue!

The latest word is that you pay $20 at the door for four tokens. You can use all four of these to enter the Brookdale Ballroom where the Swing dancing is, or you can use two for the Pacific Seas or two for drinks.

The great thing about this scheme is that pretty much only folks who want to Swing dance use their tokens for the ballroom, and that means the dance floor is clear of drunk people spilling their drinks on the floor!

There are several parking garages and lots in the area. The closest one is a converted old office building across the street above the Burlington Coat Factory. Cost is $16. There are cheaper options around if you’re willing to talk, but the neighborhood is not that great so I’d suggest just parking at Burlington.

For the most up-to-date information, see the Clifton’s Irregular Regulars FB Group.