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
I got upstairs to the Brookdale Ballroom about half a song into the first set to see a sparse dance floor with only two or three couples dancing and more leaders than follows. It was looking like a “bring-your-own-partner” night at this point. But, I was later proven wrong.
As the evening progressed, many more people showed up. And, the lead/follow ratio flipped big time (so follows, get there early if you want to dance a lot).
The Brookdale Ballroom
By the second set, the dance floor was absolutely packed with dancers of all skill levels, from dance instructors down to flailing 20-somethings just having a good time. Many Swing regulars who go to Joe’s Bar showed up alone and had no problem finding people to dance with!
At times, it reminded me of the Derby – and I mean that in a good way: a real nightclub with amazing ambiance packed with dancers and non-dancers both having a great time to fantastic live music.
I can’t guarantee that Clifton’s will always have this many dancers on every Swing night; the Feetwarmers are definitely one of the most popular bands. But, I do say that Clifton’s is a legit Swing dance venue, among many other things! So, if you haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend checking it out!
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.
Certain weekend nights with band starting at 9:30PM
Cost
$20 entry gets you four tokens. Use them to enter the Brookdale Ballroom
Crowd
Beginner and regular Swing dancers with lots of non Swing dancers around (don't resent them too much - they buy drinks and pay the bills). 21 and over.
Dress
Nightclub attire; there is a dress code at Door Manager's discretion
Floor
Small wooden dance floor, or you can dance on the carpet
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