Tiki culture has truly been witnessing a national rebirth. While cocktail menus across the country have been flowing with rum-spiked drinks and things on fire, the upcoming arrival of The Pacific Seas to Downtown’s iconic Clifton’s should provide a strong new anchor for the movement in Los Angeles.

After many years away, Andrew Meieran’s upcoming bar The Pacific Seas seems to have been well worth the wait. In one sense the return of the Tiki-tinged drink destination has been decades in the making — an original location under the Clifton’s banner ran until the 1960’s — but soon the second-story option will tuck into the reborn Clifton’s Cafeteria in Downtown for all to enjoy.

Some touches are preserved from Tiki classics like Bahooka and Trader Vic's

Concocting a beautiful scene filled with ornate Polynesian-inspired details, the dim bar will offer all the modern luxuries bar-goers have come to expect, but in a transported time capsule that harkens back to the postwar era with glee.

Rattan and bamboo detail work from artist "Bamboo Ben" Bassham frames the low and glowing room, while leafy palm fronds and lots of hanging lights fill in the darker corners. There’s an endless amount of kitsch on the walls to enamor yourself too, from hand-carved wooden sculptures to black and white photos of men in uniform. Some of those touches have actually been preserved from other Tiki beloved Tiki classics like Bahooka and Trader Vic’s.

The two most thrilling elements of the place may well be the built-in wood-paneled speedboat that angles into the room from the bar, and has been returned to its gorgeously detailed glory. The other is a warm ocean sunset mural, hand-painted by artist Sammy Beam, that locks in one long wall. Both are big enough to control the room, but fit into the scene so seamlessly you may not remember how cool they are once you’re a drink or two in.

While the full menus are still being locked in, guests can expect classics like the Mai Tai, daiquiris, a Fog Cutter, and more, but likely with upgraded or rare ingredients more suited for the modern crowds. Food will come from Clifton’s overall chef Andrew Pastore and carry an expectedly seafood theme, from crab cakes to lobster dynamite to whole red snapper doused in lots of soy teriyaki.

The Pacific Seas opens later this month, with hours Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to midnight. Thursday through Saturday those extend to 2:30 a.m.

The Pacific Seas at Clifton’s Cafeteria

648 S. Broadway

Los Angeles, CA







