Los Angeles has had a long and boozy love affair withTiki bars , and now there ’s a young Polynesian paradise worthy of our affection that imbibe inspiration from multiple LA fable . The Pacific Seas , the much - anticipated new Tiki bar inside ofClifton ’s Cafeteria , is finally ready to fulfill your Tiki dreams this week – and it ’s totally been worth the wait .
cover away inside the historic Clifton ’s , you ’ll find incredible Tiki designs both new and sometime , Polynesian - inspired performance and food for thought , and of grade , top - notch Tiki cocktail – both classic and groundbreaking . The new space taps into the story of Clifton ’s original Pacific Seas eating house that opened in 1932 in Downtown LA , feature décor dedicated to the Golden Age of Travel from the long - gone slur as well as from retiring Tiki legends such as Bahooka , Trader Vic ’s , and Tiki Bob ’s .
You ’ll get to the bar via a secret staircase , and here ’s a stalker peek at what you ’ll run into there :
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Is that a full - sized time of origin Chris - Craft Venetian red speedboat project out from the bar ? Yes , yes it is … which Andrew Meieran , Clifton ’s possessor and refinisher - in - chieftain , explain was no easy feat to get into the fourth trading floor of the historic building on Broadway . While add his vision of the taproom to living was met with challenges along the means , he ultimately prevail , thanks in part to a talented Tiki squad he gather .
“ By far the biggest challenge has been finding hoi polloi who still retain the lost fine art of Tiki construction , ” Meieran explains . “ I was favorable enough to work with Bamboo Ben [ Bassham ] , who is one of the few the great unwashed in the world who exemplify not only the spirit of Tiki and Polynesian ethnical heritage ( his family is legendary and his knowledge unexceeded ) , but is a dependable crafter able to create authentic Polynesian structures and details . Sammy Bean , from the legendary Jim Beam family , is the most gifted muralist on the satellite . He was able to take inspiration from the fabled artifacts and dream - same surround and translate that into transportive imagination – a giving that embodies the true pith of Tiki and exotic saloon culture . ” Bean ’s sunset mural can be seen behind the Browning automatic rifle .
All throughout the bar , you ’ll encounter the workmanship of Bamboo Ben and Sammy Bean , as well as historical artefact that Meieran has roll up over the class , both from former LA Tiki favorites as well as places around the populace . “ The inspiration comes from a life-time of travel and castle in the air , ” Meieran say . “ I was lucky enough to travel extensively throughout my aliveness , and I ’ve collected many item from a immense array of exotic place . I want to capture the wonderment of travel , the whodunit of fresh places , and the horse sense of anticipation and astonishment one feel when they embark on a young adventure . I also want to capture the pleasure of dreaming of next jaunt and the experiences they might hold – without the need to leave Downtown LA ! ”
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This seems like a respectable spot to dream of succeeding alien excursions – peculiarly while sipping a Mai Tai .
As does this corner with its Tiki and Polynesian ephemera . “ The Pacific Seas is a place to house all the assemblage of my travels in a style that celebrates not only the point themselves , but the exploration that led to their find , ” Meieran explains . “ The design in centre celebrates the Golden Era of Travel – a time when the world opened up to geographic expedition and citizenry were first able to realize their most quixotic of dream . ”
Or you may want to adjudicate in for the evening at a table over here , especially once the resilient entertainment gets afoot , which Meieran says will let in Polynesian performers , bands , DJs , and the “ occasional mermaid . ”
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And you ’re probably wonder about those delicious Tiki cocktail …
While the full drink menu is still under wraps , you could expect classics designed to make you feel like you ’ve been whisked away to a tropical beach , including a Mai Tai that stays on-key to the original Trader Vic ’s recipe , as well as a Fog Cutter , a Pacific Seas Daiquiri , plus original in - house key signature formula .
Served from that Chris - Craft boat , and …
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… sometimes on fire , obviously .
While others might need a deep dive .
You ’ll also encounter a huge collection of rummy , including many hard - to - regain varieties …
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… as well as Art Deco Tiki visage , include one designed by cult legend “ The Pizz . ”
And in case you come overboard , this guy is here to throw you a life life preserver .
Should you get hungry while enjoying those Tiki cocktails – and you likely will – Clifton ’s chef , Andrew Pastore , has a new fare lined up just for Pacific Seas , which includes a Pineapple Hoki - Poki Platter with bluefin tuna served in a Ananas comosus shell along with compressed watermelon , Thai Basil of Caesarea , heirloom tomato skewers , wonton crisps , and truffle soy ponzu , and splendidly named bag like Lobster Dynamite , which features a boiled Maine lobster stuffed with scallops and Persea Americana ; or the Zombie Fish , a crispy whole red center with vegetables top off with spicy soy teriyaki .
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“ The food at Pacific Seas is heavily inspire by travels throughout the world , ” explains Pastore . “ It is not just a celebration of food , but a festivity of exploration and find of unique culinary traditions . The menu tote up to the experience by institute some remarkable sensory additions to the immersive environment . Do n’t expect the standard Tiki solid food . Expect to be surprised as you would be when you pretend into the populace to discover young and rattling things . ”
“ I ’m truly frantic about the issue of authoritative exotic bar cultivation to its cradle in Los Angeles , ” Meieran pronounce . “ The idea of being whisk away to romanticist aloof estate by simply stake out for a cocktail has mostly been lost for generations – a pariah leave adrift by changing taste and attitude . The Pacific Seas exemplify this misplaced tradition , and it ’s thrilling to see people once again transported to a earthly concern they consider only be in their dreams and resource . ”
We ’re pretty mad as well .
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