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Pacific Seas, L.A.'s newest, most extravagant tiki bar, opens tonight

Written by
Erin Kuschner
Pacific Seas in Clifton's Cafeteria
Photograph: Michael JulianoPacific Seas in Clifton's Cafeteria
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Bust out your Hawaiian shirts and slip on a lei: L.A.’s storied tiki bar scene has gained a new member with Pacific Seas, a lavishly decorated tropical oasis on the top floor of Downtown’s Clifton’s Cafeteria. Opening to the public tonight, November 4 at 5pm, Pacific Seas has been a buzzed-about addition ever since Clifton's proprietor Andrew Meieran held a grand opening for the renovated iconic landmark.

Sammy Beam mural at Pacific Seas.
Photograph: Michael Juliano

And the space was worth the wait—tiki designer “Bamboo Ben” Bassham has created a wonderland of tiki paraphernalia, including decor from tropical stalwarts like the original Pacific Seas (a separate location in the Clifton’s chain), Bahooka, Trader Vic’s and Tiki Bob’s. After climbing a hidden stairwell, visitors will first run into a gorgeous, Art Deco-inspired mural hand painted by Sammy Beam—trust us, you’ll be seeing a lot of it on Instagram. Round a corner and you'll be inside the heart of Pacific Seas, where various nooks and crannies are decorated with blowfish lamps, Polynesian masks, model boats and captain's wheels. In one corner, a 1940s slot machine casts a glow onto intimate booths; at another end, an old Waterwitch outboard motor decorates a wall along with ornate compasses.

Pacific Seas tiki bar.
Photograph: Michael Juliano

A massive Chris Craft boat deck juts into the middle of the room and serves as one end of Pacific Seas’ bar, where you can find tiki favorites including a Trader Vic’s mai tai, fog cutter and daiquiri. There’s food, too: hoki poki platters, Bluefin tuna served in a pineapple shell, sweet jumbo crab cakes. And in keeping with the theatrical element, Pacific Seas will feature live entertainment, including Polynesian dancers, bands and DJs. 

A daiquiri at Pacific Seas.
Photograph: Michael Juliano

Pacific Seas isn't like any other tiki bar in L.A., and that will either appeal to you or it won't. It's not a dive (ahem, Purple Orchid). It's dark, but not dark enough where your eyes take a full five minutes to adjust after leaving (ahem, Tonga Hut). It's elaborate and extravagant in its design—if you've ever been to the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar in San Francisco, it has that similar, purposeful intent to transport you to another place entirely. But so does all of Clifton's, and if you're looking for a place that will produce "oohs" and "aahs" when you turn a corner, Pacific Seas does the job. 

Pacific Seas is currently open Wed 6pm-midnight, Thu-Sat 6pm-2am. Reservations can be made here

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