The Pacific Seas

Finding Your Way

Getting to Pacific Seas requires commitment. The main entrance at street level leads you through unmarked doors and up four flights of stairs. You pass through empty black rooms before reaching the Art Deco map room, where murals by artist Sammy Beam set the scene for the journey ahead. A mirrored door marks the final threshold. This theatrical approach weeds out casual drop-ins and creates a sense of arrival when you finally step into the tropics.

The climb matters. By the time you reach the top, downtown LA feels far away.

The Space

A 26-foot outrigger canoe dominates the main room, angled across polished floors as if it washed ashore and stayed. The bar runs along one wall with shelves displaying over 100 rum bottles. Bamboo Ben, grandson of legendary tiki builder Eli Hedley, crafted the carved elements and thatch work that cover the ceiling and walls. His work shows restraint where modern tiki bars often pile on excess.

Seating ranges from bar stools to low tables surrounded by cushioned ottomans. Private nooks offer seclusion, including a raised platform with table service where hula dancers or DJs perform Friday and Saturday nights starting around 9:30. The lighting stays dim throughout. Natural light never penetrates the covered windows. Time becomes irrelevant.

Look closely at the decor. Many pieces came from Bahooka, the San Gabriel Valley tiki institution that closed in 2013. Other artifacts reference the original Pacific Seas on Olive Street, which operated from 1932 to 1960 before becoming a parking lot. The collection feels curated rather than purchased in bulk.

Drinks and Details

The cocktail menu leans on classics. Mai tais arrive with house-made orgeat, fresh lime, and a blend of Jamaica and Martinique rums. Scorpion bowls get lit on fire tableside. Presentation matters here. Drinks come in vintage tiki mugs, treasure chests, and elaborate vessels that justify the premium pricing.

Some cocktails are batched, which means popular selections can run out during busy weekend service. Going off-menu carries risk. Stick with the classics or ask your bartender for guidance. The staff knows their rum and can steer you toward combinations that work.

Small plates complement the drinks. Expect seafood preparations, wontons, and shareable items designed for grazing rather than dinner. Come here to drink. Eat before or after somewhere else.

When to Visit

Thursday through Saturday, 7 PM to 2 AM. Weekend nights fill up. Reservations help but walk-ins can usually find space earlier in the evening. Arrive at opening for the quietest experience. After 10 PM, the music shifts from ambient electronica to club tracks and the crowd multiplies. That transformation works for some visitors and ruins the experience for others.

The venue has weathered multiple closures since opening in 2016. COVID shutdowns, plumbing disasters, and operational challenges have caused interruptions. Check their Instagram before making plans to confirm they’re actually open. Random closures still happen.

What Works

Pacific Seas succeeds when other tiki bars feel artificial. The salvaged artifacts carry history. The craftsmanship shows in details that couldn’t be faked cheaply. The rum selection runs deep enough for serious collectors. And the location inside Clifton’s means you can explore other bars and lounges in the same building without going back outside.

The theatrical entry sequence either enhances or exhausts depending on your mood. The dark stairwell climb through empty rooms creates atmosphere but also creates barriers. Some visitors love the speakeasy mystique. Others find it annoying after a long week.