The Closure of Clifton’s Republic: A Loss for Swing Dancing in Los Angeles

The Clifton’s Republic is officially closed indefinitely.

According to a new article in the Los Angeles Times, operator Andrew Meiron has “given up” on the massive downtown bar and restaurant space. Meiron originally purchased the building in 2010 and reportedly spent over $14 million restoring it. The property has now been sold, and the new owner is seeking a tenant.

Days before the Times article was published, members of the “Clifton’s Irregular Regulars” Facebook group posted closure signs posted on the front doors, along with a change-of-ownership notice. And before that, it had been months since Swing dancing was at Clifton’s. So the writing was on the wall.

What happens next is unclear—but it’s hard to imagine Clifton’s reopening anytime soon, much less returning as a swing dancing venue.

A Huge Loss for the Swing Dance Scene

Clifton’s was my favorite place to go swing dancing since the days of The Derby.

I love Swing dancing in an upscale nightclub environment, especially ones with a vintage vibe. Clifton’s wasn’t just a vintage bar, though. How would you describe it? Part natural history museum (complete with taxidermy and dioramas), part vintage bar, part Tiki room—and honestly, something entirely its own. I’m not sure there’s anything else like it anywhere.

Like the Derby, Clifton’s was also one of those rare places where non-dancers could stumble in and see real swing dancing happening live—sometimes for the first time. That kind of exposure is hard to replace.

And of course, there was The Edison—Meiron’s other downtown venue with its steampunk aesthetic and occasional swing nights—which quietly closed years ago. This feels like the end of an era.

The Reality of Downtown LA

In the Times article, Meiron points to the challenges of operating in downtown Los Angeles: vandalism, crime, rising costs, and a shrinking customer base. One example stood out—repeatedly spending $30,000 to replace windows after vandalism, with insurance either skyrocketing or refusing coverage altogether.

Honestly, I never felt completely safe parking at the Burlington Coat Factory and walking just across the street to Clifton’s.

Those are real challenges, and anyone running a large venue in DTLA right now is feeling them.

But Let’s Be Honest…

At the same time, many longtime fans felt that Clifton’s struggled with basic operational issues.

Communication was a big one.
It was often surprisingly difficult to find reliable information—hours, band lineups, cover charges, even whether the Brookdale Ballroom would be open. In many cases, you had to rely on posts from bands or DJs just to know what was happening.

That’s a big part of why the “Clifton’s Irregular Regulars” group was created—fans were filling in the gaps.

The no-cover model was another question mark.
As much as everyone loves free entry, it never quite made sense. Swing dancers routinely pay $25–$35 to dance in a Masonic lodge. Charging nothing for a space like Clifton’s felt like a missed opportunity—especially as alcohol consumption trends downward.

Toward the end, they experimented with cover charges, but by then it was probably too late (I think the most I ever paid was around $20).

Finally, the treatment of performers.
Clifton’s developed a reputation among musicians and DJs for being difficult when it came to payment—sometimes requiring significant follow-up just to get paid. That’s never a good sign for a venue trying to sustain a live music scene.

Final Thoughts

Whatever combination of factors led to this moment, it’s still a huge loss.

Clifton’s was one of those rare places where you could bring friends—dancers or not—and have a uniquely “Los Angeles” night. For me, it holds a lot of great memories: dancing, hanging out with friends, and just soaking in that incredible space.

I’m genuinely sad to see it go, and uncertain about what (if anything) could replace it.

What about you?
What did you think of Clifton’s? Did you ever dance there? What were your experiences like?

—Brian