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Nightlife
It’s totally retro Palm Springs, especially after the sun sets and the glitterati come out to play. Sometimes the crowd is so pretty, we think they must be importing tan, long-legged, shiny-haired patrons. Sip the watermelon mojito while you dip your feet in the pool. On your way out, make a stop in the Starlite Lounge, inside the mezzanine opposite the lobby. You’ll feel like an A-list celeb.
Riviera Bikini Bar
(Under the thatched awning at the Riviera’s main pool)
1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-327-8311
Western hip. This isn’t a cowboy bar, but the wood-paneled interior and patio hangout invites a casual Western attitude. Maybe it’s because there are horses stabled nearby. The crowd is 21 to 80. The place has a youthful vitality, but everyone is welcome. Goldenvoice has selected it as a Coachella party site; partly because they can walk there from the festival site. Try the Tack Room Tavern Punch, and don’t miss live music on the weekends.
Tack Room Tavern
81-900 Avenue 51
Indio, CA
Amigo Room
(Inside the Ace Hotel)
701 E. Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760-325-9900
Fabulous wine bar located on the 12th floor of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Enjoy panoramic views of the desert lights and an extensive wine list with more than 65 selections including many unique varieties. Choose from wines by the glass, by the bottle or wine flights. Live jazz on Friday & Saturday nights.
12th Floor Lounge
(The top floor of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino)
84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy
Indio, CA 92203
800-827-2946
You’ll feel as though you’re inside a bona fide fire station with high ceilings, a concrete floor and sprawling wooden bar. The firehouse theme even includes artifacts dating back to the 1800s. On the weekends, expect to see a college-age crowd ready to kick back and enjoy some loud music. The sliders are one of the most popular items on the menu. Karaoke from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every Wednesday and live music on Friday and Saturday.
Firehouse
36-891 Cook St
Palm Desert, CA 92211
760-340-3222
This place will never be confused with a chic martini bar...but it’s not trying to be one, either. It’s grudgingly hip, like your older brother who turned out to be kinda cool. Desert dwellers, thirsty travelers and sports fanatics; are all there ready to mingle. With the world’s largest selection of draft beers, we can’t, in good conscience, endorse a cocktail. Don’t miss Happy Hour.
Yard House
(The River)
71-800 Hwy 111
Rancho Mirage, CA
Raucous fun, accompanied by the scent of slow-cooked mesquite BBQ and more stars in the night sky than you’ve ever seen before. Everyone’s there: cowboys, bikers, eclectics, even the occasional Grammy Award winner. Don’t try to get all fancy-pants. Order a beer and shot of whiskey and don’t miss the bands. The live music is the throbbing heart of this place.
Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace
(In the middle of Joshua trees and tumbleweeds)
53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown, CA
This place is like a mood ring. It changes all the time. One night will be hopelessly cool, while the next is all frenetic energy. Anyone could be here but there’s a good chance you’ll catch Robert Downey Jr. The bartenders excel at the Pimm’s Cup and other refreshingly old-school cocktails. After you order, take a stroll through the Parker’s stunning grounds.
The Parker Mini Bar
(Inside the Parker)
4200 E. Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-770-5000
This is the home of the desert grunge rock scene. John Stanley King used to live upstairs. But, they call it the Red Barn because, well, it looks like a big red barn. And who dresses up to go to a barn? This has been a locals bar for 40 years. You’ll see older locals during the daytime and younger locals when bands are playing. Don’t miss bands like Fatso Jetson, Dali’s Llama, Vic DuMont and Waxy. If you see a Coachella Valley band in Europe, it’s probably an alumnus of The Red Barn.
The Red Barn
73-920 Hwy 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-0191
Anything goes. Ride here on your bike, bring your dog, hold a ping-pong tourney. This is one place where you can chill without any pretentiousness with the creative class — artists, musicians, writers, designers, people in funny hats. Try The Figa, a fun fig-infused vodka with Earl Grey and honey tangerine and don’t miss the photo booth in the lobby.
Located inside the J.W. Marriott in Palm Desert, Costas is one of the Coachella Valley's hottest nightclubs. Dancing and drinks are the mantra here. Live DJs spin Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The dance floor usually gets pretty crowded so we suggest showing up early.
Costas Nightclub
(Inside the J.W. Marriott)
74855 Country Club Dr
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-341-2211
The Rock Yard is the rockin’ outdoor weekend party bar at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino featuring live musical tributes to legendary artists and performances by local bands. All shows are always live, always free and always outdoors.
The Rockyard
(At Fantasy Springs Casino)
84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy
Indio, CA 92203
800-827-2946
Schmidy’s Tavern is desert’s Irish Pub. A great spot for cheap drinks, friendly servers, live music and a laid-back atmosphere.
Schmidy’s Tavern
72286 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-837-3800
The Village Pub is a neighborhood bar for the locals and tourists to mingle. Live bands get the dance party started at 9 p.m. seven nights a week. On Wednesday nights the band does live Karaoke with those daring enough. Happy hour offers $2-3 drink specials. But the place is family-friendly too.
Village Pub
266 S Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-323-3265
Live entertainment Friday & Saturday night at the Old Town Cellar in Old Town La Quinta. They have selected an array of fine wines and cigars to take with you or to enjoy in the wine bar and offer a light menu that changes every Friday. In the season there are wine tastings every Saturday from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., with a different winery featured every week.
Old Town Cellar
78-015 Main St
La Quinta, CA 92253
760-771-8950
