Get Ready to Paint the Town With a Trip to These Hotspots!
Greater Palm Springs is known and celebrated for its wide range of LGBTQ-friendly restaurants and bars that offer a welcoming atmosphere for people of every sexuality. There is something for everyone, and that’s what this diverse destination is all about. Below are 10 LGBTQ-friendly bars in the region of Greater Palm Springs to check out on your next visit! Gay Bars Palm Springs
Toucans Tiki Lounge
Toucans Tiki Lounge is an energetic island oasis in Palm Springs. As you reach the city on Highway 111, the lounge is the first bar you come across and the last one you stop at on your way out. It’s also home to the longest running drag show in Greater Palm Springs, with weekly events like Latin Fever Monday. “We are known for our music, DJs and sound system,” says manager Mike Marinelli-Spain. Check out the tiki menu and try a Reach Around—made with Three Olives mango vodka, watermelon pucker, orange juice and a squeeze of lime—or go for one of their delicious margaritas! “People ask for the margs skinny—we tell them all of our margaritas are skinny,” Marinelli-Spain says. Every margarita at Toucans is made with tequila, lime juice, agave nectar and orange juice for color. When you’re in the mood for dancing and good music, Toucans is your bar.
Toucans Tiki Lounge
2100 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.416.7584
Gay Bars Palm Springs
Streetbar
Streetbar hosts karaoke Sunday through Wednesday, so you’ll have time to belt out every one of your go-to songs. Pop into Streetbar for a fun and laid-back atmosphere with colorful and retro decor. Order a drink from any of the classics or be inspired by the daily happy hour on “Top Shelf Specials” like Grey Goose, Jack Daniels and Patron. Take note of the chandelier, which is often decorated in unique and exciting ways around holidays and celebrations!
Local Insight: Streetbar is cash only, so hit up an ATM before you drop in for drinks.
Streetbar
224 E Arenas Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.320.1266
11/10
Hunters Nightclub
Hunters Nightclub is the party spot in Palm Springs. With cabaret, karaoke and an eight-hour happy hour, little is left to be desired. Come for the strong drinks and stay for the music and dancing. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the beauty of Palm Spring inside and help keep the energy on the patio just as exciting as it is on the inside. This high-energy nightclub is no stranger to fun and unique events. Check Hunters Nightclub’s website for special events! Order bottle service for VIP treatment or your favorite cocktail during happy hour, and party the evening away.
Hunters Nightclub
302 E Arenas Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.323.0700
Gay Bars Palm Springs
Chill Bar
Chill Bar is exactly what its name implies: a chill bar with a large outdoor non-smoking patio and open spaces. Drop in on “Sunday Funday” for drag brunch and $7 drink specials. Come dance to the high-energy music, enjoy go-go dancers and hourly stripteases (on some nights), or catch a drag show and be wowed by a rotating cast of queens. As you enjoy the festivities, be on the lookout for trays of delicious Jell-O shots!
Chill Bar
217 E Arenas Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.676.9493
11/12
QUADZ
Brush up on your show tunes because at QUADZ, everybody sings along and you can belt out your favorite numbers from all of the best musicals. Formerly known as SpurLine, QUADZ is a laid-back bar where you can go for great conversation, meet new people or celebrate with friends. “The crowd is more of a respectful, crazy crowd,” says QUADZ general manager Brian McGann. “It ranges from the young LA crowd that comes into town and the permanent Palm Springs retiree crowd, and we all get along. You can come here and feel comfortable and not feel judged. You’re going to find above-average people but not above-people people.”
QUADZ
200 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA, 92262
760.778.4326
Stacy’s Palm Springs
For those who like jazz music, good company and a sophisticated vibe, Stacy’s Palm Springs is the place for you. Smooth piano tunes and contemporary classics fill the welcoming space, and nightly entertainment sets the scene most nights. Stacy’s is not a dance club, although guests do sometimes sway and sing along to the music being performed—who can resist Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon”? The bar is smaller, creating an intimate space to chat with friends or enjoy a night of great music.
Local Insight: For a refreshing drink order, Stacy’s VIP Express made with house-infused pineapple vodka!
Stacy’s Palm Springs
220 E Arenas Rd
Palm Springs, CA, 92262
760.620.5003
Blackbook Bar
Sleek design meets delicious food at Blackbook Bar. Gray walls, marble countertops and black tiling create a clean and modern feel, yet the space still seems light and inviting. Known for their delectable flavors, Blackbook is more than just a bar. Try the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich or the Palm Springs-Style Nachos, which come covered in two types of cheeses, tomato, jalapeño, sour cream, scallions, salsa roja and your choice of protein. With room for all your friends and an inclusive and safe atmosphere, this hotspot is one that everyone will love. Order one of their crafty signature cocktails, and enjoy a cool evening with friends and loved ones on the patio.
Local Insight: Blackbook Bar’s name was inspired by the Blackbook investigations into people who were excluded and not allowed into Las Vegas casinos. Blackbook Bar strives to be inclusive to all—the opposite of the Blackbook investigations—hence why the word “Black” in their logo is backwards.
Blackbook Bar
315 E Arenas Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.832.8497
Gay Bars Palm Springs
One Eleven
We can’t let Palm Springs have all the fun. The surrounding communities, such as Cathedral City are also home to a handful of gay bars and lounges. One Eleven is a relaxed lounge with a warm vibe that features happy hour, karaoke, drag shows and live musical performances. Sip on everything from wines and cocktails to spiked hot drinks and enjoy a night of unrivaled entertainment! To see what’s on the calendar this month, check out One Eleven’s events schedule here!
One Eleven
67555 E Palm Canyon Dr, Ste A103
Cathedral City, CA 92234
760.537.3111
The Roost Lounge
Greater Palm Springs’ newest video lounge is pouring up one heck of a good time! This LGBTQ-friendly bar in Catherdral City has everything from beer on draft to decadent Italian dishes like beef carpaccio, eggplant parmesan and New Zealand lamb chops. Stop in for happy hour, which runs every day from 3-5 p.m. where you can enjoy $5 well cocktails and house wines or Bud Light drafts for just $3.50. The Roost also features music videos on their 5 giant TVs as well as live performances on their stage! To see upcoming events, visit www.theroostcc.com/events.
The Roost Lounge
68718 E Palm Canyon Dr, Ste 203
Cathedral City, CA 92234
760.507.8495
Gay Bars Palm Springs
AsiaSF Palm Springs
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Experience a performance by the world-famous Ladies of AsiaSF! These transgender women put on quite the show with their live cabaret performances, which include singing, dancing and lip-synching. Come for the theatrics and stay for the food—AsiaSF serves up innovative Cal-Asian cuisine by renowned Executive Chef Jen Solomon that’ll surely please your palate as you enjoy an iconic show. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or you’re simply enjoying a night on the town, AsiaSF’s dinner shows will not disappoint.
AsiaSF Palm Springs
1555 S Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.249.2766
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Ashlee is a freelance writer with a focus on travel, lifestyle and food. After obtaining her degree in Journalism she took the world by storm teaching in South Korea and giving motivation speeches across the United States. She can often be found on road-trips, plane rides and cooking up her favorite meal from her most recent travels. The anti-homebody loves a good hike, good book and a day spent with friends.
