Blog

Sundays in Palm Springs

Sunday Funday Oscars

Here in Palm Springs the gay community loves to turn just about anything into a celebration. Weekends are for playing hard, so why stop on Sunday? Time for boozy brunching, drag shows, beer busts, and T-dances. It’s Sunday Funday! Read on for our favorite ways to spend Sunday in Palm Springs.

First, brunch. Head downtown and you’ll find lots of buzzy restaurants with sunny patios and free- flowing mimosas. There are two popular brunch spots at the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Arenas Road, LULU and Zin. LULU California Bistro serves up a hopping atmosphere and great people watching. Next door, Zin American Bistro features a sophisticated brunch menu plus Endless Champagne, Mimosas, Bellinis, or Aperol Spritz. The Eggs Benedict gets high marks, and good vegan and GF options are available. Call 760-322-6300 to be placed on the Brunch waitlist at Zin, or try to snag a reservation on Open Table.

Another favorite brunch spot is Pinnochio’s. The vibe is kitschy and festive, and the menu features diner classics like pancakes and 3-egg omelets. But the real star of the show here is the ridiculously inexpensive Bottomless Champagne ($5.95 all day, every day). Just add a carafe of OJ and mix up your own mimosas tableside.

We love our drag in Palm Springs, especially on Sundays! Palm Spring’s longest running drag brunch takes the stage at the iconic Oscar’s with two seatings of their raucous Bitchiest Brunch (10am on the patio or Noon indoors). The drag queens are hilarious, the extensive à la carte menu gets solid reviews, and the super-sized Bloody Marys won’t disappoint. Another fabulous option is the sassy PS Drag Brunch on the rooftop at Roly China Fusion. Here you’ll enjoy all-you-can-eat dim sum, a 2-course brunch, and lots of diva attitude. These brunches are super popular, so plan ahead sweetie and make some reservations!

Of course, Sundays in the desert aren’t just for brunch. Grab a Lyft and go pound a few with the gentlemen at Barrack’s Beer Bust in Cathedral City, the largest weekly gathering of leather and bears in all of California. Or stay in town and find a friendly patio or dance party at one of the clubs in the Arenas District like Eagle 501 or Chill Bar (go-go dancers + drink specials = yes, please).

Back at Oscar’s outdoor courtyard, the festive tradition of the gay T-Dance lives on with a giant dance party starting at 4pm (5pm summer months) running into the early evening. Classic disco beats rule the dance floor, misters and air blasters help keep things cool, and the first 100 guests are FREE ($10 after that). Cue up early and make some new friends in line!

Live music is always a treat, any day of the week. Upstairs in the VIP Lounge at the Palm Springs Cultural Center the talented Keisha D. sings rhythm & blues, motown and gospel. Space for “Soulful Sundays” is limited and advance reservations recommended. The event is free with drink purchase and eats are available from Mildred’s.

So there you have it. Live music, drag queens, t-dances, beer busts, and bottomless bubbly ... Santiago’s ultimate guide to Sunday Funday in Palm Springs!