The Best Gay Nightlife in Palm Springs

Palm Springs has an incredibly vibrant gay nightlife scene. For that matter, the daytime scene can be pretty buzzing as well. While you’ll find that just about all the places in town are gay friendly, these are the cocktail bars and clubs that specifically cater to our community. Read on, and don’t hesitate to ask the front desk for advice. We’re always full of opinions!

Bars and Clubs in the Arenas District

If you like to be in the heart of the action, head to the stretch of Arenas Road between Indian Canyon and Calle Encilla. From leather to showtunes (and lots in between), you’re bound to find a gay bar or club where you’ll feel at home. Or taste the rainbow and try them all!

Dick’s On Arenas
301 E Arenas Road
This small men’s watering hole with a “light” Levi/Leather vibe is a great place to grab a cold drink and chat with locals and tourists alike. No matter the time of day, the outdoor patio space is prime real estate for people watching and socializing on Arenas. Check their website for daily drink specials, theme nights and special events. (Formerly The Eagle 501.)
Weekly highlights:
Sundays - Church Lady’s Sunday Service starting at 6am

Chill Bar
217 E Arenas Road
From go-go dancers to drag queens, there’s always something fun happening at Chill. The space is sleek and sparkly, the staff is friendly, and the crowd is energetic. Most weekends they open the Scorpion Room, which is a great dance club. Everything you could ask for in a gay bar, including half-price Mondays!
Weekly highlights:
Mondays - Half-Price Drinks All Day
Wednesdays - Latin Night

Blackbook
315 E Arenas Road
Much-loved spot for creative cocktails and bites with a modern open-air interior and spacious patio fronting Arenas. Over 400 different types of whiskey, plus a rotating selection of craft beers, spiked seltzers and hard kombucha. The little kitchen here stays open late, serving much-appreciated comfort food like burgers, tacos, and a few vegan options until midnight most nights.

Quadz
200 S Indian Canyon Drive
Always super entertaining, this popular bar on the corner of Arenas and Indian Canyon plays nonstop classic and obscure music videos. The crowd is social and fun, and every night brings a different theme. Showtunes sing-along nights are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Weekly highlights:
Fridays, Saturdays & Mondays - Showtunes Video Sing-alongs, 8pm to close

Streetbar
224 E Arenas Road

Strong and inexpensive cocktails make this low-key bar on Arenas a good spot to get fueled up for a long night. Or stick around for great conversation with the mature crowd, and maybe even a little live entertainment from the small stage. Patio seating available, cash only.

Hunters
302 E Arenas Road
This long-time fixture on Arenas offers two distinct spaces in one large room. The main bar area is a great place to grab a drink and chat, with lots of seating and long tables. Then there’s the stage and dance floor, perfect for sweating the night away to music from various DJs or catching a raucous drag show. Hunters often features a diverse crowd, and can be popular with bachelorettes. Their Fur Friday Happy Hour is sure to be packed with men and good times! Check their website for other theme nights and events.
Weekly highlights:
Fridays - Fur Friday Happy Hour, 4pm

Tryst Bar & Lounge
188 S Indian Canyon Drive

Dimly-lit dive bar on the cusp of Arenas with pool tables, pinball, darts… plus cheap drinks and heavy pours.

Walking Distance from Santiago

Tool Shed
600 E Sunny Dunes Road
Just a short walk across the wash (map here), the Tool Shed has been serving up its unpretentious, Levi/Boots/Leather vibe since 1993. With the recent addition of an expansive 4000 square foot outdoor patio and onsite food truck, Tool Shed is more popular than ever. Every night has a different theme, so check their website to see what’s on tap. Tool Shed Tunes & Bingo on Tuesdays at 6pm is always a laugh, and the place is packed on Thursdays for Underwear Night (enter to with a cash prize!). With the closing of Barracks, Tool Shed also now hosts the largest Sunday Beer Bust in the desert. Cash only.
Weekly highlights:
Tuesdays - Tool Shed Tunes & Bingo, 6-8pm
Thursdays - Underwear Night + Contest, 8pm to close
Sundays - Beer Bust, 10am to close

Club 541
541 Industrial Place E
While you won’t find cocktails, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the valley’s only play space exclusively for men. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. No cash. 

Tea Dances & Live Entertainment

Oscar’s
125 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Located in the heart of downtown, Oscar’s is a local favorite for touring cabaret shows, drag brunches, and their “world-famous” courtyard Tea Dance on Sunday afternoons. Keep an eye out for Bunker, an occasional pop-up side bar on Saturday nights that caters to the Leather community.
Weekly favorites:
Saturdays - Bunker, 9pm to close (dates vary)
Sundays - Tea Dance, 3-7pm

Toucans Tiki Lounge & Cabaret
2100 N Palm Canyon Drive
Hosting some of Palm Springs’ Best Drag for over twenty years, the over-the-top tiki decor at Toucans is definitely a vibe in and of itself. Kitschy cocktails and a diverse, high energy crowd make this a fun stop in Uptown.
Weekly highlights:
Sundays - Tea Dance, 2-6pm

Purple Room Supper Club
1900 E Palm Canyon Drive
This intimate supper club is where the Rat Pack cavorted on and off the stage in the 60s, and you’ll still find old-school entertainment and live music here six nights a week. Tickets are required for weekend performances. Closed Mondays.

One Eleven Bar
67555 E Palm Canyon Dr
Just down the road in Cathedral City, this local gay watering hole hosts drag performances and live entertainment every day of the week. Featured in our blog post on Palm Springs’ Best Drag, One Eleven is definitely a throwback, but we kinda love it. About a 10-minute Lyft ride from Santiago.
Weekly highlights:
Sundays - Iconic Drag Brunch with Morgan McMichaels, Noon-2pm

The Roost Lounge
68718 E Palm Canyon Drive
Community-minded gay bar in Cathedral City with a loyal local following and popular monthly drag bingo events.

A Romantic Hidden Speakeasy

The Evening Citizen
Secret Location (off an alleyway near Arenas Road)
If you appreciate craft cocktails and are in the mood for something mysterious, The Evening Citizen might be just what you’re looking for… if you can find it! Dark, sexy, and full of character, the location of this “hidden” speakeasy is revealed once you snag a table on Resy. Good spot to finish out a romantic date night.

Before You Head Out…

Keep in mind that all of the open days, events and happy hours we’ve listed are subject to change depending on the time of year and unforeseen shenanigans. So make sure and do your homework by checking venue websites before you go. And unless you’re traveling on foot, get a ride! Ubers and Lyfts are cheap and plentiful, so let somebody else do the driving. Now get out there and enjoy!