Gay Travel Guide

GayTravel.com’s Team of Experts Recommends the Following Gay Palm Springs (2021) Restaurants, Bars, Shopping & Events

Here is a list of the best things to do when you stay at a Dry Heats Resort vacation rental in gay-friendly Palm Springs.  With so much to see and do, you’ll have a gay ‘ole time vacation!

Restaurants:

There’s no shortage of nearby gay-friendly restaurants in Palm Springs, and here’s a list of some of the top ones in the area:

Mr. Lyons;  American steakhouse.  South Palm Springs (5 minutes to most homes).   https://mrlyonsps.com/  The grand dining room is pure old Hollywood glamour with a steak-centered menu boasting infinite sides and the kind of tableside service that instantly transports you to a bygone era. Their Bar/lounge offers something a little more relaxed, where you can savor a proper classic cocktail or something seasonal and new. It is reminiscent of a five-star hotel lobby bar and lounge. 

On The Mark: Gourmet Grocery Store & Sandwich Shop, Downtown Palm Springs   https://www.onthemarkpalmsprings.com/  On The Mark is the place to go for gourmet wine, beer, cheese, and breads. Also, the marketplace has olives, mustards, salsas, chips, crackers, flavored oils and vinegars, nitrate-free meats, gift baskets, salads, wines, pastries, chocolates, and much more. Party platters and store to vacation rental catering is also available.

The Tropicale: Fine World Cuisine, Downtown Palm Spring; chic and sophisticated decor provides the setting for distinctive "world cuisine," a provocative mix of zesty influences that creates a delightful dining experience. The menu includes everything from a grilled organic brisket hamburger to amazing pizza, gourmet southern Fried Chicken, Miso-glazed salmon rice bowl, and much more.

Spencer’s Restaurant: Classic American Cuisine: Downtown Palm Springs https://www.spencersrestaurant.com/  Best outdoor patio in town and one of the best Brunch’s.

Rick’s Restaurant: Classic American Diner: North Palm Springs: https://ricksrestaurant.biz/
American diner with great breakfasts, sandwiches, soups, salads, Turkey dinners, and some Cuban food menu items. 

Copley’s Restaurant: Contemporary American, Downtown Palm Springs; https://www.copleyspalmsprings.com/
This is one of the finest restaurants in town. 

Shanghai Reds Oyster Bar & Grill: Fish and oyster bar, Downtown Palm Springs; https://www.fishermans.com/shanghai-reds-palm-springs
Best fish tacos in town.  Great atmosphere.  You feel like you’re on an island.

LuLu California Bistro: Gastro pub food with craft cocktails, Downtown Palm Springs: http://www.lulupalmsprings.com/  walking distance to everything downtown.  Their Prix Fixe Menu is the best value in town. 

Le Vallauris Restaurant: World Class French Restaurant, downtown Palm Springs, http://www.levallauris.com/ 
You dine in a restored historical landmark that makes you feel as if you’ve entered the home of a French relative.  Flemish tapestries and Louis-XV furniture sets the mood. 

849 Restaurant & Lounge: American Modern Cuisine, downtown Palm Springs, https://eight4nine.com/  Chic, trendy, cool, luxurious, and an eclectic menu featuring a celebration of West Coast Modern American Cuisine which focuses on both presentation and flavors.

Birba Palm Springs: International Cuisine, downtown Palm Springs, https://birbaps.com/
Modern restaurant with a changing menu of global eats, craft cocktails & chic, tree-filled patio.

Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar & Grill: gay diner, Downtown Palm Springs, https://apps.bongojohnnys.com/  Traditional American breakfast menu + great sandwiches for lunch or brunch. 

The Reef Palm Springs: tiki bar located at the historic hotel, South Palm Springs, https://www.thereefpalmsprings.com/  Palm Springs has a history of mid-century tiki bars.  The Reef is a tiki bar located in a historic Polynesian themed hotel that overlooks the pool.

Jake’s Palm Springs: American Comfort Food, downtown Palm Springs, http://www.jakespalmsprings.com/  Courtyard alfresco dining with a chic atmosphere.

Townie Bagels Bakery & Café: café located on E. Sunny Dunes Road has numerous gay shops, https://www.towniebagels.com/  Homemade bagels, and bread + sandwich, coffee, and breakfast items.

Other Gay-Friendly Must-Do Options:

For gay-welcoming cafés, entertaining, and gay clubs in Palm Springs, the places listed below are nearby most of Dry Heat Resorts vacation rentals:

Koffi: Palm Springs local Coffee shop, multiple Palm Springs locations conveniently located to all properties. https://www.kofficoffee.com/index.html  Their coffee is not only served at their three coffee shops, but it is also served at many local restaurants throughout the Palm Springs area. Koffi roasts their beans at their Rancho mirage location.

Hunters Nightclub, a gay nightclub, downtown Palm Springs, Arenas Road, which is gay street https://hunterspalmsprings.com/
Palm Springs most established gay bar and nightclub.  Huge dance floor, lounges, outdoor patio, gogo boys, video screens.

Chill Bar, gay bar and nightclub, downtown Palm Springs, Arenas Road which is gay street, https://www.chillbarpalmsprings.com/
Huge dance floor, lounges, outdoor patio, gogo boys, video screens.

Street bar, gay bar, downtown Palm Springs, Arenas Road, which is gay street, https://www.psstreetbar.com/  Liberace would have loved this place!  Old PS gays hang and do happy hour there nightly. 

Blackbook, a gay bar and gastro pub, downtown Palm Springs, Arenas Road, which is gay street, https://blackbookbar.com/   It’s like a gay gastropub, or as we call it a “gaystropub.”  Outdoor seating and American comfort food. 

Wang’s In The Desert: gay bar and Asian fusion restaurant, downtown Palm Springs, https://www.wangsinthedesert.com/ They’re known for their great Friday happy hour called “Boys Night Out” on their large patio.  Drink specials, gogo boys, and a DJ. 

Toucan’s Tiki Lounge: gay bar & cabaret, North Palm Springs, https://toucanstikilounge.com/
Polynesian-themed interior, outdoor patio, gogo boys.  Their claim to fame is having the longest continuously running drag show.

Oscar’s Restaurant & Cabaret: Restaurant, Cabaret, Downtown Palm Springs, https://oscarspalmsprings.com/
American food, female impersonator snow, Sunday T Dance, Drag brunch. 

World Gym Palm Springs: Gayest gym in the world, seriously! North Palm Springs, https://www.worldgympalmsprings.com/  during White Party and other large gay events, this is the gym where all the boys go to look good in their speedos. 

Gay Shopping

Shopping in Palm Springs is not your ordinary shopping mall experience.  There are plenty of unique and fun shops owned by independent merchants who can benefit from your support, like those listed below.

Shag The Store: gallery/store dedicated to the work of the artist Shag, Downtown Palm Springs, http://www.shag.com/
Shag’s work captures the retro-modern Palm Springs lifestyle. Shag is all about mid-century modern, which is what Palm Springs is about. 

Nat Reed Art Gallery: gallery/store dedicated to the work of artist Nat Reed, downtown Palm Springs, https://natreed.com/ Nat is all about mid-century and googie-themed architecture. Much of it is Palm Springs themed artwork. 

Destination PSP: Palm Springs themed Souvenir store, downtown Palm Springs, https://destinationpsp.com/  mugs, glasses towels, t-shirts, hoodies, LGBT souvenirs

Just Fabulous: Gay & Palm Springs oriented souvenir store, downtown Palm Springs, https://bjustfabulous.com/ 

Greetings Palm Springs: Gay oriented souvenir store, downtown Palm Springs, https://www.greetingspalmsprings.com/  funny gift cards, funny birthday cards, funny erotic cards, midcentury art, mugs, cocktail napkins, coasters.  Shoppers will laugh in this store.

Grace Home Furnishing: Interior design and furniture showroom, downtown Palm Springs, https://gracehomefurnishings.com/ Full-service interior design, and furniture and art gallery.  “Very Palm Springsee.”  Four of Dry Heat Resort vacation homes were decorated by Grace.

Gay Mart:  Men's Clothing Store, downtown Palm Springs, Arenas Road, which is gay street, https://gaymart.business.site/  Clothing, lube, gay-porn, sex toys, underwear, swimwear, adult novelty cards,

Q Trading Company: Gay themed gift shop, located on E. Sunny Dunes Road, which has numerous gay shops, https://www.yelp.com/biz/qtrading-company-palm-springs  adult toys, lube, gay gift cards, gay and lesbian books, porn videos.

Gear Leather & Fetish: Name says it all, located on E. Sunny Dunes Road, which has numerous gay shops, https://www.gearleather.com/ 

Palm Springs Piercing Company: Piercings, jewelry, t-shirts, downtown Palm Springs Arenas Road, which is gay street, https://pspiercing.com/

Michael Weems Gallery: unique artwork, pop art, erotic art and gifts, downtown Palm Springs, https://michaelweems.com/  Gift Cards, wall art, coasters, dishes, mugs jewelry all with his art on them. 

Mr. Turk: clothing, design accessory boutique, downtown Palm Springs, https://www.mrturk.com/  flamboyant over the top clothing, underwear, and accessories…in my opinion 
 

Gay Events in Palm Springs:

You can plan your next visit to Dry Heat Resorts in Palm Springs around these popular LGBT Events.  With everything from the White Party to The Dinah, there’s something fun for everyone!

White Party Palm Springs: gay circuit pool party, April  https://jeffreysanker.com/white-party-palm-springs/ 

LQBTQ Film Festival: Gay Lesbian film festival, https://cinemadiversethepalmspringslgbtqfilmfestival.festivee.com/ 

The Dinah: Largest Lesbian circuit pool party in the world, https://thedinah.com/palm-springs 

Greater Palm Springs Pride: annual gay pride parade and party, https://apps.pspride.org/  Multi-day even with pool parties, dance parties, parade.  Unlike most pride events that take place in the Summer, PS pride takes place in November to avoid the summer heat.

Modernism Week: mid-century modern event, https://www.modernismweek.com/  Annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and culture

Check back frequently for any additional gay-friendly vacation homes.  Hope to see you soon!