Best Dining in Gay Palm Springs
Here's a list of our favorite restaurants in Palm Springs – curated by us, with an emphasis on flavor, atmosphere, quality of ingredients, great tasting food, and gay-friendly (of course)…
Whether it's eye candy or after-dinner candy you're looking to accompany a great meal, there's something for everyone here in Gay Palm Springs!
Here's a list of our favorite restaurants in Palm Springs – curated by us, with an emphasis on flavor, atmosphere, quality of ingredients, great tasting food, and gay-friendly (of course).
We all have certain standards when we're dining out – different palettes, different allergies, and different tastes in hot waiters 😜 We know that not everyone's going to agree with our choices, but we hope that overall this list won't disappoint.
Of course, there are plenty of other great restaurants in greater Palm Springs (and in the surrounding Coachella Valley), but these are our favorites so far. If you'd like to increase your search results, check out https://visitpalmsprings.com/dining-in-palm-springs.
And if you have a place you already love that didn't make the list, please email us and let us know (and let us know why you love it)!
In the meantime, here are our votes on the Best Dining in Gay Palm Springs (in alphabetical order by cuisine)!
*Or opt-in below for a downloadable cheat sheet version…
American
Willie Rhine of Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge and Chad Gardner of 533 Viet Fusion and Roly China Fusion bring their combined successful track records to offer a new seasonally fresh eatery. The food at 1501 Uptown Gastropub is great and there's lots of indoor and outdoor seating. We particularly love brunching outdoors because of it's beautiful view of the mountains!
Boozehounds aims to provide a friendly environment for both canines and their humans. By day, they are a coffee, co-working, and lunch spot. By night, they are a perfect happy hour and dinner destination for the whole family.
Chi Chi's is centered in the tradition of California wellness and set in the playful pool area of the Avalon Hotel. We love their specialized menus and innovative dishes.
Chicken Ranch is committed to keep to keeping it fresh; bringing farm-fresh produce and free-range poultry from local farms to your plate. They are always serving up quality and fresh, from rotisserie chicken, delicious salads, and seasonal ingredients. This is one of our favorite lunch spots.
Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge
Located in the Uptown Design District of Palm Springs, EIGHT4NINE's eclectic and colorful menu selections feature a fusion of comfort food, ethnic influences, and bold originality. So original, they haven't changed the menu in years, but folks still love it. The real standout for us is the bright and modern décor!
GiGi’s is a desert-inspired, Modern American restaurant, serving creative farm-to-table fare with a commitment to the freshest locally sourced ingredients. You may even be able to catch an occasional celebrity low-key dining here, but you didn't hear it from us😉
John Henry’s Café has been a favorite of Palm Springs locals and in-the-know visitors for over thirty years. It's quite an experience that you can only understand when you experience it for yourself, so... Go experience for yourself 😉
King's Highway at the Ace Hotel
An old roadside diner reimagined, King's Highway reinterpreted American comfort food for the desert with a focus on fresh, organic, and local ingredients. It might be Palm Springs best-kept secret (especially if you're trying to snag a table somewhere in town on a busy weekend night)!
La Copine is the only place we're listing that requires a day trip out of town to Yucca Valley. They are an incredible Californian restaurant serving fresh & inspired lunch in the Hi Desert from Thursday-Sundays only (11am-4pm). It's in the middle of nowhere but the food speaks for itself. If you don't believe us, just as The New York Times or VOGUE!
There is no place in Palm Springs more colorful than Lulu's. A must for every new Palm Springs tourist, Lulu's has become the restaurant all of Palm Springs loves to be (and be seen).
Oscar's has everything from dancing to live dinner entertainment in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. From drag brunch, to celebrity evening-with shows, to Oscar's signature T-Dance on Sundays, there's something for every gay!
Honoring the Rat Pack era, Michael Holmes’ Purple Room is the desert’s premier supper club and live performance space, featuring local and national jazz artists and the always popular, The Judy Show!, a parody of the great icons of the 60s.
Sherman’s has become a landmark in the desert. A Kosher-style family restaurant, they offer an extensive menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner reminiscent of a New York style deli.
The Pantry's menu is an exceptional modern take on classic “Americana” cuisine, reinterpreting the traditional resort menu using a fusion of new techniques and influences. Their menu highlights fresh ingredients local to California and the Coachella Valley.
In the center of the Plaza, Tyler’s offers one of the best burger experiences in the desert!
Asian
This is a personal favorite of ours, and another Asian fusion eatery brought to you by the gay owners of Roly China Fusion. 533 Viet Fusion is a casual, hip setting for a mix of modern and traditional Vietnamese dishes and cocktails. We particularly love their spring roll menu, full of fresh selections like their lemongrass duroc organic pork roll and mushroom soba roll.
Antigua Sushi Lovers just opened and we love the owners as much as we love the sushi! They're also currently one of only two sushi places open for lunch as well as dinner in Palm Springs.
AsiaSF is a cabaret dinner show that has been wowing crowds for 23 years in San Francisco, and they've chosen Palm Springs as its first location outside the Bay Area. AsiaSF performers, who are all transgender women, bring their own personalities to lip-synced renditions of party playlist classics, creating a memorable dinner show for an iconic date night.
From dim sum to drag brunch, Roly China Fusion is modern Chinese cuisine with an asian fusion twist. Inspired by Chad’s husband Roly, the restaurant brings a vibrant, whimsical and elevated dining experience to the Palm Springs area. They also own 533 Viet Fusion, which is a personal favorite of ours!
Rooster and the Pig is a Vietnamese-American restaurant that strives to serve food and drink with distinction. They also take allergies seriously, so we always appreciate that.
Sandfish serves up quality hand-crafted sushi and whiskey pairings in a beautiful Scandinavian designed interior.
Taka Shin offers exquisite Japanese cuisine that delicately presents traditional Japanese food with a contemporary twist in a relaxed, no-frills environment.
Thai Smile has been bringing the authentic tastes of true Thai cuisine to Palm Springs for 18 years. We love crossing the street after a Sunday evening tea dance at Oscars for a comforting (and affordable!) curry.
Torakichi Ramen is a relatively new restaurant specializing in ramen. It's an intimate setting, but where it lacks in ambience it well makes up for with flavor!
Bar Food
Winner of Desert Sun's Best Restaurant in 2020, Blackbook is the real "chill bar" in the Arenas district as far as we're concerned. Its sleek industrial style features the largest whiskey selection in Palm Springs and a lot of acclaim for being the "best bar food in Palm Springs" among the locals.
The coolest (pun fully intended) gay bar and dance club here in Palm Springs, Chill Bar is another staple gay-borhood bar in our beloved Arenas district, featuring drag bingo, go-go boys, and our favorite disco-ball male statues (featured on The Palm Springs Guys website)! They have a fun bar menu, and the flatbreads are a particular stand-out for our pallets.
Hunters is Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club fun for 20 years now. Featuring the longest happy hour in all the Valley, Hunters serves up drag shows, karaoke, and Djs that keep the dance floor pumping (loudly!) right in the Arenas district. But they also have a great bar menu (from fried pickles to "hey girl" hot wings).
PaulBar is bar/food. That's all they have to say about that on their website, but locals have a lot more to say about how much they love it. The location isn't ideal (you'll wonder if you're in the right place at first), but it's got a very cool vibe when you get inside which is why it's so popular.
With plenty of atmosphere for all patrons “to roost,” the Roost Lounge in Cat City is a another friendly neighborhood gay bar with ongoing entertainment and karaoke.
BBQ
As the name suggests, Smoke Tree is all about BBQ; Baby Back ribs, Beef Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Smoked Chicken, Tri Tip, Andouille Sausage, Smoked Turkey, and more. This is the best BBQ in Palm Springs, but their hours often change whenever they feel like it, just FYI.
Cafe
Koffi (Various Locations)
Locally owned and operated, Koffi was established in 2002 and is now the largest independent specialty coffee retail and roasting operation in the Coachella Valley. Koffi has four (4) different café locations – three (3) of which are right in Palm Springs (Koffi North, Koffi Central, and Koffi South). Their oat milk iced lattes are strong & smooth, just the way we like them.
Right in the heart of the Antique Shopping District, the ever-popular Townie Bagel’s makes water boiled bagels fresh daily in Palm Springs. All their bagels, breads, muffins, and scones are made from scratch in their bakery. It's a local favorite, so get in line early!
Continental
Bar Cecil is a nod to the great American and European bistro experiences. They celebrate those who follow the beat to their own drum with an aesthetic as creative and inspiring as their food and cocktails. This place it POPULAR, and reservations are limited, so try to go early or late on a whim sometime.
Jake’s is a casual/hip American bistro serving fresh, innovative, and comfort food favorites. Their lunch menu screams California fresh, and they even have a "Flight of Salads" if you can't decide which mouth-watering salad to toss... I mean, choose 😉
Johannes Restaurant is modern European cuisine from Austrian born Chef/Owner Johannes Bacher, with an Upscale Casual Ambiance and an entire schnitzel menu!
Mid-Mod Café is Uptown Palm Springs’ [new] organic alternative for healthy smoothies, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Created by the gay owners of Palm Greens, Mod Cafe offers a healthy spin on American classics with vegan, organic, vegetarian and Gluten-free options.
Truss & Twine sits adjacent to the team’s first venture, Workshop Kitchen + Bar and is the epitome of Palm Springs’ sophisticated desert vibe. They specialize in classic cocktails broken down by era, alongside a desert-inspired menu using ingredients from the Coachella Valley.
This mid-century lounge serves up boutique California wines, craft beers, and throwback cocktails. It's also a favorite destination for live music and drag performances, like Ross Mathew's "Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch".
From the same owners as Truss & Twine, Workshop Kitchen & Bar is farm to table seasonal through and through. From their James Beard-award winning interior design to their classic cocktail bar, it's our favorite spot in Palm Springs!
French
FARM is a Provencal-style restaurant with a menu comprised of traditional French dishes, brimming with locally sourced produce, eggs, and artisanal meats. It's a very popular spot for lunch and brunch, so get there early!
The name “French Miso Café” reflects the origin diversity of the owners Tomoko Jones and Eric Bovy. The result is an endearing setting where one can enjoy traditional Japanese and French cuisine at the same table. This place is as quality as it gets in Palm Springs – just be mindful of their limited hours.
Indian
Monsoon serves up a medley of flavorful Indian dishes like Chicken Curry Prawn Vindaloo and Malai Tikka, as well as vegetarian entrees like Mushroom Masala and Aloo Gobi.
Italian
Featuring the flavors of Northern Italy, Al dente Trattoria Toscana is a quaint cucina with a European atmosphere. We're still on the hunt for exceptional Italian food here in Palm Springs, but this one's our favorite so far.
Bill’s quest of making the best pizza possible led him to Italy and back exploring a wide range of pizza styles and techniques.
Sammy’s Place serves authentic Italian food in the Palm Springs area – the very best we've had in the valley so far! Their hours are limited to Thursdays - Sundays and they don't seem to have a website, but it's worth the trip.
Right in the heart of Palm Springs’ Fashionable Uptown Design District, Trio Restaurant aims to bring people together with timeless Italian-American fusion dishes and colorful décor. They also love actively giving back to the community, so that's a win in our book!
Mediterranean
With 2 locations in Palm Springs and one in Cathedral City, Santorini Gyro Restaurant serves up authentic Greek food as good as we always hope for.
Mexican
El Mirasol has built a reputation for consistently serving piping hot plates of artfully prepared Mexican regional cuisine and tangy flavorful margaritas in Palm Springs, California. Chef Felipe Castaneda serves up authentic versions of Mexican standards such as chile verde, shrimp pipian, and polo en mole poblano. We love starting with drinks next door at Dead or Alive Bar, then popping over to El Mirasol for a delicious dinner.
The same owners as FARM, Tac/Quila is their made-up word for combining gourmet Jalisco style cuisine with specialty tequilas and mezcals. Mexico’s artistry extends to its flavorful, colorful, and specialized cuisine.
More Gay-Friendly Resources
Best Clothing-Optional (Men-Only) Resorts in Gay Palm Springs
Staying "Gay" (at a gay resort) is optional in Palm Springs – and so is staying in your clothes. So why not experience the freedom of a clothing-optional gaycation in the most liberated, body-positive place on earth for men who love men?
*Updated: March 4, 2025
Staying "Gay" (at a gay resort) is optional in Palm Springs – and so is staying in your clothes. So why not experience the freedom of a clothing-optional gaycation in the most liberated, body-positive place on earth for men who love men?
Never stayed at a clothing optional gay resort before? Are you horrified at the very thought of a clothing-optional experience? I'm guessing the voyeur in you is at least curious about it or you wouldn't be here right now 😉
My advice to you is to just jump right in and stay clothing-optional so you can see for yourself how exhilarating it can be. Keep those boy shorts on for now if you must, but at least check out Inndulge's illuminating video collection of enticing tutorials to help you with your first clothing-optional experience.
Don't worry, I'll wait...
Ok, now that you're SOLD, here the Best Clothing-Optional (Men-Only) Resorts in Gay Palm Springs in our opinion (in alphabetical order)...
Formerly All Worlds (home of "The Maze”), the newly-minted Casa Oliver straddles the line between LA bath house and San Francisco sex club in true Palm Springs fashion. They're located in the heart of the Warm Sands neighborhood, offering day/night passes too if you want to join in on the fun.
The Canyon Club Hotel is the only gay men's resort in Downtown Palm Springs and it's a good choice if you're looking for more affordable rates too. They've got a saltwater pool, 16-man spa, and a garden oasis hedge maze for more secluded fun.
CCBC (Cathedral City Boys’ Club) Resort is the largest clothing optional Gay men’s resort in the Coachella Valley, located in the heart of Cat City. They are open 24/7 with a regular variety of special events, like CUMUNION sex parties and male bonding pop-up events, and even offer day (and night) passes for those who just wanna have a little fun.
Introducing Descanso – the first men’s resort to open in Palm Springs in over ten years. From the the guys who brought us Santiago Resort, it’s a newly reimagined blend of luxurious Hollywood Moderne meets California garden greenery.
In the center of Warm Sands, the Desert Paradise Resort hosts a large saltwater pool, newly expanded jacuzzi spa, steam and sauna rooms, romantic fire pit, and outdoor garden shower. Consider it your paradise in the desert.
Since 1975, El Mirasol Villas has been a destination resort for Gay Men in Palm Springs. Located in the Warm Sands neighborhood, its only blocks away from downtown.
The Hacienda is a popular and stylishly spacious gay resort in the heart of Warm Sands, Palm Springs’ gay Mecca.
25 years strong, Inndulge is a popular clothing-optional resort in Palm Springs, featuring a 12-man 24-hr jacuzzi and a 24-hour heated salt water pool. They've also got an enticing video collection on their website to help you with your first clothing-optional experience.
Santiago Resort is an intimate luxury getaway where gay men can rediscover the bliss of completely giving into the moment. This popular clothing-optional resort has a salt water pool – and for those who have yet to experience a salt water (saline) pool, you're in for real treat.
One of the top Gay Resorts in Palm Springs, the Triangle Inn offers sun-drenched tropical gardens and breathtaking mountain views for any experience – romantic and relaxing to fun and frisky.
From the same guys who brought us Santiago Resort, and the freshly minted Descanso Resort, Twin Palms Resort is the newest kid on the block. It’s a mid-century-made-modern experience draped in luxury and timeless style. And if it's anything like its brothers, it's sure to be a new favorite men’s resort in town.
Vista Grande Resort is a premium clothing optional gay men’s resort in Palm Springs, featuring 2 swimming pools, a hot tub, dry sauna, spacious steam room, and breathtaking waterfalls.
More Gay-Friendly Resources
Is Palm Springs Flirty or Dirty?
Is Palm Springs Flirty or Dirty? The short answer is both (and everything else you can and can't even imagine in between)! Everyone is here in Palm Springs for a good reason. Whether you've decided to retire here, vacation here, live here part-time or full-time, Palm Springs is a treasured destination for so many people. Everyone is here because they want to be – and that's a recipe for people who are a lot more pleasant to be around than the average community. Since gay men are practically the majority here at this point, there's a lot of fun to be had in the modern gay desert…
Is Palm Springs Flirty or Dirty? The short answer is both (and everything else you can and can't even imagine in between)! Read on, boys...
Everyone is here in Palm Springs for a good reason. Whether you've decided to retire here, vacation here, live here part-time or full-time, Palm Springs is a treasured destination for so many people. Everyone is here because they want to be – and that's a recipe for people who are a lot more pleasant to be around than the average community. Since gay men are practically the majority here at this point, there's a lot of fun to be had in the modern gay desert.
When a gay friend comes to Palm Springs for the first time, wondering what to do first, I like to ask, "Do you want something flirty or dirty?" In my experience, there is no third option. Everyone is excited to be here and eager to engage with what makes Palm Springs so special and unique. This inherent openness creates an ever-flirtatious dynamic all around – especially between gay men – that is as harmless as it is enticing.
Everyone flirts in Palm Springs. Drag queens flirt with you during at Ross Mathews Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch at V Wine Lounge. Store clerks flirt with you at GayMart USA as they help you pick out your new swimwear. You can flirt with the other boys in the pool at your clothing-optional resort. You can flirt with your waiter while you're having dinner at Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge. You can flirt with your bartenders at Hunters Palm Springs and all the boys along the way when you're barhopping throughout the Arenas District after dinner. And you can even flirt with the baristas at Koffi the next morning.
I've also quickly learned never to assume anything in this town. For instance, it seems to me that if you're a gay couple in Palm Springs, you are in some sort of open relationship unless proven otherwise (at least for the long weekend). That's the line where flirty meets dirty in my book because depending on the "vibe" of things, the new friends you just met 5 minutes ago sitting at the bar at Blackbook (my personal favorite social bar) might just invite you over to their place later that night to enjoy some more cocktails and naked pool time in their salt water saline pool. Did somebody say cock(tails)?
It's just as easy for flirty to go dirty should you choose. Palm Springs has over twenty (20) LGBTQIA+ resorts and guest houses, and at least 14 of them are gay clothing-optional resorts. Some of these clothing-optional resorts also offer day passes for men only, like All Worlds Resort in Palm Springs and CCBC Resort Hotel in Cathedral City (aka "Cat City" as the locals refer to it). Day passes (also available at night) at clothing-optional resorts for men only are the greater Palm Springs version of a gay bathhouse experience.
Of course, there's also some dirty fun to be had on the side here and there, like at the Barracks in Cat City or the Tool Shed in Palm Springs. They both host a variety of themed nights, like "Underwear Night" (Wednesday's at the Barracks and Thursdays at the Tool Shed), where anything goes after enough drinking, flirting, and jock-strap eye-candy everywhere.
So the next time you're here in Palm Springs, do you want it flirty or dirty? I suggest you start with flirty and then see where things go from there. Either way, just get into it. Embrace it. Openness and sex-positivity is the heartbeat of connecting with new people out here. And in a town this vibrant with affluent professionals, creative influencers, and fellow gays from all walks of life, you never know who you're going to meet next and how they might shape your life for the better.
Image by Christian Buehner
Best Gay Shopping in Palm Springs
From mid-century made modern home goods to gaycation fashion, Palm Springs is brimming with gay-owned and LGBTQIA+ businesses to patronize (along with some brand names that we all not-so-secretly love as well)…
From mid-century made modern home goods to gaycation fashion, Palm Springs is brimming with gay-owned and LGBTQIA+ businesses to patronize (along with some brand names that we all not-so-secretly love as well).
Mens short shorts are the unofficial gay dress code here in Palm Springs, so leave those straight-boy shorts at home and show us some thigh, handsome. You can start building your ST33LE Brand short shorts collection at Division Palm Springs until you've got every color of the rainbow under your belt (literally under your belt).
And while you're exploring the downtown area's signature boutiques (realizing how sexy your legs really are in those new short-shorts), be sure to check out some of our favorite spots too...
Mens Clothing
Division Palm Springs hosts a contemporary collection of tank tops, button downs, swim wear, and those highly coveted short shorts I mentioned above. If you really want to dress the part of an experienced Palm Springs gay, this is the place to shop – and it's right in the Arenas district.
GayMart USA proudly touts itself as America’s Favorite Gay Superstore. Swimsuits and underwear of all flavors are their specialty, but they've also got some fun cards, gifts, and adult novelty items (did someone say poppers)? GayMart is also in the heart of the Arenas district.
Bear Wear curates a nice selection of mens fashion, jewelry, and gifts. Philip ‘n Bruce always look forward to assisting you with your apparel needs – big men, small men, all men. And you guessed it – it's in the heart of the Arenas district.
Mr. Turk Menswear presents a swank modern resort interior that features 1970s styles with vintage flair at boujie prices. A bit further north on North Palm Canyon Drive, Mr. Turk is the baby spoon to Trina Turk Palm Springs.
Adult Gifts & Sex Shops
Rough Trade Gear Palm Springs has the hottest mens street, fetish, sport, and play gear – right in the heart of the Arenas District.
Gear Leather & Fetish has some of the best fetish goods from the world’s top makers for men who play hard. They're located on East Sunny Dunes Road, so grab a drink at the Tool Shed next door for some inspiration first.
Art, Gifts & Inspiration
Destination PSP offers uniquely fun and originally-designed merchandise. Their stylish, modern designs reflect the mid-century heritage of the Palm Springs experience. We particularly love their MCM (Mid-Century Modern) t-shirts and tissue box covers!
Just Fabulous Palm Springs is an modern lifestyle boutique offering a wide array of gifts, books, home decor that are as fun as they are inspiring.
Queertique Palm Springs is a queer lifestyle shop championing primarily independent queer artists unique art, apparel, goods, vintage and more. Be sure to take a selfie in their glamorous oversized dressing room (and then tag them in it obviously)!
The SHAG Store is the retail store for the artworks and merchandise of artist Josh Agle (aka SHAG). His style represents the vintage Palm Springs highlife, and every print is always hand signed and numbered by Shag himself.
Christopher Kennedy is Mid-Century made Modern. His home furnishings and interior design embody modern luxury and vibrant Southern California glamour.
Rancho Relaxo has a mission to inspire and delight, focusing on local artists and artisans who celebrate the spirit of Desert Modernism in their signature fashion, accessories, home decor, and gifts.
Home Furnishings & Accessories
H3K Home is a gay-owned operation specializing in design consultation, but they have a uniquely colorful showroom of Desert Modern home furnishings and accessories that would brighten anyone's day. We particularly love their Palm Strings Collection.
PS Homeboys are staging specialists with an inspiring showroom in the Arenas District that specializes in Mid-Century meets Modern home décor.
Wabi Sabi Japan Living is an ode to the “impermanence and imperfection” of Japanese art and design, featuring home goods and imported specialty groceries from Japan and Asia.
Consignment / Resale / Thrift Shops
Revivals is where all the conscientious gay locals shop, donate their furniture and appliances, contribute their art and jewelry, and volunteer their time. That's because all four (4) Revivals Stores and locations here in the Coachella Valley donates 100% of its profits to support comprehensive healthcare at DAP Health (the Desert AIDS Project) to the tune of over $1 million a year. Now that's what I call health "care"!
Misty's Consignments has room after room of professionally staged "venuets" filled with designer furniture, fine art, and more. It's an ever-rotating inventory wonderland for even the most discerning gay man (myself included)!
Antique & Vintage Furniture Shops
Antique Galleries of Palm Springs is the newest, largest, and best source for antique, vintage, and retro everything in the Coachella Valley. You'll find all sorts of random things here.
Palm Springs Vintage Market is a wonder to behold on the first Sunday of each month (8:00 am to 2:00 pm). Located at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (formerly Camelot Theatres), it has the best collection of Southern California sellers of vintage and antique furniture, art, clothing, jewelry, and home furnishings for any mid-century design enthusiast!
Wellness
The Men's Spa at La Dolce Vita is the only place where you can stay gay in town that includes a spa exclusively for gay men.
The Men’s Grooming Spot waxes where others don't. They also offer men’s massage, skin care, hair, and men’s nails with a "cool spa vibe" as the only complete men’s spa in the Coachella Valley.
World Gym Palm Springs has been referred to as the gayest gym in the world more than once since we've arrived here in Palm Springs. Think every type of gay (especially daddies and bears) wearing next-to-nothing and proudly keeping it "the" gay gym in town. Did somebody say cruising?
Daddy's Barbershop serves the LGBTQ communities and our allies with “old school barbering” and modern, sexy haircuts – right in the Arenas District.
Sunny Dunes Barber Shop is a no-frills, three-chair shop run by well-seasoned male barbers at a reasonable price.
The Vault Dispensary and Lounge promises to deliver the finest cannabis dispensary experience you can find. Their consumption lounge even features fun events, like Legendary (digital) Bingo night, hosted by comedian Deven Green & Ned Douglas!
Brand Names
Don't worry, boys – there's an H&M Palm Springs right here in the heart of downtown too for those of us who crave the familiar side of retail therapy.
West Elm Palm Springs is right next to H&M as well, so go seek some inspiration there while you're at it. Just consider supporting a local brand as well (unless you really need that sickening lamp that only West Elm can provide).
The Desert Hills Premium Outlets & Cabazon Outlets are side-by-side and just a quick 20-minute drive west of Palm Springs if you get that outlet itch. The Desert Hills Premium Outlets are the real highlight between the two, featuring all the name brands we love.
Palm Desert Shops is a great resource for where the bougier shops are. In fact, Palm Desert is where everything bougie and corporate is.
So, What's The T?
Why the Palm Springs Guys? The truth (the T) is that we wanted to create the kind of platform we were originally looking for ourselves before we moved here. There are lots of great resources available for all things gay here in Palm Springs, but none of them offered the kind of local flavor and local intel in one place that we were seeking…
*If you’re as obsessed with RuPaul's Drag Race as we are, you already know that 'The T' is another term for 'the Truth.'
If you didn’t know, well, you’re welcome.
Hey, Guys! We are Gregory and Glen (aka the Palm Springs Guys).
Consider us your new local guides to Gay Palm Springs. We’re pretty new to the high desert ourselves, so we invite you to explore the wonders of this Gaytropolis along with us, hand-in-hand (aww).
Why the Palm Springs Guys? The truth (the T) is that we wanted to create the kind of platform we were originally looking for ourselves before we moved here. There are lots of great resources available for all things gay here in Palm Springs, but none of them offered the kind of streamlined local flavor in one place that we were seeking. The Palm Springs Guys is our take on Gay Palm Springs!
While we may be new full-timers here ourselves, we hope our fresh perspective and new discoveries will become your secret weapon to Gay Palm Springs travel and pleasure. We can’t wait to share everything we learn with you along the way – all the hidden gems and the not-to-be-missed – so that you can eat, play, and stay gay here in the greater Palm Springs desert of Southern California.
The best way to follow along is through our What's The T? newsletter (which you can sign up for below)…
Like you, the pandemic served up some serious transitional realness for Glen and I – from Maryland to Marilyn (with a few places in between). If you’re curious to learn more about our backstory, check out our about page.
For now, here's some food for deep thought. After three (3) months in Palm Springs now, we are surrounded by shining examples of pride everywhere we go. Beautiful layers of pride to replace outdated layers of shame.
We’ve come a long way as gay men, but there’s still so much shame we carry in the queer community. That’s why it matters to celebrate who we are. That’s why gay communities that flourish in destinations like Palm Springs are so important – and why destinations like Palm Springs are only baby steps in the right direction in acknowledging generations of shame and struggle.
Glen and I are 40 years old now. We’ve been lucky in both our lives, but we’re finally PROUD to be who we are. We are no longer ashamed – and we’re reminded of that every day out here so far.
Come visit us sometime!
Cheers,
Glen & Gregory, The Palm Springs Guys
😎🌴🍸🏳️🌈⛰🏜
