LGBTQ Fun Times on and off Arenas Road

For the uninitiated, the biggest concentration of LGBT nightlife in Palm Springs is on E.  Arenas Road, between S Indian Canyon Drive and S Calle Encilia. The largest nightclub on the block and the largest gay nightclub in Palm Springs is Hunters.   It includes a main bar and patio lounge and a separate dance space that opens on the weekends and special events.  While the clientele is mostly gay men, Hunters is lesbian and straight friendly.

Streetbar is the oldest bar on Arenas Road and also one of the most popular.   It has been going strong since 1991.  It is well known for Karaoke and its outside patio that seems to always draw a crowd.

Chill is the newest kid on the block with a beautiful modern chic motif.   The main bar and patio is in the front and the Scorpion nightclub in the back.  Scorpion is open for weekends and special events.

Tryst is just around the corner on 188 S Indian Canyon, next to the Hard Rock Hotel.  It is another of the newer Palm Springs bars known for showcasing live local musicians.

Toucans Tiki Lounge 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive is two miles north of Arenas Road and is well worth the trip.   The tiki bars always draws a friendly crowd who packs onto its dance floor or enjoy one of its famed drag shows.  Toucans’ draws a diverse crowd from twinks to older gay men and is very lesbian and straight friendly.   The Palm Springs lesbian party, Velvet, meets there about once a month.

The Alibi Azul restaurant and bar is on 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, about a 10 minute walk north of Arenas Road, and is the only gay bar on Palm Canyon Drive, the city’s main drag.  And speaking of drag, the bar has a fabulous cabaret space showcasing some of the city’s best drag shows.

The Tool Shed 600 E Sunny Dunes Rd is the city’s Levi/Leather bar and is on the gay Sunny Dunes strip.  The space is complete with a pool table and outside smoking patio.