Splash Around This August In Palm Springs
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The weather has been so lovely this past week you’d think it was late October! Who knows if it will hold, and truthfully, it doesn’t matter — the doors are still open and Palm Springs is still swinging. At least some of it is.
The two big events of the month are actually one event: Splash House. It’s pools, parties, and DJs. I’ve heard there might even be alcohol and other substances. What I do know for sure is there are two weekends involved, so to check out who’s playing and where:
Go splash. Take ride shares. Wear sunscreen. Have fun. Love, Your Mom
The stuff to do
August 1: Drag Trivia at Arrive Palm Springs. Every Friday night at Arrive Hotel. It’s free.
While you’re up that way, try one or more of the restaurants on the north end of town near Vista Chino. 1501 Gastropub, Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, The HeyDay (smash burgers, delish veggie version too); Rick’s Cafe, and Billy Reed’s are very old school diner food. Billy Reed’s has terrific desserts and a happy hour hopping with friendly locals.
August 1: Cabaret a la Carte presents Bonnie G: Torch Songs with a Twist with musical director Kevin Tokarz at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
August 3: Queer Women’s Tea Dance at The Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail. 3 to 6 p.m. Pretty sure this is becoming a monthly event, so if you’re interested, bookmark the website.
On August 15, you can party for a good cause
August 15: Pool Party for a Cause, benefiting the PS Animal Shelter at Palm Springs Surf Club. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($25 for the first 200 people, $42 thereafter.) “Float the Lazy River, dive into the Island Pool, and soak in the sunset with a tropical drink from the Island Bar. Feast on tasty bites at the Taco Bar.”
August 16: Dive-In Movies at the Palm Springs Swim Center presents Mufasa. Gates open at 7 p.m., movie is free and starts at dusk (a little after 8 p.m.).
August 22: This sounds way cool! For one night only, Guadalupe’s House Party takes over Palm Springs Art Museum. “Step into Guadalupe Rosales’ house party and experience the energy, style, and spirit of ’90s Los Angeles brought to life inside the exhibition “Guadalupe Rosales | Tzahualli: Mi memoria en tu reflejo,” a deep dive into memory, time, and Latine youth culture.”
Live sets from legendary DJ Irene and Michael Trance, handcrafted cocktails from a custom tequila bar, interactive pop-ups, a tattoo studio, and more. Tickets here.
August 31: Holiday House is having a Labor Day BBQ (or as the ad says “Bar-be-que!”) from noon to 4 p.m. “The resort’s cabanas and garden with umbrella-shaded tables are the ideal setting for enjoying lunch at this oasis of mid-century modern cool — it’s the new Palm Springs tradition.” You can see the daily menus and pictures here but reservations are made by calling 760-320-8866.
The Rock Gallery oddly does not sell rocks, nor does it have rock and roll artists. It is a comedy club! A very intimate venue in a very cool spot where you could very easily get lost. It’s like a bee hive back there, or what I imagine one would be like on the inside. I’ve never been. But hey! Comedy! We could all use a good laugh.
Thursdays: PS Art Museum is free from 5 to 8 p.m., and VillageFest starts at 7 p.m.
Sundays: Maleza at The Drift holds The Sunday Table, “a rotating prix fixe Sunday supper served with intention. All made to share, and every dish tells a story.” Available 5 to 9 p.m.
V Wine and Martini Lounge presents Leanne and Miguel on Congas Monday nights; Karaoke on Wednesdays; Jason Weber on Thursday nights (through August 28); and on Fridays Siobhan provides the entertainment. Happy hour is 3 to 5 p.m. daily. You’ll like it here. Promise.
Chills and thrills
Escape Room PS — This is a two-fer, both a thrill and a chill. You not only escape the heat for an hour, but you get to escape from inside of a puzzle, and you have one hour. Tick tick tick. Best done with friends. I did it in the Jack the Ripper Room. There were three of us, only one left alive. Pity. No, I kid. No one was harmed during the playing of the game, and we all left alive, no matter what you might hear.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — There are things that scare me, but a gondola ride is not one of them. I get that it is not for everyone though. So if the group chat is relying on you to plan the day, this is one activity you’ll want to get approved with everyone first, okay Hailey? (IYKYK)
It is 20 degrees cooler at the top, so if you happen to catch a particularly insufferable day, the tram is your savior. You can see all the way to the valley, you can have a nice meal, you can do a little hiking. There’s even a movie you can watch. Once you get up there, getting down is as easy as getting in line. Just make sure you catch the last tram back. It gets really cold up there at night.
The Palm Springs Surf Club — Even if you’re not a surfer (I tried once at 14, lost my bikini top down to my waist — the sand filled it better than I did) there’s a lazy river, booze, and food. And on Saturday nights they have an adult swim with music that’s annoying the neighbors.
In the gayborhood
Oscar’s — Bitchiest Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, the Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance, and Saturday night’s Bunker — strictly dickly.
Chill Bar – Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. it’s the Amazing Drag Brunch hosted by Neuber Styles. Performances by Scarlett Business, Aura Mayari, and Kendra Onixxx. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Dick’s — Thursdays: That Sounds Gay Bro! DJ Robbie’s SUPER GAY Music Videos and Clips. 7 p.m. to close, $5 liquor specials.
The news you need to know
Carmela Ice Cream at 750 N. Palm Canyon Dr. has re-opened! They’re just returning to Palm Springs after the devastating fires in L.A. took them down. But they are back up now, and we are so happy to have them back! If you’re in town, maybe show them a little love? Mayor Ron deHarte says the buttermilk strawberry and the salted caramel are solid choices.
A plan is in place to fix the noise levels at the Palm Springs Swim Club, so it’s a no guilt evening. The fix is in. And you were worried.
Sappho sheds a tear as The Dinah takes its final bow this September after 34 years. Make it a banger, ladies.
And be sure to check out our small hotel options for a better night’s sleep. You could rent out The Marley, or buy out Dive (they have a soundproof room for late night party shenanigans!). The Cole is close, but not too close, and has a French restaurant, Freddie’s. The Twist is in the design district, just behind one of our newest restaurants: Saffron. Another fun spot with a unique twist is The Monkey Tree Hotel. It’s a bit east of the action, but not too far (and four minutes from our beloved Paul Bar), and if you’re into architecture and saunas, this is for you. Built by Swiss starchitect Albert Frey, the hotel boasts the area’s first Scandinavian spa, which includes a sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge.
Okay, that’s it for August. Other stuff could pop up, so keep an eye out and an ear to the table next to you. Eavesdropping can be quite informative. Or you could probably just ask. We’re pretty friendly here.
See you in September, when the summer’s…never mind…it’s always summer in Palm Springs.
