Coachella and Stagecoach have come and gone, and we’ve said “so long” to our snowbirds until next year. We will miss them all. But that also means there are a lot of great deals going on. It’s hot during the days but the pools are all cool, and the nightlife is still sizzling and very Palm Springs.
Weekdays in Palm Springs
Most of the restaurants are open seven days, but it’s always a good idea to check. Here’s a great list of restaurants in Palm Springs. We have so many excellent choices, I can’t list them all — I do have my favorites, but I’m not going to play them here.
A fun place to spend some time is the Palm Springs Surf Club. Whether you’re planning on hitting the waves yourself or just having a bite while you watch the waves and the surf boarders catch them, it’s a very cool way to spend some time at the beach without the sand.
Mondays:
V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar has Leanna and Miguel performing Monday nights. The couple took the Coachella Valley by storm about five years back and haven’t stopped since. Fun, upbeat music in a retro chic bar across from Koffi on Tahquitz. Terrific spot.
Wednesdays:
Mod Squad at Palm Springs Cultural Center — Happy Hour has never been so happy. In fact, it’s billed as the Happiest Happy Hour in Palm Springs. Great bar menu. Entertainment is from local favorites Cabaret Queen Francesca Amari, Sultan of Song Jeff Stewart, and King of the Keys and Other Things, Jason Weber. Great mood elevator.
Thursdays:
Palm Springs Art Museum — Free admission from 4 to 7 p.m.
Village Fest — Palm Canyon is closed for three blocks and the streets are full of vendors, buskers, and people. It’s a great way to spend the evening.
Jueves de Drift — The Drift Hotel likes to keep things social. Check out their list of fun activities.
V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar — Jason Weber
Trio — Pasta Thursdays
Weekends in Palm Springs
Saturdays and Sundays:
Sunday Jam at Melvyn’s — All the best players from the Valley, and some from L.A. It’s a great afternoon, early evening event. 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
By the numbers
May 3: An Evening with David Sedaris at Palm Springs Cultural Center
May 3 and 4: Retro Palm Springs Convention — Nostalgic fan convention featuring celebrity guests and cast reunions, vendors with plenty of retro themed merchandise, photo ops, and more.
May 4: Vintage Market — It’s retro heaven this weekend, so take advantage of probably the last vintage market until next season. Grab something from one of the onsite vendors offering local eats.
May 5: Mon Petit Salon at Palm Springs Cultural Center — World Music
May 7: Drag Me to Bingo at Hunter’s — Starts at 6 p.m., hosted by Miss Alexa Waters and Alexa Steel.
May 8-11: Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Great film festival for those into the cinematic style (Google tells me it is not a genre) characterized by its dark, cynical fatalistic tone; it’s like visiting your teenage self, but with subterfuge.
May 30: Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week — This is a great opportunity to try different restaurants across the Valley. These are prix fixe (pronounced “pree fix” but with a French accent), with generally three to five options for each course.
Tours
Desert Tasty Tours — A little history, a lot of food on this three hour walking tour.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours — There are walking tours, biking tours, and private tours. You’re going to have to narrow down your interests because there are so many options.
Palm Springs Windmill Tour — It’s a driving tour, and I’m told by many different people that it’s really interesting.
Desert X (Through May 11) — This is not actually a tour, but you will get to see a lot of the Coachella Valley and some great art installations. Download the app and off you go!
Entertainment
The Rock Gallery — Comedy Club
The Purple Room — Rat Pack-styled supper club with great entertainment. If you’re purchasing tickets, get them through the Purple Room website.
PS Underground — Themed dinner and brunch shows with local entertainers.
We can hardly wait to see you! Make sure you travel safe, call when you get here, and if you would, please shop, eat, and stay local so we’ll be here for you next time. See you soon!
