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PALM SPRINGS
by Joseph Schmitt
During a recent trip to Palm Springs, California, I overheard
a local resident refer to this desert oasis as the “gayest
town in the United States.” Judging from my numerous
visits over the last fifteen years, I suspect that man
could be correct. Each time I make the short drive from
Los Angeles for a weekend getaway of fun in the sun, there
are new shops, hotels, and restaurants, all frequented
by like-minded desert-casual patrons out for a good time.
Following a decade or more of gay gentrification, with
many transplants choosing to make Palm Springs their year-round
residence, locally owned and operated businesses catering
to the gay traveler are plentiful, with new offerings
to explore opening all the time.
Dining al fresco is a year-round favorite
pastime in the desert, with heat lamps for comfort in
the winter months and misting systems to keep you cool
in summer. Some tasty new additions in Palm Springs
include The Tropicale Restaurant and Coral Seas Lounge
(330 E. Amado Road. Tel: 760-866-1952. http://www.thetropicale.com).
The ultra-chic dining room here is reminiscent of an
old-world Miami supper club with soft hues of pink and
green and wave-textured white walls. The menu is described
as “world cuisine,” allowing the chefs room
to play, but sprinkled throughout the common theme are
pan-Asian influences loaded with fresh seafood and old-school
favorites like Niçoise Salad and Crab Louis.
My waiter told me that in the last week alone he’d
waited on Lily Tomlin and Barry Manilow! (Both are great
tippers, he assured me). The Coral Seas Lounge, slightly
divided from the main dining room by a low wall, has
become the upscale bar destination of choice. A lone,
dramatic, Polynesian mural over the bar sets a subtle
tropical tone. The massive, wrap-around, stainless steel
bar leads you outside to a large and festive patio where
you can enjoy tropical cocktails, such as my favorite,
the Spicy Mango Margarita, and full dinner service under
a starry desert sky. Reservations are recommended, especially
on the weekend.
Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar (105
S. Palm Canyon Dr. Tel: 760-327-1333. http://www.okurasushi.com)
on Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of downtown is the
newly- opened sister location of the original Okura
in nearby La Quinta. The ultra-modern interior and Japanese-California
fusion menu attracts a trendy crowd of locals and tourists.
Enjoy a Lychee Martini at happy hour from 4–6 P.M.
on the spacious patio, which is a great spot for people
watching.
Bongo Johnny’s (214 E. Arenas Rd.
Tel: 760-866-1905) was a better-than-expected treat
on a recent visit. Located on Arenas Road, the heart
of gay Palm Springs with a number of bars and shops,
the theme here is upscale surfer haven with Abercrombie-like
surfer boy photos on the wall, and a full bar with a
large patio. The laid-back atmosphere and menu of burgers,
salads, and sandwiches is great for a casual lunch,
and even better for a late-night snack (kitchen open
until 2 A.M.) when stumbling out of Hunter’s Video
Bar (http://www.huntersnightclubs.com)
just down the street.
Meanwhile, Azul (369 N. Palm Canyon
Drive. Tel: 760-325-5533. http://www.azultapaslounge.com),
a tapas-inspired lounge and patio bar, has been a huge
hit since opening in 2006. It used to be that restaurants
and bars located on the main boulevard of Palm Canyon
Drive were mostly tourist traps, but part of Palm Springs’
resurgence is the revitalization of Palm Canyon Drive
as a year-round destination for locals, too. During
my visits to Azul over the last year, I found the crowd
was always at least half locals. Denise Carter, a favored
Palm Springs entertainer, belts out jazzy standards
weekly in Azul’s main interior cabaret bar. Azul
also highlights special guest appearances by other local
talent as well as gay icons like Lady Bunny. The adjacent
dining room has a studious feel with wood paneling and
large booths, but don’t let the upscale furnishings
fool you. Once the dinner menu has finished for the
night, Azul rolls up its sleeves for a long night of
ruckus until 2 A.M. Azul’s sizeable patio bar (with
heaters for the winter months) often resembles a town
hall meeting of the gays with a few hetero visitors
tossed in for variety.
On the other end of the Coachella Valley
is another groundbreaking nightlife venue, El Destino
(83-085 Indio Blvd. Indio. Tel: 760-775-0686. http://www.eldestinonightclub.com).
It’s roughly a 30-minute drive to Indio from Palm
Springs, but with a designated driver it’s worth
venturing out into the desert to check out the first-ever
high-end Latino gay nightclub in this part of the valley.
With Miami-style Latin dance music, hot go-go boys and
girls, and an extensive bar menu—all in a custom
designed upscale space—El Destino is a great addition
to Coachella Valley nightlife.
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