Once a sleepy desert town, Palm Springs has blossomed into a stylish retreat crawling with cool cocktail bars behind every palm tree. From moody hotel hideaways to buzzy poolside sips, this glossy oasis overflows with delightful watering holes. Whether you seek a stiff martini under twinkling lights or a chilled margarita beside an aqua blue pool, Palm Springs bars deliver.
In this roundup, we uncover the most alluring places to sip exquisite libations in Palm Springs. From hipster havens to swanky mid-century dens, these bars tick every box. Artfully-made drinks, inviting ambiance, delectable bites – they have it all. So grab a seat at one of these chic bars, and drink in the Palm Springs scene. Your next perfect night awaits.
Truss & Twine
Fusing industrial edge with vintage allure, Truss & Twine takes a creative approach to cocktails. Their menu categorizes drinks into distinct eras, so imbibe a herbaceous gimlet from the “Golden Age” or a spice-laced tiki libation from the evocatively named “Dark Ages.” Beyond inventive concoctions, the dramatic space impresses with brutalist touches like inky black concrete and a swooping steel canopy overhead. Owners also run the adjacent Workshop Kitchen, and small plates of crispy wings, street tacos, and creamy cheese fondue mirror their imagination. Sip a cocktail in the sleek, low-lit interior or people-watch from the sidewalk patio. At Truss & Twine, history meets innovation behind every sip.
Truss & Twine: 151 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 459-3203. Visit Truss & Twine here.
Bootlegger Tiki
Step inside Palm Springs’ hottest new tiki bar, where flickering blowfish lights and velvet paintings transport you back to the 1950s. But make no mistake – the drinks steal the show. Bootlegger Tiki occupies the original Don the Beachcomber space, but no dusty old cocktails here. Instead, theatrical bartenders blend flavors with finesse using fresh juices, house-made bitters and quality spirits. Imbibe a Saturn, their spin on the tiki classic with passionfruit and citrus, or the namesake Bootlegger Mai Tai, best enjoyed during twice-daily happy hour. With two lushly landscaped patios and an intimate wood-paneled interior with a daybed, Bootlegger Tiki nails the escapist tropical vibe. Don those Hawaiian shirts, and let the tiki times roll.
Bootlegger Tiki: 140 W Via Lola, Palm Springs, CA (760) 318-4154. Visit the Bootlegger here.
Counter Reformation
Tucked into a corner of the luxurious Parker Palm Springs hotel, Counter Reformation makes a wine lover’s dreams come true. This swanky bar pours an eclectic array of natural wines, expertly paired with gourmet small plates. Sidle up to the sleek concrete-and-marble bar for intimate seating, or claim a buttery leather banquette and marble table for a group. Then dive into the “Cave à Manger,” a smorgasbord of brow-raising wines complemented by delicate bites like truffled duck rillettes and creamy brandade. With its Euro-chic ambiance, moody candlelight, and thoughtful wine program, Counter Reformation elevates Palm Springs’ bar scene. Note the stylish dress code and reservations-only policy for a refined experience.
Read more about the Parker Palm Springs hotel here.
Counter Reformation: 4200 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760)770-5000. Visit Counter Reformation here.
The High Bar
Rising seven stories above downtown Palm Springs, the High Bar rooftop lounge at Kimpton Rowan Hotel is the valley’s only open-air pool bar. Under swaying palms, take in panoramic views of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains stretching out toward the hazy horizon. The inviting backdrop sets the tone for bright, fruit-forward cocktails like the herbaceous cucumber gimlet and tangy guava-laced Veveno. Come for sun-splashed weekend afternoons when rays reflect off the turquoise pool water, or return for balmy evenings when flickering torches illuminate the minimalist-chic scene. Whether lounging on plush sofas or saddling up to the sleek marble bar, High Bar’s sleek oasis vibes make it a quintessential Palm Springs happy hour hotspot.
Learn more about the Kimpton Rowan at our hotel review here.
The High Bar: 100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 904-5015. Visit the High Bar here.
Tac/Quila
For an authentic taste of regional Mexican cuisine, Tac/Quila infuses coastal dishes with time-honored Mexican flavors. The vibrant dining room highlights works by mid-century Mexican artists who rose to prominence alongside Palm Springs’ architecture scene. But beyond eye-catching design, the food captivates. Tac/Quila honors Jalisco traditions with small plates like chili-dusted octopus ceviche and bone marrow tacos on handmade corn tortillas. And naturally, smoky Mezcal cocktails like the herbaceous Oaxacan Old Fashioned complement the zesty, robust fare. Led by an owner well-versed in agave spirits, Tac/Quila pours over 50 tequilas and mezcals. With its lively atmosphere and meticulous execution, Tac/Quila brings the rich artistry of Mexico to life, one sip and bite at a time.
Tac/Quila: 415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 417-4471. Visit Tac/Quila here.
Boozehounds
In sunny Palm Springs, Boozehounds stands out as a dog-lovers paradise. Up to four furry companions can join their owners in the sprawling outdoor atrium, adorned with mini palm trees and misters providing sweet relief from the arid climate. Pups hydrate at stone water bowls while humans imbibe tropical cocktails like the Greyhound 2.0, made with ruby red grapefruit juice and gin. When the desert sun intensifies, head inside to the stylish dining room and lounge with mid-century modern decor. Menus cater to both species, with animal-shaped churros for furry friends and hearty fare like buttermilk-brined Nashville hot chicken for humans. From “yappy” hour to boozy weekend drag brunches, Boozehounds proves the liveliest spots welcome both two legs and four.
Boozehounds: 2080 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 656-0067. Visit Boozehounds here.
Paul Bar
Tucked discreetly inside a charmless strip mall lies Paul Bar, a cozy cocktail sanctuary that transports you to the unrestrained revelry of 1920s New York City. Handcrafted Manhattans, meticulous martinis, and bow tie-clad bartenders behind the hand-carved mahogany bar exude old-school sophistication. Owner Paul O’Halloran brings decades of Big Apple bartending experience to Palm Springs, evident in precision libations made without pretense. Between the black and white Miss Subway photos, moody red lighting, vintage Asian artworks, and “Dog Alley” en route to the restrooms, Paul Bar’s every design detail delights. So escape the strip mall doldrums, and step inside this stylish time capsule for a true taste of old New York.
Paul Bar: 3700 E Vista Chino, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 656-4082. Visit Paul Bar here.
Tailor Shop
Shrouded in secrecy, the Tailor Shop is downtown Palm Springs’ most enigmatic drinking den. Enter through the faded green door, and suddenly it’s the roaring 1920s. Sultry red lighting, plush velvet banquettes, and antique brass finishes transform the small space into a retro-glam escape. Here, dapper bartenders tailor classic cocktails tableside, like aged rye Old Fashioneds mingled with unique tiki bitters. On the equally imaginative menu, find the Hinky Silhouette, blending smokey mezcal with muddled sweet dates. Each custom libation adds intrigue to the speak-easy atmosphere. With its hidden entrance and air of exclusivity, the Tailor Shop entices guests to leave the modern world behind and step into a bygone era of glamour and indulgence.
The Tailor Shop: 140 W Vía Lola Unit A, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 537-7227. Visit the Tailor Shop here.
PS Air Bar
Stroll into this whimsical bar, and you’ll swear you stepped onto a Pan Am plane circa 1963. At PS Air Bar, owners have impressively recreated a vintage first class cabin complete with mustard-hued seats, overhead plastic bins and even round windows from a retired jet. The playful novel interior matches the equally fun cocktails like the Aviation, mingling gin with sweet maraschino liqueur. And for the full immersive experience, attend their amusing Saturday “flight” with complimentary bubbly and meals hilariously served on plastic trays. While actual air travel may lose its luster, PS Air Bar provides a joyous escape into the glamorous Golden Age of flying.
PS Air Bar: 611 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 327-7701. Visit PS Air Bar here.
Blackbook
Lacking attitude but not flavor, Blackbook brings a lively neighborhood vibe to downtown Palm Springs. This comfy hangout built on inclusion forgoes fussy drinks for playful cocktails like the Negorski, mingling vodka with rich espresso liqueur. Pair them with heaping plates of indulgent disco fries or the colossal grilled cheese oozing with creamy Havarti. Out back, a canine-friendly patio filled with communal tables cultivates a carefree social scene under strings of twinkling lights. Inside, cozy up to the inviting subway-tiled bar and pore over their 400+ whiskeys. From weekend brunch to late-night revelry, Blackbook keeps the good times flowing in an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
Blackbook: 315 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 832 8497. Visit Blackbook here.
The Amigo Room
Tucked inside the Ace Hotel, The Amigo Room brings a touch of Palm Springs history to its hipster environs. This cozy cantina channels an old ranch-hand haunt with exposed brick walls and warm Edison bulb lighting. The laid-back vibe exudes casual chill, but the cocktails demonstrate serious mixology skills. Using garden-fresh ingredients, bartenders concoct herbaceous libations like the Picante Amante, mingling smoky mezcal with bright basil and spicy serrano. Grab a seat beside the towering palm, or take your tangy Mezcal Mule poolside for a quintessential desert happy hour. At The Amigo Room, quality craftsmanship merges seamlessly with the easy-going Palm Springs lifestyle.
The Amigo Room: 701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA. (760) 325-9900. Visit the Amigo Room here.
From clandestine cocktail dens to buzzy hotel bars, Palm Springs offers an abundance of enticing places to sip innovative libations with a dash of desert cool. With its burgeoning bar scene, this stylish oasis provides the perfect blend of old school glamour and modern flair. So next time you’re seeking a spirited night out in Palm Springs, turn to this list, and drink up the best of what this desert playground has to offer. Cheers!
