The gay insider’s guide on where to party, stay, shop, and eat in Palm Springs

John Halbach, the Director of Video and Social Media for Q.Digital, GayCities parent company, has traveled the world, but Palm Springs is home. He and his husband, Kit, have lived in the desert for years, and Coachella Valley is their stomping ground.

So, who best to ask where to go and what to do when you’re soaking up the sun and warm weather this winter?

GayCities chatted with John to get his quick take on where to party, where to stay, and what to eat when you’re in the desert. Get his insider take below.

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Where do you bar hop when you go out with your friends, and in what order? 

A lot of the bars are located together on Arenas Road. Blackbook is a great place to start if you want an actual cocktail (anything more complicated than a vodka soda), and they have a solid bar food menu too. Next, we usually move over to Chill Bar, which can get a little more rowdy and has a dance floor in the back. Finally, we have to make a stop at Quadz to sing along to a medley from Sister Act or Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury’s performance of Bosom Buddies from the 1987 Tony Awards. 

Which one is your favorite?

It’s impossible to pick a favorite, but shout out to Toucans Tiki Lounge for always having great drag shows. Also, RIP to The Barracks. You will be missed! 

Who is the best drag queen in the city?

There are so many amazing drag performers in Palm Springs, but one of my favorites is Epiphany Kali. I’ve been lucky enough to see her perform a few times, and last year, I took my parents to her drag brunch at Reforma Palm Springs. The show was so fun, and she was so sweet to them. 

Which hotel do you suggest for out-of-town friends?

The Ace Hotel and Swim Club was the first place I fell in love with when my husband Kit and I first started visiting Palm Springs. It’s an old Howard Johnson’s that’s been updated perfectly for the full desert hipster fantasy. The pool has stunning mountain views, and the folks at King’s Highway restaurant and the Amigo Room bar will take care of you from breakfast to happy hour. Try the chilaquiles, the banoffee, the date shake, and the frozen pina colada. Also, the crowd (and the DJ) is usually very fun and very queer. Even if you don’t stay at the Ace, it’s still a cool place to hang out. Another good place to stay is The V Palm Springs. They’ve got two beautiful pools and delicious margaritas at both the bar and their restaurant, Gigi’s. They also throw pool parties on big holiday weekends. 

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What is your favorite food and where do you get it in Palm Springs?

For Mexican food, my favorite spot in Palm Springs is Las Casuelas Terraza on the main drag downtown. The margaritas are big, and there is usually live music on the patio with the best wedding band vibes (think Mustang Sally and Sweet Caroline). For a martini and pasta on a lovely outdoor patio, Birba is perfect. And for vegan food on the go, Chef Tanya’s Kitchen is a local institution. It’s located off the beaten path in a strip mall, but the staff is friendly, and the sandwiches and salads are excellent. 

Where do you like to go shopping in Palm Springs? 

For the definitive Palm Springs look, Mr. Turk and Trina Turk is your one-stop shop for everything from swimsuits to caftans. To bring some mid-century modern flair home to your home, check out H3K Home, and for gifts, cards, and knickknacks, Peepas Palm Springs has really cute stuff. 

What’s the best part about the nightlife in Palm Springs?

One of the best parts of nightlife in Palm Springs is how welcoming it is. You’ll meet folks from LA, San Francisco, San Diego, and all over the place. And I don’t think it’s quite as cliquey as some other gay vacation spots I’ve been to. (cough, cough, Fire Island) 

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