Michelin-recognized dining, modernist architecture, storied Hollywood hideaways … People don’t visit Palm Springs for drab, that’s for sure.
But they do visit for drag. And that upscale sense of spectacle Palm Springs is famous for informs many LGBTQ+-owned spaces in Palm Springs and Cathedral City, catering to those with a taste for something above average. Here are 13 essential stops for a posh, queer-focused experience.
Sabryna Williams hosts Sunday Tea n’ Shade at Boozehounds. Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.
Photo courtesy boozehounds
Now Serving Flavor
Head to Boozehounds for Sunday Tea n’ Shade, a high-energy, diva-led drag lunch featuring local queen Sabryna Williams and her troupe, The Lunchettes. At this dog-friendly restaurant, executive chef Aric Ianni, a desert native, brings global nuance to California cuisine — try the maguro tataki salad with seared tuna, avocado, radishes, crispy shallots, and a creamy sesame dressing.
Bitchiest Brunch, the mother of all drag brunches in Palm Springs, launched at Oscar’s in 2018, making it the longest-running in the desert. Each Sunday, Anita Rose emcees a spirited show of talented performers, while guests dig into a classic brunch menu with a Cuban twist. During Greater Palm Springs Pride on Nov. 7, head to the Oscar’s Stage to see rapper Blac Chyna followed by Grammy-winning DJ Tracy Young.
For dinner and wine, Alice B., inspired by the culinary travels of Alice B. Toklas — cookbook author and lover to American writer Gertrude Stein — serves Californian cuisine at Living Out, a 55-and-older LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs. (The restaurant is open to the public.) A popular pick: the bavette steak with celery salad and za’atar spiced frites, paired with a glass of cab.
Straight Out of the Closet
With sequined Jennafer Grace caftans, R-rated Taschen coffee-table books, and stickers proclaiming, “If being gay was a choice, I’d be gayer,” Peepa’s is a go-to for women’s clothing, souvenirs, and gifts. Celebrity portraits and midcentury-inspired paintings from local artist Chris Burbach adorn the walls — along with Palm Springs Life magazine cover posters and greeting cards.
Next door, the moody yet cheeky Peepa’s Men’s Store serves up men’s apparel and accessories — from bitsy shorts with 3- to 7-inch inseams to undergarments like boxer briefs, thongs, jockstraps, and, occasionally, somehow, even less.
Also catering to men, Bear Wear has been selling quality swimsuits, shirts, trucker hats, and accessories since 2003. With inclusion at its core, the boutique distinguishes itself by serving plus-size gay men, offering waist sizes from 26 to 42 and T-shirts up to 6XL.
1n the Uptown Design District, gay-owned Just Fabulous curates gifts, books, and other goodies that fit seamlessly into the local aesthetic. Shop home décor at its nearby second location, Just Fabulous Home. “My store appeals to everybody, whether you’re gay, straight, trans, or whatever,” says owner Stephen Monkarsh. “When people come into my store, they can be in the worst mood in the world, but by the time they leave, they’re feeling ‘just fabulous.’ I don’t want people to just feel safe; I want them to feel inspired.”
Lip-SyncHs and Libations
Tiki-inspired décor, late-night drag shows, and tropical cocktails make Toucans Tiki Lounge a must-visit. While Tommi Rose and the Playgirls — one of the desert’s longest-running drag revues — ended its 22-year run in 2024, the spotlight now shines on a new generation of queens who headline weekly shows. Seats fill fast.
The chefs behind Alice B. in Palm Springs.
Photo courtesy alice b.
On Sundays through mid-December, One Eleven Bar in Cathedral City hosts the seventh season of Vanity’s Drag Star Challenge, where up-and-coming performers compete in a series of weekly challenges in front of a panel that judges the essentials: lip-synching, audience engagement, and costuming, among other categories. The crowned winner receives $1,111, a nod to the bar’s name.
Also in Cathedral City, The Roost Lounge welcomes patrons for open-mic nights accompanied by live piano, weekly karaoke on Tuesdays, and a lineup of DJs and performers. The bar also supports local nonprofits through annual fundraising events and accepts donations to The Roost Scholarship Fund, which provides financial aid to those seeking higher education.
Stay and Slay
A pink paradise dreamed up by RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 3 winner Trixie Mattel, the Trixie Motel embodies pure femme energy. Each themed room draws fans from around the world: Buzzing hexagonal shapes light up the orange-and-yellow Oh Honeymoon Suite; a flying-saucer fixture crowns the Atomic Bombshell Room; and the Malibu Barbara Room leans full tilt into tropical fantasy. Even the exterior is painted pink.
For men seeking a swimsuit-optional getaway, Descanso Resort provides a serene and social retreat amid manicured gardens and tall hedges for maximum privacy. Amenities include a daily continental breakfast, lunch, and complimentary nonalcoholic drinks from its 24-hour cantina.
PRIDE GUIDE
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Gayborhood
Because Pride season never ends in the Arenas District.
Named the official gay district of Palm Springs in 2022, the Arenas District encompasses the stretch of Arenas Road between South Indian Canyon Drive and South Calle Encilia. Streetbar, the first gay bar in the city, opened in 1991, paving the way for the neighborhood that thrives today.
On any given night, packed patios and pulsing nightclubs promise a lively place to see and be seen. By day, locally owned restaurants and boutiques keep the good times going.
The Arenas District hosts community events like the Big Gay BBQ (June), Halloween Palm Springs (October), and Greater Palm Springs Pride (November), closing the road to traffic and inviting food vendors and merchants to line the street instead.
No matter your identity, Arenas has a place for you — just follow the music and margaritas.
