Hot Spots for Cool Cats

Live like the Rat Pack at these retro desert lounges

Michelle Roe Restaurants

We’ve all heard tales about infamous Palm Springs nightclubs as glamorous haunts of the rich and famous.

Luck is your lady once again in the Coachella Valley as midcentury chic experiences a new awakening with “groovy” watering holes and lounges. With retro vibes and swanky cocktails that scream “Palm Springs lifestyle,” you can live life your way.

Your search for star-studded nights and the storied legends of the desert party scene just got easier with our guide to some of the best lounges in the area.

Relive the ’60s at Copa Palm Springs, the newest venue on the desert’s sizzling social scene. A tribute to the old dance nightclubs of the valley’s golden era, this spot brings sexy back. A fabulous throwback for “cool cats” to get their swag on, Copa is a top spot to shimmy to candy-colored lights or sink into a leather-upholstered booth and take in an act on the elevated stage. Either way, you’ll dig this place. 244 E. Amado Rd., Palm Springs. 760-866-0021; www.coparoomps.com

With sunny splashes of yellow detail, the bar at Citron at the Viceroy Palm Springs lives up to its name. Re-creating the air and personality of 1940s high-style desert living, this sophisticated lounge is distinctly Hollywood Regency in its design and attracts a celebrity following among those who want to see and be seen. Sip with panache at this fashionable oasis — the perfect place to grab a snazzy martini. 415 S. Belardo Rd., Palm Springs. 760-318-3016; www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

Old meets new at the Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, which serves artisan cocktails and a large selection of craft beers within the cool confines of this cavernous blast from the past. Surrounded by retro ranch-style stone interior walls adorned with period novelties, this space offers an out-of-this-world architectural aesthetic. The Amigo has fast become the site for hipsters who want to kick back and enjoy a lively, fun atmosphere. 701 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-325-9900; www.acehotel.com/palmsprings

The award-winning Starlite Lounge at the Riviera Palm Springs Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for an elegant affair to remember. Resplendent with ’50s architectural design, including an inspired Liberace-style billiards table, this beautiful retreat features live entertainment and classic cocktails reminiscent of the glitz and dazzling sophistication of an old-fashioned evening out. 1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-327-8311; www.psriviera.com

One of the original Rat Pack hangouts, the legendary Purple Room at Club Trinidad is the ultimate destination for clubbing in style. Representing the class and creative spirit associated with the icons of the era, the Purple Room offers top-quality live entertainment and is a midcentury buff’s dream. With colorful cocktails such as “I Did It Mai Tai” and “The Sammy,” Ol’ Blue Eyes himself would be proud of this revival. A sweet den in which to eat, drink, and play, this enclave thrills revelers with its authentic homage to ’60s lounges. 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-322-4422; purpleroompalmsprings.com