Come as you are to Arenas Road, the official gay district of downtown Palm Springs, where locally owned eateries, clubs, and bars celebrate Pride daily.
The city’s first gay bar, Streetbar, opened in 1991. Over time, the LGBTQ+ neighborhood sprouted up around it and became a city-designated district in 2022. The pioneering bar/club continues to pack the house to capacity thanks to its longtime reputation for stiff drinks, diverse entertainment, and all-around fabulosity.
Plan to bar hop, and you’ll find that each venue cultivates its own vibe. Hunters Nightclub knows how to party, serving up scantily clad go-go dancers alongside a weekly lineup of DJs, live singers, and drag. Despite its name, Chill Bar also amps up the volume with a steamy backroom dance club.
Streetbar is the oldest bar on the block.
PHOTO COURTESY STREETBAR
The patios are always packed in the Arenas District.
PHOTO COURTESY DESERT SUN
If showtune singalongs and karaoke sound more your speed, head to Quadz, a video bar where audience participation is always encouraged. If you’re hungry, Blackbook serves one of the most talked-about food menus in the district. The kitchen may be small, but locals can’t get enough of the street tacos or the double-dredged fried chicken sandwich.
Leather and Levi’s enthusiasts love Dick’s on Arenas. Dress the part with a visit to GayMart USA, a retailer with a huge selection of swimsuits, apparel, and cheeky gifts.
The Arenas District never slows down, even in the summer. Arrive early for a good parking spot or search for nearby street parking and plan to walk.
Hunters Nightclub
302 E Arenas Road, Palm Springs
760-323-0700
hunterspalmsprings.com
Chill Bar
217 E Arenas Road, Palm Springs
760-676-9493
chillbarpalmsprings.com
Quadz
 200 S Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
760-778-4326
quadz.bar
Dick's on Arenas
301 E Arenas Road, Palm Springs
760-327-0753
dicksps.com
GayMart USA
305 E Arenas Road #6635, Palm Springs
760-416-6436
Blackbook
315 E Arenas Road, Palm Springs
760-832-8497
blackbookbar.com
Streetbar
224 E Arenas Road, Palm Springs
760-320-1266