Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a wonderful time ringing it in and that you are fully recovered! In a few days life will return to normal, and you’ll be ready to escape again, and Palm Springs is here for you, my friend. 

Why let Calgon take you away (remember that? 1970s slogan telling women to just take a bath and everything will be fine!) when you can escape to Palm Springs? And if you insist on Calgon, we’ve got plenty of places with big old bath tubs for a nice relaxing soak, friendly hot tubs, and big splashy pools (sans Calgon). 

There’s also tons to do but first: NEW RESTAURANT ALERTS!

Fresh dining spots in Palm Springs

SoCal Sunset has officially opened in the old Alibi space, and the menu looks outstanding. This is the place where they have/had the swings (I don’t know, I haven’t been since Alibi closed).

Also new, but you’ll have to drive — in the corner mall at Ramon and Sunrise (where you’ll find Aspen Mills Bakery and Nature’s Health Food and Cafe) is the brand spankin’ new Bougainvillea. With roots in Querétaro, Chef Alex brings a lifelong passion for gastronomy to his unique, innovative, and personalized dishes. If you’re craving something special, he’ll prepare it for you! It is small, in a mall, and locally owned so every dish has Chef’s touch and love of the art of cooking in it. 

I keep forgetting to remind you guys that there are a couple of excellent restaurants up on the north end, Saffron and Crudo, that deserve your attention. 

In La Plaza, Hunny’s now has its beer and wine license, and installed four big screen TVs above the bar in time for the Super Bowl. I’ll keep you up to date on this place, as they’ve got some very cool things planned. 

Just around the corner from Hunny’s, it looks like Ash and Vine is almost at go. I saw the sign for their liquor license the other day, and some people dining as well. 

Things to do around town (if you don’t want to hang by your pool, drinking margs)

Jan. 2-12: Palm Springs International Film Festival. One of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, featuring global premieres, filmmaker Q&As, red carpet events, and industry panels across downtown Palm Springs.

Live performances and theater

Jan. 15-25: Dezart Performs – Eureka Day. A sharp, contemporary comedy examining modern identity, belief systems, and community tension.

Desert Ensemble Theatre: Intimate, thoughtfully produced plays and readings; January programming varies.

Jan. 17: Broadway’s Best in the West. Broadway-caliber performers bring classic showstoppers to the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Revolution Stage Company: Theatre company with its own season (mostly musicals) where you can also see quirky and delightful cabaret shows from all over the country. Full bar. Several restaurant options nearby. 

Palm Springs Cultural Center: If it’s entertainment, you can find it here. Independent films, live performance, and cultural programming throughout the month.

Drag Shows

Chill Bar – Amazing Sundays Drag Brunch: A Palm Springs institution. Rotating cast of queens, bottomless energy, and the kind of crowd that knows all the words.

Toucans Tiki Lounge – Stars of the Desert: A legendary desert drag showcase featuring powerhouse performers, high glam, and full-throttle energy. There’s also Freaky Fridays / Slay Saturdays, theme nights featuring guest queens and packed dance floors with nonstop energy.

Oscar’s Downtown – The Bitchiest Brunch: An iconic Palm Springs tradition with drag royalty, sharp humor, and cocktails that hit fast.

PS Air – Drag Brunch & Themed Shows: A full drag experience inside a vintage airplane. Yes, really.

Reforma Palm Springs – Drag Brunch & Nightlife: High-energy drag performances in a historic Palm Canyon venue.

The Purple Room: The Judy Show returns Jan. 11. A must-do in Palm Springs, performed on Sunday nights.

Palm Springs tours and experiences

Desert Tasty Tours: Sip and savor your way through three blocks of downtown Palm Springs with a mashup of Palm Springs history and tastefully curated dishes from local favorites. 

Drag and Fly Tours: I have seen the vehicle driving by, it looks comfy and the narrator is hilarious. We have great drag queens, don’t miss it. Per their website: “Honey, this isn’t just another sightseeing tour — it’s a full-on production! Hosted by legendary drag queens, our tours mix Palm Springs’ rich history with comedy, live narration, and dazzling video moments. It’s the perfect blend of education and entertainment, guaranteed to leave you laughing and learning!” 

Palm Springs Historical Society – Walking & Architecture Tours: Guided walking tours exploring Palm Springs history, architecture, and cultural landmarks led by local historians.

Red Jeep Tours – San Andreas Fault Adventure: Guided off-road Jeep tours through desert canyons, fault lines, and natural oases.

PS Windmill Tours: Up-close access to the iconic Palm Springs wind farms with guided explanations of renewable energy.

Five Star Adventures – Celebrity & Icons Tour: A guided tour of celebrity homes, architectural landmarks, and Palm Springs lore.

Palm Springs Art Museum – Architecture & Design Tours: Expert-led tours exploring modernist architecture and desert design history.

Indian Canyons Walking Tours: Guided hikes through ancestral Agua Caliente tribal lands, palm oases, and canyon trails

Music, nightlife, and cabaret

Purple Room Supper Club: Classic cabaret, jazz, and rotating headliners in a vintage supper-club atmosphere.

Oscar’s Palm Springs: Drag shows, brunches, and high-energy nightlife — a cornerstone of the local scene.

Hunny’s: Late-night dance floor, DJ sets, and themed parties.

Reforma: Nightclub and lounge with DJ programming and weekend events.

Toucan’s Tiki Lounge: Drag shows and nightly entertainment in a classic Palm Springs venue.

Rock Gallery: Stand-up comedy, open mics, and touring comedians in an intimate setting.

PS Underground: Immersive, multi-course dinner experiences paired with theatrical performance and live music. Themes rotate monthly.

Cascade Lounge – Agua Caliente Casino: Live music lounge with rotating acts and themed nights.

Wine bars

V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar: Curated wine flights, tastings, and cocktail-focused evenings.

Canopy Wine Lounge: Wine-forward lounge with rotating selections and tasting events.

Keep an eye out for Perry’s, a stunning new wine and liquor store in the Design District with origins in Providence, Rhode Island. They have wine tastings…

Arts, culture, and attractions

Palm Springs Art Museum: Rotating exhibitions, film screenings, and lectures.

Palm Springs Air Museum: Historic aircraft displays and aviation-focused events.

VillageFest: Weekly Thursday street fair with art, food vendors, and live entertainment.

Specialty experiences

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Mountain views, winter hiking, and alpine dining.

Heads up…

Tour de Palm Springs is on Feb. 7. This annual cycling event drawing thousands of riders each winter.

Modernism Week is set for Feb. 12-22. Mingle with the rest of the world travelers who love mid-century modern architecture.

See you in February!