Early evening, and the still-blistering heat of Palm Springs, California conspires with the cooling blue of an outdoor swimming pool. I consider downing my Martini, ripping off my dinner wear and diving in.
An older gay gentleman with the right idea comes walking towards me, palm outstretched, smiling widely.
From its striking desert landscapes to glamorous mid-century architecture, Palm Springs, California, has long been a celebrated destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers seeking a fun and friendly getaway. The nightlife is where it’s at this summer, especially as the warm nights amp up.
There’s something for everyone in Palm Springs, but karaoke nights amplify the allure of our beloved desert evening entertainment. If you’re looking for seven nights in the spotlight, here’s your ultimate guide to queer karaoke in Palm Springs.
Sundays:
Karaoke Nights
Venue: Quadz Palm Springs
Location: 200 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs
Time: 6 p.m. until close
Sundays are always “Sunday Funday” here in Palm Springs, so kick off your marathon week of karaoke over at Quadz in the heart of the Arenas district. Every Sunday at 6 p.m., you’ll find locals and travelers alike belting out tunes alongside host Stephen B. With an impressive range of tracks to pick from, your karaoke skills will get a good warmup for the week ahead.
Courtesy of Quadz Palm Springs
Mondays:
Streetbar Karaoke
Venue: Streetbar
Location: 224 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs
Time: 9 p.m. until close
Start your “business” week on a high note (literally!) with Streetbar Karaoke. Also nestled in the heart of the Arenas district (and the first gay bar ever established in Palm Springs back in 1991), Streetbar lights up the night from 9 p.m. on. It’s an absolute must for karaoke enthusiasts — the drinks are strong and the vocalists are even stronger!
Courtesy of Streetbar
Tuesdays:
Karaoke with Sean Taylor Jackson
Venue: The Roost Lounge
Location: 68718 E. Palm Canyon Dr., #203, Cathedral City
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Join the fun at The Roost Lounge for Karaoke with Sean Taylor Jackson. Known for its friendly vibe and classic cocktails, The Roost ensures a diverse variety of music and memories every Tuesday starting at 6 p.m. over in Cathedral City (a.k.a. Cat City).
Courtesy of The Roost Lounge
Wednesdays:
Karaoke & Cocktails with James
Venue: V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar
Location: 600 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Happy Hump Day! Bring your friends to the chic V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar for Karaoke & Cocktails with James. Between sips of popular libations, you’ll be sure to have enough liquid courage to conquer the stage every Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m.
Courtesy of V Wine Lounge
Thursdays:
Terry-oke Thursday
Venue: One Eleven Bar
Location: 67555 E. Palm Canyon Dr., #A103, Cathedral City
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Make your way back to Cat City for the weekly Terry-oke Thursday with Terry Larson at One Eleven Bar. With a warm atmosphere and welcoming audience, you’ll be serenading the crowd from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. You surely will see some friends there you’ve already made throughout the week!
Courtesy of One Eleven
Fridays:
Friday Night Karaoke
Venue: AMP Sports Lounge
Location: 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Dr., #201, Cathedral City
Time: 8 p.m. until close
The weekend’s here, and it’s time for Friday Night Karaoke at AMP Sports Lounge. Join in with host Josh Ryan from 8 p.m. on, and be sure to make a good impression since you’ll be back again tomorrow night…
Courtesy of AMP Sports Lounge
Saturdays:
Saturday Amp’d Up Karaoke
Venue: AMP Sports Lounge
Location: 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Dr., #201, Cathedral City
Time: 8 p.m. until close
Close out the week with a triumphant return to the AMP Sports Lounge for Saturday Amp’d Up Karaoke. The bar dials it up to 11 with $2 Jell-O shots, unbeatable drink specials, and crowd-pleasing songs hosted by KJ Paul. It’s the perfect way to cap off a week of queer karaoke (Queer-aoke?) adventures!
Courtesy of AMP Sports Lounge
There’s no easier way to let down your guard and let your voice be heard in Palm Springs than by immersing yourself in our thriving karaoke scene. And there’s no better place to stay while you’re doing it than one of our iconic, independently-owned boutique hotels. Each property has its own unique character and charm that the big chains can’t match, and promise a home-away-from-home experience amidst the enchanting desert backdrop.
A stay at one of the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels gives you the perfect balance of relaxation, exploration, and music-filled nights. So go ahead, book your stay, and prepare for an unforgettable karaoke journey under the star-studded Palm Springs sky!
Author: Andrew Schaeffer
I’m not an outdoorsy guy. I’m in my element when I’m lounging on the couch binging something on Netflix. But, I needed to change that habit and get out and get moving—and what better way to do so than by going somewhere with plenty of outdoor activities?
If you’re heading to Palm Springs for Pride Week, forget the big hotels and experience what community is all about. Palm Springs has dozens of charming, independently-owned boutique hotels that are just as unique as you.
And that’s important because Palm Spring Pride is like no other. Here, community is defined very broadly and allies are enthusiastically celebrated.
Proof in point: this year’s Pride Week theme, inspired by (and in support of) “youth-led movement-building efforts that are awakening critical conversations for social change,” is Youth Power for Change. In a profoundly symbolic gesture, the youth of Coachella Valley were collectively named Grand Marshalls of the 2018 Pride Parade.
The Palm Springs is unusual because it does not contain gay ghettos like most cities. Decades ago, when Palm Springs was drifting into oblivion like so many small desert towns, it was the gay community who infused it with new life, starting hotels and other businesses that set the course for the Palm Springs of today.
And to this day, many Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels are owned or managed by members and allies of the LGBTQ community.
Case in point: For women who remember the Bee Charmer Inn, it is now called La Maison and under the gay-friendly new ownership of allies Cornelia and Robert. Voted one of the most romantic inns in the country by Trip Advisor over the past few years, La Maison provides a safe and welcoming haven for solo travelers and couples. Exceptionally serene and lush, La Maison prides itself on small touches of perfection that make guests feel cherished.
The woman-owned, Alcazar Palm Springs, is managed by the talented Robert Hunt. This stunningly beautiful contemporary hotel is conveniently located near some of the best restaurants and shopping in town. Known for its diversity and inclusiveness, The Alcazar enjoys bragging rights for its salt water purified pool and garden courtyard with fire and water walls. It’s even pet friendly.
If clothing-optional man space is your thing, there is no better place to celebrate Pride than at one of the men’s resorts on San Lorenzo Road. In one short block, you’ll find at least four of the best (and most beautiful) resorts owned and operated by and for men, including: The Triangle Inn Palm Springs, Santiago Resort, Tortuga del Sol, and Escape Resort.
Holy Ned, October is jamming! We’ve got Modernism Week Preview plus Palm Springs Leather Pride. If neither of those float your boat, there’s HALLOWEEN! It’s a huge holiday here in Palm Springs, and Halloween on Arenas is sick (in the best way possible). Costumes are off the charts creative, and the whole town is one big party.
And now that it’s cooling down, all of our venues are heating way up. Keep in mind many indoor events require a vaccination card and a mask. Hey, the world is a bit of a horror show these days, but Palm Springs knows how to be safe and party.
So now, without further ado, say hello to October events:
Jazzville Shows at Agua Caliente Casino Cascade Lounge
MFUO Featuring Jacques Lesure — Thursday, October 7, 7 p.m.
Rumproller Organ Trio at Jazzville Palm Springs — Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m.
Dan Delgado Sextet — Thursday, October 21, 7 p.m.
Agua Caliente Casino Caliente Comedy
Craig Conant — Friday, October 1, 8 p.m.
Pablo Francisco Comedy — Friday, October 8, 8 p.m.
Brian Scolaro — Friday, October 15, 8 p.m.
Tom Arnold — Friday, October 29, 8 p.m.
Lalo Guerrero Tribute Show — Thursday, October 28, 7 p.m.
Cultural Center – Camelot Theatres
Drag O Rama featuring Rosemary Galore
Sunday, October 3, 2:30 p.m. (repeating Sundays)
Tickets starting at $15
Presenting Drag O Rama
REPO! The Genetic Opera — special screening of the cult horror film
Thursday, October 7, 6 p.m. social hour, event at 7 p.m.
Chip ‘N’ Dru: Our Favorite Sings
Saturday, October 9, 6 p.m.
Multi-talented singer Dru Rutledge and veteran Broadway pianist Chip Prince present Our Favorite Sings. Featuring a multi-genre selection of songs in the style of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Debussy, Puccini, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Broadway, Opera, Top 40 chart toppers, and more!
Martinis and Moxie: A Society Social
Friday, October 15, 6 p.m.
A “My Way” society revue celebrating the life and music of Frank Sinatra.
2021 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
Thursday, October 21, 7:30 p.m.
Founded in 2000 by the late mystery author and Palm Springs community leader Arthur Lyons, the popular Film Noir Festival includes an eclectic mixture of prestigious and obscure black and white B movies from the classic film noir period. The festival is known for unearthing and screening rare films, restored classics, and for the special appearances of the stars who were in them.
Tuesdays: Rose Mallett
Wednesdays: Michael Holmes and Darci Daniels
Thursdays: Sharon Sills
Fridays and Saturdays: Ticketed events
Sundays: The Judy Show
That’s Amore, an Italian feast set to music.
Saturday, October 2, 7 p.m.
Gospel Brunch featuring great music and Keisha D.
Sunday, October 3, 11 a.m.
Ovation! A Jazzed Up Sunday Brunch
Sunday, October 10, 11 a.m.
Death by Cheese, a ghoulishly cheesy Sunday brunch.
Sunday, October 24, 11 a.m.
420 Bank Dispensary and Lounge
Cheech Meet & Greet
Friday, October 1, 3 p.m.
Kottonmouth Kings with DLOC
Saturday, October 23, 9 p.m.
Rabbit Country
Friday, October 15, 6 p.m.
Open Mic Night
Thursdays — October 7, 14, 21
Saturdays: Mimosa Men (Brunch)
Sundays: Bitchiest Brunch
Sundays: World Famous T-Dance
Edie Las Vegas Showgirls: Unleashed (ticketed event) — Saturday, October 2, 7 to 9 p.m.
Sandra Bernhardt — Monday, October 4 and Tuesday, October 5
Remembering The Golden Girls — Wednesday, October 6
An Evening With Cameron Ross — Thursday, October 14
Melissa Manchester outdoor concert — Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22
Theater
Desert Rose Playhouse Presents Xanadu
Thursday to Sunday, through October 17
(Note: So far their season has been spectacular!)
Sordid Lives — Through October 3
Shrek The Musical — Beginning October 22
More options
Wind and Wine Paint Party
Saturday, October 16, 11 a.m.
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Wine glass painting class and Windmill Tour
Paint Splatter at Superbloom Studios
Thursday, October 14, 6 p.m.
Starts at $150.00
The Gem Show at Palm Springs Convention Center
October 21 through 24
Modernism Fall Preview
October 14 through 17
Halloween
Palm Springs Cultural Center
Jazzville Creepy Cocktail Party
Sunday, October 31, 3 p.m.
Cinema Bizarro: Best of Retro Cartoon Halloween Specials
Sunday, October 31, 1 p.m.
Jazzville Presents The Jazz Cartel Halloween Special
Sunday, October 31, 5 p.m.
Hocus Pocus hosted by the Sanderson Sisters
Sunday, October 31, 5 p.m.
A screening of Hocus Pocus with special guests the Sanderson Sisters. Kids receive a (kinda) real magic wand from the spooky woods of Salem.
Zombie Burlesque Cocktail Party
Sunday, October 31, 6 p.m.
The Three Michaels playing the Halloween score live, plus private party
Sunday, October 31, 8 p.m.
An ode to John Carpenter’s Halloween with the musical score, scares, and skits performed live in front of an abbreviated version of the film projected on the big screen.
Dirty Little Secrets Presents Shock Theater Spooktacular
Sunday, October 31 8 p.m.
California’s longest running burlesque and variety show. From zombies to fire performers, this eclectic shock theater of sensational striptease will keep you laughing and howling all night!
PS Underground
BITE – a bloody vampire dinner
October 26, 27, 28, 31, 7 p.m.
Halloween on Arenas Road – The Queen Of All Halloween Parties
The party starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m.. Take an Uber/Lyft, parking will suck, and you’ll likely get pretty boozy. There’s too much to talk about, so I’m just sending you to the link. Prizes up to $1,800!
For Gay Men Only
The Dirty Show with Skyler Gentry
Wednesday, October 6, 7 p.m.
$25 includes complimentary booze, snacks, pre-show and post-show party after every performance. The venue is outdoors with spaced seating.
Hot Uncle at the Barracks
Saturday, October 16, 9 p.m.
Palm Springs Leather Pride 2021: Unlocked: Full Release
Begins October 26 and runs through October 31. Multiple venues, starting at Eagle 501 bar. SO MANY EVENTS! Event packages (too easy) here. Need some leather? Try Gear and Rough Trade Gear.
That’ll do it for October. Don’t forget to shop and stay local. See you in November!
The Triangle Inn Palm Springs offers guests a private walled enclave where they can relax and be themselves. We are not for people who want an anonymous vacation. When people stay with us, we get to know them, and they, in turn, get to know us, and the other guests.
Enjoy this video tour of the men’s clothing optional Triangle Inn Palm Springs with hotelier, Michael Green. This historical mid-century modern resort was originally the Impala Lodge designed by the legendary Hugh Kaptor.
