Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs

Every article I write about Palm Springs lately has absolutely BLOWN. UP!!  Of the “Top 10” articles on my website, half are ones on Palm Springs right now.  Locals refer to the entire area around Palm Springs as “the desert,” & I can tell you: the desert is happening right now.  And if you’re visiting & vacationing there, chances are: you want to know where all the best happy hours are ~ no matter which city you’re staying in.  Starting in Palm Springs, then heading further out in the valley, here are the some of the “Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs!

**Author’s Note: Article updated as of March 2024.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs, California, Girl Who Travels the World

Read on for a quick list of the best happy hour spots in & around Palm Springs…

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs

1. Trio Restaurant

Happy Hour = 3PM-7PM, Every Day (Food ONLY ~ NO Drink Specials)

Menu Options = Kobe Beef Sliders, Tomato Bruschetta, Ceviche, Mac n’ Cheese, Wings, & Ahi Tuna Tacos

Not only does Trio have a great daily “Happy Hour” (but no drink specials, unfortunately) ~ they’re also a great people-watching spot, with a prime location on North Palm Canyon Drive.  And their orange retro seating gives off definite Palm Springs vibes.  Come here to see & be seen. 

Visit Trio’s website here.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the World

Trio’s retro orange seating goes well with Palm Springs’ mid-century modern vibe.

2. Lulu Restaurant

Happy Hour = 11AM – Close, Daily (Available ONLY in Bar Area)

Menu Options = Kobe Beef Burger, Paninis, Pizza, Fish Tacos, Caesar Salad, Quesadillas, AND All Well Drinks, Lemon Drops, Mojitos, & Margaritas for $6.99

With its HUGE footprint at the corner of South Palm Canyon Drive & Arenas Road (one of the busiest intersections in town), this is another great happy hour option ~ with more menu options than Trio, plus DRINKS on happy hour!  But note: you must be physically in the bar area here to enjoy “Happy Hour” prices.  View Lulu’s menu here.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the World

3. Village Pub

Happy Hour = 3PM – 9PM

Menu Options = Beer, Well Shots, $6 Martinis, $5 Wine, Quesadillas, Nachos, & Cheese Sticks

The Village Pub doesn’t necessarily have the healthiest food in town.  As its name suggests, this is a true PUB ~ bar food is the name of the game here.  What they do have in spades though is one of the best “scenes” in Palm Springs…it can get rowdy here!  Popular with both locals & tourists. 

Visit their website here.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the World, Village Pub

The Village Pub is a Palm Springs institution ~ & one of the liveliest nightclub scenes in town.

4. Pinocchio’s in the Desert

Happy Hour = ALL DAY!!!! (Starting at 7AM)

Menu Options = Bottomless Champagne $4.95, Well Drinks & Martinis from $4.95, Margaritas, Long Island Iced Teas,  a Martini Burger for $12.95

If you want to start your “Happy Hour” super early….head to Pinocchio’s in the Desert!  This is the only ALL-DAY happy hour I could find in Palm Springs, & while the restaurant itself is a little kitschy ~ who can argue with an all-day happy hour??!  Their menu is huge, so everyone should be satisfied food-wise here. 

View their “Cocktail/Happy Hour Menu” here.

Best Brunch Spots in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the World, Pinocchio's

Go to Pinocchio’s for the PARTY: you can’t miss their pink umbrellas out front & festive vibe. Reason for their festive vibe…..could it be their ALL-DAY Happy Hour??! Highly likely!

5. Bootlegger Tiki Bar

Happy Hour = 4PM – 6PM, 7 Days a Week

Menu Options = Craft Cocktails reign here….

This is arguably the sexiest, most upscale, “speakeasy” kind-of-place on this list ~ & it’s solely a nighttime spot, opening daily at 4PM.  Some of their most popular drinks include: Coffee & Cigarettes (must be better than it sounds), Straw Berry White, Surfer on Absinthe, & Newton’s Apple. 

Visit their website here.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the World

For a sexy vibe & some of the finest craft cocktails in town, head to Bootlegger Tiki on North Palm Canyon Drive.

***Bonus: In case you’re wondering if any Palm Springs hotel bars offer “Happy Hour,” try El Jefe at the colorful Saguaro Hotel ~ which offers Happy Hour from 2PM – 6PM, Monday – Friday.

Happy Hours in Palm Desert & Rancho Mirage

Palm Desert & Rancho Mirage have more “Happy Hours” than any city in the desert ~ including Palm Springs.  Because there are so many, I’ll highlight just a few below with photos. 

But here’s a more comprehensive list: Cuistot, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Fresh Agave (the newest hot Mexican spot in town), Mitch’s on El Paseo, Tommy Bahama’s, Yard House, Red Barn (the ultimate dive bar), Cactus Jack’s, Mamma Gina’s (on El Paseo), Sullivan’s, Pacifica Seafood, Wally’s Desert Turtle (for the old-school crowd), & last but not least: my family’s restaurant Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill ~ which can be found at the Palm Desert Mall, next to H&M. 

6. Tommy Bahama

Happy Hour = 3PM-6PM (in Bar Area ONLY)

Menu Options = $6 Wines, $7 Cocktails (like Margaritas, Mai Tais, & Mojitos), $9 Martinis, Cheeseburger Sliders, Coconut Shrimp, & Mahi Mahi Tacos

Tommy Bahama is my favorite place in the desert for what I’d call an “Occasion Lunch” or dinner.  Their second-story patio has phenomenal views, & island-themed drinks give you that instant vacation vibe as soon as they hit your lips.  Food is also reliably delicious (make sure to get their yummyyy bread & butter….unless you’re on a keto diet ; ). 

Check out Tommy Bahama’s Happy Hour menu here.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Desert, Girl Who Travels the World

Tommy Bahama has my favorite patio in the desert: located on the 2nd floor of the Gardens at El Paseo, with sweeping views over the entire Coachella Valley.

7. Pacifica Seafood

Happy Hour = 3:30PM-5PM Daily + 8:30PM – Close on Wednesdays

Menu Options = $6 House Wine, $2 Off Wine-by-the-Glass & Cocktails, $2 Off Appetizers (including Mussels, Ceviche, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, & Scallops

Also located in the Gardens at El Paseo by Tommy Bahama, Pacifica Seafood offers a daily Happy Hour ~ they’re known for their extensive & popular “Vodka Bar.”  The crowd here is typically a little older & more sophisticated, but their “Late Night” Happy Hour on Wednesday nights promises to draw a younger crowd…

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Desert, Girl Who Travels the World

Pacifica is known for their delicious seafood & “Vodka Bar,” also with a great outdoor patio, similar to Tommy Bahama’s.

8. Acqua Pazza (at the River)

Happy Hour = 11AM – Close Daily (in Bar Area ONLY)

Menu Options = Meatballs, Pizza, Chinese Chicken Salad, Ceviche, All Well Drinks, Bloody Mary’s, Margaritas, Beer, & Selected Wines

Acqua Pazza is the sister restaurant to Lulu’s in Palm Springs ~ & they offer the same generous 11AM – Close “Happy Hours.”  When I lived in the desert, my friends & I used to LOVE Acqua Pazza!  We visited nearly every weekend, getting our favorite order every time: ceviche & a lemon drop.  HA ~ we were a little obsessed.  This is still one of the most fun places in town.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the World

You can see Acqua Pazza’s killer patio from Highway 111 ~ & it’s nearly ALWAYS busy.

9. Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill (at the Palm Desert Mall)

Happy Hour = 3PM – 6PM Daily (Available in ENTIRE Restaurant!)

Menu Options = $4 Pints of ANY Beer, $5 Margaritas/Well Drinks/House Wines, Stuft Tacos, Thai Noodles, Green Bean Fries, Stuft Sticks (sooooo yummmyyy), Rib Bites, 1/2 Pound Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders, Wings, Atlantic Salmon (my favorite : ), & Cajun Ahi. Plus $2.50 off ANY Small Pizza.

I know a little about this restaurant because….it’s my family’s restaurant!  With my Dad, Mom, & brother ~ I helped open the La Quinta location & ran it for many years, alongside our phenomenal staff.  What separates our “Happy Hour” from virtually every other in the desert: it’s available ANYWHERE in the restaurant ~ not just the bar area!!  Getting to-go food??  You’ll still get “Happy Hour” pricing.  The Palm Desert location is larger than the La Quinta Stuft, & both have large, outdoor patios.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Desert, Girl Who Travels the World

My family’s restaurant! The Palm Desert location is about twice the size of the La Quinta Stuft Pizza: but has the same AMAZING “Happy Hour,” from 3-6PM every day, with TONS of food options ~ both healthy & more hearty.

10. Armando’s Dakota Bar

Happy Hour = Technically, I don’t think they have a “Happy Hour” ~ but they’ve got the best “Happy Hour Ambience” in Palm Desert due to their amazingly stiff margaritas!

If you’re in the mood for Mexican food & love a strong drink & bustling atmosphere: head to Armando’s.  This place has got that “buzz,” & their great outdoor patio on El Paseo is people-watching central.  Just be careful if you have more than one margarita…I cannot emphasize how strong their drinks are!!

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Desert, Girl Who Travels the World

Armando’s is LEGENDARY in the desert ~ come here for a good time & a STIFF drink!

***For a hip hotel on El Paseo that’s close to all the “Happy Hour” action & great shopping ~ check into the new Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection.

Best Happy Hours in Indian Wells

11. Eureka

“Hoppy” Hour = 2PM-6PM & 9PM-Close, Every Day

Menu Options = Get a Deal on Beer, Wine, Whiskey, & “Small Plates” like Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Wings, Mac n’ Cheese Balls, Chicken Nachos, & Guac & Queso Dip

Indian Wells is much smaller than other desert cities ~ so there are fewer “Happy Hour” options here.  A good one is at Eureka, which is easy to spot on the corner of Cook & Highway 111.  Every time I’ve been to Eureka its been relatively quiet, so I can’t really comment on the “buzz” factor ~ but during times like the Tennis Tournament in March, it can get crazy busy.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs & Indian Wells, Girl Who Travels the World

Eureka has a fantastic list of appetizers, including these yummy shrimp tacos…

12.  The Nest

Happy Hour = Sunday – Thursday, 4:00-5:30PM

(NO Happy Hour on Friday or Saturday)

Menu Options = 3 Courses for $23.95 per Person

The Nest is a FAMED spot in the desert, & is one of the area’s few nightclubs ~ particularly on the valley’s east side.  Run by Dodi & Kevin Henry (he’s legendary on the piano & she’s legendary at schmoozing), this is a spot to LET. YOUR. HAIR. DOWN!!!  My friend Sondra manages & waits tables here, & as she says, “Every shift is a party!”  And she means it. 

People don’t necessarily come here for the Happy Hour…they come for the party.  (But the food is good!)

Best Happy Hours in Palm Springs, Girl Who Travels the WorldKevin & Dodi are the owners at the Nest: Kevin plays world-class piano, & Dodi is one of the best schmoozers in the business…

Best Happy Hour Spots in La Quinta

13. Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, in Old Town La Quinta

Happy Hour = 3PM-6PM Every Day (Available EVERYWHERE in the Restaurant ~ Including To-Go!!)

Menu Options = Street Tacos, Fish Tacos, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Onion Rings, Egg Rolls, Quesadilla, Calamari Strips, Date & Bacon Flatbread, Cajun Shrimp, Ahi Poke Stack, $4 Beers, $5 Well Drinks & House Wines, & $6 Mugs.

Our name is SO misleading.  You could eat something different every day of the month here, & not just pizza!  Our menu is HUGE ~ & so are our “Happy Hour” offerings.  Stuft Pizza in La Quinta is definitely a local’s favorite; the bar is typically filled with a familiar cast of characters…not dissimilar to “Cheers!”  Watch the sunset on one of our two outdoor patios that face the Santa Rosa Mountains, or grab to-go from our separate side entrance.  There’s definitely something for everyone here….

Best Happy Hour Spots in La Quinta, Girl Who Travels the World, Stuft Pizza

The photo in the top left corner is the first location my parents ever opened, in Cerritos, CA; the bottom left shot is of the La Quinta location, & the photo on the right is of my brother, John! Tell him hi if you go in : )

14. The Cliffhouse 

Happy Hour = 3:30PM-5PM Every Day

Menu Options = $6 House Wine, $2 Off Cocktails, & $2 Off Appetizers like Crab Chowder, Cobb Salad, Prawn Cocktail, Ceviche, Wedge Salad, & Baked Oysters

The Cliffhouse is one of my favorite restaurants in the Valley ~ its cliff-side setting is hard to beat, & I love their gigantic, U-shaped bar & large indoor/outdoor bar area.  They’ve got a great “Happy Hour,” though their prices definitely can’t beat Stuft’s…nonetheless, this is a great, slightly more upscale option.

Best Happy Hour Spots in La Quinta, Girl Who Travels the World

The Cliffhouse is one of my favorite restaurants on this list, & one of the prettiest, with its unique cut-into-the-cliff location.

Best Happy Hour Spots in Palm Springs

For more on Palm Springs, read about my favorite desert hikes here, discover some of the city’s best brunch spots, or take a road trip to nearby Salvation Mountain

xoxo Noelia

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