Step inside Blackbook Palm Springs, and you’ll instantly feel like you’ve found your people. Think Cheers meets Coachella Valley cool—only here, they don’t just know your name. They see you, celebrate you, and serve up some of the best elevated comfort food and cocktails in town.
“I like to say we’re an inclusion bar,” says owner Dean Lavine, a former Disney executive turned hospitality visionary. “We work hard to create a space where people feel genuinely welcomed—not just greeted.”
Lavine’s concept flips the idea of exclusion on its head. “The name Blackbook comes from the actual blacklist used by Las Vegas casinos to keep people out,” he explains. “At some point in life, we’ve all felt excluded—whether gay, bullied, racially profiled, or even just a die-hard Raiders fan. I wanted to reclaim that and make a place where everyone belongs.”
The logo even reflects that mission: the word “Black” appears backward—a symbolic reversal of exclusion.
Crafting the Best Bar Food in Palm Springs
Blackbook Palm Springs doesn’t just raise the bar—it reinvents it. Lavine’s kitchen serves up bold, high-quality dishes that challenge what you expect from bar fare. “If we’re going to do food, it has to be the best bar food we can make,” he says with pride.
One standout is the Nashville Hot Chicken, a recipe that took months of development and nearly 50 variations to perfect. “We treated it like a culinary science project. The goal was: could this dish stand alone if we opened a fried chicken joint?”
The answer is a resounding yes—and locals know that Blackbook is the go-to cheat day destination in Palm Springs. From burgers and wings to irresistible share plates, everything is made with intention, flavor, and flair.
Make Blackbook Palm Springs Your Cheat Day
Mission yumcomplished! Lavine is proud to offer his community a proverbial cheat day (or night) when they visit. “Living in LA and spending time in West Hollywood, I got yelled at all the time for eating carbs. Who would have thought that I would put on Arenas, a restaurant that caters to excellent comfort eating? That’s what we did, and people love it.”
Relishing the opportunity to fuel patrons before their inevitable migration to the next destination, Dean assesses, “People never stay in one place – you’ll go from Chill to Hunters to Blackbook to Streetbar.” Eschewing competition in favor of camaraderie, he declares, “We have formed the Arenas District. All of the owners on Arenas and the buildings surrounding Arenas on Indian are part of this district. We regularly meet. It’s an organization that helps promote the Arenas District as kind of like the Castro or Hillcrest of the Coachella Valley.”
Lavine was named President of this relatively young consortium, but his dedication is firmly rooted in the most storied legacies of the LGBTQ pantheon. “It’s quite a community, and we want to be that place where people can gather for events. Y’know, Stonewall’s 50th anniversary is in June, and we’re all looking towards doing something for it.”
Introducing The Evening Citizen: A Speakeasy Experience
In 2024, Lavine expanded his vision by opening The Evening Citizen, a sophisticated speakeasy located across the street from Blackbook at 220 E Arenas Rd. This intimate, 30-seat bar offers a modern twist on Prohibition-era charm, featuring candlelit interiors, dark walls, and a curated selection of craft cocktails and small plates.
Guests enter through a discreet black door marked by a red light, leading into a world of intrigue and elegance. The cocktail menu, cleverly disguised as classified newspaper clippings, includes unique creations like the "Backstabber," a dark twist on the classic Bee's Knees cocktail.
Reservations are recommended due to the bar's limited seating and popularity. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may experience a wait during peak hours.
Championing the Arenas District
Beyond his establishments, Lavine plays a pivotal role in the development of the Arenas District, Palm Springs' vibrant LGBTQ+ neighborhood. As President of the Arenas District organization, he collaborates with local business owners to promote the area as a welcoming and inclusive destination.
“This is home,” Lavine states. “We have thriving businesses that represent some of the best that Palm Springs has to offer. Our shops are for everyone under the rainbow.”
The organization regularly hosts events and works closely with the city to enhance the district's appeal, drawing parallels to San Francisco's Castro District in its commitment to diversity and community.
Visit Blackbook Palm Springs
Blackbook Palm Springs
315 E Arenas Road
📞 (760) 832-8497
The Evening Citizen
220 E Arenas Road
No phones and no photos (unless you tag @theeveningcitizen)
Experience the best of Palm Springs nightlife with a visit to Blackbook Palm Springs and The Evening Citizen—where inclusivity, exceptional cuisine, and crafted cocktails come together in the heart of the Arenas District.
