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Palm Springs is known for its unique entertainment and dining venues, many of which you can’t find in other cities, and that’s just what you’ll discover at Reforma Palm Springs. With 9,000 square feet of space to dine, play, and be entertained, it’s the largest venue in Palm Springs.
Meet The Owners
Rob Giesecke and his husband, Bill Vastardis, entered the hospitality industry by chance. After selling their New York- and San Francisco-based financial services business, they moved to Palm Springs full-time in 2017.
When Chill Bar on Arenas Road became available for sale, they jumped at the opportunity to own a bar in Palm Springs, something he had always dreamed of. Since then, Chill Bar has grown and become known for top-quality entertainment in a fun, casual environment. They are an anchor in the Arenas District, among other LGBTQ nightclubs and restaurants.
At the end of 2020, Bill and Rob decided to expand their business in Palm Springs with a second venue, Reforma Palm Springs.
Historic Midcentury Building
The location in the historic J.W. Robinson’s building is perfect. Originally built as a department store and designed by Charles Luckman and William Pereira, it was completed in 1958. It is integral to the Palm Springs midcentury architecture collection and retro vide. It also allowed the couple to rehabilitate an iconic midcentury building. The property includes ample parking and a large space for both dining and entertainment.
Located at 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
Why the name Reforma?
Paseo de la Reforma (Promenade of the Reform) is a wide avenue that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City. Think of it as similar to what the Champs-Élysées is to Paris. La Reforma refers to the modernizing measures undertaken in Mexico in the 1850s. Today, Reforma is bustling with tourists and features hip new restaurants, luxurious hotels, and an array of public art, much like Palm Springs.
Reforma Palm Springs takes its name from this famous promenade. The name evokes the restaurant’s modern, cosmopolitan cuisine, inspired by the metropolitan centers of Latin America. Enjoy a combination of elegant plates and imaginative street food.
The Reforma Experience
The service at Reforma Palm Springs is modeled after a supper club. Guests enjoy their dinner in a dramatic environment and can stay to dance the night away. The space is transformed into one of Palm Springs' largest dance floors, with a state-of-the-art sound system and light show.
For a quieter evening, a private lounge and bar offer additional environments for a meal or late-night bites with a unique craft cocktail. Entertainment will include DJs and live performances.
A striking mural by artist Ricardo Ruiz (the elder) enhances the Latin interior setting. Each of the four panels is 6 1/2 x 9 feet. This is one of the panels.
Navigating the Menu
While the name nods to Mexico, the cuisine features flavors from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Peru. Think of it as metropolitan Latin America and the capital cities. Executive chef Erick Hernandez creates the flavors.
Dinner
Start with a shareable. Perhaps something from the sea, like Spanish beer steamed mussels made with Mexican chorizo, fennel, and pickled Fresno chiles. Or, the Peruvian Ceviche served with sweet potato chips.
For an entrée, they feature the Peruvian Lomo Saltado with stir-fried steak, served with a variety of fresh veggies.
The Mexican Short Rib Mole is also excellent.
If you want to really treat yourself, their La Reforma Argentinian Tomahawk (32 oz. Argentinian beef) is over the top. Grilled to your preference and topped with house-made pomegranate chimichurri sauce.
Continuing the seafood theme, the Spanish Paella Del Mar features sea bass, mussels, Spanish chorizo, and shrimp.
Finish with a creamy house-made horchata ice cream. It sings with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and toasted rice. Or enjoy the more traditional butter pound cake with fresh tres leche cream.
Reforma Drinks
There is also a variety of specialty cocktails that pair nicely with the menu, but they are also great stand-alone. The featured cocktail is the King Bayabas – Don Julio Reposado, which has lime, grapefruit, guava, agave, and aromatic bitters. The name comes from a Philippine legend king folktale who is said to have given us the guava fruit.
Cocktails include specialty liquors like Spanish gin, Mezcal, Oaxaca Rum, Havana Club Rum, Nixta Corn Liquor, and Pajarote Guava liquor.
3-2-1 Happy Hour Special!
Enjoy Reforma’s unique 3-2-1 deals. Weekdays, 4 - 7 pm. Weekends, 2 - 7 pm. $3 off all liquor, $2 off craft cocktails or wine, and $1 off all beer.
