The New Nightlife

Palm Springs Innovates Your Evenings

By Kevin Perry

As the sun sets over the San Jacinto Mountains, the darkness illuminates a whole new side of Palm Springs. The crisp air crackles with possibilities, and your moonlit mind reels with excitement. Every breath of desert dusk feeds your appetite to explore the vast wonders of our evening events.

Covid-19 has forced us to think beyond the bar scene and engineer creative ways to entertain each other responsibly. Indeed, we are beginning to see nightlife through a brilliant new lens. From outdoor art to drive-in theaters to online theatrical performances, the nocturnal landscape of our happening hometown beckons you out and about.

See the stars while under the stars

Everything old-school is new again. We desperately miss the movie theater experience and long for its imminent return, but sometimes, the best solutions are right under the nose of your vehicle. Drive-in movies have revved up a renaissance this year, driven by fans’ desire to immerse themselves in a shared cinematic experience.

Palm Springs offers two iconic venues where you can get your film fix at a safe distance from your fellow audience members. Soar to new heights of imagination at the Palm Springs Air Museum; their Coachella Valley Drive-In schedule runs every Thursday through Sunday at dusk. Flanked by runways and vintage aircraft, you will be instantly transported to the heyday of cinema and the cutting edge of 2020 gathering strategies.

Had enough of car culture? Ditch your wheels and enjoy an outdoor viewing extravaganza courtesy of the Palm Springs Cultural Center every Friday and Saturday night. Perch at a picnic table and feast on a boxed dinner from Mildred’s Chicken and Waffles. Wash it down with some adult beverages at the outdoor bar. But make sure you have a designated driver before overdoing it; the Palm Springs Cultural Center also welcomes automobiles for a traditional drive-in experience.

Get Out

Guide your own art tour, day or night, by downloading a free app designed by Karen and Tony Barone. These digital docents have designed an interactive map that showcases open-air art festooned throughout Palm Springs (and beyond).

Challenge your friends and/or family to a nighttime scavenger hunt to determine who can find all of the hidden gems in our stylish city. Then, once your curiosity is satiated, gather safely at one of our outdoor eateries to compare your discoveries over a delicious dinner under the desert moon.

We’ll whet your appetite with this tasty morsel: The Rowan is serving dinner under the stars every Wednesday evening. Three courses of delectability await on the premier perch in Palm Springs. What better way to celebrate our nightlife than by literally watching the night come alive? The Rowan’s rooftop provides panorama views that embrace downtown, Coachella Valley, and the iconic windmills flanking the north side of town. Wave hello to a fabulous nightcap!

Speaking of which, Palm Canyon Drive is your red carpet to indulgence after dark. Stroll our wares, shop for flair, and diet beware: we have gelato, tiki cocktails, and other sinful desserts to conclude your tantalizing trip.

The Night is Yours

One of the best qualities of Palm Springs is its capacity to empower your evenings. Our spacious hometown gives you the breathing room you need to roar! Take a cue from R.E.M. and go Nightswimming in your very own pool. Our rental properties and resort options provide a night to remember, courtesy of your own imagination.

Stroll the Neighborhoods.

Explore our midcentury architecture by walking through the neighborhoods at dusk. Deepwell, Twin Palms and Las Palmas are great places to start. It’s all up to you, and it’s all going down like the setting sun. The night is calling; answer it in Palm Springs.

Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs

The hottest slots in the coolest setting are waiting for you at Agua Caliente Casino right downtown. Plus, a variety of slots, table games, high-limit gaming, and fine dining.