Ultimate Guide: Plan the Perfect Pub Crawl in Greater Palm Springs
Defining the perfect pub depends on personal taste. Some crave a gritty dive with just beer on tap, while others seek spots with delicious bar bites, upscale vibes, or craft ales. Universally, a pub—short for "Public House"—offers a welcoming, unpretentious haven for drinks and casual bites.
Greater Palm Springs boasts a vibrant, growing pub scene. Grab a designated driver and embark on a classic pub crawl across this desert oasis.
New Pubs in Greater Palm Springs
Big Rock Pub in Indio is a massive sports bar and entertainment hub with a rock & roll theme. Walls are adorned with unique artwork and memorabilia from music legends, plus screens showing music videos, rockumentaries, and live sports. Lively and spacious, it hosts rotating local bands three nights a week. The inventive menu includes playful dishes like “Earth, Wings and Fire”—Jidori chicken wings brined and smoked over apple and cedar chips.
At The River in Rancho Mirage, Fox and Fiddle reimagines the British pub as a stylish contemporary gastropub. Expect sleek steel-blue bar stools, elevated booths, warm wood accents, and a classic moose head. Traditional fare like Scotch eggs, poutine, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and fried pickles gets a gourmet twist. Enjoy daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m. with $5 drafts, wells, wines, and ciders.
Favorite Local Pubs in Greater Palm Springs
In downtown Palm Springs, Village Pub Bar & Grill delivers indoor/outdoor seating and a lively, welcoming vibe. Savor a gorgonzola, chicken, and pear salad on the patio paired with bartender Patrick’s signature Ojos Locos—a zesty mule made with Tullamore Dew, fresh lemon, simple syrup, and ginger beer. Chef George Gonzalez’s revamped menu blends global flavors from Mexico, Argentina, Ireland, Italy, England, and Jordan with classic pub grub. Catch nightly live bands or DJs.
Also downtown, Hair of the Dog English Pub is one of the area’s oldest dives. Dark, intimate, boisterous, and packed with regulars from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., it’s ideal for authentic, no-frills brews and local character.
In Indio at the Empire Polo Club, Tack Room Tavern evokes a rustic Western feel with saddle-shaped bar stools. This beloved spot serves hearty American comfort food like baby back ribs, jumbo stadium dogs, the “10 Goal” Kobe burger, and polo potato skins. A pizza outlet shares the expanded patio. Weekly happy hours and live local bands on Fridays and Saturdays keep the energy high.
Thirsty for more? Don’t miss these secret watering holes in Greater Palm Springs.
