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The following is extracted with permission from Great Destinations: Palm Springs & Desert Resorts...
The Palm Spring region's welcome to gays dates back to Hollywood's heyday when gay and bi-sexual stars could indulge their lifestyles beyond prying eyes. In the past decade, the scene has picked up. Dozens of hotels now cater to a gay and/or lesbian clientele. And the city has witnessed an explosion in the resident gay population, which has lent the city an exciting, more liberal pzzazz. In 2003, Palm Springs residents even elected an openly gay mayor.
Palm Springs actively promotes gay tourism: The city's Bureau of Tourism (www.gayguidepalmsprings.com) publishes the annual Palm Springs Official Gay & Lesbian Visitors Guide.
Several local gay publications are good resources. Try The Bottom Line (760-323-0552; www.psbottommline.com) and Gay Yellow Pages of the Desert (www.psgayyellowpages.com), and the Desert Gay Tourism Guild website (www.palmspringsgayinfo.com) and Palm Springs Gay Information Line (877-980-INFO).
The annual Easter weekend White Party (www.jeffreysanker.com) draws 25,000 gays. It features spectacular live performances, top-notch DJ talent, and cutting edge lighting and special effects. The White Party is preceded by the similarly exciting Dinah Shore Weekend (www.thedinah.com), for lesbians.
Nightlife: Arenas Rd. is Palm Springs's gay-focused center of action, full of honky-tonk and leather bars. The colorful Hunters Video Bar (760-323-0700; www.huntersnightclubs.com; 302 E. Arenas Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262) gets the gay crowd onto the dance floor with techno and world beat. Nearby, the Rainbow Restaurant & Piano Bar (760-325-3868; www.rainbowrestaurantps.com; 212 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262) draws a mostly monied gay crowd who hang on every word as a pianist tickles the ivories.
Toucans Tiki Lounge (760-416-7584; www.toucanstikilounge.com; 2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262), loosely themed on Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room, is the liveliest gay club in town and has drag shows, male striptease, disco, and heaps of titillating fun. Straights of both genders are welcome.
Gays break out the leathers or cowboy gear for a visit to the, er, Tool Shed (760-325-3686; www.toolshed-ps.com; 600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262); and to Sidewinders (760-328-9919; www.sidewinders-ps.com; 67-555 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City, CA 92234) for a whopping, stomping good time dancing to Country & Western. Karaoke fans won't be disappointed at Sidewinders, which has pool, darts, and video games, plus free hot dogs, burgers with all the fixins' 4-8pm.
Oasis Nightclub & Lounge (760-416-0950; 611 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262) appeals to a mixed crowd, but takes a heavily gay and lesbian slant. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
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