My partner and I came to Palm Springs (from OC) to visit Bootlegger, the Reef, and Tonga Hut on a "tiki tour" a few months ago. All were good, but we couldn't stop thinking about the excellent drinks and experience we had at Bootlegger. A few weekends ago, we were just about to head to Tiki Oasis in San Diego, but we called an audible and decided to make an impromptu trip back to Palm Springs just to visit Bootlegger again. As luck would have it, the same bartenders from our first visit (John and Dave) were there. Our first experience was not a fluke. Again, we had a series of delicious cocktails -- five in total, and none dipped in quality. Plus, John and Dave were welcoming, fun, and friendly. Out of the 30+ tiki bars we've visited, we'd rank Bootlegger in our top three. Highly recommend. We're already planning our next trip back. read more

Bootlegger Tiki has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town, and after visiting for the second time, I can confidently say it delivers an exceptional experience every single time. The atmosphere hits the perfect balance between cozy, retro, and vibrant. From the moment you walk in, the moody lighting, detailed tropical decor, and intimate setting set an incredible vibe that instantly makes you feel like you've escaped to a secret oasis. It is ideal for catching up with friends, starting off a night out, or enjoying a relaxed evening drink. Beyond the fantastic ambiance, the service is top-notch. The staff and bartenders are incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they do. They are always happy to recommend options based on your taste, and the attention to detail in every cocktail really shows. The drinks themselves are expertly crafted, balanced, and beautifully presented--you can tell real thought goes into the menu. Whether you are looking for classic tiki flavors or unique craft creations, everything served is flavorful and high quality. The small bites are equally impressive and pair wonderfully with the drink selection. Having gone twice now, Bootlegger Tiki has officially earned a permanent spot on my go-to list whenever I'm looking for great drinks, wonderful service, and an unforgettable atmosphere. I already cannot wait to go back for round three--highly recommended to anyone looking for a fantastic night out on Palm Canyon Drive! read more

Reservations are a must at Bootlegger Tiki whose slight square footage affords them only a handful of booths & a dozen bar seats. Glowing red & decked out in typical tiki bar decor, Bootlegger Tiki's drink menu, like many of its kind, is rum heavy. The two drinks I tried -- Blackbeard's Booty with coconut cream & citrus notes, as well as Donn Beach 1934 Zombie with warming spices -- felt like they were lighting my esophagus on fire. Not enjoyable to drink, but perhaps I've always been biased against cocktails that are both too sweet & too strong on the liquor taste. Chill bartenders who did their best to recommend things we would like, but in the end, this spot is one-and-done in my book. read more

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Saved this place a while ago and since I typically go to Palm Springs once a year I knew I'd eventually make it. Coincidentally, my friends husband saw it too. We did a couples weekend trip recently and stopped in. We arrived a few minutes before opening. It's a good thing we did because the place is TINY. Not what I was expecting. We got lucky as we didn't have reservations but got sat right away. It filled up quickly. We all enjoyed our fun cocktails. The ambiance was nice and our waitress was friendly. We learned an interesting fun fact: they are affiliated with Don The Beachcomber; which is (well was - it's closed now) a few miles from my house. read more

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Wow! The drinks here were super! The bartenders were so friendly, going over the top for my boyfriend's birthday celebration. Thanks for a fantastic night! read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Thai tea - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Bootleggers was still good, many years later. I had forgotten how tiny it is inside. We had to sit outside under the misters, which was not quite enough to stay cool when it was still 100 out in the dark, but our drinks certainly helped. They were strong, fruity and fun. Server was very nice and kept our water topped off. I would have stayed for more drinks had it not been so hot out. It's still worth the trip up to enjoy a few good tiki drinks! read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

I had been trying to get into this exclusive place for some time now and finally did it the right way and made a reservation almost 2 weeks in advance! We arrived and sat outside til our seats were ready at the bar. The hostess was very nice and efficient. Once we moved to the bar, that's when our little party started. I was intrigued with all the different drinks it was hard to decide. The Thai Tea one was my favorite!! Our bartenders were great (2 gentlemen, I forgot their names) They made our drinks fantastic! Definitely worth the wait for this tiny tiki bar. Definitely recommend! read more

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Likely the best tiki bar in all of Palm Springs! I loved our little night cap at Bootlegger tiki. Arrived at around 9pm on a Sunday and there were only a few other folks on there, great for a little romantic date night. Staff here were so sweet. Can I just say the Customer Service in Palm Springs is unmatched? Bootlegger tiki, just like everywhere in Palm Springs was so great. We felt completely comfortable and happy. The drinks were awesome! Beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Great little evening at Bootlegger tiki! We absolutely fell in love with Palm Springs, so we will absolutely be back and of course visit Bootlegger tiki when we do! read more

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Worst service I've had in a long time. It took 70 minutes to get a drink after checking in with the bartender 3 times. Eventually we got our drinks and I asked the server "what happened? is there a reason it took 70 minutes to get this drink?" And he rudely asked "well can you prove it?! can you prove it took 70 minutes?!" I showed proof and promptly left. read more

It was a very hot weekend we tried to make a bar booking but no luck we rang to mention that we were visiting from australia and would really appreciate some help but spoke to a bot / emailed too but no reply - we still went but sat out side not as fun - oh well read more

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Good: drink flavor. And.....they were pretty and unique . Meh: some liquid with the ice would be awesome. Proportion issues. Huh: you had to check for reservations but um....there were only two other people in the whole place. Also, everyone prefers a booth to a high top table.....we got the crappy spot. Thanks for the pretty drinks, I think I need to see other people though. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

The most amazing tiki bar, truly one of those places I wish I could gatekeep. It's an absolute must while in Palm Springs if you can snag a reservation or feel lucky enough to try for a walk in. The tiki masters, Ryan and Danny..are incredible and genuinely make the bar the experience. From the energy to the craft behind every drink (that changes occasionally) they take it to another level. Cannot recommend it enough!! PS Every aspect of the bar is also photographable !! read more

Second time visiting. Love this place! Every drink is full of dimension. Staff is friendly and helpful. Best tiki bar. read more

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Night of tiki bar fun! This was our favorite tiki bar out of our trip to Palm Springs. We sat at the bar and had a great time talking with everyone. Drinks were great and so were the vibes. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Bar back drop - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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We came out to meet our cousins and they highly recommended this bar. We came on a Saturday night and it was busy. It is important to make reservations. We got lucky because we did not know that but we were able to sit 4 people at a higher top table near the front door. Our waitress was super nice and took our drink orders but she was really busy so it took a little bit to get our 2nd drink order. All the tiki drinks were amazing and so much attention to detail. The atmosphere is so fun and laid back. The drinks had fun glasses or decorations and very tasty and strong. Will definitely be coming back again! read more

To me this place is a Tiki Speakeasy. Very vintage Polynesian decor. Love it! Small bar area seating and most seating is outside. Our server was friendly and we enjoyed Rum Runners. Nice and strong drinks. Happy Hour is 1 hour and only drinks served here. No food. Have a good time! read more

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This used to be my favorite place in Palm Springs until new management came in. All the pricing dramatically increased and quality decreased. In addition, all the good bartenders we used to love to see left within months of the management change. That tells you all you need to know. Very sad to see what's happening to what used to be a really cool spot. read more

Unfortunately didn't know that you needed a reservation to be seated. Street parking only, very small inside and some seating outside. Cool puffer fish lights but guess I will never know how it actually rates ‍ read more

Bootlegger Tiki is a great little tiki bar in downtown Palm Springs. There is no parking lot, but there was plenty of street parking when we arrived at 7pm on a Wednesday evening. Inside, there are four booths, about six spots at the main bar, and an extra two seats adjacent to the bar. There is also an outside patio with a good amount of seating. I would definitely recommend calling ahead of time to make a reservation so that you are guaranteed a quick seat since it is a small place. We sat inside in one of the comfy booths. All of the table lamps have a red bulb as well as the puffer fish lighting above. I didn't want to kill the vibe with flash photography which is why most of my pictures have a red hue. The main bar is the only spot that has some dim white lighting. There is a lot of great tiki décor and the vibe is excellent. I started with Blackbeard's Booty. With blackberry and raspberry liquors, I thought it might be a fruit bomb but those flavors were more in the background and it was a great balanced drink. The Thai Iced Tea is served in a takeout box and was another great drink. You could definitely taste the macadamia nut liquor in the background which was nice. The Rhubarbie was definitely interesting with a lot of complexity. No Photos Allowed and Me Tarzan You Jane (pretty strong) were two more excellent drinks. You know you are in a great tiki bar when their original creations have a unique blend of interesting liquors and they all have complexity. If you are less adventurous and prefer classic tiki drinks, those are also on the menu also. The drinks came out pretty quick since it was a slower weeknight. Our server Melissa was awesome. She was very friendly and attentive, and answered a lot of questions about the cocktails. I said that we were in town for a few days and she even suggested a few other places that we might enjoy. read more

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A truly unique experience for creative cocktails in the Coachella Valley! Once you enter this place, the inside of the bar is tiny but it is intricately decorated to transport you to a tropical getaway. The well mixed and strong cocktails are a crowd pleaser even for the pickiest people! Drinks (5+/5) Usually tiki bars are gimmicky and have poorly mixed cocktails that do not strike a balance that is palatable; however, this place is able to balance the flavors for each cocktail while making some strong drinks! I ordered the cobra bite and it sure packed a punch! There's a limit of 1 of these per person and it's for a good reason because you'll probably need to Uber home. While this drink was definitely strong with a heavy rum flavor, the other components of the drink were well balanced to mitigate the heavy alcohol taste. You could definitely drink two of these drinks and probably pass out. My friend ordered the painkiller cocktail and thought it was also a well balanced drink but on the lighter side for the alcohol component. Atmosphere (4.75/5) The inside of this bar is dark, moody, and transports you back into an old school tropical paradise. Since there's not many tiki bars still open, I would definitely suggest to check out this place because the vibes are immaculate. While this place is on the smaller side, there is outdoor patio seating available. Service (5/5) Upon entering, the hostess was very welcoming and accommodated our walk in without a reservation (you can make a reservation online but a 30$ holding fee is required to make your reservation). If you're visiting this bar during the peak seasons, fall, winter, or spring, I definitely suggest to make a reservation ahead of time (the bars website said the holding fee would be reimbursed after you arrive on time at the time of the reservation). The bartender was also very friendly gave recommendations for drinks and made friendly conversation with my party while sitting at the bar. read more

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We came here on a hot summer day because our uber driver told us this was the best tiki bar in Palm Springs. Can confirm he was correct I love a yap session when i'm sitting at the bar and the staff did not disappoint. the drinks were strong (and big) and so good. they have good options if you're not in the mood for a traditional sweet tiki rum drink too. Vibes were great, would definitely come back. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

This is the best tiki bar in town. MAYBE THE WORLD. Experienced bartenders, friendly service, creative and well balanced cocktails. You can go tropical, but if you want a traditional old fashioned, Manhattan, or even a vodka/soda, they do that too! The place is small and intimate, kinda like a 'tiki speakeasy'. Reservations ARE recommended, especially if you'd like to sit at the bar. Otherwise, the staff will do their best to get you seated on the patio or elsewhere. There's no food, but you're downtown so there are plenty of options elsewhere. Let the bartenders make something up for you! Ask for a 'dealers choice'. read more

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Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Food: n/a Drinks: 5/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 4/5 Came in on a Friday night (highly recommend reservations as per their website). Danny was the first person to serve us, and then Andrea and Ryan later helped us out. The Thai Iced Tiki is my husband's new favorite cocktail! The Cobra Bite was fantastic but strong, hence they only serve one per customer. The tiki theming is dialed back but still traditional. They do not serve food, so plan accordingly. Parking is free and there's a decent amount outside. Overall, I would plan to return when I'm back in town, and I'd recommend any tiki lover give this place a try! read more

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Tasty Drinks, ambience, friendly bartenders despite- this was such a worthwhile visit. My coworker (David) told me that he checked it out the day before and the drinks were amazing... So I went back on this day and it definitely checked all the boxes. Dave, the bartender, was really charismatic and, since I sat at the bar, he made sure my new friend (also David) had a great time. Happy birthday, Dave! read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Visiting Palm Springs for the first time, and we had to make a stop at Bootlegger for some tiki drinks, and it did not disappoint. Looking at the menu they have their own signature cocktails and classic tiki drinks. I opted for the cobra bite, which you are only allowed to order one of during your visit. Tasting it, it was definitely strong, and I definitely understand why they limit 1 per customer lol. I also tried their Thai iced tiki, which came in cute takeout box, the was tasty as well. We were a group of 9, and luckily we came at a time when they had a few tables available on the outside. It's not a huge place so I'd say it's most ideal for groups of 1-6. Overall, great drinks, fast service, and would come here again without hesitation read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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My favorite Palm Springs tiki bar. We took friends here this time and made a reservation for 6 at 3pm on a Saturday. We were pleasantly surprised by a happy hour on a Saturday! The POG Punch and the Beer on the HH menu are delicious. I've always enjoyed the tiki drinks, so this was a nice change of pace! The server was friendly and quick to get our orders too. My one complaint would be that it was pretttty warm inside. Not sure if there wasn't AC or it just wasn't kicking on yet, but that's the only complaint. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Happy Hour Menu as of 11/9/2025 - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Took my BF to this small tiki bar in downtown Palm springs;you may want to make a reservation. They have glowfish lanterns and a patio for al fresco drinks. The BF recommends the zombie, drinks are strong, so eat beforehand (no food served). Great place for drinks or a date read more

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Really cute space! Small tiki bar, limited indoor space so we sat outside with a larger party. Outdoors was still nice, but just hot in the summer. A little slow to get the check. I went 2 nights in a row (Friday & Saturday), and it was similar both nights. The drinks are so fun! Listen to the warning if it's strong We just stayed for 1 drink after dinner. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Thai iced tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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The drinks were awesome. The server and bartenders were friendly. The decor is fantastic. Would come again. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Mango BANGO, foam party - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Now here's a tiki bar with cred because long ago, the space was Don the Beachcomer, the progenitor of all tiki bars. Jamie W and I were staying within easy walking distance, so we took a stroll after dark to seek out some tropical libations in Palm Springs. We entered and noticed how dark and small it was. At the same time, bamboo accents and vintage tiki decor dominated the space and threw us back in time. The nice hostess led us to the one vacant booth. We reviewed the combination of original creations and classic cocktails that made up their menu. Jamie went for the $18 No Photos Allowed, a tantalizing mix of tequila, white rum, banana liqueur, blue curaçao, lemon, lime, guava, lemongrass, and tiki bitters (photo: https://yelp.to/NvgKKafvTm). It had more of a jagged edge than a sweet one, but it worked nonetheless. I ordered the familiar $16 Painkiller, a truly tropical blend of dark and gold rum, pineapple, orange, coconut cream, and nutmeg (photo: https://yelp.to/XgskufE0wK). That was more masterfully executed and proved the known classics are hard to screw up. Round 2 was a more mundane affair as Jamie went for the proven Painkiller. I ordered the rather soothing $17 Kona Coffee, a mix of cold-brew coffee liqueur, cacao rum, macadamia nut liqueur, and coconut cream (photo: https://yelp.to/g-u7DoCo-s). Less tiki, more espresso bar, but quite tasty. We were here on a Sunday night, and it filled up quickly. Just keep that in mind should the tiki mood strike you. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...classics deliver a bit more than the originals AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...authentically vintage...dark, intimate, smallish SERVICE - 4.5 stars...a fine hostess/server TOTAL - 4 stars...Don the Beachcomber reborn RELATED - Exploring Palm Springs? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2uqw6KW read more

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I love a good tiki bar--the nostalgia, the quintessential faux adventure theme, and the way it just transports you. Bootlegger Tiki delivers exactly that! We walked in without a reservation and were seated at the back, right in front of a cut-out window where drinks were placed before being served--such a cool setup. The space has a small dive-bar feel, adding to the charm. Ordered the Smoke Show and a Thai Iced Tea--two totally different drinks, both uniquely delicious. Cocktails here are around $18 each, which is expected for a solid tiki spot. Overall, a great place to grab a drink, soak in the vibes, and escape for a bit on the North end of Palm Canyon Drive. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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We made reservations and arrived about 30 min early. When we approached the host told us we needed to wait till our reservation time. No accommodation, no other option but wait. The inside had numerous tables available on the inside and numerous tables on the outside. So im not sure why there was no other accommodation. read more

We LOVED coming here so much that we stopped in two literal days in a row. It is a very small space so be sure to either arrive early or make a reservation online. The drinks were all just incredible. I LOVED the tiki mir, passionfruit mimosa, and espresso martini. There was not a single bad thing on the menu that we tried. It is such a cute ambiance. There are only maybe 3 booths and some seats at the bar ... The woman who helped us was so sweet and kind. Next time I visit the desert, I'll 100% be back. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Came for their happy hour on a Mon around 4:30 and they didn't have any space inside but there was a good amount of space on their outdoor patio. I got the Pina Marg with tequila (also had mezcal option) and made it spicy with a tajin rim. It had a good pineapple flavor and wasn't too sweet. It had a tiny bit of heat but I could have used a bit more. Others in my group got drinks off their standard menu and they came in fun containers and toppings. They were both pretty sweet though. Service was fast and friendly. I'd definitely recommend this place. read more

Bootlegger Tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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On another Tiki bar hopping with the husband while we vacation. This was the original Don Beachcomber location. It's tiki inspired decorations and dimly lit. The bartender, Ryan was awesome. Easy to talk to and will answer all your drink questions. We ordered the Zombie and I ordered the virgin Painkiller. Both drinks were greatly mixed well and delicious read more

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I LOVED my experience here. I had a reservation for Valentine's Day at 3pm and everything went smoothly. I was seated immediately and helped immediately. Drinks were delicious and the vibes were on point! I would 10000000% return here again read more

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What a beautiful place ! We had a great time and tried a few different drinks . The decor is great and the music was perfect ! We're definitely coming back when we visit PS again . Highly recommend making reservations. It's a small place with out side seating . read more

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We came here two nights in a row to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday, and I'm honestly torn because we had two completely different experiences. **Night one** was great. The drinks were strong and well-made, and even though the place was packed, our waitress stayed attentive and checked in with us consistently. It's clear they specialize in more elaborate cocktails, so a bit of a wait is understandable. The ambiance is also a highlight--dark, intimate, and really leans into the tiki vibe. **Night two** was the complete opposite. We accidentally mixed up our reservation time, but since the place was nearly empty, we were seated right away, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, everything went downhill from there. We had a different waitress, and despite being one of only a few parties there when we arrived, we waited **45 minutes** without seeing our drinks--while other groups seated after us were already being served (and even getting second rounds). We eventually had to flag down our waitress, who had hardly checked on us at all. When we asked about the delay, she said they were "very busy,". After mentioning how long we'd been waiting, there wasn't any real apology--just visible annoyance. She told us our drinks were "up next," but after another 20 minutes passed with nothing, we decided to leave after over an hour of waiting. It was disappointing, especially after such a positive first experience. A simple apology or some communication would have gone a long way. Sadly, the inconsistency makes it hard to know which version of this place you're going to get. read more

This place is really amazing. The drinks are just so so good and the atmosphere is on point. Make sure you make a reservation so you don't have to wait! Also they don't serve any food which is a big bummer in my view but we struggled on and came out the other side just as happy as if there WAS food. 10/10 would go again anytime. read more

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Dark and divey, this place has some partially shady outdoor seating if you go in the late afternoon. Service was spotty. Drinks were strong, creative, and fairly priced. Try the signature drinks on the menu just for fun. read more

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