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    Ski Inn

    4.5 (230 reviews)
    InexpensiveAmerican, Dive Bars, Burgers
    Open 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Ski Inn Photos

    SKI INN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Divey
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ski Inn

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    Stopped in for lunch after experiencing one of the most unique experiences of my life at Bombay Beach. Service at Ski Inn was excellent, beer was ice cold and patty melt was a ten outta ten. Highly recommend the tator tots, crunchy and hot! We absolutely loved the food, the friendly folks and the unique atmosphere and ambiance. Will be back!!! Must stop by if in area, which everyone should experience.

    Ricky N.

    Randomly stopped in while visiting the beach and Slab City. WOW! Literally plan to return anytime I'm within an hour drive. The food was seriously incredible. Had the patty melt and it was to die for. Fun crowd, friendly staff. Robin the bartender was AMAZING. Pricing is unreal, coming from Bay Area I was expecting a large bill as usually and it was so reasonable we left a 100% tip for such a great experience. Super fun atmosphere of a nice dive/local place. A new favorite!!!

    Heather M.

    Fun place! Friendly folks, great service, kitschy decor, cozy patio and tasty burgers and fries! Definitely recommend the Ortega burger!

    Dining area! Make sure you bring a dollar to sign!
    Lori J.

    The food was amazing, great selection of beverages & the service was spot on! Great atmosphere!!!

    Steph H.

    STEPH JUDGEMENT: An iconic oasis in the desert. After a hot walk looking at all the bizarro stuff on Bombay Beach, we needed cold drinks and some food. The Ski Inn was pretty the only game in town for those items, so off we went. The interior was wonderfully cool, in more ways than one. Be prepared to see a LOT of dollar bills everywhere, with all kinds of stuff written on them. The place was very kitschy, but had a fun local vibe. You order at the bar and they'll bring out the stuff to you. I got the Fish and chips, and the hubby a Veggie burger with onion rings. I saw the bartender pour some lemonade from a pitcher and that looked so good I had to get some, with a ton of ice, of course. I was hoping it might be homemade, but nope, it was like a Minute Maid powder or frozen concentrate with the unpleasant artificial aftertaste--blah, should've just gotten a beer. The food took a really long time to come out. We knew there was only one cook, but still. Looking at all the crazy dollar bills taped everywhere was a pleasant enough diversion, though. When we finally got our food, all the fried items had an overly brown color to them, like they were fried in old oil, but they actually tasted ok. My fish was good--nice and hot and generously portioned, but the fries seemed like they'd been sitting out for a while. The hubby liked his veggie burger and onions rings fine, but the food overall wasn't anything to rave about. But if you're the only game in town, why try harder?

    Road the bike into town for some food!
    Kyle D.

    What a cool place for anyone! Excellent service fast and happy to have you in! The food seems amazing! Currently waiting on my Ortega burger! If I'm ever out this direction I will most definitely be back!

    EL D.

    Considering there is nothing out here in this area this is definitely a 4 star establishment respectfully. $5.50 a draft was good and the ambiance plus service was delightful. Cool interior designs with darts and a pool table. Worth a stop for sure

    The patio at Ski Inn and Duke
    Doris B.

    These folks were super nice. If you are looking for a local bar to hang out in and hear some interesting stories this would be the place. :-) all we wanted was a cup of coffee and they brewed us a fresh pot - also must love dogs!!!!

    Cheeseburger
    Srey Y.

    This is really the place to hangout when it is EXHAUSTINGly hot outside. The people here are so friendly and makes you feel like you're not really isolated in this town! We played some card games and ate a good burger with some beers. A local gave us a map of the resort. Note: cash only!!

    07/2022
    C L.

    I love this place. I felt like we spent a chunk of our Salton Sea trip here. We come here for water and burgers and pies. The staff is nice and the decorations are amazing; everything here is eccentric and down-to-earth. All I can say is it feels familiar and otherworldly at the same time, it's a true hidden gem. This city is. Made so many memories here. Summer 2022

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

    If you are hungry and want some great atmosphere this place is for you. If at Bombay beach this is perfect for a cold drink and a burger.

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    3 months ago

    Great food, service and cool place to stop!! Highly recommend people stop in!! Try the patty melt

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    3 months ago

    decent restaurant the food was good Don't expect to be served by a server tho you need to go up and order which they don't specify

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    Tala S.

    Thanks Tracy, come back and see us soon! :)

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Stopped by for lunch while exploring the Salton Sea. Fun atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food. Will come again.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ski Inn Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ski Inn

    Are they still open? I pray my beloved ski hasn't succumbed to this crap.... someone let me know!?

    They were NOT open yesterday Friday, Jan 15 at 5 pm.

    The restaurant is open?

    I understand they are open but not serving food yet. They plan to fully open soon with full food service.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Ski Inn

    Stopped in for lunch after experiencing one of the most unique experiences of my life at Bombay Beach.

    Mentioned in 54 reviews

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    The Tiny Pony - Our famous indoor view of the disco ball and our favorite animal art.

    The Tiny Pony

    4.2(566 reviews)
    66.0 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    The Tiny Pony is a cool little spot. The decor is kind of all over the place but it works and fits…read morethe desert vibe. Got the Tiny Pony burger and it was really good. Proper smash burger with crispy edges and a juicy center. The patties had great flavor and didn't need anything extra. Came with homemade chips which were actually really good and easy to keep picking at. Service was good and everything came out without a long wait. Simple, tasty, and a spot I'd come back to.

    We came here around midnight on a Thursday, and the place was packed. There's both indoor and…read moreoutdoor seating, with the outdoor area split between covered and uncovered sections. They also have heaters outside, which kept it pretty warm. If you plan to sit outside, the covered area is definitely the best spot. They have an amazing drink selection. I was actually really surprised they had Laphroaig. I also ordered an Old Fashioned, which was delicious. That said, the prices are a little steep for what's technically a dive bar. There's a pool table if you want to play, and they also have a Photo Booth that costs $6 and gives you two prints, which is a fun little addition if you're there with friends. The decor throughout the place is super cool and adds a lot to the overall vibe. It says they close at 1 AM, but they were doing last call at 1 AM rather than kicking people out, so I'm not exactly sure what time the night fully wraps up. The music selection wasn't really my favorite, but the staff was very friendly, the drinks were great, the atmosphere was lively, and the decor is awesome. Definitely a top-tier dive bar with a fun vibe.

    Photos
    The Tiny Pony - We make smash burgers and sauces in our scratch kitchen every day until late.

    We make smash burgers and sauces in our scratch kitchen every day until late.

    The Tiny Pony
    The Tiny Pony - Our backyard is pup-friendly!

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    Our backyard is pup-friendly!

    The Virginian Cocktails

    The Virginian Cocktails

    4.2(91 reviews)
    57.1 mi
    $

    Now THIS is a dive bar but we loved it! Came all 3 night we were here in 29 palms. Josh behind…read morethe bar is super friendly as most of the clientele seem to be because we struck up conversations readily even though we are " east coasters". Good liquor selection and Josh lived up to his rep with a big perfect dry and ice cold martini. As good I would have in any restaurants back in dc where I live. Stopping in each night was a highlight of our trip.

    I went to this place on a recent mini vacation to Joshua Tree. I wanted some local color, and I did…read morenot want to visit the spots for tourists. I wanted to clink glasses with locals who could tell me about the fun and flaw of growing up in a small town. And I figured that local dive bars would allow me to check off my hopes. Plus, the word on the street was that the Virginian was a local haunt for marines. I wanted to party with marines. Spoiler alert: I did--and it added an extra layer of crisp and pop to my night. On my first night, I went there, by my lonesome, and I was surprised to know that it was a cash-only establishment. This worked to my favor because I did not want to drink too much and then go to my hotel. I did not aim to get a DUI, I just wanted to have fun. When I go alone to a bar, I have a primary objective: to find friends to drink with and talk to. Especially on vacation, I wanted to find an experience that would lead me to a "hangover-like night." I know it might be impossible, for sure, but that does not impede me from trying. And when one tries, one might be successful. I was. I went to put my name on the chalkboard to eventually play pool. I gathered around the others who were waiting for pool. I quickly made friends with a marine. He was not the marine I had my eye on, but he was the one who entertained my advances. Soon after, we went to the bar to get him a drink. One for me too. We were getting shots. The wait was long-loving for it gave him and me the opportunity to connect. Let's call him Lalo. He told me about life as a marine. I told him about my life. He told me that he had found a girl--now his fiancée--on an app called Chispa. Basically, a dating app for Latinx people. I did not think he had found a fiancée, but rather a person he could fall in love with. He was young, you see, and love for marriage seems to be a long game best played by those who are at least in their mid-twenties. Regardless, I will root for those two crazy kids. As we drank and grew closer, Lalo and I just became friendlier and friendlier, which led to friendly hugs. On one particular long and gripping hug, I uttered, "This feels so nice, Lalo." His reply was, "I am glad, Frankie, I am glad." My chosen name is Frankie. His words comforted me because they sounded sincere, and words I had not heard before, within this context. Here in the middle of a desert, I had found comfort in the arms of a marine. I never thought I would, but like I said, I tried, and I was happy to be successful. Soon one of his friends came and requested to leave. Lalo did. I was irked. I wanted him to stay with me for a few more drinks at the Virginian. It did not happen. I got lucky, but my luck did not extend the night. But I did get lucky the next night. I went again after my day at Joshua Tree. It was a Saturday night. The place was full but not so full that it was overwhelming. I saw three young men sitting. There was a stool next to one. They had the build and essence of marines. So, I sat next to one. And again, I made a quick friend. He was from South Dakota. I can't remember his name, so let's call him James. James introduced me to his two friends. One was from the same town I grew up in. Happy coincidence. James and I spoke. He was kind enough to get me a glass of water. The service of the armed forces rings high and small. They were taking shots, one after the other, without restraint. One of James's friends stepped outside and puked. The bartender reprimanded them. He gave them a mop to clean their own mess. Wow, this would not happen in an LA bar, I thought. The marines were put to work. James took the mop and finished for his friend. The bartender inspected the mess and green-lit for them to go. Again, I wanted a marine to stay for my own selfish needs. He did not. He grew and gave me a smile as he went. This bar is a local haunt, but great for visitors. So, if you go to Joshua Tree or a nearby town, don't be shy and stop in here for local color. I got to see small-town vibes at play. It was great, and I met my own personal goal of partying with marines. The Virginian may not be sophisticated, but it is a place to have fun and engage in a way that feels homey yet exciting. Please remember it is cash only but it has ATMs. If you use credit cards, to get by at times, then skip this place.

    Photos
    The Virginian Cocktails - The sunset !! Downtown 29 Palms

    The sunset !! Downtown 29 Palms

    The Virginian Cocktails
    The Virginian Cocktails

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    Ski Inn - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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