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    Tool Shed

    3.9 (144 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    TOOL SHED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Tool Shed

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    Reviews With Photos

    Quintin E.

    Tool Shed, you get better every time! The top, IT, gay bar in PS, it's elevated dive bar with good vibes, great drinks and the best patio you'll find anywhere in the low desert. "Where Men Who Like Men Gather," as they say at the T Shed. Located off Sunny Dunes Rd (not Arenas Rd if you can believe it) across from a local art gallery, the latest John Cerney Murals the "Neighbors," and neighbor to place like Q Trading, Gear Leather and more this 32 year old+ bar born in 1993 as the original levi and leather bar in Palm Springs. It's evolved a lot hosting a variety of events each week as well as every month and become the host destination for a lot of major event weekends such as Palm Springs Leather Pride, Black Fire: Cigar Social Weekend, and numerous others. Everyone is plenty friendly or at the very least personable like the amazing staff here and their brand ambassadors/titleholders like the current Mr. ToolShed 2025 Erick who welcomed all over the weekend and wished us safe travels home. I've been to some many events over the years when I'm up in the Coachella Valley at TS including Tunes on Tuesday Bingo with a cameo via Barry Manilow, Thursday Underwear night #BeatTheHeat, Sunday Beer Bust, Singlet Saturday, Cigar events typically brought to you by Maximus, and Bluf, leather formal and uniform gear nights. GAY-M-SHOW Night Wednesday, and several of their events I hope to catch at some point for sure, but even when there's nothing kicking off right away, coming to sit inside or out, enjoy the crowd, the great music, history and ToolShed energy is pretty great. It is a cash only bar, but they do have an atm. Restrooms in the far left hall just before the patio, one with a lockable door that is for all genders. The main restroom is strictly trough style with a huge industrial style sink and powerful hand dryer. Smoking is permitted on the patio, cigars as well as cigarettes usually gravitate towards the back and on the outskirts. Plenty of tables, chairs, patio furniture and ledges to relax on, great lighting at night with cool fans and misters that get a lot of use in the summertime. Parking in front, in back or in the side lot as well as throughout the neighborhood. Rideshare is always easy here (coming or going). No food is served here with the exception of chips for purchase. There's a food truck that's open just about daily to my knowledge in the back that serves a variety of comfort food (think tacos, tots, etc). Can't say enough good things about this place. Always manage to see a handful of locals, but also another handful of people from back home. All are welcome here, but it's a bar so you need to be at least 21+.

    Hot shirt off night when I stopped by right after I landed from an event in San Francisco!
    James X.

    One of the last great Old School leather bars left in So Cal with reasonable drink prices and some great food trucks next to the new extremely well lighted (let's get those lights down a few degrees) patio! Always have a great crowd and time. I am looking forward to getting back there during Pride in November 2025! I do miss the original dimly lit more discreet patio tho

    PS Pride Weekend
    Marilyn A.

    I stop at this bar once a year for PS Pride weekend. Always a good time with our guy friends. Sadly my wife and I don't dare to come here alone, as this bar is primarily for men only. Cash only and drinks are very cheap!

    Good food truck in back
    Joe F.

    Since they put in the outside space - it's become the bear spot to go! Very popular on underwear Wednesdays and Sundays beer blast

    Enjoying the atmosphere and ambiance of an evening.
    Michael M.

    Food at Somwthing Different is excellent and Gino and Kat do an amazing job with it and keep prices reasonable. The bartenders are always nice and efficient (not bad on the eyes either!). The new patio offers great seating. In all weather. Comfortable and airy, and big enough to find a quiet place to visit. There really is no other bar for me.

    Rose Kennedy
    Tim F.

    I just moved to the neighborhood and this a great gay bar for a late afternoon/early evening drink. This is my second time here and the drinks are good and the staff and patrons are friendly.

    Tool Shed

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    3 months ago

    Very friendly and accepting bar which I enjoy frequently. Visit this bar and you will enjoy it too.

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    5 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Very rude clientele and staff. They told my Indian friend "we don't want no Iranians in here"

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    1 year ago

    Lovely dive bar. Strong drinks. Loved the vibe. Always stop in here when I'm in Palm Springs.

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    5 months ago

    Was kind of slow the day I visited but nice people clean bar. Can't say anything bad

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Service is spot on, The Tool Shed is known as the best gay dive bar in Palm Springs. The new outdoo

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Tool Shed

    Is there a dress code? (ie type of leather gear)?

    Dress code? Anything goes here from street clothes to Leather! Tip: less is best!

    What's the best time to go to Toolshed on Thursday nights?

    8 or later

    What time is the underwear contest?

    It is every Thursday night around 7 PM. The place is packed and they have five or six sexy contestants, they answer questions that are typical of a bar contest: top or a bottom, cut or uncut, married or single, etc. Everytime you get a drink you get… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Tool Shed

    “Its our go to leather bar when visiting Palm Springs where we can meet like minded guys and wear our gear.”

    Mentioned in 22 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Chill Bar - Interior decor

    Chill Bar

    3.9(463 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$

    Yaaaaaas! Took my cuzzos here as they wanted to experience an American Dragshow. Being the ally…read morethat I was, I went along with them. Here was my experience. AMBIANCE Parking: Street parking and plaza parking. You really shouldn't have any issues unless there's a major festival or something. Seating: Plenty of seating! I mainly saw inside seating from groups to bars. Vibes: You're pretty much in Downtown Palm Springs but also prime location for LGBTQ+ nightlife. The spot itself can be chill and not so chill depending on the events. Regardless, I felt welcomed and enjoyed the vibrant and fun energy. The drag brunch was great! The performers brought charisma, comedy, incredible costumes, with plenty of audience interaction. Whether it was your first drag brunch or your fiftieth, the energy made you feel included. DRINKS Mimosa (Recommend) Simple, refreshing, and exactly what you want during brunch. Light, bubbly, and easy to sip while cheering on the performers. CUSTOMER SERVICE Ongina was served as the MC and was great! The servers were pretty cool too. Good banter, pretty friendly and a good flow. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. Good flavors, great entertainment, and good energy! Whether you're visiting Palm Springs or you're a local looking for a fun Sunday outing or some fun LGBTQIA+ drag brunch entertainment, check this spot out. TIPS * Make reservations for drag brunch--they fill up quickly. * Bring cash to tip the performers.

    B. O. R us. Absolutely the worst experience ever. I have…read morebeen coming in for years and today was the least pleasant ever. Thankfully the staff and drinks were /are constant. The people were off. Usually the music amd dance floor is hitting hard. Definitely not 9 months ago. . Something different.

    Photos
    Chill Bar
    Chill Bar - Photo 2: Behind the bar

    Photo 2: Behind the bar

    Chill Bar - Torn up patio sofa for years.  please put some of your profits back into your bar

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    Torn up patio sofa for years. please put some of your profits back into your bar

    Quadz

    Quadz

    3.6(160 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$

    The long weekend is here and it definitely showed. After dinner, a wander through Arena area and…read moredrinks was on the itinerary. Literally everyone was out tonight which is good to see. I think the last time it was packed with lines trying to get into all the bars had to have been pride back in November. Or whenever there's an event or king weekend. The area does get pretty busy during the weekend but add a long weekend, it's on. There was a line when we arrived which was just about 9. Compared to all the other bars in the area, this is a video bar versus your clubbing and sort. There's no dance floor. They do have a little stage when karaoke night is going on but daily, it's just a a fun video bar showing all the classics and fun showtunes and musicals. I feel like it could be the start for people for the night with a drink here before heading to the other bars where dancing is available. Line didn't take long, maybe five minutes or so. But once you got inside, it was packed. The only downfall about this establishment, there's not enough bartenders. Usually it's 2/3 working at a time. But when it's packed, you know it can get a little cramped in line...lol... they do have high top towards the back and along the side which they were all utilized. Bar seating is also available but personally for me, it's a bit too cramped as people are literally behind you waiting to order. A nice patio that looks out to the strip so it's perfect for people watching. Also tv are outside as well for the show tunes. Decent amount of cushion seats there as well as some high top tables. The place is fun, not a party scene but if you're into showtunes and musical, it your party scenes. Plus, I love the crowd participation whenever a certain video comes on. A fun bar that's worth checking out. Downfall, restroom line tends to take a while. There's two room but just like any other bar, there's always a wait.

    Great place to enjoy a few drinks, listen to music, people watch, chat and just vibe. They have…read moreplenty of fun events throughout the week. Staff is very friendly! One of our favorite bars to go to in PS as locals.

    Photos
    Quadz
    Quadz
    Quadz - Bench seating

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    Bench seating

    Streetbar - Montage of images from Streetbar

    Streetbar

    3.8(141 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$

    One of the bar along the strip that's seems to be exactly what it is, bar instead of a club. It's…read morepretty decent in size with a nice patio to match. I think they've updated the outdoor area which was nice. But inside, it's basically one big room with the bar right in the middle as you walk in. They do have a stage to the side for karaoke just like another bar nearby. It's more of an older crowd compared to Chill bar and Hunters as those are more of a club since they offer dance floors. Here, it just a mingle and drink place where a good amount are locals and then add the holiday makers in when there's a long weekend or event weekend. The crowds are alway fun as everyone is there for the same reason. Inside can get pretty cramped when you walk in as bar seating is utilized and then add the line of people waiting to order. A good selection of music is alway in. Compared to the other place, it's more chill. Either you're starting or ending the night here. But you also have the ones that just comes here as it's more of a lowkey vibe compared to the clubs nearby. It's a fun spot along the strip.

    Always the perfect spot for having an afternoon cocktail on Arenas…read more The bartender was a charming man that has been there for years, as a mater of fact everyone has been there for years. The 3pm mid-day found almost every barstool full as well as just a few outer tables. The vibe is subtle and I highly recommend bringing someone to talk too. The bartender was chatty enough but the patrons not so much. I would bet it's the same crowd everyday yet nobody seemed to know each other, just quiet men all looking gayly forward towards the center of the bar. Drinks are delicious and poured generously and if you like the houses favorite brands (all top shelf) then its a pretty good deal. They keep the place tidy, with everything in good working order, the staff is proud and my favorite reason to return.

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    Streetbar - Bar

    Bar

    Streetbar - Interior

    Interior

    Streetbar

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    RetroRoom Lounge - There's never anybody here but here is Dwain Wall

    RetroRoom Lounge

    3.7(276 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    •$

    Cousins night out. They may not have the individual room karaokes so we went to the one that had a…read moresolid vibe. This stood out, here was our experience. AMBIANCE Parking: Street parking. We didn't have any issues around 10pm. Seating: An intimate lounge for the most part, bar seating, group seating, room for about 50 people total. Vibes: Downtown Palm Springs is an eventful place. Small enough that it's close to the type of vibe you need. As for the space itself, it has a dim lighting, a tv for sports or popular shows if you just want to zone out. You have your usual singers and a good ebb and flow of people trying to catch a song. Karaoke is definitely the heart of this place. Whether someone is absolutely crushing it or having fun with friends, it's a supportive place with good vibes all around. DRINKS Vodka Soda with Lime (Recommend) A simple drink that gets the job done. Cold, refreshing, and well balanced. Just a solid cocktail to help you relax and enjoy the vibes. CUSTOMER SERVICE Friendly, attentive, and easygoing. DJ is great and same as the servers. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. Good drinks, welcoming people, and one of those neighborhood bars that doesn't have to be expensive and flashy. Great space where people can laugh, sing, meet new friends, and enjoy a night out. Enjoy! TIPS * Karaoke is the main attraction--don't be afraid to sign up for a song. * Vibes will come in waves, sometimes it's poppin and sometimes its chill.

    Fun karaoke bar! They have a one drink minimum per guest (not sure if it needs to be alcohol),…read moreprobably to make sure people don't take too much advantage of the karaoke. I think you have to pay to sing, but there was no cover charge to walk in and sit. Nice to listen to everyone and it seemed like a supportive crowd. You're definitely encouraged to sing along to the choruses. All our cocktails were yummy and of course had fun names. One even came with a plastic light up ring!

    Photos
    RetroRoom Lounge - 4/24/24 karaoke

    4/24/24 karaoke

    RetroRoom Lounge
    RetroRoom Lounge

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    The Evening Citizen - Mai tai and consenting adulterer

    The Evening Citizen

    3.9(95 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    We stopped at Evening Citizen after dinner for a girls' night drink and absolutely loved it! First…read moreof all, finding the place is part of the experience. We wandered around for a bit looking completely confused until someone finally took pity on us and pointed out the unmarked dark door. Apparently, if you know, you know! Once inside, it has such a fun Prohibition-era speakeasy feel. The atmosphere is dark, intimate, and very cool, and our bartender was fabulous and completely played along with the vibe. When I pulled out my phone to take a picture, he looked at me very seriously and said, "No pictures, please." I immediately put my phone away! Later, when our drinks arrived, I cautiously asked, "Am I allowed to take a picture of these?" He laughed and said, "Of course! I was just giving you the vibe!" We had just come from a slightly odd service experience at Workshop Kitchen (see that review!), so for a second I thought, "Oh no, here we go again!" Thankfully, not at all. The drinks were great, the atmosphere was fun, and the bartender made the experience even better. Such a fun hidden little speakeasy and definitely a place I would recommend. We'll absolutely be back!

    I've heard a lot of things about this place but have never been. Same concept with other speakeasy…read moreas in hidden doors, special word, a knock and so on. Well this one, located in the Arena area of Palm Springs. Theres no name or signs anywhere. You just have to know where to look. Try opening doors and see which one opens. We were walking back to the car when I noticed the doors. As l had heard so much about it but didn't know where it was. Well lucky me, I opened the door with the first try. I had an idea on where it was but didn't know where. That's where the 4 stars come in. As I had the door open, I could hear from the bar area a gentleman yelling out shut the door. Ok, I get the dark hidden concept but yelling out like that, kind of rude. Do you not want people in. It was about 11pm when we walked in. You enter and it's a dark hallway straight to the bar. That'll be what you see right when you walk in. Place is covered in a dark damask wallpaper and only light are small fixtures. So dark and demure. Bar area is the main attraction with all the seating. There's a few hi tops along the wall as well as some seating in the back area. I'm not sure how big the place is as we only went straight to the bar and sat down. The menu is printed to resemble vintage newspaper. The dark mysterious room with tufted seats and dim lights is what this place is all about. But of course you can't leave out the drinks. Centered of the bar wall, there's Udo Kier watching you. Anyways, down to the drinks. Printed on the newspaper was a perfect touch. I went with the pisco sour and we had the bartender make something else with mescal. An updated smoke and mirror I believe. Drinks were excellent which we expected. The whole place is really dark and mysterious which was a nice touch. It wasn't that busy when we arrived Friday night. A couple of people in the back area which we definitely could hear...lol... There was no list to get in as we just walked in. The only downfall with the rating, the rude remark when we walked in with shutting the door all the way from the bar area. Yes we heard it from outside. There were two bartenders working , but we did chat with one of them and she was a sweetheart. Informed us that they too will be closed down for the summer holiday but will be renovating. Places out here closes at least a month for summer holidays and with the slow season due to the heat. First impression of this place, besides the rude remark was we really liked it. The drinks were great and tasty. It's not super big but more intimate. Can get a little loud as people are talking over each other. Could be the alcohol.... It's someplace I would visit again with people who I know will appreciate it.

    Photos
    The Evening Citizen - Mary Pickford and Backstabber

    Mary Pickford and Backstabber

    The Evening Citizen - There are 2 rules for this bar. Rule #1 involves the bar lamps. Rule #2 refers to the picture on the bar.

    There are 2 rules for this bar. Rule #1 involves the bar lamps. Rule #2 refers to the picture on the bar.

    The Evening Citizen - Velvet wallpaper

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    Velvet wallpaper

    Tool Shed - gaybars - Updated October 2026

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