I think we can all agree that 2022 has been a really weird year.
It started off with the worst COVID-19 spike yet in terms of cases, thanks to the omicron variant. The supply-chain issues we all dealt with in 2021 continued into 2022—joined by the scourge of record inflation. We watched in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine, and the U.S. Supreme Court apparently decided that legal precedent isn’t important anymore, overturning Roe vs. Wade. At times, it seemed like our democracy itself was at stake—but then election-deniers did poorly in the 2022 election, giving people who believe in facts and truth a glimmer of hope.
Despite all of this weirdness, the Coachella Valley’s businesses, professionals and organizations kept on keeping on.
The best of these businesses, professionals and organizations are listed on the coming pages, because they were selected by you, dear readers. I’d like to congratulate all of this year’s Best of Coachella Valley winners and finalists—and thank them for making this such an amazing place to call home.
I’d also like to thank our partners at News Channel 3, for helping get out the vote, and all-around being amazing to work with. Be sure to watch for their special Eye on the Desert coverage of Best of Coachella Valley winners!
Finally, and foremost, I’d like to thank our readers who took the time to vote this year. (Although I don’t know what the plurality of you were thinking in the Best Burger and Best French Fries categories. In-N-Out and McDonald’s?!) We know it can be daunting to face down a ballot with more than 140 categories (up 15 or so categories from last year), but you did, and for the most part, you picked an amazing slate of winners and finalists.
Welcome, everyone, to the Best of Coachella Valley 2022-2023.
—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com
Best Late-Night Restaurant
Blackbook
Runners up:
2. The Tropicale
3. The Beer Hunter
4. I Heart Mac and Cheese
Best Japanese
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Runners up:
2. Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar
3. Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
4. Musashi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
5. Otori Sushi
6. Taka Shin
Best Steaks/Steakhouse
LG’s Prime Steakhouse
Runners up:
2. The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente
3. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
4. Mr. Lyons Steakhouse
5. Spencer’s Restaurant
Best Outdoor Seating
Spencer’s Restaurant
Runners up:
2. Las Casuelas Terraza
3. The Tropicale
4. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
5. Bongo Johnny’s
6. Sol y Sombra at The Paloma Resort
Best Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings
Runners up:
2. Stuft Pizza
3. Wingstop
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. Gastro Grind Burgers
Best Veggie Burger
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Runners up:
2. Grill-A-Burger
3. Lulu California Bistro
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. Gastro Grind Burger
Best Desserts
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners up:
2. TIE
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Manhattan in the Desert
4. Jake’s
5. Jensen’s
6. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Best Caterer
Lulu California Bistro
Runners up:
2. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
3. Lynn Hammond Catering
4. TIE
F10 Catering
Carousel Catering
Best Burger
In-N-Out
Runners up:
2. Tyler’s Burgers
3. Grill-A-Burger
4. Tony’s Burgers
5. Gastro Grind Burgers
Best Delicatessen
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners up:
2. Manhattan in the Desert
3. TKB Bakery and Deli
4. The Real Italian Deli
5. J’s Deli
Best French
Le Vallauris Restaurant
Runners up:
2. Si Bon
3. Farm
4. Pomme Fritte
5. French Rotisserie Cafe
6. French Miso Cafe
Best Doughnuts/Pastries
Swiss Donut
Runners up:
2. Krispy Kreme
3. Peninsula Pastries Palm Springs
4. French Corner Bakery
5. Jelly Donut
6. Carousel Bakery
Best Food Truck
TIE
Cousins Maine Lobster
Nick’s Pizza
Runners up:
3. El Luchador
4. Mama Ola’s Soul Food 2 GO
5. R & K Yummies
Best Casual Eats
Lulu California Bistro
Runners up:
2. Stuft Pizza
3. Billy Reed’s
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. Trio Restaurant
6. John’s Grill
Best Upscale Restaurant
Spencer’s Restaurant
Runners up:
2. Copley’s on Palm Canyon
3. Le Vallauris Restaurant
4. Eddie V’s
5. The Tropicale
6. Sol y Sombra at The Paloma Resort
Best Thai
Thai Smile Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Thai Smile of Rancho Mirage on El Paseo
3. TIE
Pepper’s Thai
My Thai
5. Uncle Chai Thailand Street Food
Best Pizza
Bill’s Pizza
Runners up:
2. Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill
3. Giuseppe’s Pizzeria
4. TIE
Billy Q’s
Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta
6. Birba
Best French Fries
McDonald’s
Runners up:
2. Five Guys
3. Pomme Fritte
4. Gastro Grind Burgers
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Chinese
City Wok
Runners up:
2. Wang’s Chinese Cuisine (Cathedral City)
3. Roly’s China Fusion
4. Canton Bistro
Best Indian
Monsoon Indian Cuisine
Runners up:
2. India Oven
3. Its Taste of India
4. India Kitchen
Best Organic Food Store
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Runners up:
2. Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Market
3. Whole Foods
4. Sprouts Farmers Market
Best Greek
Santorini Gyro
Runners up:
2. Nina’s Greek Cuisine
3. Athena Gyro
4. Koutouki Greek Estiatorio
Best Bakery
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners up:
2. Aspen Mills
3. Peninsula Pastries Palm Springs
4. Townie Bagels, Bakery and Café
5. Carousel Bakery
Best Korean
You Grill Korean BBQ
Runners up:
2. JOY at Fantasy Springs
3. Umami Seoul
4. K-Tofu House
Best Bagels
Townie Bagels, Bakery and Café
Runners up:
2. Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
3. Panera
Best Salsa
Las Casuelas Terraza
Runners up:
2. El Mirasol
3. TIE
Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill
Blue Coyote Grill
5. La Perlita
Best Juice/Juice Bar
Fresh Juice Bar
Runners up:
2. Jamba Juice
3. Juice It Up!
4. Bowl of Heaven
5. Big Juice Bar
Best Seafood
Fisherman’s Market and Grill
Runners up:
2. Pacifica Seafood
3. Eddie V’s
4. Spencer’s Restaurant
5. Oceans Restaurant
Best Frozen Yogurt
Tutti Frutti
Runners up:
2. Monster Shakes
3. Yogurtland
4. Beach House Yogurt
5. Swirlyz Frozen Yogurt
Best Italian
Castelli’s
Runners up:
2. Il Corso
3. Mario’s Italian Cafe
4. Johnny Costa’s Ristorante
5. Il Giardino
Best Ice Cream/Shakes
Lappert’s Ice Cream
Runners up:
2. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
3. Great Shakes
4. Kreem
5. Perfect Pint
Best Smoothies
Jamba Juice
Runners up:
2. Fresh Juice Bar
3. Juice It Up!
4. Bowl of Heaven
Best Buffet
Fresh Grill Buffet at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Runners up:
2. Emperor Buffet
3. Rockwood Grill at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
Best Breakfast
TIE
Wilma and Frieda
Elmer’s Restaurant
Runners up:
3. Keedy’s Fountain Grill
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. Cheeky’s
Best Sushi
Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar
Runners up:
2. Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
3. Misaki Sushi and Grill
4. TIE
The Venue
Taka Shin
Best Coffee Shop
Koffi
Runners up:
2. IW Coffee
3. Ernest Coffee
4. Vintage Coffee House
5. Cafe la Jefa
6. Ristretto
Best California Cuisine
Lulu California Bistro
Runners up:
2. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
3. Spencer’s Restaurant
4. The Tropicale
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Mexican
El Mirasol
Runners up:
2. La Tablita
3. Fresh Agave Mexican Bar and Grill
4. El Mexicali Cafe
5. Tac/Quila
Best Date Shake
Shields Date Garden
Runners up:
2. Hadley Fruit Orchards
3. Great Shakes
4. Windmill Market
5. Nature’s Health Food and Cafe
Best Local Coffee Roaster
Koffi
Runners up:
2. Coachella Valley Coffee Company
3. Joshua Tree Coffee Company
Best Brunch
Wilma and Frieda
Runners up:
2. Spencer’s Restaurant
3. Farm
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. The Tropicale
6. Norma’s at Parker Palm Springs
Best Barbecue
Babe’s BBQ and Brewery
Runners up:
2. Bubba’s Bones and Brews
3. Brown’s BBQ and Soul Food
4. Smoke Tree BBQ
Best Custom Cakes
Over the Rainbow
Runners up:
2. Nothing Bundt Cakes
3. Exquisite Desserts
4. Bristol Farms
Best Vietnamese
Pho Vu
Runners up:
2. Rooster and the Pig
3. 533 Viet Fusion
4. La Baguette Vietnamese Sandwiches
5. Fuzion Five
Best Sandwich
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners up:
2. TKB Bakery and Deli
3. The Sandwich Spot
4. Real Italian Deli
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Burrito
Las Casuelas Original
Runners up:
2. TIE
El Mirasol
El Ranchito Taco Shop
4. Casa Blanca
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Diner
Billy Reed’s
Runners up:
2. Elmer’s Restaurant
3. Keedy’s Fountain Grill
4. Rick’s Restaurant
5. John’s Grill
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Runners up:
2. Native Foods
3. Palm Greens Cafe
4. Nature’s Health Food and Cafe
5. I Heart Mac and Cheese
Best Bank/Credit Union
Chase
Runners up:
2. Bank of America
3. FirstBank
4. US Bank
5. Mechanics Bank
Best Sex Toy Shop
Skitzo Kitty
Runners up:
2. Not So Innocent
3. Gear Leather and Fetish
4. Q Trading Company
Best Pet Supplies
Bones-N-Scones
Runners up:
2. PetSmart
3. Cold Nose Warm Heart
4. Petco
5. Pet Oasis
Best Staycation Hotel
Parker Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. JW Marriott Desert Springs
3. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
4. TIE
Renaissance Palm Springs
The Paloma Resort
Best Bowling Alley
Fantasy Lanes Bowling
Runners up:
2. Palm Springs Lanes
3. Yucca Bowl
Best Doggy Daycare
Barkingham Pet Hotel
Runners up:
2. Doggie’s Day Out
3. The Village Pup
4. Dream Dogs
Best Local Specialty Retail Shop
Destination PSP
Runners up:
2. PS Homeboys
3. Crystal Fantasy
4. Just Fabulous
5. Bobo Palm Springs Stationary
Best Indoor Fun/Activity
Escape Room Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Boomers Palm Springs
3. Get Air Trampoline Park
4. JW Entertainment Zone at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
5. Kids Clubhouse Indoor Playground
Best Annual Charity Event
LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert Red Dress/Dress Red
Runners up:
2. Palm Springs Animal Shelter Faux Fur Ball
3. DAP Health Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards
4. McCallum Theatre Annual Gala
5. Concert for Autism
Best Yoga
Urban Yoga
Runners up:
2. Coachella Yoga, Therapy and Wellness
3. Power Yoga Palm Springs
4. Hot Yoga Plus Palm Springs
5. Iyengar Yoga Palm Desert
Best Plant Nursery
Moller’s Garden Center
Runners up:
2. Moorten Botanical Garden
3. Bob Williams Nursery
4. Vintage Nursery
5. GDNC Cactus and Desert Plant Nursery
Best Hotel Pool
Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Runners up:
2. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
3. The Saguaro
4. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
5. The Paloma Resort
Best Car Wash
Quick Quack Car Wash
Runners up:
2. Elephant Car Wash
3. Airport Quick Car Wash
4. Harv’s Car Wash
Best Retail Music Store
Palm Springs Vinyl Records and Collectibles
Runners up:
2. Gré Coffee House and Art Gallery
3. Dale’s Records
4. Music Heals
Best Comics/Games Shop
TIE
Desert Oasis Comics
Comic Asylum
Runners up:
3. Interstellar Comic Books
4. Rated Comics
Best Gym
World Gym Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. One Eleven Conditioning Club
3. EōS Fitness
4. In-Shape
5. Orangetheory Fitness
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Reefer Madness Dispensary and Lounge
Runners up:
2. Lighthouse Dispensary
3. The Leaf
4. Libra Cannabis Co.
5. Cannabis 21+
Best Local Activist/Advocacy Group/Charity
Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Runners up:
2. DAP Health
3. LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert
4. Boys and Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley
5. Habitat for Humanity
Best Local Radio Personality
John Taylor, KGAY 106.5
Runners up:
2. Patrick Evans, KWXY 101.9 FM/1340 AM
3. Bradley Ryan, MIX 100.5
4. Don Wardell, 107.3 Mod FM
Best Radio Station
KGAY 106.5
Runners up:
2. The Eagle 106.9
3. 107.3 Mod FM
4. 93.7 KCLB
5. Channel Q 103.1
Best Place to Gamble
TIE
Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage
Agua Caliente Palm Springs
Runners up:
3. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
4. Augustine Casino
5. Spotlight 29 Casino
Best Solar Company
Hot Purple Energy
Runners up:
2. Renova Solar
3. SunRun Solar
4. Sunlogix Energy
Best Air Conditioner Repair
Comfort Air
Runners up:
2. Timo’s Air Conditioning and Heating
3. Desert Air Conditioning
4. General Air Conditioning
5. Best In the West Air Conditioning and Heating
Best Local Home Improvement Company
Ace Hardware Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Ace Hardware Palm Desert
3. PS HomeBoys
4. Flooring Innovations
5. Quality Carpentry
Best Real Estate Agent
Shann Carr
Runners up:
2. Scott Histed
3. Mary Gomez
4. Niels Kosman
Best Auto Dealership
Exotic Motor Cars
Runners up:
2. TIE
Honda of the Desert
Jessup Auto Plaza
4. Fiesta Ford
5. Palm Springs Subaru
6. Palm Springs Kia
Best Chiropractor
Nazemi Musculoskeletal Center
Runners up:
2. Dr. Jim Cox
3. Dr. Scott Redfern
4. Acker Chiropractic
Best Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Timothy Jochen
Runners up:
2. Dr. Mark Sofonio
3. Dr. Bruce Chisholm
4. Dr. Maria Lombardo
5. Dr. Ritu Chopra
Best Doctor
Dr. Laura Rush
Runners up:
2. Dr. Maria Garcia
3. Dr. Michael Hughes
4. Dr. Bruce Ferguson
5. Dr. Russell Hisscock
6. Dr. Tien Vo
Best Auto Repair
Sergio’s Automotive
Runners up:
2. Desert Classic Cars
3. Bavarian Auto Repair
4. Cam Stone Automotive
Best Plumber
Valley Plumbing
Runners up:
2. General Air Conditioning and Plumbing
3. Palm Springs Plumbing
4. Hammer Plumbing
5. Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Water Cleanup
Best Public Servant
Rep. Raul Ruiz
Runners up:
2. Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton
3. La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans
4. State Sen. Melissa Melendez
6. Palm Springs City Councilmember-elect Ron deHarte
Best Dentist/Orthodontist
Tahquitz Dental Group
Runners up:
2. Dr. Scott Shepherd (Palm Springs Family and Cosmetic Dentistry)
3. Dr. Michael Seto
4. Hospitality Dental and Orthodontics Rancho Mirage
5. Desert Dental Spa
Best Veterinarian
Dr. Terry Hicks, Palm Desert Pet Hospital (retired)
Runners up:
2. Dr. Nicole Brockmeier, VCA Desert Dunes Animal Hospital
3. Dr. Lillian Roberts, Country Club Animal Clinic
4. TIE
Dr. James H. Clark
Dr. Rachel Reedy, Ridgeline Veterinary Clinic
Best Pest Control Company
Dewey Pest Control
Runners up:
2. Frasier Pest Control
3. Truly Nolen
4. Mr. Beez Termite and Pest Control
5. Lloyd Pest Control
6. Pestology Pest Control
Best Flooring/Carpet Company
Flooring Innovations
Runners up:
2. Carpet Empire Plus
3. Prestige Flooring
4. Premier Flooring Solutions
5. Tile Designs by Fina
Best Attorney
Walter Clark
Runners up:
2. Christopher Heritage
3. Brian Harnik
4. Kathie Browne
Best Eye Doctor
Dr. Kailee Watson
Runners up:
2. Dr. Bart Ketover
3. Dr. David Esquibel
4. Dr. Keith Tokuhara
Best Mortgage Company
FirstBank
Runners up:
2. Homebridge
3. American Pacific Mortgage
4. Contempo Lending
Best Personal Trainer
Ted Guice
Runners up:
2. Jaime Jimenez (One Eleven Conditioning Club)
3. Alvin Crowe
Best Tattoo Parlor
Adornment Tattoo
Runners up:
2. Cactus Tattoo
3. Blue Rose Tattoo
4. Iron Palm Tattoo
5. Strata Tattoo Lab
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
Costco Optical
Runners up:
2. Desert Vision Optometry
3. Oh La La de Paris
4. Panache Optical Gallery
5. Perspective Optometry
Best Day Spa (Non-Resort/Hotel)
Desert Zen Day Spa
Runners up:
2. Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon
3. Grounded Bodyworks
4. Courtney Lauren Skincare
Best Antiques/Collectibles Store
Misty’s Consignments
Runners up:
2. Antique Galleries of Palm Springs
3. Sunny Dunes Antique Mall
4. Victoria’s Attic Antique Mall
Best Nail Salon
Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon
Runners up:
2. Nails World and Beauty Salon
3. Best City Nails
4. Lavender Nails and Lashes
5. Zen 2 Nails
Best Furniture Store
PS HomeBoys
Runners up:
2. H3K Home+Design
3. Revivals
4. Mathis Bros.
5. Bob’s Discount Furniture
Best Resale/Vintage Clothing
Revivals
Runners up:
2. Angel View
3. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
4. Frippery
5. Thriftology
Best Hair Salon
TIE
Brien O’Brien Salon
Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon
Runners up:
3. Infinity Hair Design
4. G TOURNAI Hair + Creative Studio
5. Vetiver Salon
Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store
El Paseo Jewelers
Runners up:
2. Tiffany and Co.
3. Covet Palm Springs
4. Jewelry Boutique
Best Florist
My Little Flower Shop
Runners up:
2. Jensen’s
3. Rancho Mirage Florist
4. Indio Florist
5. DHS Florist
Best Spa in a Resort/Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Rancho Mirage
Runners up:
2. TIE
The Spa at Desert Springs at the JW Marriott Desert Springs
Sunstone Spa at Agua Caliente
4. La Quinta Resort
5. The Well Spa at Miramonte Indian Wells
Best Clothing Store (Locally Owned)
Destination PSP
Runners up:
2. Trina Turk
3. Wil Stiles
4. Covet
Best Public Garden
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Runners up:
2. Sunnylands
3. Moorten Botanical Garden
4. Japanese Memorial Garden at the Coachella Valley History Museum
Best Park
Palm Desert Civic Center Park
Runners up:
2. Ruth Hardy Park
3. Downtown Park Palm Springs
4. Wellness Park
5. Ironwood Park
Best Bike Shop
Palm Springs/Palm Desert Cyclery
Runners up:
2. Bike Palm Springs Rentals
3. Alcorn Adaptive Bike and Mobility Shop
4. Big Wheel Tours
5. Jade Bicycle Repair
Best Place for Bicycling
CV Link
Runners up:
2. City Loop in Palm Springs
3. La Quinta
4. Indian Canyons
Best Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Runners up:
2. Big 5 Sporting Goods
3. Yellow Mart
4. PGA TOUR Superstore
Best Outdoor/Camping Gear Store
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Runners up:
2. Big 5 Sporting Goods
3. Yellow Mart
Best Public Golf Course
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Runners up:
2. Indian Canyons Golf Resort
3. TIE
The Lights at Indio Golf Course
PGA West La Quinta
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
6. Classic Club Golf
Best Recreation Area
Joshua Tree National Park
Runners up:
2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
3. Indian Canyons
4. Palm Desert Civic Center Park
5. Palm Springs Swim Center
Best Hike
Indian Canyons
Runners up:
2. Tahquitz Canyon
3. Bump and Grind Trail
4. Lykken Trail
5. Araby Trail
Best Movie Theater
Mary Pickford Is D’Place
Runners up:
2. Century La Quinta and XD
3. Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
4. Century at The River and XD
Best Local Musician (Individual)
Keisha D
Runners up:
2. Giselle Woo
3. Gary Gand
4. John Stanley King
5. Brian Scott
Best Local Arts Group/Organization
Palm Springs Art Museum
Runners up:
2. McCallum Theatre
3. Backstreet Art District
4. CREATE Center for the Arts
5. Desert Theatricals
Best Producing Theater Company
Palm Canyon Theatre
Runners up:
2. Desert Ensemble Theatre Company
3. CV Rep
4. Dezart Performs
5. Desert Theatricals
6. Desert TheatreWorks
Best Art Gallery
The Shag Store
Runners up:
2. Melissa Morgan Fine Art
3. CODA Gallery
4. Heather James Fine Art
5. Stephen Baumbach Gallery
Best Local Band
The Gand Band
Runners up:
2. Giselle Woo and the Night Owls
3. Christine and the Lost Keys
4. Crucial Culture
Best Outdoor Venue
Oscar’s Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace
3. Fantasy Springs Rock Yard
4. Palm Desert Civic Center Park
5. Rancho Mirage Amphitheater
Best Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum
Runners up:
2. Palm Springs Air Museum
3. Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
4. Coachella Valley History Museum
5. La Quinta Museum
Best Local DJ
DJ Galaxy
Runners up:
2. DJ ModGirl
3. Femme A
4. DJ Alf Alpha
Best Local Visual Artist
Shag
Runners up:
2. Lynda Keeler
3. Chris Kempton
4. Tysen Knight
5. Zach J.F. Boyles
Best Indoor Venue
McCallum Theatre
Runners up:
2. The Show at Agua Caliente
3. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
4. Palm Springs Cultural Center
5. The Alibi
Best Open Mic
Oscar’s Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Hunters Palm Springs
3. The Hood Bar and Pizza
4. V Wine Lounge
5. MTU Broadway at Willie’s
Best Place for a Birthday Party
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Runners up:
2. Get Air Trampoline Park
3. Chuck E. Cheese’s
4. The Kids Clubhouse
5. Boomers!
Best Kids’ Clothing Store
JadaBug’s Kids Boutique
Runners up:
2. Macy’s
3. H&M
4. Carter’s
Best Playground
Palm Desert Civic Center Park
Runners up:
2. La Quinta Civic Center Park
3. Ruth Hardy Park
4. Ironwood Park
Best Place for Family Fun
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Runners up:
2. Boomers!
3. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
4. Get Air Trampoline Park
5. Escape Room Palm Springs
Best Restaurant for Kids
Red Robin
Runners up:
2. Shakey’s Pizza
3. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
4. Burgers and Beer
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar/Club
Hunters Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Blackbook
3. The Roost
4. Chill Bar
5. One Eleven Bar
Best Bloody Mary
Bongo Johnny’s
Runners up:
2. Spencer’s Restaurant
3. TIE
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
19th Hole
5. Sloan’s
Best Martini
Paul Bar/Food
Runners up:
2. Spencer’s Restaurant
3. The Tropicale
4. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
5. Eddie V’s
6. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch Selection
TIE
Mr. Lyons Steakhouse
Blackbook
Runners up:
3. Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
4. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
5. The Tailor Shop
6. The Beer Hunter
Best Cocktail Menu
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
Runners up:
2. Blackbook
3. Sol y Sombra at The Paloma Resort
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. The Tailor Shop
Best Wine Bar
V Wine Lounge
Runners up:
2. Cork and Fork
3. TIE
Bellatrix Restaurant
Zin American Bistro
5. La Fe Wine Bar
Best Craft Cocktails
Bootlegger Tiki
Runners up:
2. Seymour’s
3. Bongo Johnny’s
4. Sol y Sombra at The Paloma Resort
5. TIE
Window Bar at The Rowan
The Tailor Shop
Best Place to Play Pool/Billiards
Hunters Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. The Beer Hunter
3. The Hood Bar and Pizza
4. Neil’s Lounge
5. 19th Hole
Best Happy Hour
Hunters Palm Springs
Runners up:
2. Blackbook
3. The Tropicale
4. The Beer Hunter
5. One Eleven Bar
Best Wine/Liquor Store
Total Wine and More
Runners up:
2. Costco
3. BevMo!
4. Bouschet
5. Palm Springs Bottle Shop
Best Nightclub
Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
Runners up:
2. Hunters Palm Springs
3. The Nest
4. Chill Bar
5. Copa Nightclub
Best Margarita
TIE
Fresh Agave Mexican Bar and Grill
Las Casuelas Terraza
Runners up:
3. Blue Coyote Grill
4. El Mirasol
5. Tac/Quila
6. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Dive Bar
Tool Shed
Runners up:
2. The Hood Bar and Pizza
3. Blackbook
4. Fireside Lounge
5. Neil’s Lounge
Best Beer Selection
Yard House
Runners up:
2. La Quinta Brewing Co. Taprooms
3. 1501 Uptown Gastropub
4. The Beer Hunter
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Bar Ambiance
Paul Bar/Food
Runners up:
2. The Tropicale
3. PS Air Bar
4. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
5. Blackbook
6. O’Caine’s Irish Pub
Best Local Brewery
La Quinta Brewing Co.
Runners up:
2. Coachella Valley Brewing Co.
3. Babe’s BBQ and Brewery
4. Las Palmas Brewing
5. Desert Beer Company
Best Sports Bar
360 Sports at Agua Caliente
Runners up:
2. The Beer Hunter
3. Burgers and Beer
4. Henry’s Sports Bar and Grill
5. 19th Hole