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


Food and Restaurants

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


Life in the Valley

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


Valley Professionals

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


Fashion and Style

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


Outside!

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


Arts

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


For the Kids

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


Spirits and Nightlife

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

One reply on “Best of Coachella Valley 2022-2023: Readers’ Picks”

Comments are closed.