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Most people who visit Palm Springs never deviate from Palm Canyon Drive, a one-stop shop for restaurants, art galleries, hotels and local businesses in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Admittedly, I always eat in one of the restaurants there because it’s convenient, walkable and perfect for people watching. With this being said, there are so many gastronomic delights in the Coachella Valley that most visitors aren’t aware of.
This is why I want to thank Mark Pendergrass, co-founder of I Fall to Pizzas in Joshua Tree for introducing me to one of the best food experiences in Palm Springs: Paul Bar / Food.
Located in a very unassuming strip mall by the airport, nestled between a massage spa and a vaping shop, Paul Bar / Food is arguably the best-kept secret in Palm Springs. Unless someone told you about it, you’d never think that another world lies behind the inconspicuous doors of Paul: an opulent mahogany bar with waiters perfectly groomed in white tuxedo shirts that will transport you to the clandestine era of speakeasies.
However, this bar with an Irish flair is not only a place where people go for perfectly crafted cocktails – it’s also a place that happens to make amazing food that patrons keep going back to.
Born to an Irish mother, owner Paul O’Halloran grew up in NY and worked in the culinary industry for many years. In his interview with Desert Magazine, Paul shared that he moved to Palm Springs to marry a guy he was friends with in NYC. “I fell in love with Palm Springs and California. Opened Paul Bar, got divorced and couldn’t be happier,” he said.
There are a few permanent fixtures on the menu, the most popular are the Rack of Lamb, Chicken Schnitzel and the Paulburger. However, Paul Bar takes pride in its daily specials, thus showing that the establishment is driven by quality and not quantity. Additionally, everything at Paul Bar is made to order, so depending on the dish, it may take a while but trust me, the wait will be worth it. I went there on a gorgeous Thursday the day after New Year’s Day, which was Pot Roast night.
Since I did my due diligence before going to Paul, I showed up at 3:30pm instead of waiting until 4pm. As I stood in line, I could feel the blazing sun on the back of my head, but thankfully for not too long. As the sun began to set, there was a very pleasant cool breeze. This is one of the wonders of visiting Palm Springs in the winter! If you show up before 4pm like I did, don’t forget to hydrate. The heat in Palm Springs is no joke! If you’re reading this and you’re planning on visiting Paul in the summertime, the bar closes for the entire month of August.
The first picture is the line from when I showed up. The second is the line 10 minutes later!
In LA, restaurant openings and shoe releases cause a big fanfare that winds down in a couple of months. The fact that Paul Bar has been open since early 2018 and continues to attract locals in droves is fascinating.
Desert Magazine asked Paul what celebrities had been spotted at the bar. He replied: “More than a few celebrities… one of my favorite actors of all time… Broadway stars… I’ll never tell. Otherwise, they won’t come back. Plus they just wanna eat and have fun.”
Our host of the night, Andrew, who is from Scotland, walked out and gave us a rundown of the menu that day, as well as the seating process. As a first-timer, this only made me more excited! I felt like I was going to see a play.
“And please, do not seat yourself. We have cameras and Paul will freak out”, he said. From what I read in the reviews, many people get antsy by the wait time and sit at whatever spot is available without checking in. Given the limited space, there’s only one table available for large parties.
There are no reservations at Paul’s Bar, it’s first come first served. On why he decided to implement the no reservation policy, he said in the interview, “I thrive on that Macy’s white sale feeling … ok that’s a joke.”
Once I walked in, I was welcomed into the world of Paul Bar. As you can see, the space was still decked out with holiday decorations.
I was seated at the end of the bar and placed my order with my server/bartender Mark. As the cocktail orders started coming in, I got a first class view of Mark making cocktails at an impressive speed: mixing the drinks, crushing the ice, stirring the cocktails in the shakers and then vigorously shaking them. He was breaking up a sweat!
“Mark is great, isn’t he?” said Andrew. I usually don’t drink, but since cocktails are a mainstay at Paul Bar, I’ll have to try one next time! Their most famous cocktail is the Manhattan.
Recently, I came across an article that stated that a good bartender should be able to make six cocktails while talking to guests and taking food orders, and that’s exactly what Mark did! If you go make sure you’re seated at the bar to get a perfect vantage point of him in full action!
The day before, I was debating on whether to go to Palm Springs on Thursday or Friday. But Friday was going to be overcast and I wanted to take advantage of the sun, so Thursday it was. However, this meant missing their Fish and Chips night on Friday, which I really looked forward to! I shared this with Andrew after I placed my order. “The fish and chips is really good but to be honest, the Pot Roast is my all-time favorite thing on the menu,” said Andrew. Mark readily agreed. If your schedule allows, try to go to Paul Bar on a weekday!
Photo by @lalascoop
Here’s everything I ordered!
Iceberg wedge salad
A crunchy iceberg lettuce drizzled in a creamy blue cheese dressing, topped with juicy bits of tomato, bacon, and blue cheese crumbles. Upon serving it, they’ll ask you if you want to add black pepper. Don’t be intimidated by their massive pepper grinder!
The black pepper added the perfect amount of heat, balancing out the dominant flavor of the dressing and allowing the rest of the ingredients to shine through: the juicy tomatoes, the saltiness of the bacon bits, and the sharpness of the blue cheese crumbles. Overall, this was a classic wedge salad done right: crispy, creamy and refreshing.
Since I was one of the first people that ordered it, as soon as I finished I saw a bevy of wedge salad plates lined up on the kitchen counter. This wedge salad is a real crowd-pleaser and since it is not heavy at all, it’s a great way to kickstart your meal!
Meatball
A hunk of meatball lathered in a deeply rich marinara sauce. The lean beef yielded a fluffy and light texture. The Parmesan cheese provided a sharp note to the overall dish, enhancing the robust marinara sauce and the flavorful tender beef. I would have eaten all of it, but I wanted to make room for the pot roast, so I ate half. This was definitely a favorite!
Fried calamari (on the house)
While there were no guests in sight waiting to be seated, Andrew made some chit-chat with Mark and I. I told him that I was a writer and that this was my first restaurant meal since my disastrous eating experience at a French-inspired bar/restaurant in LA the month prior. We bonded over how a proper French steak frites should be cooked.
Andrew was nice enough to comp me the Fried Calamari, which came with a side of spicy marinara. The batter was exceptional, adding a gorgeous crunch that complemented the tender texture of the calamari. The rings were already outstanding on their own, but it was the zesty marinara sauce with a gentle spicy kick that elevated the experience. It was so good I could have drank it! Overall, this is another highly recommended appetizer, and I cannot thank Andrew enough for letting me try it!
Pot Roast
Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for. Pot roast is the epitome of comfort food, and this one didn’t disappoint. A fork-tender roast with chunks of hearty carrots and potatoes. The rich and flavorful gravy tied everything together, providing a symphony of flavors in every bite – including aromatic notes from the freshly chopped parsley. The only thing I missed in the gravy was a hint of red wine, which my mom always used to add whenever she cooked braised beef. Sometimes she would add beer. Although I don’t drink, alcohol is the centerpiece of a rich and flavorful gravy – it truly elevates the flavor to another level! Understandably, some people might be sensitive to alcohol in their food.
I walked out with a giant bag containing leftover boxes. The meatballs and the pot roast held excellently the next day! I loved reheating them with some rice. If you go by yourself, I encourage you to try many things. After you’re done, just tell them that you want everything to go and they will neatly box the leftovers.
I skipped dessert but from what I read online, Paul’s pots-de-creme, which comes in two flavors, are so good that they often sell out. I’m already counting down the days to go back! Unfortunately, Paul was not there that night.
Overall thoughts
Paul Bar is a shining example of not needing to spread yourself thin with a hundred menu items to appease everyone. Their carefully curated menu selection and bold flavors in each dish spoke for itself. But, why does Paul Bar gel so well with Coachella Valley locals? The branding is very simple but works like a charm: an intimate setting with stellar drinks, a few greatly executed dishes at a reasonable price and a personable staff. The welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere are other major contributors to the success of Paul Bar. Chatting with Andrew and Mark was one of the highlights of my night. They also greeted all the regulars, like the local retiree sitting next to me. He ordered the Rack of Lamb. “Paul has the best food in all the Coachella Valley. It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s the best!!”, he said grinning from ear to ear.
Like I said above, the hallmark of Paul Bar is creating an enjoyable atmosphere for every guest. In the same way Andrew greeted us before letting us in, here’s a picture of Paul greeting guests on the evening of January 25.
Every time I go to Palm Springs, I feel like I’m traveling to a time capsule of glitz and glamour. Indeed, Paul Bar does a great job of conveying that experience into his bar, but in a way that feels genuine and authentic.
Before going to Paul Bar, I encourage you to drive through Sunmor Estates (located within a short drive from Paul Bar), and marvel at the stunning mid-century houses. After my meal, it was too soon to head back to LA, so I went to downtown Palm Springs. Coincidentally, it happened to be VillageFest night, a lively pedestrian street fair that takes place every Thursday from October until May. I couldn’t have asked for a better day to go!
Paul Bar / Food
3700 E Vista Chino, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday (4PM – 11 PM)
Friday and Saturday (4PM – 12 AM) and Sunday (4PM – 10PM)
What do you think?