How To Enjoy The Art, Music Of Coachella In CA Without The Crowds

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — It's almost certain that music festivals will be among the last events to resume in California as the state moves back to some semblance of normalcy from the coronavirus pandemic.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was canceled yet again this year, but a lot of what makes the gathering unique can be found in the desert of its origin.

The Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau is urging those craving that Coachella experience to hit the dusty trail this spring to discover the music, art and fashion that inspired the festival.

"Just because the festivals are canceled, it doesn’t mean the live music has to stop in Greater Palm Springs," a spokesperson from the Greater Palms Springs CVB said.

There are several beloved and intimate bars and restaurants nestled within the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs area that have begun the process of safely hosting live bands outdoors. And as temperatures heighten over the next several months, these iconic venues will become an ideal spot to catch a set — socially distanced of course.

Here are the top 5 Coachella Valley music venues:

1. Tack Room Tavern and Polo Pizza

The Tack Room Tavern and Polo Pizza are two conjoined eateries on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club. These are sprawling grounds where Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals are typically held.

Their large outdoor patios are currently offering acoustic music during dinner hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

2. Melvyn’s Restaurant and Lounge

Those looking to find live music most nights of the week can head to Melvyn’s Restaurant and Lounge at the Ingleside Inn. The restaurant offers American fare, old Hollywood history and an outdoor veranda with live music sets five nights per week.

3. The Nest

The Nest is an eatery in Indian Wells where guests can hear live music on their two patios every night of the week.

4. Pappy & Harriet’s

In the old west town of Pioneertown, the storied music venue Pappy & Harriet’s has long been a traveler's destination and a favorite getaway for Southland music lovers. The venue has hosted everyone from Paul McCartney, Lorde, Vampire Weekend to One Republic.

The restaurant and bar will begin hosting shows again this spring, starting with Los Lobos on April 20, according to their website.

5. The Little Bar

The Little Bar in Palm Desert was founded by Skip Paige, former COO of Goldenvoice and organizer of Coachella and Stagecoach. The bar's wallpaper throughout the interior showcases more than 30 years of Paige’s music memorabilia that he has collected as a fan and through his tenure in concert production, according to the visitor's bureau.

See these 3 famed desert art exhibitions from past festivals:

Guests and artists of Coachella's famed music festival have produced a variety of expansive outdoor art pieces that have lived on years past their festival lives. Many of these pieces explore the history and culture of the desert region.

1. Etherea

"Etherea" is a 54-foot-tall sculpture that was so popular following its debut at a past festival, that it has since been installed permanently in the region. It turned an empty lot into a public park for locals and visitors to enjoy.

2. Lodestar

“Lodestar” was designed for the festival in 2018 by Randy Polumbo. It is a 50-foot tall futuristic flower made of a Lockheed Martin Loadstar military jet, blown glass, crystal, mirror and steel. The artwork is permanently installed in Bombay Beach, a tiny town 50 miles southeast of Palm Springs on the shore of the Salton Sea, according to the vistor's bureau.

3. Roadrunner and Yard Dog

“Roadrunner” and “Yard Dog” are two sculptures that were scrapped together with metal plates by Don Kennell for the festival in 2014. The pieces are permanently on display in La Quinta.

Threads of Coachella

Part of what made Coachell's famed festival so alluring was the opportunity to indulge in some seriously eclectic costuming and bold fashions. Fortunately, travelers can still find the festival's best garb hidden in these desert vintage shops:

• Iconic Atomic
• The Fine Art of Design
• The Frippery

Those looking for a more high-end shopping experience can check out El Paseo Shopping District in Palm Springs, known as the "Rodeo Drive of the Desert."