I've heard a lot of things about this place but have never been. Same concept with other speakeasy as 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. read more

See all

I love this dark little getaway. The style is spot on - the dark velvet damask wall paper, the intimate table lighting, and the "newspaper" acting as the cocktail menu is speakeasy cool. The bartender was super helpful and made me a "Smoke & Mirror" (mezcal base) is hands-down the very best cocktail EVER!!!! read more

The Evening Citizen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

This was the best Speakeasy during our Palm Springs visit. Secret door and everything. Our Lyft driver drops us off on a Friday evening in front of Dicks, which was packed full of.. well dicks. lol Our Lyft driver said, "good luck, it's around here some where," and left. The area was GREAT!!! We love the LGBTQ community. The secret door was around the corner, without a sign. We just kept trying to open doors until we found one that was unlocked. We entered a super dark, velvet wall papered room with a huge bar and tables. We didn't have a reservation and we were thankful that they let us in to enjoy the drinks, ambiance, and general atmosphere. The service was great! We tried to sell our waiter to rename water to glacier bombs and he just loved it! The menus were set in a newspaper that was interesting to read. I loved everything about this place. I would come back for sure!! read more

Amazing experience, this dark bar definitely plays the role of speakeasy. Non-descript entrance, dark cool interior, the felt wallpaper all come together to give you that escapism that everyone loves. The drinks were on point. The bartenders were very professional and also fun. Definitely put this on your plans springs bar crawl list. read more

The Evening Citizen - Mai tai and consenting adulterer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

This is such a cool speakeasy. Stopped in on a Friday night with my spouse. It was the perfect date night destination and easier to get a table for two. The drinks were exceptional and it was easy to talk over the music. Larger groups were there but likely needed to get there early. Look for the red light over an unmarked door for the entrance. read more

The Evening Citizen - Phone in the unisex bathroom. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

First of all, shout out to the other review that said to look for the door with the red light. I love how hidden this place was, definitely added to the great speakeasy feel. I absolutely loved the whole vibe. The fact that the menu was hidden in a newspaper was such a nice touch. Staff was friendly and our drinks were delicious. I would absolutely go back! Such a great spot! read more

The Evening Citizen - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Very dark. Very incognito. Very fun. Don't blink and miss it. Our bartender was also the server. Interesting and varied excellent drinks and vibe. read more

The Evening Citizen - Shhhhh. Don't tell. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

Such an incredible vibe to this cozy little spot. The menu really sells it, and the drinks are delicious one and all. The bartenders were very responsive and had great recommendations. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town! read more

Getting into the Speakeasy, and the general ambiance of the space is neat. The staff were warm and welcoming, creating a real sense that the evening was special. The cocktails were for the most part excellent, and where they were just good, they were still good. Overall, this was a great place to spend a couple of hours. Two small things that dropped their score for me, but will absolutely not discourage my returning: 1) While the menu gimmick is fun, given the lighting and small table size, it's a mess to navigate. I ended up just going with the staff recommendations, or the first thing I could read. Perhaps having a book version available that just lists the cocktails would be helpful. 2) At one point, of the two people working, one disappeared (probably for their lunch or a break), and this left the bartender stuck behind the bar filling the orders of those seated at it. While we intended another round, after 25 minutes with no sign of that happening, we left our table, paid at the bar, and left. Still a fun and wonderful experience. read more

The Evening Citizen is everything a speakeasy should be. The entrance is unmarked, it is dim and cozy, has a great vibe, and has excellent cocktails. A server at another bar the night before mentioned a few other places we might enjoy while in town and this was one of them. Even with the address in hand, we had to ask the host at one of the nearby restaurants exactly where it was. Upon entering, it is dimly lit, with a blacked out ceiling and small black and white tiles on the floor, You immediately see a very classy-looking bar with a black marble top, dark shelves with liquor bottles illuminated from below, and a striking portrait of German actor Udo Kier which adds an element of mystique. Everything is immersive and adds to the vibe, including the dark, patterned velvet wallpaper. There is even a fireplace near the entrance. There was background music playing that totally fit the room. We sat at one of the two seat tables against the wall behind the bar which have a small dim lamp. Another distinctive speakeasy element is that the menu is in the format of a multi-page newspaper with the cocktails spread out through the pages among stories and fake advertisements. You might find the menu on their website if you click around the right places. I started out with a 20th Century, very similar to a Corpse Reviver 2 but with crème de cacao as one of the ingredients. It was a totally amazing drink with a subtle taste of chocolate on the front end with the drinks classic citrusy botanical notes. She started out with a Mary Pickford, a more sweet and fruity cocktail but very well balanced. We already had drinks before coming here but could not resist sharing one more so we ordered a Consenting Adulterer. It was a great finishing vodka drink that was bright and refreshing. The menu also has a fun crossword puzzle on one of the pages, and we enjoyed doing it verbally while indulging in our drinks. Even the single-person restroom is somewhat dim, has lit candles, and has a classy ambiance of its own. I saw something in this bathroom that I have never seen at any other bar. On the way out, on the back of the door there is a sign that basically states "If you think your drink may have been tampered with, please ask a bartender for a test". I thought that was incredibly thoughtful and I wish every bar did that. We visited on a weeknight and there was one gentleman running the whole place by himself. When we sat down, he initially greeted us very timely and paced our visit perfectly. The cocktails were made to perfection and he kept our water topped off. Bravo to the one man show. The Evening Citizen is a must-visit establishment. A+++ read more

See all

Visited The Evening Citizen on a Friday after dinner around 8PM. The place is pretty neat, the staff we encountered were nice. Unfortunately, the drinks were not very good , they were extremely unbalanced - too tart and not mixed well. read more

Cool idea, cool atmosphere, and amazing cocktails. I'm a local and love supporting small businesses. But when I'm paying that much for a drink, I at least want to feel welcome. The young guy working behind the counter was unbelievably and obnoxiously rude - ruined the experience. It's not a one time thing, so I won't go back. read more

Love the ambience and the drinks. I had the chi chi and my friend had another signature drinks from their menu. Looks like they were understaffed as it took a half hour to get our drinks. We wanted to order another however decided after an hour we needed to pay the bill and move on. They need more bartenders or possibly a bar back as the bartender was alone. He had to seat people, make the drinks, clear the drinks and do all of the transactions. Hoping they hire more staff to help him out. read more

The Evening Citizen - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

My friend doesn't drink, so I took him to a speakeasy. Then I got him to drink because the place looked cool. Mission accomplished. On a street of festive gay bars, the Evening Citizen is hush-hush, keep-it-on-the-low hidden gem. It's in a smallish location, wedged between a strip of other businesses. If you are having trouble finding it, look for the one set of doors and windows that does not look like an open storefront and then walk to the back side of those stores and you'll find the door. The Evening Citizen has wonderful theming. When I first walked in, my eyes did hard adjustment to the dark interior with red lighting. After the initial dark and awe, I could see bar seats and an illuminated portrait of their Dos Equis-like god, a portrait of German character actor Udo Kier. Upon seating, they hand you a newspaper, the Evening Citizen. It's a presser that is filled with articles on mob-like activities, corruption, classified ads and in the middle of all that, drink selections with a Palm Springs centered flair. What a fun way to peruse your possible drinks! Brown Derby (Bourbon, Grapefruit, Lemon, Honey) - This perfectly blended and shaken. Balanced, refreshing with a little bit of sweetness to sweeten up the grapefruit and the lemon. I would definitely get it again. Mai Tai - Their take on the tropical classic was also well balanced. Not too sweet, not overly boozy tasting. A very pleasant sipper. If we had more time, I would have loved to have stayed for another round or two but we had to start out. Their craft drinks take a little time to make. If you have any special drink requests, the bartender can work with you to craft something towards your alcohol palette. It really felt like I was in a classy 1930s joint, talking business *wink wink* with the boys. Wonderful drinks, highly recommended! ***Hot Tip - If you are planning on coming here during a busy weekend or convention, make a reservation. They do take walk ups without issue if they are not at capacity.*** read more

First impression: swampy atmosphere. How does that happen in the desert? Broken pipes? Humidifier? It smelled chemically and unpleasant. There were not many people there, but our drinks took a long time to make, and our server spilled my drink on my lap as he was delivering it. He quipped, "First one's on the house!", but of course it wasn't. One of us liked the taste of another friend's drink better, so he ordered that for a second round, but when it was finally delivered it was served in a different glass with missing garnishes. For a place that is supposed to be all about bespoke, fabulous cocktails, this seemed like big mistakes. The servers were really nice, and I love the concept, but I don't think we'll be back. read more

The ambience is amazing. It's like walking back in time. They serve awesome cocktails, classic with lots of spirits and deliciousness. read more

The Evening Citizen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We chose this speakeasy specifically to share it with visiting guests because we'd heard such great things. Our first interaction with the owner, Neil, confirmed the reputation. Neil was welcoming, accommodating, and personally secured a table for our party of six when we returned after 9pm. His hospitality and the venue concept itself are excellent. Unfortunately, the service we received afterward from another staff member, Billy, did not match that standard. The venue is extremely dark, so we used the small table lamp to read the menu. Billy instructed us not to use it because it "wasn't the vibe of the establishment," and told us to use our phone lights instead. The tone was abrupt and dismissive. Around 9:50pm he announced last call. When one guest ordered, his response was, "I guess if you must." Others asked for a moment to decide and were repeatedly rushed. We explained we weren't aware they closed as 10, as Neil had told us it would be open seating after 10. He replied, "Yeah, well I'm closing tonight and I'm closing at 10." When drinks were delivered, they were set down forcefully. As we were leaving, a member of our group overheard Billy speaking negatively about us to another employee, including mocking someone in our group for needing glasses to read the menu and implying she was intoxicated (she wasn't). When this was addressed directly, he did not apologize and instead insisted we had overstayed, which is inaccurate. We ordered promptly after being told last call and left after finishing our drinks. We are locals who intentionally brought out-of-town guests here because we wanted them to have a great experience. It's disappointing that one staff member's conduct overshadowed what should have been a highlight of their visit. I won't assign motives, but I will note that Billy's demeanor noticeably shifted after the final member of our group, who happens to be Black, arrived. I cannot determine why, only that the change in tone was clear. Neil has created something special here. However, a venue's reputation ultimately depends on how guests are treated when ownership is not present. Based on this visit, there is a significant gap between the hospitality the owner provides and the service delivered in his absence. I hope Neil takes a close look at what happens when he's not present, because with the right staff, this could easily be a place we'd want to return to. read more

In our love of locating new speakeasy bars, we were delighted to finally experience this one -- which we'd learned about from a fun, energetic couple we'd met at (you guessed it!) ... another speakeasy! The Evening Citizen unquestionably meets the description of a speakeasy in that it's located in an inconspicuous place (access in the back of the building, as in a service entrance; no frills; no signage; just a red light above). The exterior belies its beautifully posh, dimly lit interior. We'd hoped to sit at the long bar top but happily sat at a 2-person high-top table parallel to the bar. Jason, our bartender (quite a mixologist, passionately focusing on each of his creations) solely manned the bar shortly after opening on a weekday late afternoon, constructing tasty and attractive-in-presentation cocktails for us. The extensive menu was in unique-&-entertaining newspaper style; however, the dim lighting and small print made reading challenging for my aging eyes Fortunately, I was offered a mini amber flashlight (as I wanted to avoid ruining the vibe using my phone's bright flashlight). Fabulous find and experience! read more

This little gem of an establishment was the highlight of our visit! Very friendly service and delicious expresso martinis. What more could you ask for? Very posh & intimate ambiance inside, it makes great for a first date. read more

The Evening Citizen - The best expresso martini in town! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We really enjoyed the vibe here, in such an interesting spot and totally unexpected. The decor was classy and nice. We also had great service and really nice cocktails, they can make pretty much any classic cocktail. Great spot for pre or post dinner drinks! read more

We decided to try this unique speakeasy right on Arenas, well actually behind between the red lights. Beautiful retro bar with great cocktails and impeccable service. Really enjoyed the time here and will be back with visiting friends from now on. Note, not easy to find and parking is tough on weekends. read more

The Evening Citizen - Tried this brew - excellent - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

First rule of Evening Citizen is that we DO NOT TALK ABOUT EVENING CITIZEN. The coolest speakeasy is also the hardest one to find. And we like it like that. Keeps the mystique going. It's a bit hard to find and scary to walk in, but once you do, you're transported back to the 1920s. Its ambiance is... like none other. Dark... a bit dangerous feeling. Like you're gonna get in trouble for being there. Don't worry.. the drinks are top notch, the staff are incredible and you're in no danger at all. But you can pretend you are if you'd like. Dress up a bit. Get adventurous with your drink order. Ask them for a recommendation or choose from their newspaper menu. But remember... WE DO NOT TELL JUST ANYONE ABOUT EVENING CITIZEN. read more

The Evening Citizen - Two drinks and the iconic portrait of local vampire Üdo Kier (who has been known to make an appearance if you're lucky) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

True speakeasy vibes. Great service. Delicious cocktails. So glad we found this gem during our staycation. read more

The Evening Citizen - newspaper menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

I've been looking for a cocktail bar exactly like this in Palm Springs for a long time: quiet, elegant but still casual, with creative, well-crafted drinks and friendly service. Evening Citizen checks every box. In true speakeasy fashion, I literally walked right past it for a year without realizing it was there. Now that I've finally found it, part of me doesn't want anyone else to know so I can keep it as my little secret. But it's too good not to share. read more

The Evening Citizen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Wonderful little speakeasy in Palm Springs. Not sceney, excellent drinks. If you have a group of friends, I highly recommend doing to tea service since if brings an extra air of "fancy." But even it is just you and your SO, expect great drinks and the bartenders appreciate good conversation. For a place just behind all the Arenas drama, it is remarkably quiet and classy. read more

The Evening Citizen - Pimm's Cup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

The drinks here are fantastic! Some of my favorite that I enjoyed during my trip to Palm Springs. It was fun that the menu was presented in a news paper to read and discover. The only downside was that it's hard for me to enjoy atmospheres that are dark with loud playing music but that's my personal preference and keeping in my that this is a speakeasy. read more

The Evening Citizen - Passion fruit pisco sour was my favorite! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Early evening reservation here on a Friday and had a great time. The drinks were delicious and it's a full bar so even if your drink of choice isn't on their newspaper menu, they can make just about anything. I had one Passion Fruit pisco sour from the menu and a French 75 with muddled strawberry, off menu. Both were great! The bartenders were friendly and patient. Also they had a pretty great playlist going of all eras of jazz that set the mood. Also can't forget it was the perfect temperature to escape the summer desert heat, cool but not freezing so you weren't rushing to finish your drinks. Definitely recommend read more

I joined two friends for a drink on a Sunday at 6 pm. They arrived before me and, once I arrived, we were only going to be there 15 minutes because we had dinner reservations elsewhere. The bar had about 8 people taking up two tables and the bar. That is, the bar was empty. In spite of this, the waiter insisted that we move tables -- because our seating grew from 2 to 3. He aggressively demanded that we move, even though the bar was empty, even though there was more than ample room for all 3 of us at the table without creating an obstacle, and even though we were leaving in 15 minutes. He didn't find any of this persuasive -- and he couldn't have been more rude. There was simply no legitimate reason to demand that we move. Treating people like doormats and making them feel unwelcome, for no legitimate reason except perhaps your own need to assert yourself, is not a winning business strategy. What a waste of a beautiful space! read more

My wife and I were very pleased with our experience at The Evening Citizen. From our courteous and friendly host to the artfully skilled mixologists, our visit was very enjoyable. The ambiance was cool and inviting and the potent potables were memorable. We would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a true speakeasy vibe. read more

The Evening Citizen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

This place is so cute and has a lot of potential. Our first night there was enjoyable and the staff was great. The drinks were tasty and I loved the overall ambiance. However, we came back a different night and the staff was horrible. It was a huge change from the previous day and was a woman and a man there who seemed to hate their job and lives. Just absolutely miserable. Zero customer service and just real nasty attitudes. It's a shame really because the place is super cool but I don't see this place lasting with $20 drinks that go along with inconsistent and poor service. It's a speakeasy- you're going for the experience. They need to hire better staff that understand you can still make great money during the off season if you put the effort in. You never know how generous someone is going to be and to their loss- we are excellent tippers. We won't come back next time we're in Palm Springs as there's too many other great places to get cocktails to even risk it but I hope the owner takes the feedback and makes some changes read more

The Evening Citizen - The newspaper menu, very cool - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We had a great nightcap at The Evening Citizen. Don't get me wrong, my spouse and I were there relatively early in the evening and they weren't too busy yet. Once we arrived to the approximate location, it was fun having to take the leap of faith that the unmarked door would lead to somewhere we wanted to be. Happily the door did lead into the bar. We were fortunate to be seated despite our lack of reservations. We loved the newsprint menu and the dim lighting with the velvet print wallpaper. Service was great! Of course, without good cocktails who cares? No worries, the cocktails were excellent. My spouse's Junglebird was perfectly prepared and my Mai Tai was a knockout. I hope to visit again next time we are in the area. read more

See all

My favorite speakeasy in Palm Springs. Beautiful ambiance and awesome music. My friend and I came in on a Wednesday night. Jason was our bartender and he was absolutely fantastic. I had the daiquiri and he also made us his own specialty drink with crème de banana. Will 100% be back again! read more

The Evening Citizen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We took our newly minted 21 year old to this wonderful place while visiting PS. We learned about it from a local and had to check it out. It was super quiet when we went. Sat at the bar and had the most wonderful experience. From the theming to the vintage cocktail glasses and innovative drinks this place is special. I have never had a better encounter with a bartender than I had here. He shared a shot with our son and gave him a little education. We also stuck up a beautiful conversation with a couple at the bar. My son said that the experience at Evening Citizen was a best of his entire time in PS. We won't soon forget it. read more

Ok, so let me start with the ambiance and vibe is excellent. Very hidden and appropriate style speak easy. The drinks were very good but not consistent. I got 2 mules. The first one was absolutely excellent. The second was not good at all. So no consistency unfortunately. The wait time for the first drink with only about 6 people in the bar total was around 15 mins. I thought that was a little excessive per hardly anyone in there. The second drink did come out within 5 mins but wasn't good. So I think consistency here is key. Timely manner, don't have to be fast as quality takes time but has to be in a timely fashion. Most of all drinks need to be consistent and same every time you order. I will give this place another try though. read more

The Evening Citizen is the perfect place to kick off a date night or for a small group "drinks before dinner" location. I brought a good friend here for the atmosphere and great drinks. I knew we would be able to catch up and have a conversation in a comfortable environment with great service. I like that the mixologist did not get annoyed with "surprise me" or "this is what I usually get." They easily made great suggestions and fantastic drinks. I like the mystic and "secrecy." Getting there the first time might feel like a pain. Make sure to make reservations and be prepared that this is not great for large groups. Seating is intimate and limited. read more

The Evening Citizen - I'd tell you what they are, but it's exclusive. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

Pretty cool speakeasy in Palm Springs. It's a very unsuspecting place and didn't realize it existed until some friends told me about it. The menu is very fun and is very much prohibition themed with the drinks hidden in the headlines. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and I recommend getting here earlier to avoid possible crowds later on. We got there pretty early to start the night and had good service. Inside is dark and definitely feels like a hidden place! read more

The Evening Citizen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

Last night, my friends and I stumbled into this amazing speakeasy. First off, the entrance was very hidden, almost didn't find it if we didnt see a woman running in. Once inside, the ambiance was straight out of the '20s. Dim lighting, vintage decor, and great tunes created the perfect atmosphere. The vibe was intimate yet lively. The menus were newpapers which had fun articles and listings. The bartender that tended to us was amazing, super cool. This bar is definitely 10/10, I will be returning for more cocktails and for the ambience. Don't tell everyone, though... we want to keep this gem our little secret. read more

The Evening Citizen - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Classic and Nouveau handcrafted cocktails, professional and welcoming staff -- if you don't know, then you don't know. (PSSST! From Arenas Rd. walk into the parking lot beside Hunters and look for the red light in your left. Thank me later.) read more

I reached out to about a month ago to inquire about doing a buy-out of the bar for a private event for our wedding. Once I requested the menu options and pricing, they completely stopped responding. I was so excited to check this place out, but the lack of communication from management was very disappointing. read more

If I was to rate the ambiance alone this place would get 5 stars. If you add in the cocktails it would drop to 4.5. The cocktails and ambiance at this place are amazing. However, the customer service at this place is so bad that I doubt I'll ever return. We arrived around 930 on a Thursday, and we were excited to experience this place with an out of town guest. We have been many time before and have had amazing experiences in the past. The bartender asked if we had a reservation and I told him we didn't but was hoping they had availability. There were 2 open tables. We were told it would be at least 30 minutes before we could be seated but they close at 10 so no he wasn't going to be able to serve us. I felt that was a bit of a rude way of saying he didn't have anything available. But I said ok and I started and I stress started to explain that we had a reservation for Sunday and was just hoping we could get in tonight, but before I could even finish I was cut off and in a rude, condescending and unprofessional tone that well tonight is Thursday, not Sunday. I have recommended this place to many people. But based in this last interaction I will no longer recommend this place to anyone and highly encourage everyone to go elsewhere. To be talked to like a child, with a rude entitled tone is not acceptable. I was embarrassed and the entire interaction left a nasty taste in my mouth. So if you want an amazing cocktail in a very cool speakeasy with a heavy dose of rude entitled attitude this is your place. As for me, I'd pass on this one. read more