Return to a bygone era at this Palm Springs supper club

The best way to experience old school Palm Springs is to step into a supper club for dinner and live music.

Dip into the legendary Purple Room at Club Trinidad Hotel and transport yourself to an era when Frank Sinatra and the whole Rat Pack gang would hang out and sometimes leap onto the stage when they felt moved. Think Justin Bieber and friends at The Nice Guy in West Hollywood today, with impromptu singing – ha! But seriously, Frank and his buddies Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin brought the surprise talent – without being promoted or booked. It is presumed that Sinatra had the telephone number of Hotel Trinidad programmed into his phone so he could come by with a group of his friends whenever he wished to perform. There is even a tale that Sinatra proposed to his wife Barbara Marx here in 1976, to whom he was married until he died in 1998.

Originally opened in 1960, scrumptious dining is still enjoyed here today, with live music and jazz just a few feet from the stage. A long line of headliners has graced this intimate setting for over 50 years – from Oscar winners, to drag performers, to Broadway actors. The Bourbon Bar at the Purple Room is also a fun place to hang out and unwind. Any time to visit is memorable but especially so over the holidays, as Christmas décor added a sparkly charming touch, and a white Christmas tree in the entrance wrapped in various purple balls and purple ribbon matched added to the retro ambiance.

To begin the evening, opt for a Dirty Martini, a Tito’s Mule, or a specialty cocktail like A Date with Frank – an Old Fashioned featuring locally sourced date syrup.

Feel the magic as the musicians and singers – like Sharon Sills, with her beautiful voice – deliver jazzy, sexy tunes and moving songs with sass. Feel compelled to sing along at times between devouring bites of buttery lemon escargot, Wedge salad loaded with blue cheese and bacon bites, and Creekstone Farms black Angus beef tenderloin filet topped with blue cheese crumble and port wine reduction with mashed potato cake and asparagus wrapped in pastry. We would opt for the filet again over the tender Braised Beef Short Ribs floating in mashed potatoes with a side of roasted carrots – but both are excellent choices. The lengthy classic menu makes it hard to decide what to order. The carrot cake with frosting and sprinkled with powdered sugar makes for a satisfying finish.

On the way out, don’t miss the old school menus from 1972 framed in the entrance where once upon a time a cocktail cost 75 cents and escargot was a whopping $2.75.

The Purple Room celebrates the essence of Palm Springs. But remember, you never know who might show up, so what happens in The Purple Room STAYS in The Purple Room.

Don’t miss upcoming shows here and feel the love this Valentine’s with a 3-course menu on February 14 for $99 per person accompanied by glorious music of the Rat Pack era with Darci Daniels, Charles Herrera and Michael Holmes on vocals with the Kevin Tokarz Trio.

Book tickets in advance (as it sells out fast) to the popular Judy Show, a historical drag parody of Judy Garland and her guests where Michael Holmes changes quickly into the guises of famous guest stars like Bette Davis. Dinner starts at 5 PM and the show starts at 7 PM.