How to survive the White Party and enjoy Palm Springs

Ahhh, the White Party. The annual pilgrimage to the desert with flocks of circuit guys and their fans ready to shake off the winter icicles and dance under sunny skies and into the desert moon. Where else can you enjoy temperatures in the 80s in April while riding a Ferris wheel and sucking a lollipop high above a thumping outdoor circuit party?

Event producer Jeffrey Sanker has assembled another top-notch lineup of DJs and acts, including White Party headliner Robyn, who follows in the footsteps of other A-list performers before her, including Lady Gaga and J.Lo. And Sunday’s two main events remain as appealing as ever, with the Freemasons spinning at the weekend’s most popular event, the Tea Dance and DJs Rosabel turning up the temperature at the always smashing Closing Party.

But since a man cannot exist on partying alone, we created a quick guide of great places to hang out in Palm Springs.

Where to Stay

The Ace Hotel remains just as hip as its sister properties and is normally an affordable option especially because it boats a beautiful pool. In fact, the hotel is practically taken over by the White Party and its main public pool area closes down for a “private” party consisting of several hundred muscle boys on the Saturday afternoon of the party weekend. (Additional tickets sold at the door–don’t fret.)

If you prefer something quieter but still gay-friendly, try either the Viceroy Palm Springs or the fabulously redesigned Riviera Palm Springs. For a wonderfully funky, down to earth experience, check out La Dolce Vita resort, where the daily 5:30 happy hour by the main pool features fresh squeezed grapefruit juice cocktails (picked from trees on the gronds). Each of these properties have spas on the premise and feature plenty of eye candy clambering in and out of pools, hot tubs and steam rooms.

Boys on the prowl know that Warm Sands Road is the place to go to make new friends. Cruise around at any one of the men-only resorts, including the ever-expanding All Worlds Resort (recognize the name, perhaps?) or the Inn Exile, right across the street. You can pretend you’re an upscale cruiser by crashing the gates of the nearby resort The Hacienda, which bills itself as a luxury resort.

Drink

If the White Party isn’t your thing but you still want a piece of the weekend action, the club Hunters Palm Springs can’t be beat. With it’s video monitors, dance floor, outdoor patio, pool tables and huge rectangular bar, its got just about everything you’d need for a gay night out. Be sure to get there early as the line stretches around the block after 10 p.m. on White Party weekend.

If you’re a bear or hot leather dude who accidentally planned your getaway on White Party weekend and want nothing to do with it–or a twink ready to graduate to the rougher edges–check out the Tool Shed on its Sunday beer bust or drive out to Cathedral City to visit the Barracks. Grrr.

Eat

The circuit queens will raid the convenience stores for all the Red Bulls, TicTacs and protein bars they can get their hands on.

Everyone else will haveoptions aplenty, including the popular brunch spot Sherman’s Deli. A decent Mexican option with homemade margaritas is Las Casuelas (if you can get in). Wang’s in the Desert has a very fun Friday happy hour and serves up some pretty good food, too.

Shop

The White Party boys will surely empty the shelves of Gay Mart, located directly across the street from Hunters nightclub, of cute t-shirts, swimwear and skivvies. The Cabazon Outlets are a drive away, but worth the air conditioning alone. Cabazon features discount shopping on last year’s inventory at stores like Puma, Crate & Barrel, Marciano and Guess Accessories. Sure, you won’t see a ton of beer bellies or back hair at the White Party, but if you want to head to the Barracks or pick up a little something for the bear of your life back home, head to Bear Wear Etc.

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