Trio

TRIO is a lively American restaurant located at 707 North Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs’ fashionable Uptown Design District. Open since 2009, it has become a familiar meeting place for locals, weekend visitors and LGBTQ+ travelers looking for good food, well-made cocktails and a social atmosphere that feels unmistakably Palm Springs. The restaurant is not exclusively gay, but its welcoming spirit, diverse clientele and long-standing relationship with the local queer community make it a natural addition to any gay Palm Springs itinerary.

The setting combines contemporary desert style with the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant. TRIO is the kind of place where you can arrive for an early drink and easily find yourself staying through dinner. Its colorful, energetic dining room is suited to dates, birthday dinners and evenings with friends, while the bar offers a relaxed option for cocktails and smaller plates. The mood is polished without becoming overly formal, so there is no need to bring your most dramatic resort wardrobe—although this is Palm Springs, and nobody will complain if you do.

The menu focuses on chef-driven American cuisine with international influences and seasonal touches. Choices may change, but visitors can expect a mixture of shareable starters, comforting classics and more refined main courses. Recent offerings have included house-made biscuits, crab croquettes, an ahi tuna tower, pork belly crispy rice, buffalo cauliflower, a smashburger, salmon and other meat, seafood or plant-based dishes. Vegetarian options are usually available, making it reasonably easy to satisfy a group whose culinary preferences are as diverse as its dating histories.

TRIO also takes its drinks seriously. The bar serves handcrafted cocktails, martinis, beer and wine, with a wine program that has received recognition from Wine Spectator. Happy hour currently begins at 4 p.m. each operating day, with reduced prices on selected beers, wines, well drinks and martinis. Tuesday brings an all-night happy hour, while other recurring specials may include pasta and wine on Thursdays and prime rib on Sundays. Offers and prices can change, so check the restaurant’s current information before ordering your evening around them.

For gay visitors, much of TRIO’s appeal lies in its upbeat and inclusive energy. Palm Springs has one of the most visible LGBTQ+ communities in the United States, and the restaurant reflects the destination’s easy mix of residents, couples, groups of friends and travelers. TRIO has also supported Palm Springs Pride and has hosted a Pride Parade brunch and viewing party from its patio, with part of the proceeds benefiting the organization. That connection feels genuine rather than added as a rainbow-colored afterthought.

The restaurant is north of the main downtown area, along a stretch of Palm Canyon Drive known for design shops, galleries and stylish hospitality addresses. It makes a convenient dinner stop before exploring Palm Springs nightlife, although the gay bars of the Arenas District are farther south and require a short drive or rideshare.

TRIO currently serves dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Thursday through Tuesday and is closed on Wednesday. Reservations are advisable during weekends, major events and Pride celebrations. Whether you come for cocktails, comfort food or a sociable dinner before a night out, TRIO delivers a cheerful taste of Palm Springs: colorful, welcoming and always ready for another round.