The 24 best bars and drinks in Joshua Tree National Park (2024)

Pappy and Harriet’s is an institution worth visiting! The food, drinks, atmosphere and music cannot be beat, and the servers are friendly and helpful. I have been twice and will certainly make a return visit whenever I’m in Joshua Tree!

One of the classics! I have been going to P&H for going on 20 years and love that it retains its charm and spirit. The food is solid (love the cowboy chili!). Love the service & staff.Even on a VERY busy Friday night we (party of 2) were seated within minutes, food came within 20 min and we were done and check closed and out the door within 30 min. I think it’s other parties where you many need to plan ahead a bit and be mindful of timing.And the setting of Pioneertown is unique like no other. It’s worthwhile to see a live show here, but you have to plan in advance, as popular acts sell out.

Went here to see a live music show, and wanted to try the food. Got there early before 6:00pm as the website suggested, and good thing. By 7:00 there was a long wait. But did discover that on busy nights they often have food out back in the picnic area for purchase, so you can get a BBQ fix before a show. There’s a bar out there too! Maybe give them a call beforehand to make sure, if you want to go that route.BBQ was pretty good, some of the best I’ve found in the area. Their basting sauce was kinda spicy but not hot. Meats were good quality, and sides were good also. Chips and guacamole to start was very good.Service was a bit slow but friendly and fine.Atmosphere is lively and loud, highway road house out in the desert and fits the bill perfectly.

YOU WILL WAIT OVER AN HOUR TO EAT. Now that that's out of the way, this place is great! There are a lot of fantastic bands that play live here, which is why it's the thriving hotspot of Pioneertown -- and why it's always packed. It's first-come first-serve (no reservations) so get here an hour or two before you want to eat to put your name on the list. They won't text you, so stick around or come back when they estimate you'll have a chance to be seated. Once inside, the atmosphere is really something. Live bands, authentic decor, and a lively crowd. The wait staff do the best they can with how busy it always is, but don't expect white glove service. The best thing about this place, in my opinion, is the food. We got ribs, the wagyu steak, and coleslaw and mac and cheese for sides. Everything was incredible. I actually wanted to get another steak when I was done because I just wanted to keep tasting that deliciousness. We also opted for the New York style cheesecake for dessert and although it was a bit frozen, it came with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and was just as good as everything else we'd eaten. So in summary, get here early and get here often!

We went to a concert and did not have any food at the complex. What a great venue and so much fun being outside and in the desert. The staff was very nice and helpful, and it was easy to get in. Parking is another issue, and once you leave the property, It always takes a long time to get out. But that's OK. You will always enjoy being at Pappy and Harriet's.

I walked in and asked the staff at the front door if I could get take out. A female was rudley said they don't do take out but u could ask the bar anyways. The female at the bar informed me they don't normally do take out but since they aren't busy I could get something to go. I ordered bacon, scrambled eggs, farmers potatoes and toast. The potatoes were very good. The eggs were not scrambled. The bacon was raw. I didn't get butter or salt and pepper so everything was flavorless. It was all thrown into a to go carton. I'm not sure if I made them mad asking for a to go order or they don't normally do them so they didn't know how but it was terrible. I paid the same amount plus a tip just like of I were to sit down in there but they treated me and my food like I was a burden. I'm not sure how it would be if I sat down to eat inside but I would not recommend asking for a to go order.

Cool location. 😎 amazing food. We had the ribs the tri tip cold slaw steak fries and mac and chz. Everything was delicious. Niki or our sever was very attentive and knowledgeable. Thanks Niki for the great first time experience!

This was our first meal of the new Year and it was Ah-May-Zing! We are big BBQ people and heard good things. We sat in the back and had our dogs with us, they gave dog bowls which was nice. The burger was huge and I basically had to unlatch my jaw to take a bite was soo good, make sure to have it Pappy's way. We got a half rack for ribs and we wished we got more the sauce and rub were so good. The Mac and cheese to die for. Only complaint is that it was pretty cold and they never got around to turning the heater on next to us, other than that it was awesome and I highly recommend!

Pappy and Harriet's is a desert output of the Los Angeles music scene. It's nestled in a picturesque valley north of Yucca Valley, offering a curious juxtaposition of California desert aesthetics and big-city musical talent. The setting is undeniably beautiful, with eroded hillsides and massive boulders framing this iconic venue. However, arriving at this desert oasis involves a drive through the stark realities of the high desert – a landscape marked by economic hardship punctuated by flashes of affluence and tourism.This sense of disconnect carries over into Pappy and Harriet's itself. While the venue successfully synthesizes a rural desert feel with a vibrant music scene (much like Pioneertown's fabricated Western town facade), it caters primarily to a more affluent clientele. This is glaringly apparent in the menu prices, with an $18 cheeseburger that, sadly, delivers more in presentation than flavor. My own burger, served on a delicious brioche bun, featured a patty about as flavorful as an old leather belt.The music, however, is undeniably a major draw. Pappy and Harriet's consistently attracts top-tier talent, making it a destination for music lovers. But if you're seeking a more authentic, less polished experience, you'll need to venture further off the beaten path. Head north, head east, where the desert's vastness swallows the remnants of society, and the music scene is rawer, more folksy, and less concerned with fashion. The sound may not be refined as at Pappy and Harriet's, but the cultural immersion will be far richer.Pappy and Harriet's provides a unique experience – a blend of desert beauty and high-quality music. But it comes at a price, both financially and in terms of genuine cultural connection. If you're seeking a taste of the true desert, be prepared to explore beyond the familiar comforts of this popular tourist destination.

Decided to take my in-laws and the family out for mother's day lunch, we all started arriving one by one with our reservation already set! Only a 45 minute wait due to how busy Mother's Day was, and while you're waiting you can enjoy walking around and looking at the movie set of pioneertown! The scenery was absolutely Stunning. Finally getting seated everything went smoothly for the most part, and the food was okay seeing as it was busy and the employees were doing their best to get the food out asap. Mac and cheese was the best part of the meal.

Wait was about an hour food is good. It's been a while since we have been here but it's sad to see the tri-tip tacos gone and that everything on the menu has gone a la carte. Food was great though and staff was on top of things!

This Place Was Beautiful and certainly gives you the western feel. The place has a lot of historic pictures you can check out as you wait for your food. I had the catfish sandwich and O M G it was delicious. My friends had chicken sandwich, chili, fries and the bison burger. ALL THE FOOD was delicious.

This place was pretty packed, but we were seated quickly. We enjoyed drinks and I had a catfish sandwich and mac & cheese. The mac & cheese was really good. This place is known for music but I went during the daytime so there wasn’t any live music. This place is a staple of this area and I feel like you have to go there, if you’re a tourist. The next time I want to go on a night where they are playing music to get the best this bar has to offer.

Can't wait to visit again! There's nothing to complain about. My wife and wanted to try the food and it was yummy. I love the old-timey-western ambiance. I definitely recommend stopping by. I hope to come for a show sometime soon! It looks like a nice intimate venue with good equipment.

This place is the best wow it looks very old and it ouzes notalgia in the evening there live music alot of famous artists played here Paul mcCartney one of them. The food was fast served and awesome . The waiters were very nice and fun. I recommend to visit this place to anyone thats in the neighbourhood. We drove 2 hours for it and it was so worth it.

The food was good overall. The steaks, beers, other drinks, sides were great. The service was prompt and quick. The ambiance and the building were interesting. The live music added to the whole experience. The prices were good but sides added to the total price. They are one of the only restaurants that were open after 9 pm. They close at 11 pm. They also had good selection for kids.

Really cool place in an old town atmosphere, really back in time. Very well designed and feel very welcome.We were 5 ppl and not all of us wanted to eat so we couldn’t sit on a normal table and only at the bar, which we couldn’t actually talked with each other, so all of us had to order food, very different approach then Europe.The food was great and well made. Will come back for the experience again :)

Food was so delicious! Prepare to wait because this place gets busy but it is so worth the wait. The ribs and steak were perfection! Highly recommend! Ask for extra BBQ sauce because it’s exceptional!

Cool place for music, but okay for food.We came here on a recommendation to see a real saloon and we were told the BBQ was great. Here is the review.ATMOThe atmosphere here is great as it’s a real saloon with great live music. There was a country band this time around and they were brilliant! That said, the tables are kinda dirty and so it the bathroom. So Saloon experience for sure.FOODI got us chips and salsa and some BBQ ribs for myself with broccoli. The chips were made in house and soaked in oil. The BBQ was tough and did not fall off the bones and the steamed broccoli was definitely overcooked, not having that nice bright green colour.SERVICEService was okay, but nothing special to note here. They were attentive, but did not go beyond the basics.A bit overrated place in my opinion. But if you come to see a show, I guess it’s fine!

You gotta visit Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown when you’re in the desert. Unique saloon dining experience. Delicious pulled chicken sandwich with fries and coleslaw. My husband loved his smoked corn dish and buttered broccoli.Pro Tip:- Visit Katrina at The Rusty Nickel while you’re waiting for a table for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience!- Stay for a live music show

The prices for the portions are quite high plus nothing comes with sides. The $9 large fry as a side was not enough for three people with their sandwich orders, didn't get a picture of the third item as it came out about 5 minutes after the first two. They also add a kitchen tip onto the bill which we didn't see any warnings about. The food was good but nothing really stood out. The atmosphere of the restaurant/ bar area was cool but with the above comments not worth going back for.

Our service was amazing. The prices are a tad high but worth it! The inside is perfect and the staff are really nice. The drinks were great, and food hit the spot.

The food was delicious and the atmosphere distinct — a truly wonderful experience. The only negative was that the service was slow (place was busy) so be prepared for that and all will be amazing. Though the place was full of tourists like us, it definitely was NOT a tourist trap maintaining its authenticity.The history of the place is interesting and the decor inside reflects that — it feels one part biker bar and two parts cowboy/western saloon. The stage has hosted some incredible acts including Sir Paul McCartney, though there was no live music during our Friday afternoon visit.Food was very tasty ranging from steaks and burgers to BBQ (see menu image). There were also a lot of fun cocktails and drinks. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. It took about 40 minutes to get there from Palm Springs, but makes a great stop on way back from Joshua Tree National Park.

The meals at this place are not bad, but they are also not the best. The salad that I had for dinner looked like it was chopped in the morning of that day. The best part of the place for me was service.If you are into live music, this might be an a place for you. Check the events happening at the venue in advance.

We (4people) shared everything!! We got full rack of ribs, bison burger, pulled pork sandwich and tri tip steak. We shared broccoli, mac and cheese and Cole slaw! Everything was truly delicious and would recommend going to the little pioneer town while you wait!!

A great stop while I was in Joshua Tree National Park. This restaurant is located in Pioneertown, an old and western style town. Food is great but get ready to wait in line for 30 minutes and another 40' for your food. It worth your time for sure! Also, not phone service or internet that's great you can focus in the food and the ambient.

Came here for the Placebo show a few days ago and while I didn't dine here that day since it was packed, I decided to come back the following day for lunch. The restaurant is spacious and the staff attentive and friendly. Lots of cool art and signed posters on the walls. Unfortunately for me, I got the vegan burger which lacked flavor but can't hold it against them as this didn't really seem like a place for vegans given the rest of the menu. My partner enjoyed his dish and overall it was a nice experience. I just want to add Placebo put on a hell of a show and the staff, venue, performance was perfect!!

Atmosphere A+Location A+Food left me wanting more...what puzzled me was 'how do you order a steak salad medium rare' and the steak is cold? Are these precooked and refrigerated? Lastly what is a kitchen thanks fee? I mean it's not the money but are we picking up on paying the kitchen staff? Other than some of this weirdness...a great place for music and people watching.

We decided to try out this place after I saw videos on YouTube while visiting Joshua tree National Park. Menu offers entree only, so if you want a side it’s extra. It’s hot inside and I don’t know if the AC was working or not and lots of flies inside. The server was ok, not very socialable. But I am not the one who complains, I just give good honest reviews. Food was mediocre. Tri tip had no flavor to it and the Bison burger was ok. The Mac and cheese was good though. There is live music there, we wanted to stay and watch it, but since since our experience was substandard we just ate and left. Sorry, but will not try again

Cute spot off the road in Pioneer Town. Their breakfast/brunch menu wasn’t too large but everything we ordered was really good. Some pancakes would be a great addition. The steak was incredibly tender, and the biscuits/gravy were really well seasoned. The BBQ sauce on the chicken was so tasty… we put some BBQ sauce on the mac and cheese and it was YUMMMYWe sat outside but i love the decide inside. Takes you out of reality with a bit of nostalgia.

This place is BUSY! We arrived just after 3pm which we thought would be less busy being in between lunch and dinner and it was an hour wait for two people.Service was excellent- there was a tallBlonde waitress who checked on us a bunch during our meal and was a rockstar taking care of all her tables.Plenty of parking! There is parking the front of the restaurant, a whole parking lot in the back, and street parking.Food was good 👍🏻 chips and guac and the carrot cake were BOMB! 💣 but the entrees were okay nothing to brag about. Drinks were well made and a great amount of alcohol in them.Atmosphere is great! Live music and great decorations!Ordered: chips and guac, Loaded grilled cheese (with avocado and bacon), grilled chicken sandwich, small side of fries, carrot cake and vanilla ice cream, multiple alcohol beverages.

Our server was great. The Harriet’s Chili Nachos were amazing. The others with me loved their sandwiches. The ribs, however, were charred and super dry. Not much meat on them either. Definitely not worth what they cost, especially to not come with a side. Would not recommend them, but everything else was good.

Amazing venue, highly recommend. Come early for your show and have a bite to eat before. Had a delicious steak, and the cheese fries were awesome.

Pappy and Harriet's is pretty awesome. Traveled here from Mass for an outdoor show. We came early for the food. I was stoked to find there are plenty of vegetarian/vegan options and my dishes were excellent. The venue outside is small and intimate but a really bizarre setup. Like maybe only half of the grounds have a view of the stage and the ground is lumpy and slanted the opposite way it should be. Overall it was an awesome time.

The food was delicious. Atmosphere is truly unreal. Desert rock live absolutely rocks, as it should. My only complain is the service, which was pretty rude. I understand that they have many people to talk to, but so far left mostly negative impression. Still loved it and it is a must go to place for all visiting these regions

I had a highly disappointing dining experience at Pappy & Harriet’s this evening. Here's a rundown of the issues we encountered:1. Salsa: The salsa tasted like it was straight from a jar, lacking any fresh, homemade flavor.2. Steak: I ordered my steak medium rare, but it came out so rare that it was cold. It was almost as if it was barely cooked.3. Fries: Despite requesting extra crispy fries, they arrived undercooked and limp.4. Chicken: The chicken was excessively fatty and greasy, making it inedible.5. Mac and Cheese: The mac and cheese tasted old and stale. Additionally, I specifically asked for no garnish, just plain, but my request was ignored.6. Service: The service was incredibly slow. We waited over 20 minutes for our water pitcher to be refilled, and it never was.We visited Pappy & Harriet’s last year (June 2023) and experienced slow service, but decided to give it a second chance. Unfortunately, we were disappointed yet again. Overall, the food was so gross that we left most of it behind and the service was terrible. I wouldn't recommend Pappy & Harriet’s to anyone based on this experience.

This place is definitely a vibe! The staff is nice, the place looks great. When they have concerts must be even better, for sure. The food, on the other hand, it's not worth your money. The bread from the sandwich is plain white bun, no taste. An upgrade on the food would be nice. Nevertheless, stop and grab a drink, relax and enjoy the sight.