PaulBar is our go to restaurant when we arrive from LA and when we leave to LA! Paul is an amazing host, the food is delicious and the drinks are on point! The restaurant has an east coast pub vibe and the service is excellent. It's definitely our top pick dinner restaurant in the desert area!
Excellent food and service for locals at the New York ambiance with a delightful engaging owner. Great drinks, the frozen sidecar is my favorite. I am from San Francisco and have lived here in Palm Springs and Paul's Bar is truly one of the best Restaurant we have and I am really looking forward to their expansion. Hopefully the GD city hall will make that happen in a timely manner but I wouldn't hold you breathe. Perhaps they could regulate all the illegal pop up street vendors as harshly as they do real business here in Palm Springs. Steven M
Martin Russell
Best night in Palm Springs. Paul is a delight. The staff are warm and welcoming and the food is exquisite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pot De Creme Brulee, Wedge Salad
Wendy Watson
Wow! This was an amazing experience. Fantastic food, drinks and service. Such a fun experience. We lined up outside until they opened and met great people in the process. Had delicious cosmos and margaritas. Followed by rack of lamb and steak frites. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keith Glasch
Amazing what can happen when an owners has a vision. This restaurant/bar has a vibe that says “let’s have fun and eat great food”.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hummus, French Fries, Rack of Lamb, Wedge Salad
Rick Barnes
Great food. Expect a 40 minute wait to be seated. Excellent service. Good cocktails.In late 2024 or early 2025 seating area to be expanded. This may reduce wait times. The wait is worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cameron Williams
The food was so much better than the bar atmosphere had me expect. Salmon was cooked perfectly and the pot roast melted in the mouth. Delicious, wonderful service and a great evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna L.
Been going to PaulBar since it opened and love the atmosphere, the cocktails and the owner that makes this bar unique in so many ways. Maybe I'm biased, being a transplant from NYC but every time I go and step inside, I feel as if I've been transported back to Manhattan. The interior decor and the mingling of multiple voices with jovial laughter, the craft cocktails, the handsome bartenders who are moving and mixing faster than lighting give you the sensation that you came to the right place. Best of all is the attentive owner Paul, dressed in his trademark bow tie, who greets you at the door, doesn't have a pretentious bone in his body and has no trouble telling you how much time you will need waiting for a booth or seat at the bar. Then he returns every 10 minutes to give you an update on the seating situation. He can be funny and unfiltered with what comes out of his mouth, after all, he's from the Bronx and I get his sense of humor, I'm from Brooklyn. The food is good bar food, there's a special on the menu every night and the bill doesn't empty out your wallet. The servers are respectful and don't hesitate to answer if asked for their recommendations on the food or drinks. As you get up and get ready to depart the bar, Paul comes over and offers his farewell and escorts you to the front door of the bar. You leave feeling pleasantly happy and full, I enjoy all the personal touches that Paul utilizes to ensure that your experience was memorable and that you will be a return customer.
Alec M.
Strong drinks, cool hole-in-the-wall spot, you'd never know what's in the inside from the outside!
Paul is an exceptional host. He comes out and talks to the guests who are standing outside. He fills every seat so whether you are last in line or first, he'll pull you from wherever you are in line to fill that seat or seats. Every table and chairs is always full. Once you're inside and waiting to be seated you can order a cocktail and watch the magic happen. This bar is electric! From the bartenders to the food and ambiance this place does not disappoint. The food is always consistent and well prepared. The array of drinks is fanominal. You can't ask for better bartenders and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops with Corn Hash, Steak Frites, Chicken Wings, Pan Fried Salmon, Burger with Fries, French Fries, Rack of Lamb, Wedge Salad, Lamb Chops, Short Rib Dip, Paulburger, Pot Roast Special
Madelynn Lohse
Just wait in line. You won’t be mad.Have a grasshopper. You won’t be mad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike G.
We had a family member recommend this place and we decided to give it at try. So, we did! Not a fan! the best part of this place is the owner! He is quite charming. It ends there...The food was basic at BEST! Very small portions and extremely over priced...Drinks were good but thats it. We would not recommend this place for anyone wanting a meal!
John H.
This place is unique. It has cool speakeasy vibe. They have cool photos of dogs near the restroom. The bar has what appears to be wood paneling and all of the guys there wear nice, white shirt uniforms.; however, It is small, loud and cramped inside. I think you'd have to be in the right mood to go here.; I do. I had be buffalo wings and calamari. The buffalo wings were very tasty. The calamari was ok. The salads are great too. I tried their wedge salad. I've also had the humus, it would've been good if it didn't have such a strong cumin flavor that"s so overpowering. The mussels are tasty too with a flavorful broth. I've also tried the fish and chips, which were excellent too. A couple new menu options would be nice like grilled fish tacos or something else fresh and light. This place stays pretty busy. The service isn't bad. The night we went, there was a group of 3 of us. There was a disruptive patron they had to kick out that night, which is understandable but it could have been handled better. It was kind of awkward. They have a cult following of regulars who were chanting: "Get Out" to the guy they kicked out. That gave the place a strange, cliquish vibe.
Pamela M.
Worth standing on the curb in line! It is dark and cozy. Good cocktails, food and service. Paul is a local celebrity.
PaulBar is our go to restaurant when we arrive from LA and when we leave to LA! Paul is an amazing host, the food is delicious and the drinks are on point! The restaurant has an east coast pub vibe and the service is excellent. It's definitely our top pick dinner restaurant in the desert area!
Vibes: 10/10Drinks: 9/10Service: 10/10Recommendation Level: 10/10
Excellent food and service for locals at the New York ambiance with a delightful engaging owner. Great drinks, the frozen sidecar is my favorite. I am from San Francisco and have lived here in Palm Springs and Paul's Bar is truly one of the best Restaurant we have and I am really looking forward to their expansion. Hopefully the GD city hall will make that happen in a timely manner but I wouldn't hold you breathe. Perhaps they could regulate all the illegal pop up street vendors as harshly as they do real business here in Palm Springs. Steven M
Best night in Palm Springs. Paul is a delight. The staff are warm and welcoming and the food is exquisite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pot De Creme Brulee, Wedge Salad
Wow! This was an amazing experience. Fantastic food, drinks and service. Such a fun experience. We lined up outside until they opened and met great people in the process. Had delicious cosmos and margaritas. Followed by rack of lamb and steak frites. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing what can happen when an owners has a vision. This restaurant/bar has a vibe that says “let’s have fun and eat great food”.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hummus, French Fries, Rack of Lamb, Wedge Salad
Great food. Expect a 40 minute wait to be seated. Excellent service. Good cocktails.In late 2024 or early 2025 seating area to be expanded. This may reduce wait times. The wait is worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so much better than the bar atmosphere had me expect. Salmon was cooked perfectly and the pot roast melted in the mouth. Delicious, wonderful service and a great evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been going to PaulBar since it opened and love the atmosphere, the cocktails and the owner that makes this bar unique in so many ways. Maybe I'm biased, being a transplant from NYC but every time I go and step inside, I feel as if I've been transported back to Manhattan. The interior decor and the mingling of multiple voices with jovial laughter, the craft cocktails, the handsome bartenders who are moving and mixing faster than lighting give you the sensation that you came to the right place. Best of all is the attentive owner Paul, dressed in his trademark bow tie, who greets you at the door, doesn't have a pretentious bone in his body and has no trouble telling you how much time you will need waiting for a booth or seat at the bar. Then he returns every 10 minutes to give you an update on the seating situation. He can be funny and unfiltered with what comes out of his mouth, after all, he's from the Bronx and I get his sense of humor, I'm from Brooklyn. The food is good bar food, there's a special on the menu every night and the bill doesn't empty out your wallet. The servers are respectful and don't hesitate to answer if asked for their recommendations on the food or drinks. As you get up and get ready to depart the bar, Paul comes over and offers his farewell and escorts you to the front door of the bar. You leave feeling pleasantly happy and full, I enjoy all the personal touches that Paul utilizes to ensure that your experience was memorable and that you will be a return customer.
Strong drinks, cool hole-in-the-wall spot, you'd never know what's in the inside from the outside!
Restaurantji Recommends
Paul is an exceptional host. He comes out and talks to the guests who are standing outside. He fills every seat so whether you are last in line or first, he'll pull you from wherever you are in line to fill that seat or seats. Every table and chairs is always full. Once you're inside and waiting to be seated you can order a cocktail and watch the magic happen. This bar is electric! From the bartenders to the food and ambiance this place does not disappoint. The food is always consistent and well prepared. The array of drinks is fanominal. You can't ask for better bartenders and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops with Corn Hash, Steak Frites, Chicken Wings, Pan Fried Salmon, Burger with Fries, French Fries, Rack of Lamb, Wedge Salad, Lamb Chops, Short Rib Dip, Paulburger, Pot Roast Special
Just wait in line. You won’t be mad.Have a grasshopper. You won’t be mad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a family member recommend this place and we decided to give it at try. So, we did! Not a fan! the best part of this place is the owner! He is quite charming. It ends there...The food was basic at BEST! Very small portions and extremely over priced...Drinks were good but thats it. We would not recommend this place for anyone wanting a meal!
This place is unique. It has cool speakeasy vibe. They have cool photos of dogs near the restroom. The bar has what appears to be wood paneling and all of the guys there wear nice, white shirt uniforms.; however, It is small, loud and cramped inside. I think you'd have to be in the right mood to go here.; I do. I had be buffalo wings and calamari. The buffalo wings were very tasty. The calamari was ok. The salads are great too. I tried their wedge salad. I've also had the humus, it would've been good if it didn't have such a strong cumin flavor that"s so overpowering. The mussels are tasty too with a flavorful broth. I've also tried the fish and chips, which were excellent too. A couple new menu options would be nice like grilled fish tacos or something else fresh and light. This place stays pretty busy. The service isn't bad. The night we went, there was a group of 3 of us. There was a disruptive patron they had to kick out that night, which is understandable but it could have been handled better. It was kind of awkward. They have a cult following of regulars who were chanting: "Get Out" to the guy they kicked out. That gave the place a strange, cliquish vibe.
Worth standing on the curb in line! It is dark and cozy. Good cocktails, food and service. Paul is a local celebrity.