Joshua Tree Saloon bar photo of outside old retro picture.

Joshua Tree Saloon

Last Updated: June 23, 2026

Joshua Tree Saloon is one of the defining nightlife destinations in Joshua Tree, offering a classic desert bar, restaurant, live music venue, and community gathering place just minutes from Joshua Tree National Park. Established in 1984, the saloon has become a familiar stop for hikers, climbers, road trippers, locals, musicians, and visitors looking for food, drinks, and an authentic High Desert atmosphere.

While Joshua Tree is often associated with the national park, desert art, and wide-open landscapes, Joshua Tree Saloon reveals the social side of town. It is lively, casual, and deeply connected to the character of the community. The bar blends cold drinks, hearty food, live music, patio energy, and a steady stream of locals and travelers into one of the most recognizable nightlife experiences in the High Desert.

For visitors exploring Joshua Tree after dark, Joshua Tree Saloon is one of the best places to experience the town’s local nightlife scene.

Joshua Tree Saloon exterior image 2026

About Joshua Tree Saloon

Joshua Tree Saloon has long been one of the most visible and popular gathering places in Joshua Tree. The venue operates as a restaurant, bar, grill, patio hangout, and entertainment stop, making it useful for many different kinds of visitors.

The saloon describes itself as the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park and is open 365 days a year. Guests will find a casual western-inspired atmosphere, a full bar, food, live music, patio seating, and the kind of energetic social environment that makes it a natural stop before or after a day in the park.

The official site notes live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the outside patio, along with Sunday afternoon open mic from 2–5 PM. The menu includes burgers, bar food, draft beer, cocktails, and the saloon’s signature black bean quesadilla.

Joshua Tree Saloon bar photo of outside.

Location Information

Address:
61835 Twentynine Palms Highway
Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Phone:
(760) 366-2250

Website:
https://www.joshuatreesaloon.com/

Google Maps:
View on Google Maps

Current Hours:
Sunday–Thursday: 11 AM–11 PM
Friday–Saturday: 11 AM–Midnight
Kitchen closes at 10 PM

What to Expect

Expect a lively, casual, and unpretentious High Desert bar experience.

Joshua Tree Saloon is not a quiet cocktail lounge. It is loud when it needs to be, social when the town is busy, and relaxed enough that visitors can settle in for food, beer, music, sports, or a late-night conversation. The venue works for solo travelers, couples, groups, climbers, hikers, and anyone looking for a straightforward place to eat and drink in Joshua Tree.

The bar is known for draft beer, house-made Bloody Mary mix, classic drinks, burgers, ribs, sandwiches, bar snacks, and casual comfort food. For vegetarian visitors, the black bean quesadilla and other non-meat options make it more flexible than many traditional saloons.

Why It Belongs on a Joshua Tree Nightlife List

Joshua Tree has a small nightlife scene, which makes each venue especially important. Alongside Más o Menos and Z Club, Joshua Tree Saloon is one of the primary places people go for drinks, music, food, and late-night energy in town.

The saloon plays a different role than the more café-and-cocktail feel of Más o Menos. Joshua Tree Saloon is the classic local anchor: the place for burgers, beers, live music, pool tables, road-trip stories, and a crowd that mixes locals with park visitors.

For many travelers, it is the first bar they visit in Joshua Tree and the place that gives them their first real sense of the town after dark.

Food, Drinks, Music, and Local Energy

Joshua Tree Saloon succeeds because it feels like a true crossroads.

On any given night, the room might include hikers coming in from Joshua Tree National Park, climbers unwinding after a long day, locals catching up over drinks, musicians passing through town, and travelers looking for the most recognizable bar in Joshua Tree.

The patio and live music schedule give the venue added importance in the local nightlife circuit. Weekend music, Sunday open mic, a full bar, and long operating hours help make it one of the few places in town that can carry an entire evening.

Good For

  • Classic Joshua Tree nightlife
  • Live music and open mic events
  • Beer, cocktails, and casual drinks
  • Burgers, bar food, and comfort food
  • Groups visiting Joshua Tree National Park
  • Late-night food and drinks in town
  • Visitors looking for an authentic High Desert saloon experience

Plan Your Visit

Joshua Tree Saloon works well as a lunch stop, dinner stop, post-hike hangout, or late-night destination. Because it is one of the most recognizable bars in Joshua Tree, weekends can be busy, especially during peak travel seasons.

For more local nightlife recommendations, browse our guides to Joshua Tree Bars & Nightlife, High Desert Bars & Nightlife, Más o Menos, and Twentynine Palms Bars & Nightlife.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joshua Tree Saloon?

Joshua Tree Saloon is a restaurant, bar, grill, patio hangout, and live music venue in Joshua Tree, California.

Where is Joshua Tree Saloon located?

Joshua Tree Saloon is located at 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

Is Joshua Tree Saloon near Joshua Tree National Park?

Yes. Joshua Tree Saloon is located in the town of Joshua Tree and is convenient for visitors heading to or from Joshua Tree National Park.

Does Joshua Tree Saloon serve food?

Yes. Joshua Tree Saloon serves lunch, dinner, burgers, sandwiches, ribs, bar food, and other casual comfort food.

Does Joshua Tree Saloon have vegetarian options?

Yes. While it is not a vegetarian restaurant, Joshua Tree Saloon offers vegetarian-friendly choices such as a black bean quesadilla and other non-meat options.

Does Joshua Tree Saloon have live music?

Yes. Joshua Tree Saloon regularly hosts live music, especially on weekends, and also features Sunday afternoon open mic events.

What are Joshua Tree Saloon’s hours?

Current listed hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to midnight. The kitchen closes at 10 PM.

Is Joshua Tree Saloon good for nightlife?

Yes. Joshua Tree Saloon is one of the primary nightlife destinations in Joshua Tree and is known for drinks, music, food, and a lively local atmosphere.

What is Joshua Tree Saloon known for?

Joshua Tree Saloon is known for its classic desert saloon atmosphere, live music, draft beer, food, patio, and role as a central gathering place in Joshua Tree.

What are the best bars in Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree Saloon, Más o Menos, and Z Club are among the primary bars and nightlife venues in Joshua Tree.

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