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Categories: Nightlife, Restaurants, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Local Flavor [Edit]
75188 US Hwy 111Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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Wow, you'd never know The Nest was so fun from looking at the building. Inside it was packed with baby-boomers dancing, singing and tipping a few cocktails.
Great place fun time. I have no idea if the food is as great as the entertainment.
I arrived in the desert about six years ago. I knew absolutely no one other than my coworkers who totally punked me and told me to go to the Nest for a good time. That was six years ago and I haven't been back there since. Honestly, I don't remember much except that it was really dark and senior citizens were everywhere.
So, when a friend asked me to go to the Nest last week for happy hour (please, please!) I smiled and said, "why not?"
I arrive a little after 5 P.M. and head directly to a stool at the bar. The lights are on, I had remembered it much darker. At this time of day, there is only a couple sitting at the bar. As I wait on my friend to show up I ask about the happy hour specials. I am told, "Well liquor is five bucks." I order a vodka. I ask if they have happy hour food and I am given a stand with a list of six or seven items to order for "five bucks."
The place had an odor of stale cigarettes, at least it smelled that way to me. In my mind I was trying to figure out when cigarettes were banned in bars because it seems like enough time would have passed for this not to have been an issue. It's no big deal, I'm just bored and thinking of stupid stuff.
My daydreaming is interrupted by the phone ringing. That's when I hear her. The hostess sounded like a 50 year, 4 pack a day chain smoker and had a Carol Channingish look. Her voice made Kathleen Turner's voice seem like a tenor in the Vienna Boy's Choir. She was very elegant in her black dress and seemed to know some of the regular 80 somethings that were coming in for dinner.
So, I'm on my third vodka when my friend finally arrives. We order both order the "five dollar" shrimp and chips. Meh, it's okay. Generally, the food at the bar is very small versions of what you might be thinking. It came with three fried shrimp and sweet potato french fries served on a side dish plate. There was also fish and chips, which I almost ordered because I was still hungry, but opted for the garlic bread (good!)
It is now getting dark and I notice the lights are dimmed. We are told the piano will start at 7:30. The place is filling up and I hear the bartender say, "it's dead tonight." It didn't seem dead to me, for a week night in the desert, but it must get crowded. I'll wrap this up because I didn't stay much later. Like all of the reviews before mine, the sabortooth's (older version of the cougar) were in full swing. I have no doubt that if I had a couple of more drinks, I might be in great danger.
Everyone is very pleasant and happy. I think this might warrant a revisit (with a group) on some weekend night. The Nest is certainly a place that everyone should experience at least once.
Wow, the old folks at the Nest sure know how to have a good time on a Saturday night. Actually, there were a range of ages present. The band, and the crowd, were very high energy. Lots of fun.
Went to The Nest for a drink after a late afternoon tee time. You have to see this place if you are in town. I did not eat but the menu looks reasonably priced if a bit limited in scope.
The bartender was both efficient and friendly. The atmosphere in the bar area is straight out of the 50's, dark with an interesting decor. If you want to feel like a kid, this is your place. Sitting in the lounge watching folks come in for drinks and dinner, I realized I was the youngest in the room. The average age of the folks entering The Nest appeared to be about 2 years younger than God.
The Nest is worth a look even if it is only for a drink.
If you go with the proper mindset, you should have a lot of fun at this place. My friends and I were the youngest at the bar by about 10 years, but that only added to the entertainment value. This place is serious about shaking its collective groove thing. The bartender was intent on keeping the good times rolling -- quality pours for all. The paid live entertainment was pretty good -- a piano player and a couple vocalists, but the best entertainment was the crowd. They ranged in age from 40ish to 70s -- but geriatric this crowd WAS NOT. If you were ever curious about what your blue-haired great aunt looked like when she was cutting loose on one of her bus trips to Laughlin, check this place out. My only regret is that we didn't start a conga line when they started playing "Hot Hot Hot"...
This place is every bit as incredible as the other reviewers say it is.
The crowd is ridiculous. Cute elderly couples shamelessly making out on the dancefoor, terrified businessmen in golf shirts, drunk 20-somethings who got lost on the way to Costas, and a bunch of old dogs hitting on them.
Oh, and the classy ladies... are they still called "cougars" if they qualify for senior discounts?
Do dress up a bit. You won't get kicked out or anything if you don't, but my girlfriend and I were pretty underdressed in jeans next to the glammed-up older patrons.
Four stars only because it shuts down around midnight. The bartender was fantastic about it and gave us a list of nearby places to go.
I want to live here when I'm old and crusty in 60-odd years. Please experience this for yourself.
Oh What a night...Late December in 08.
My family came here on boxing day, we arrive at 7:00 and the place is filling up with the over 50 to 80 crowd. There folks are here to party the night away. Disco ball in place, show time.
The bartender is super nice, and the waitresses are funny and on top of every ones needs. The up drinks are doubles and after 3 martinis in quick succession, one of us needed to eat BADLY. I am not sure what was said to the hostess, but she looked scared when she seated us, so I am sorry hostess lady for what ever rudeness my drunken companion may have said to you.
I order the soup, salad bread choice, he ordered the fillet medium rare with crab cake. The soup was white bean and is served from a iron cauldron into your own mini cauldrons. The soup was exceptional, and the four rolls my companion ate soaked up that gin rightly. The salad was crisp and cool, the dressing tasty.
Once the main course was served my drunken friend had already felt the need to move on to the dance floor so I had the sweet waitress box it up and took it to go. Seems this wasn't the first time this situation had occurred.
Sadly I ended up feeding the meat to our doggie who was patiently waiting for us in the hotel room. It was however perfectly cooked and the crab cake and potatoes looked and smelled delicious. The carrots and zucchini I ate and were cooked well.
Onward to the dance floor. While my sisters danced with portly older gentlemen (who had their hands firmly planted on their behinds), I was lucky enough to be freaked by drunkie and was greatly humored to watch him try to do the Thriller dance to Billy Jean.
Top form JRo, this was a fork in the pocket night for you.
And for my sister...she said "this is where I am going to be in 20 years isn't it?" Yes dear sis, it is. golf cart and all.
So fun. Make sure to have a designated driver or walk.
Wow. I just got a glimpse of my hopeful senior citizen nightlife. My Ferrari being parked right out in front of the entrance by the careful young valet boys. My plasticky ex-wife from my third marriage proudly clinging to my right arm. The 50 year old barbie doll hostess winking at me before taking us to our table. Before the pianist playing my favorite song, I'd bump knuckles with him as I pass by.
The bartender personally delivering my overly strong (in a good way) crown seven that was knick-named after me because of what happened at NYE bash of 2047. And the cocktails, wow the cocktails, they would be as potent as the four pack of viagra in my left pants pocket.
After the crowds cheer me on to sing that old classic song that mention the boots with the furrrrr, I'd recharge my bionic leg and get my freak on with my lady on the dancefloor.
When the night is almost at its end, I'll return to my Italian chariot to take my date home. I'll pop the first half of my viagra fun pack and then connect connect both our nipples to a car battery. That way, we can make like rabbid bunnies and end the night proper.
Of course, she'll kick me out at 3am because I'll have made the mistake of moaning out my 2nd ex-wife's name instead of hers. Damn senility. It gets you every time.
Crap, did I also forget my credit card at the bar again?
Dear Grandpa Slut,
Sorry it's been awhile. But last night, I found a place where you can get laid by hot sexy ladies. And they are in your age range..60s-80s.
I won't tell grandma slut.
Play on playa!
-Food Slut
*trying to walk through extremely crowded bar*
:: bump ::
Me: Oops, excuse me.
Grandpa: Oh no... excuse ME. It was my fault.
Me: Oh?
Grandpa: Yeah, I have a big butt.
Me: Hmmm... *leanin over to check him out*
Man, this place is ghetto... Geriatric ghetto that is!
Peeps in here be settin off metal detectors, not from packin gats, but from the metal hip replacements and pace makers yo. They roll up in pimped out Jaguar golf carts n shit. They pour drinks stiffer than the Viagra poppin grandpops chillin next to you.
Instead of staring at the ceiling in a retirement home somewhere, these old folks are living it up! Drinking, dancing, and yes even scamming... these guys know how to enjoy life :o) I hope I end up at the nest one of these days.... well, more like decades.
This is where the old people go at the end of the movie "Cocoon". This place is so fabulous. I got nauseous watching a guy hit on my mother, though.
I really wanted to write a review as fabulous at the Nest is, but Dave G & Jay B beat me to it.
oh my god,
i went here for valentines day probably 4 or 5 years ago.
I was probably around 18 and paired up with my now ex's parents.
The waitress was old and sassy carded me and still brought me some vodka gimlets that would make your grandpa proud.
All I remember is being drunk and feeling too young and scantily clad for the masses of elder people.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I just have this huge soft spot for The Nest. If they made t-shirts, I would def buy one. I have been here a handful of times and it never disappoints. I always arrive with the party anyway, so it doesn't matter where we are at....but this place is so fun. The piano isn't really a piano,...but who cares. Sing along and make *winks* at the piano player.
Thanks to Jerry for giving me a birthday spin around the dance floor that only a true gentleman can do! It was like Dancing with the Stars in the 50's.
The Nest (aka Grab-a-granny) is the hottest spot in Indian Wells. Everyone who's anyone knows that life, after 5pm, begins at The Nest. My family and friends usually go twice/year...once for my mums birthday and once for mine. Back in the day, The Nest was a hot spot for Sinatra and his cronies; these days, it's a hot spot for the single and lookin' Palm Springs crowd. Though the place is a little run down, don't even think about going casual -- patrons dress up in their best finery, ready to strut their stuff on the dance floor like peacocks displaying their plumage. In terms of atmosphere, think Casablanca, with huge rattan fans above the bar and umbrellas in the drinks.
After dinner, make your way to the piano bar / cocktail lounge and be prepared to dance the night away (and by night, I mean until at least 10pm). Singer/Piano player, Tim Burleson has been entertaining guests nightly since 1993. According to Tim, "The Nest provides a warm, friendly, atmosphere which is very conducive to everyone joining in and participating. I have percussion-type items such as shakers, and maracas, which I pass out, and anyone can become part of the show!" Indeed!
Regulars, such as the awesome Neil Diamond impersonator who was there last Christmas, often show up and sing a few songs for the crowd. It's soooo continental.
Do yourself a favour and check out The Nest on your next trip to Indian Wells. I think Bogart and Bergman said it best...
Rick: Here's looking at you, kid.
Ilsa: [smiles] I wish I didn't love The Nest so much.
Four stars for fun times, fun times.
As long as you keep in mind the demographics of the desert are predominantly retirees and know that you're going to a bar where the patrons smell like moth balls, you'll do fine.
There's a "piano" that is in the middle of the establishment, so that kinda makes it difficult to walk through the room when the geriatrics are grinding. The beverages are decent, but no fru-fru "specialty" drink menus to select from. The music is eclectic and often an oldie, but goodie is played so you can join in.
This place is pretty hipster-tastic, espech if you like chilling with old people. The nest is located on highway 111 in between palm desert and la quinta/indio/coachella, so it was only a matter of time before i checked it out on one of my semi-annual jaunts to the desert. We went for the dinner, not the bar scene. Dinner was good- it was most notably for the cauldron of vegetable soup they served us- enough soup for 6-8 people.
The scene was- um- elderly- but a cool kind of elderly.
This place is HEAVEN ON EARTH (and for many, the final stop before Heaven)!
Sexy seniors as far as the eye can see -- drinking, dancing and partying like it's 1979. It's like going to the Pirates Cove lounge on the Love Boat.
Swank seating, 55-yo cocktail waitresses in one-shoulder-strap dresses, the most heavenly band singing "Disco Inferno" in a non-ironic loungy drawl, horndog hotties on the hunt for geriatric love. I felt like I was dropped in the middle of a Key Party.
The $5 beers were a small price to pay for the amazing times we had. And even though they don't have a parking lot, the VALET IS FREE!
I LOVE THIS BAR. THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION I CAN GIVE!
This place is pretty rockin' for the golden age! An experience for sure and i only went there once. You can get a nice soup and a decent meal, but what you're really doing the whole time is thinking how funny the lady with the bright pink boa is.
is this what partying in palm spring is like? i've never been so i don't know. it was senior citizens galor....along with a rude lady who was upset that i sat in her seat. my bad lady...
but geez do grannys/grandpas know how to party. i've never seen so much canoodling by senior citizens. i agree with AJ K....i hope i'm having as much fun as they were when i'm their age.
the man playing the piano wasn't horrible, but all the alternating between fast songs and slow songs was confusing my already too-much-alcohol-in-the-head mood. and the (non-hispanic) old lady singing the songs in spanish? all i heard was mumbling.
our group was a double miss this crowded saturday night. asian AND under the age of 65. boohoo....
Ah, the Nest.
Where the cougars go to get trained by the cougars who voted for Coolidge- twice.
My dad hauled me in here when I was 25 back in '95. I was at least one World War younger than most of the crowd that night. And sadly, my ass was grabbed on that dance floor more times than Im still able to talk about- or count. On the bright side, afterwards I received a few Hallmark cards stuffed with 2 dollar bills- the "Happy Birthday to a fine Grandson" crossed out and "Thinking of you" written underneath.
By the end of the night- no kidding- I came back to the hotel and my Dad was asleep facedown the wrong way on the bed. He was muttering something about what a bitch I was for leaving him. (I had cabbed it over to Bananaz in Palm Desert to scope some post-Eisenhower tail and play bar trivia against the locals. Sadly, Bananaz is long burned down. R.I.P.)
Today it's a mixed age bag, and always fun. Lots of young and (mostly) old. These guys know how to pour a drink and charge the right price. Food is so-so at best. When you order a steak and they bring you a bottle of A1 without you asking for it, you know you're not at Peter Luger's. Flip your steak over to see the spot where the jockey was kicking it.
My 60+ mother is still too horrified to come in here with me, which is a shame. She'd bring down the age average dramatically.
A very fun place to wind up after a good dinner in Palm Desert or La Quinta - especially if you enjoy a drunken dance with your partner to a piano slowjam of House of the Rising Sun.
Any girl I bring out here I take to the Nest. If she hates it, she's a goner. Yes, I am still single.
This place was great! Fun, old school and a ton of food! The food wasn't bad either. Linguine with clams, delish. My husband's shrimp scampi, not so good. Very sweet which isn't how I normally eat shrimp but whatever. Service was excellent with great wine selection. Although it was filled with the "early crowd" (dinner at 5pm types) didn't deter from a good time. I think it livens up a little later.
This place is truly a kick!! I'll start with the restaurant- the food is good. Entrees come with a salad and a cauldron of soup (it was vegetable when I was there and was very tasty!); warm fresh bread and butter; (and according to the menu, a napkin and a warm handshake- I did get the napkin!) The menu is billed as Italian & French, and sure enough they offer pasta & veal picata along with escarot and frogs legs. Prices are reasonable. I had chicken parmesean and it was very good. Now for the show- the menu has a copy of an article describing the bar scene as being popular with the "over 40 crowd". That's like saying that the Teletubbies are popular with the "under 20 crowd". I'm over 40 and I felt like a mere baby. The piano bar is manned by a talented singer/pianist (it's really an electronic keyboard), who was accompanied by a truly talented trumpeter on a recent Saturday night. The geriatric dance floor and pick-up scene left a lasting (and mostly not unpleasant) impression on me. Definately a place to go for a memorable change of pace!
there's hope!! you may be 70 years old, lady, but you still got it - in that outfit, those earrings, that make-up - this is the best place to get a drink in indian wells - had a delicious 7 and 7, good steak - enormous dinner. I like hanging out with fun, older slightly tipsy folks - lots of hars, hars and table slapping - they have the best stories and the men are still gentlemanly enough to buy a young lady a drink
After reading the reviews of this place, I had to check it out on a recent trip to the desert. And it didn't disappoint. I guess that the best way to describe it is like the finale of Dirty Dancing, you know, after Johnny and Baby wow everyone with their dancing? And then all the formerly stodgy old people decide that maybe bumping and grinding isn't so bad and they all start shaking their booties? Yeah, it's like that. It's like that with a faux piano that's really a synthesizer and stiff drinks. I couldn't believe how much game some of those grannies had, but I had a great time at The Nest. I hope I'm just as spry in 50 years.
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Category: Nightlife
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