If you’re headed to an event at the Empire Polo Club, you have two options: pre-game like a functional adult, or show up dehydrated and confused and spend on a beer while questioning your choices.

This guide is for the first option. These spots are all relatively close to the Empire Polo Club and work well for a solid drink (and usually food) before heading in.

Empire Polo Club
81-800 Ave. 51, Indio, CA 92201

Festival weekend reality check: everywhere gets busier, earlier. If you want “easy,” go earlier than you think you need to.

Where These Places Sit (Quick Geography So You Don’t Guess Wrong)

Most festival traffic around the Empire Polo Club funnels through Avenue 50 and Jefferson Street. The closest pre-game spots are clustered just north of the grounds near Jefferson, while Old Town La Quinta sits a short drive southwest and works well if you’re starting earlier. Highway 111 spots make sense only if you’re already staying along that corridor.

If you’re trying to minimize stress, stick close to Jefferson and Ave 50. If you want better cocktails and don’t mind a short drive, Old Town La Quinta is usually the sweet spot.

Best Picks by Vibe

Dive Bar Energy

• Neil’s Lounge – Strong pours, zero pretense, and very comfortable with festival chaos.

Easy Group Pre-Game

• Local on 50th – Close, functional, and one of the least complicated ways to start the day.
• Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill – Big tables, full bar, and built for feeding groups efficiently.

Calm Start / Craft Cocktails

• Cork & Fork – Wine-forward, relaxed, and good for easing into the day.
• RD RNNR – Polished cocktails and solid food in Old Town La Quinta.
• Morgan’s in the Desert – Best for an early, upscale start before things get loud.

Only If You’re Already Nearby

• Eureka! (Indian Wells) – Reliable, but timing matters on festival weekends.
• The Nest – Evening drinks with the town elders

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Closest to Empire Polo Club (Indio)

Local on 50th

One of the easiest pre-game moves because it’s basically next door. Full bar, food, and a layout that can handle groups without collapsing into chaos.

Address: 49990 Jefferson Street, Suite 110, Indio, CA 92201
Website: thelocalon50th.com

Cork & Fork

A calmer, more “let’s start the day like civilized humans” option. Wine bar energy, solid cocktails, and food that won’t sabotage you before you even hit the gates.

Address: 49890 Jefferson St Suite 100, Indio, CA 92201
Website: corkandforkwinebar.com

Neil’s Lounge

A classic Indio dive bar, in the best sense. Strong pours, karaoke energy, and a “cowboy meets kitschy” vibe that feels extremely on-brand for festival weekends.

Address: 80956 Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201
Website: neilslounge.com

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Short Drive, Still Practical (Old Town La Quinta + Nearby)

RD RNNR (Old Town La Quinta)

Craft cocktails and good food in the heart of Old Town La Quinta. This is a great “start earlier, do it right” pre-game spot, especially if you want something nicer than a plastic cup and a prayer.

Address: 78065 Main St. #200, La Quinta, CA 92253
Website: roadrunnerlq.com

Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill (La Quinta)

Not fancy. Very effective. Full bar, big group energy, and the kind of place that’s used to feeding people who are about to walk a million steps in the sun.

Address: 78015 Main Street #100, La Quinta, CA 92253
Website: stuftpizzabarandgrill.com

Morgan’s in the Desert (La Quinta Resort)

If you want an upscale start with a proper cocktail in a calmer setting, Morgan’s is the move. Best for earlier pre-game timing, not last-minute scrambling.

Address: 49-499 Eisenhower Dr, La Quinta, CA 92253
Website: laquintaresort.com

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Worth It If You’re Already Staying Along Highway 111 (Indian Wells)

Eureka! (Indian Wells)

Reliable cocktails, strong burger-and-beer energy, and usually a lively vibe. On festival weekends, timing matters. Go off-peak or expect a wait.

Address: 74985 Highway 111, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Website: eurekarestaurantgroup.com

The Nest (Indian Wells)

A long-running local institution very popular with the town elders with a bar, dinner, and live music. Evening drinks can be a great warm-up if you’re staying nearby and want a lively scene before the festival scene.

Address: 75188 Highway 111, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Website: gotothenest.com

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Quick Tips So You Don’t Sabotage Your Own Day

• Start earlier than you think. Festival traffic plus lines plus “one more round” adds up fast.
• Eat something real. Liquid confidence is fun until it isn’t.
• Hydrate now. Desert math is brutal: sun + walking + alcohol = regret.
• Build buffer time. If you’re trying to hit a specific set time, you need a plan, not vibes.

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Headed to a festival weekend specifically? These hubs will help:

• Stagecoach Festival hub
• Coachella hub

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Note: Hours, reservation policies, and crowds can change quickly during major festival weekends. This list is meant to stay evergreen, but always double-check details before you go.