The grand opening was yesterday (March 26, 2024). It's called Indio Taphouse although a better name might be Big Bar. Owned by the same people who own Little Bar, Indio Taphouse only has five taps pouring the usual suspects (around these parts): 805, Even Par, Poolside Blonde, Ultra, and Modelo.
Meanwhile, the bar itself is thirty feet long in contrast to the bar at Little Bar which is - well, very little. It stretches the length of the establishment then turns the corner and continues on. As you can see, it is very well stocked with everything - except beer.
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| Big bar at Indio Taphouse. |
Appearances, however, are deceiving. The beer menu is quite extensive with selections available by can or bottle. If you're looking for a beer, they will have what you're looking for whether it's a Trappist quadruple from Belgium or a cider from San Diego. I would not be surprised if this evolved into more of a bottle shop with a wide variety of packaged beers to go at some point in the future as it seems that is what they're really set up for.
In addition to beer, Indio Taphouse serves upscale bar food and inventive cocktails. We tried the falafel which was excellent but I would recommend getting the dragon sauce on the side!
Indio Taphouse is located on Miles Avenue in downtown Indio right next to the new outdoor Amphitheater, currently under construction. Anyone attending Indio's Second Saturday events should be able to hear the music while enjoying a drink at the bar or on the patio outside of garage-style doors.
But, wait! It gets better. Right next door to Indio Taphouse is a space which will house an upscale Italian restaurant: Italica. It's owned by the same people and shares a kitchen with the taphouse. Currently, there are no signs for Italica (not that I noticed) which gives it a speakeasy vibe. (The door is located next to the taphouse on its west side.) We mistakenly went through the door thinking it was another entrance to the taphouse and caught a glimpse of the restaurant's interior. Very cool; I can't wait until it opens.
As if all that isn't exciting enough, while I sat on my barstool at the taphouse, enjoying a Hellcat from Brewdog and Iron Maiden, I spied yet another new-to-Indio storefront just across the street: Gabino's Creperie. This will be Gabino's second location, the other location being in Palm Springs. Claim to fame: their Palm Springs location was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
So now you have your to-do list for this weekend: Check out Indio Taphouse and keep your eyes peeled for Italica and Gabino's to open soon.
