No BS Bull
by Dennis "Drinkin" Dinker
July 29, 2010

One month prior to opening Willy Boy’s Saloon in Morongo Valley new owners ordered a second mechanical bull after disqualifying bull #1 due to technology technicalities or some such BS. With a Sept. 1 opening this 1930’s historic hotspot over the years had fallen into a such a disgraced condition that it tried topless pizza and then a swap meet in failed attempts to attract stops from the over 60,000 daily cars traveling the Highway 62 just outside the doors. Featuring the only mechanical bull in the entire desert region is but one of many unique reasons putting Willy Boy’s on the new map for repeat “must visit” status. Down but not out… Shenanigans lives again in the form of a not yet named new establishment. New owners from Thousand Oaks are completely cleaning the place and refinishing the impressive carved bar aiming to bring back a friendly atmosphere and intoxicating sweet music to this longstanding institution. Across the Highway and a little further west the recently impressively remodeled Monument Lounge (formerly Gateway Lounge) has been so busy bartenders might ignore you. Gone is the funky ceiling of dollar bills replaced with a metro atmosphere of French doors and the clean scent of newness. Speaking of former ceilings of dollar bills, Eric Pontius returns July 31 from the snows of Sweden with a remodeled Playoffs Sports Bar on Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs after it was closed for a few weeks during the melting weather for new floors, new bar and new bar stools. Pontius, who removed his dollar bill ceiling years ago doubled the size of his establishment, also adding a second pool table, and a brand new 14 ft. shuffleboard attraction with additional big screens soon to follow. Playoffs attractively remodeled exterior now features a handsome outside sidewalk smoking corral on Palm Drive to view the traffic with friendly bartenders and ongoing beer pong tourneys inside. The Spa Lounge, also in Desert Hot Springs (Palm Drive) announces the addition of new bartender Leslie. Formerly pouring at Showgirls Gentleman’s Club in Cathedral City, Leslie brings a new show to the bar with every pour. Jazzy news… Torme's Jazz Club formerly Tony's Pasta Mia across from Azul on North Palm Canyon in Palm Springs is undergoing extensive interior renovations with new tile flooring and high end custom finish carpentry. No MDF here. It’s real wood for the crown molding and raised panels leaving more than a month’s construction work remaining before reopening. Thirsty on the East side and need a music fix plus some Mex food? Visit Viva Cantina in Old Town La Quinta now showcasing music Wed & Sat (see our music section for details) Josh Devane (of the famous restaurant and acting family Devane’s) is the manager. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of some drinking volcano old Pompeii’s (and a half dozen other names) on Highway 111 in Cat City is slowly emerging as a church for the sober minded. Rumor has it construction slowed when mixichologist archaeologists unearthed a mummified martini glass on site. Paddy O’Reileys in Banning (the only bar in Banning) added bartenders Sara (returning and from The Eagle Lodge) and Amber (new) on Tues & Wed. Stop in and say hello to the new recruit. Still no word on exactly who bought Dillon’s Roadhouse (on Dillon silly) which as years ago known as The Office, but look for an opening party soon.