To me, the front entrance always reminded me of an old film noir movie. I half expect a man with a trench coat to appear from the fog right next to the front door. But, we are in Palm Springs and not in San Francisco, and if I did see a man in a trench coat out here, I could bet that it is really not a gun in his pocket.

You almost have to know about this place in order to find it, unless you happen to be cruising the industrial area looking for a good time, or dropping off something at Forest Lawn down the street and see the bar and say, “Hey, I feel like a stiff one.” But no matter how you find the Fireside Lounge, you will be glad that you did and have the sinking feeling that you have found something that a lot of people in the valley have not. That’s right, the Fireside makes you feel special or at least a little buzzed.

Opened in 1988 by Mike Cazares, the bar has managed to remain popular in its obscurity. Perhaps that’s part of the draw — knowing that the odds of the bar becoming overrun by the seasonality of the Palm Springs area will not affect it, that it is the ones in the know who know, and there’s no doubt about it. Half of the Fireside is outside, or kind of anyway. The quasi-patioish environment gives you just enough fresh air to battle any confinement issues, but still has the feel of being indoors.

The outdoor area houses a very important feature of the bar — the fire pit where on those chilly desert nights, patrons can cozy up with their favorite beverage and gaze into the red and orange blaze.

There’s also a competition-tempting shuffle board table in the patio as well, and it is certain that the Fireside Lounge is one of the only bars that has its own selection of books for their customers to read, highlighting the fact that you don’t have to be social when you go out to a bar, that you can just have a drink and take in good book, well at least you can at the Fireside.

The bar’s interior is inadvertently inviting with a pool table and high-tech jukebox and a bevy of hot-chick beer posters. But it is the bar itself that brings a neighborhood feel to it. The horseshoe-shaped bar makes it hard to hide and brings people together in a way. It reassures you that, “Yes, I did walk in the right place,” and “Sure, I’d love to stay for a while and have a drink.”

The friendly and patient bartenders also will ensure your decision as they make you feel instantly welcome. Bartenders like Loraine Anderson, will help make your Fireside experience a great one. The bar also offers an eclectic menu; there are breakfast items, like Biscuits and Gravy, Crab Cake Eggs Benedict and Chicken Fried Steak. And when you purchase breakfast, you can get a Bloody Mary for only $2, and just to let you know, their Bloody Marys are awesome! Other food items seem to lean on the Asian side, with Spring Rolls, Beef or Chicken Teriyaki and they even have Fireside Japanese Rolls. But they also have some Italian dishes and of course, good old American Fare as well. And if you’re looking for somewhere to hang out for Super Bowl, there will be plenty to entertain you at the Fireside with their party that includes a shuffleboard tournament and barbecue.

The Fireside is a true “Hidden Treasure” in our valley and a place where you can be social, or just be. So, if you want to take a trip off the more then beaten path, drive down Oleander Road in Palm Springs, and you’ll find yourself at the doorstep of the of the Fireside Lounge.

A trench coat is optional.