“Oscar’s is open, operating, and moving forward.” – Dan Gore, Owner of Oscar’s

PALM SPRINGS, CA

For years, Oscar’s has been a place where locals and visitors gather for drag brunches, live performances and its popular Sunday Tea Dance. But the downtown Palm Springs venue has also faced financial challenges, prompting owner Dan Gore to launch a “Save Oscar’s” fundraiser in November 2025 and rethink how the business operates.

The Palm Springs Tribune spoke with Gore about the state of Oscar’s, the community support that has helped sustain it, and his plans for the future. Gore also discussed his ongoing dispute involving the neighboring Plaza Theatre and its operator, Oak View Group, including the use of a backstage space known as the Green Room. He shared his thoughts on changes to Oscar’s entertainment lineup and his hopes for the venue’s role in the community.

The following interview is presented in a question-and-answer format.

Eric Gray: Dan, how would you describe the state of Oscar’s today, both as a business and as a gathering place for the community?

Dan Gore: Oscar’s is moving back into full-time programming, with a renewed focus on what we do best: entertainment and bringing people together.

Our Bitchiest Brunch, the original and longest-running drag brunch in the desert, celebrates its ninth anniversary this February. Our world-famous Sunday Tea Dance continues to be a Palm Springs tradition, including our $5 cocktails during the first hour.

We’ve also recently introduced Rooster, a rather unique Wednesday night event featuring live adult photography, audience participation, and a weekly winner. And we’re working on some very exciting appearances and entertainment experiences for the upcoming season.

Oscar’s has always been about creating experiences you can’t find anywhere else, and that’s exactly where we’re putting our energy. There’s a lot to look forward to!

Gray: What do you most want people to understand about what’s happening at Oscar’s right now?

Gore: First and foremost, I want people throughout the desert to know that Oscar’s is open, operating, and moving forward.

We’re gearing up for what I believe will be a very impressive season, with unique productions and some extraordinary performers who have never appeared in the desert before, but whose names and talents have tremendous appeal.

Despite everything people may have heard about our challenges, the entertainment hasn’t stopped, and neither have we.

Gray: Your “Save Oscar’s” fundraiser made a personal appeal to the community. What prompted you to launch it, and what has that support helped you accomplish?

Gore: Surviving as a small, independent business today is incredibly difficult. We’re seeing businesses close not just in Palm Springs, but throughout the country.

Over the past year, numerous customers have stepped forward privately to help ensure Oscar’s remains part of this community. Several encouraged me to be more public about what was happening and give others the opportunity to help.

It’s easy for people to assume that financial difficulties mean “Dan made bad deals,” but the reality is far more complicated. The economy has changed, tourist spending on entertainment, food, and cocktails has declined, and the cost of everything from liquor to food has skyrocketed.

Add to that the inherent risk of producing live entertainment, where even a promising booking doesn’t always translate into ticket sales, and you have a combination of challenges that can be very difficult to navigate.

When things were particularly dire about a year ago, our Tea Dance community stepped forward in an extraordinary way financially and helped us through one of our most difficult periods.

Beyond the financial support, the experience was incredibly humbling. You don’t always realize how much a place means to people until they step forward and tell you they simply cannot imagine their lives without it.

Gray: What financial challenges remain, and what changes are you making to ensure Oscar’s long-term stability?

Gore: We’ve made a very deliberate decision to return Oscar’s to being primarily an event-driven venue. That’s what we are, and frankly, that’s what we do best.

We’re still open a couple of days a week for happy hour, and we’ve outsourced the restaurant side of the business, as we’ve done with several operators over the years. Our long-term goal is to partner with a full-time restaurant operator while Oscar’s concentrates on producing entertainment and events.

The philosophy is simple: when we open our doors, we want to know there’s a reason for people to come through them. Rather than relying on unpredictable walk-in traffic, we’re focusing on programming that creates demand and generates revenue.

Palm Springs already has some wonderful restaurants. One day, we’d love to be counted among them, but for now, Oscar’s is a place where you come to enjoy great entertainment and a meal together, rather than separately.

We also occupy a tremendous amount of space, and the rent is substantial. We’re exploring ways to make better use of that space, including projects like our Art at Oscar’s Gallery.

Ultimately, it’s about being smarter with our resources and concentrating on the things that make Oscar’s unique.

Gray: When we spoke in 2023, you outlined expansion plans following a new long-term lease. Which plans have come to fruition, and where do the remaining proposals stand?

Gore: When we signed our long-term lease, Oscar’s had ambitious plans to operate side by side with what I often refer to as our “Siamese twin” neighbor, the Plaza Theatre.

Unfortunately, much of that vision changed when Oak View Group took over operations of the theatre and the collaborative plans we had anticipated were discontinued.

Since then, we’ve had to continually rethink and reboot portions of our future.

One of the most interesting additions has been the Oscar’s Piano Bar, which we introduced last year. It’s a natural complement to the Plaza Theatre, giving theatregoers somewhere to enjoy a cocktail, music, or a bite to eat before or after a performance. We’re looking forward to reopening that space for the upcoming season.

We’re also placing greater emphasis on major concert appearances, celebrity interviews, and Q&A events. That’s always been part of our long-term vision, and we’re working on some exciting announcements.

The original plans may have changed, but our ambition certainly hasn’t.

Gray: Where do discussions with the Plaza Theatre and Oak View Group currently stand regarding the Green Room space?

Gore: Unfortunately, there really aren’t any meaningful discussions taking place right now, and I find that deeply troubling.

There are three principal parties involved in this relationship: GRIT Development, Oak View Group, and Oscar’s, with the City of Palm Springs also having an important role in the broader Plaza Theatre situation.

Earlier this year, I made an effort to reopen communication, but those efforts haven’t resulted in the kind of dialogue I believe is necessary.

This is a complicated, three-way relationship that goes FAR beyond Oscar’s financial challenges. There are longstanding issues involving the property, its use, and the relationship between the businesses that deserve serious attention.

When the parties aren’t communicating or even sitting down to address the facts, how can anyone reasonably expect progress?

There’s a much bigger story here than most people realize, and perhaps one day the entire story will be told.

But to answer your question directly, at the moment, very little is being accomplished.

Gray: How important is that space to Oscar’s operations, and what terms would make an agreement workable for you?

Gore: The Green Room is an extremely valuable production space. Today, it serves partly as storage, but it also contains four bathrooms and provides essential backstage facilities for our larger productions, particularly shows involving bands and sizable casts.

It’s equally valuable to the Plaza Theatre. In fact, I’ve already rented the space to a couple of productions appearing there, although those arrangements came directly through my own contacts and referrals, not through OVG or the theatre’s management.

So the need clearly exists on both sides.

What I find particularly puzzling is how the conversation went from “We need that space to succeed” to what now appears to be virtually no interest in working with Oscar’s.

The reality is that these buildings are physically connected. I often describe us as Siamese twins because, whether anyone likes it or not, we share a physical relationship that isn’t going away.

To have two entertainment venues physically attached to one another, with obvious opportunities to collaborate, yet not be communicating about how to make the experience better for everyone, is sorta ridiculous.

I’ve always been willing to cooperate. Any workable arrangement would need to recognize the value of the space to Oscar’s, protect our own operational needs, and provide a mutually beneficial relationship.

The landlord, OVG, and Oscar’s could all benefit from a more collaborative approach. More importantly, so could the public.

Instead, everyone seems stuck somewhere in the middle.

Gray: What conversations or concrete progress have taken place since the July public forum?

Gore: Unfortunately, rather than resolving these issues through meaningful dialogue, matters ultimately ended up in court.

That particular dispute was settled at the end of October, but the broader issues surrounding the property and the relationship between the parties remain unresolved.

For the time being, that’s where things stand.

Gray: Sunday T-Dance is a popular signature event at Oscar’s. What makes it so special, and would you consider expanding to additional days, similar to the Boatslip’s Tea Dance in Provincetown?

Gore: Palm Springs is a relatively small town with a limited year-round population and an extraordinary number of entertainment options competing for everyone’s attention.

But Sundays? Sundays belong to Oscar’s.

Our Tea Dance has become world-renowned as a Sunday tradition, and that’s exactly where I intend to keep it.

Provincetown is a completely different environment. During its season, there’s an enormous daily turnover of visitors, which creates the demand for something like the Boatslip Tea Dance every afternoon.

Palm Springs has its own rhythm, and I think that’s part of what makes our entertainment scene so special.

We have other wonderful options throughout the week, including Hunters on Fridays and now Eagle as well. Both have been incredibly kind and genuinely concerned about Oscar’s financial well-being and our future, which I appreciate.

I don’t believe we all need to compete for the same audience every night. There’s room for everyone to have their own identity and their own special place in the week.

And for Oscar’s, that day is Sunday.

Gray: What led to the decision to discontinue the weekly Saturday night Bunker event? Are there plans to bring it back or introduce something new in its place?

Gore: Whenever we produce an event, we want it to be successful financially, but we also want to be THE place people want to be that night.

Bunker was originally created in response to the closing of the Barracks, and for its first year or so, it was extremely popular.

It was a terrific experience, but ultimately, it wasn’t necessarily what Oscar’s is all about. As other venues began competing for that same Saturday night audience, it became less practical for us to continue.

I’ve always felt that rather than having two venues fighting for the same crowd, sometimes it’s better to let one venue own that experience.

And now Eagle has stepped into that role.

The Bunker crowd IS the Eagle crowd, and I gladly crown the Eagle with all that success.

Gray: What inspired the new Rooster event, what can guests expect, and when and how often does it take place?

Gore: Rooster is something completely different for Palm Springs, and that’s exactly what attracted me to the concept.

It’s a LIVE adult photography exhibition, featuring photographer Charles Moniz, where participants are photographed, their images are exhibited, and the audience votes for its favorite. Each week, the winning model receives a cash prize.

It’s interactive, a little outrageous, and certainly not your typical Wednesday night out.

We’re currently presenting Rooster every Wednesday, and I’m in discussions with Chi Chi La Rue about becoming our featured DJ and host. We’re also exploring the possibility of bringing in another very recognizable name from the adult entertainment industry.

And I have to say, our Big Fat Rooster mascot has become a star in his own right. The shirts are selling like crazy!

Sometimes the most unexpected ideas turn out to be the most entertaining.

Gray: Is the Piano Atrium Bar still operating, and what is its current schedule and entertainment lineup?

Gore: We’re preparing to coordinate the Piano Bar’s schedule with the Plaza Theatre’s programming, which I believe makes perfect sense.

It’s an ideal place to gather before a show for cocktails, or afterward for a drink, something to eat, and a little entertainment.

We’ve already demonstrated how well the space works for post-show celebrations, including events we’ve hosted for Bianca Del Rio and others.

The potential is enormous. Imagine a theatre audience being able to walk thru the theatre’s north hallway before or after a performance and continue their evening in a lively piano bar atmosphere.

Once again, Oscar’s and the Plaza Theatre have an opportunity to create something special together. But that relationship has to be supported by both sides.

As far as I’m concerned, the invitation is always open.

Hey, count me in!

Gray: How are you balancing recurring weekly entertainment with special events? Is Oscar’s moving toward a greater emphasis on special events?

Gore: We’re definitely placing a greater emphasis on special events and major headline appearances, but that doesn’t mean we’re abandoning the weekly programming that people have come to love.

When we book a major act that falls on a regularly scheduled event night, we sometimes postpone that week’s regular programming to accommodate the performance. Other times, we’re able to present both.

It’s really about balancing the opportunities and making the best use of the venue.

I always encourage people to check our schedule or call ahead if they’re planning to attend a regular weekly event on a night when we have a major headliner.

The goal is to keep Oscar’s exciting and unpredictable in the best possible way, while continuing the traditions that made us successful.

Gray: Looking ahead a year, what would success look like for Oscar’s, and what needs to happen to achieve it?

Gore: In January of this year, I formed a nonprofit cultural arts foundation, and through that foundation, we opened the Art at Oscar’s Gallery.

I see Oscar’s becoming a catalyst for bringing unique, extraordinary, and sometimes previously unseen entertainment to the desert, while giving back to the community in ways that go far beyond what people traditionally expect from a restaurant or entertainment venue.

For the past 14 months, Oscar’s has provided space every Wednesday for Well in the Desert to feed people in need. This Christmas, we’ll celebrate 11 years of opening our doors on Christmas morning to provide a meal, companionship, and a little holiday cheer to anyone who needs it.  Every quarter we also donate our space to the Red Cross for their quarterly blood drive.

Our gallery is currently showcasing the work of 21 local LGBTQ+ artists. We’ve recently provided grants to performers helping promote LGBTQ+ entertainment internationally, and our foundation currently employs two individuals with disabilities.

These are things I’m incredibly proud of, and they’re just the beginning.

A year from now, I’d like Oscar’s to be recognized not only for the entertainment we produce, but for the opportunities we create, the artists we support, and the people whose lives we touch.

Palm Springs has embraced Oscar’s for 13 years. I want the next chapter to be about Oscar’s embracing Palm Springs in even bigger and more meaningful ways.

To me, that’s what true success looks like.

End of interview

As Dan Gore wants Oscar’s to continue to be “The Scene of Palm Springs,” bringing people together for entertainment, celebrations and community gatherings. He also hopes to expand the venue’s support for local artists and community organizations.

Upcoming Performances at Oscar’s by Jennifer Holliday

Past Stories on Oscar’s