The Tiny Pony Tavern doesn’t name itself a homosexual bar, however it’s the gayest bar in California’s Yucca Valley. The queer- and trans-staffed institution, which opened earlier this 12 months, units the tone for friends with a Progress Delight Flag affixed to its entrance door—a well-recognized sight in massive cities, however an sudden, welcome nod to queer patrons who name this nook of the desert dwelling.
Simply 20 minutes from Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, identified for its craggy panoramas and twisting timber, the bar fills a void within the space’s rising arts group, the place the queer inhabitants has grown in tandem with the inflow of younger creatives looking for another life within the desert. Close to the headquarters of the world’s largest Marine Corps coaching base, what was beforehand a gun store now includes a lengthy picket bar, handcrafted by a neighborhood artisan, and kitschy velvet work of cats and rearing horses.
In April, proprietor Alison Paris was advised by a server that the previous proprietor had stopped in for a drink and needed to have a chat. She was apprehensive about what he may say relating to the reimagined house, as Yucca Valley hasn’t traditionally been the kindest to queer people. “I figured they’re form of like outdated Yucca Valley those that have been going to be, like, ‘Have a look at this hipster bar,’” she says. As a substitute, he expressed pleasure in regards to the Delight flag and gratitude that one thing inclusive had taken over.
The bar serves as a watering gap for all desert people: transplants collaborating on artwork reveals, contractors trying to shoot pool after work, and households younger and outdated with children and canines in tow. The ever-evolving menu is the work of chef Sorcha Murnane, a trans man who desires up fan favorites just like the Loaded Yuca Fries, smothered in cheese and topped with crunchy bacon. Bartender Bryan Paris, who bought his begin barbacking at The Monster throughout from the Stonewall Inn in New York Metropolis, mixes drinks just like the Inexperienced Juice, which—you guessed it—options fresh-pressed inexperienced juice and a spirit of your alternative. Open seven days every week, Tiny Pony kicks off Mondays with “Cheeseburgers in Paradise,” that includes tropical drink specials and half-off burgers. Tuesdays carry rowdy karaoke crowds for $5 tequila photographs, and weekends welcome out-of-towners with a hearty brunch.
To get a way of the scene on any given night, we talked with the individuals who know Tiny Pony finest: The Regulars. The house is aflutter with preparations for Joshua Tree Delight on June 18. Common Mia Torres—who works by day as a welder and carpenter—canvasses outlets and eating places all through the world to carry the group collectively for a celebration of queerness, whereas choreographer, DJ and dance instigator Ryan Heffington is planning to spin home music into the wee hours on the Tiny Pony afterparty. For Joshua Tree–raised Jessica Myers (and spouse Laura Myers), it’s thrilling to see the group come collectively for such a trigger. There wasn’t something like this for her rising up.
What was nightlife like rising up in Joshua Tree?
Jessica: It was very straightforward to underage drink, or we’d exit into the desert and do a bonfire as a result of there actually wasn’t a lot else to do, however now that’s altering.
What was your first time at Tiny Pony?
Jessica: Our first time that we went was opening evening. I advised Laura, “I don’t wish to maintain your hand; we’re in Yucca Valley.” I used to be afraid. There’s numerous homophobia and racism in Yucca Valley in small pockets. So I didn’t know what we have been strolling into. However we bought as much as the door and I noticed a Delight flag and I used to be like, alright, right here we go! After we walked in, there was all these lovely gender-nonconforming employees. It was probably the most wonderful factor ever.
Laura: It’s a super-queer house. I’m at all times effective with PDA. I’ve by no means been one to be shy of it, however Jessica is de facto acutely aware of the environment we’re in, which is sweet. We in all probability want that, as a result of in some conditions you actually do must be safer. And I’ve heard round city, too, that a number of the extra grungy bars that aren’t newer and youthful aren’t essentially a secure place if you’re somebody aside from white and cis. However the group at Tiny Pony is simply unreal.
What’s your favourite function of the bar?
Laura: The photobooth. Everyone seems to be kissing everybody.
What does it imply to you to have a Delight occasion within the city you grew up in?
Jessica: My little cousin right here who’s 13 simply got here out as homosexual. I believe it could be good for her to have one thing like that within the city that she grows up in, that’s inclusive and that she feels she might be part of. It’s good for folks popping out to have one thing within the city that they develop up in. I believe everybody deserves that.
How typically do you go to Tiny Pony?
It’s been extra typically recently. I’m going in all probability thrice every week. Usually it’s for a scorching canine and a beer for lunch earlier than I’m going again to work. Perhaps as soon as every week it’s a night hanging out with buddies.
What’s your favourite drink at Tiny Pony?
The very first thing I attempted was the Cadillac Margarita and it was wonderful. The following time I went—my girlfriend’s a vegetarian, so I attempt to eat vegetarian as a lot as attainable, however I like scorching canines—I had this bacon-wrapped scorching canine. I noticed that on the menu, after which it was like, black beans, pickled carrots, jalapenos… It was like a frickin’ American scorching canine had crashed with a taco truck.
What does Tiny Pony imply to you?
The actual fact is that queer group and queer life have gotten extra the norm and never so hidden. I’ve a niece who’s 11, and she or he has already mentioned, “I like women, and I simply need everybody to know,” and she or he’s simply fully open about it. I actually do imagine that the youngsters will save us. With social media and the way in which we are able to talk world wide lately, you possibly can’t put the genie again within the bottle, and I really feel like that’s finally going to be our saving grace. I see probably the most completely different, numerous folks from all walks of my life, you realize—actual property brokers, my waitress, my dentist—and so they’re all getting in and testing Tiny Pony.
What’s your relationship to the desert?
I’ve been going out to the desert since I used to be 18. My buddies would carry audio system and we do, like, psychedelic trance events. And it was only a nice various to L.A.
What was your first time at Tiny Pony?
I used to be at Tiny Pony both opening day or the day after, and I used to be simply passing via. It actually has all the weather: nice alcohol, unpretentious vibes, aesthetics and an ideal employees. Each time I stroll in now, it seems like I do know lots of people which can be simply patrons and the employees, and so they’ve at all times been so open. Alison launched herself to me and instantly requested if I may DJ there.
4 or 5 months in the past, I didn’t know if I needed to remain within the desert. I felt very remoted. Why, as an almost-50-year-old homosexual man, did I select to maneuver out in the midst of fucking nowhere? Like, what was I pondering? It’s not escapism; it was the circumstances. However then I began to fulfill the folks and I used to be like, oh, yeah, that is precisely the place I wish to be.
How has Tiny Pony develop into an outlet on your creativity?
I believe it’s simply being round like-minded and open-minded folks. The general public I’ve met at Tiny Pony I might think about artists, the place I really feel like [they have] an angle of an artist, with freedom and expressing themselves even visually or bodily. After I see folks right here, I really feel like something’s attainable, in a means, simply by conversing with them. There’s no restrictions on who they’re or how they establish. It’s simply one of the vital lovely locations to stroll into and have that feeling.
