Set within the historic Ingleside Estate in Palm Springs, Melvyn’s Bar & Restaurant is more than a dining destination—it’s a living archive of Hollywood glamour, desert history and timeless hospitality. For more than half a century, Melvyn’s has welcomed stories as generously as it pours martinis, keeping the past vividly alive.
The tale begins long before Melvyn’s name ever graced the door. “The property itself dates back to 1922, when it was built by the Pierce-Arrow family—what was considered the American Rolls-Royce of its time,” Greg Frasier, general manager of Melvyn’s, says. Originally a single-family home, the estate reflected the prestige and elegance of its era.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: PAYING TRIBUTE | THE INSPIRED BAR CECIL
In 1935, the property entered a new chapter under Ruth Hardy, a Palm Springs city councilwoman known for her influence and legendary guest list. Hardy transformed the estate into an invitation-only private club and inn, welcoming friends like Clark Gable, Greta Garbo and other Hollywood elite seeking refuge in the desert. During Prohibition, Hardy famously “built a tunnel from her house under the road so alcohol could be delivered to the property without anyone seeing or knowing,” Frasier says. The tunnel, complete with a hidden safe room, still exists today and can be accessed from the hotel lobby.
After Hardy’s passing and years of disrepair, the estate was revived in 1975 by Mel Haber, a New York businessman and inventor best known for creating fuzzy dice. Haber transformed the former service area—once for carriages and automobiles—into Melvyn’s Restaurant. Under his guidance, Melvyn’s swiftly became one of Palm Springs’ most ICONIC gathering places.
Now celebrating more than 50 years, Melvyn’s recently marked the milestone with a special “Dining Through the Decades” series, reviving classic dishes from past eras—many of which have proven so popular that they have since found a permanent home on the menu.
Today, Melvyn’s is best described as a steakhouse with soul—classic, yet never stuffy. The ambiance is intentionally nostalgic, with dark, moody walls, oversized gold chairs and an intimate layout alive with energy. A glass-enclosed garden room offers a seamless connection between indoors and out, while the walls themselves tell stories through photographs of Mel Haber alongside his many famous friends, including Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Salvador Dalí, and countless others who once dined there. “People come here for the food and the drinks, but they also come to be part of the history—just to sit where Frank Sinatra once sat,” Frasier remarks.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: WHY EVERYONE’S OBSESSED WITH TROPICALE— AND IT’S NOT JUST THE MARTINIS
The menu balances tradition with indulgence. Guests return time and time again for signature offerings like the famous Melvyn’s Martini alongside barrel-aged Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. Tableside theatrics remain a hallmark of the experience. “We are famous for our Steak Diane, Bananas Foster, and Cherries Jubilee,” Frasier notes.
Service at Melvyn’s is fine dining without pretension. Many team members have been with the restaurant for decades, creating a warmth and continuity that guests feel immediately—polished, personable and deeply rooted in pride.
Live entertainment plays a vital role in sustaining Melvyn’s old Hollywood spirit. Music fills the room nightly, with piano performances throughout the week and the beloved Sunday Jam, a tradition that has spanned more than 30 years.
Beyond its walls, Melvyn’s is woven into the fabric of ICONIC Palm Springs culture, featured in the Netflix documentary “Frank Sinatra in Palm Springs,” and hosts events tied to the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Coachella and Stagecoach.
Now under the ownership of Proper Hospitality, with thoughtful design updates by Kelly Wearstler, Melvyn’s continues to evolve while honoring its roots. “Melvyn’s has been around for more than 50 years, and people still come here to feel connected to something ICONIC,” Frasier points out. Guests don’t just come for dinner—they come to sit where legends once sat and become part of a story that continues to unfold in the desert.
©2026 ICONIC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
"*" indicates required fields
