1 Best Bar in Joshua Tree National Park, California

The Tiny Pony Tavern

A couple of transplants took what was at one time a gun shop and another time a beauty parlor—set in a run-down, retro strip mall—and created a small bar with a big personality that welcomes tourists but focuses on winning the hearts and minds (and hard-earned dollars) of locals. From the grandma-core art—one wall is devoted entirely to cat paintings and photos, another to black-velvet works—elevated bar food (loaded yuca fries, chilaquiles tacos), and numerous activities and theme nights (photo booth, pool table, karaoke, movies, prime-rib Thursdays), what's not to love?