The Desert Bar

It has become a tradition among those of us camped near Quartzsite, Arizona, with the Escapees Class of ’08 for Mike & Julie to go out exploring then come back with the name and location of a restaurant we should all go to. This time the place is called the Desert Bar. It is literally out in the desert north of Parker, Arizona. The site used to be a mine and the current owner is building a major complex there all off the grid. So far it’s a bar and grill all powered by solar panels with water from his own well. Come along as we go out for lunch.

You start by traveling four miles of road clearly labeled “primitive”. Our group went in three trucks. Other went by other modes of travel.

In the parking lot you have the opportunity to go to church. Since the bar is only open Saturdays and Sundays, some people may use this church to ease their consciences. We went on Saturday but these four members of our group checked out the church on their way in.

This covered bridge is the access to the bar itself. Those towers in the background are the cooling system. Wetting the tops cools the air passing through them down into the rooms below. The weather the day we were there was perfect–needing neither heating nor cooling. 

Nearly everything on the premises is built from scavenged materials and those that aren’t are picked to blend in with those that are. Check out the faucet on this sink in the ladies room. The stalls are made of recycled hammered metal.

Here’s our group ready to tackle that four mile primitive road back out again.

The Desert Bar is a place you go for the atmosphere and the experience. Anyone passing this way should go there at least once. But take a truck not an RV.

TTYL,

Linda