In the room
The experience
Pioneertown was built in 1946 as a Hollywood film set, a permanent town for Roy Rogers and Gene Autry to shoot Westerns in. Eighty years on it is still standing, still mostly fake, but the saloon at the end of Mane Street is real. Pappy and Harriet's. Roadhouse since 1982, music venue since the 1990s, the room that broke Lord Huron and that hosts Paul McCartney unannounced on weeks he is recording in the desert. The 250-cap back room has a roof of pressed steel and the High Mojave 50 miles in every direction. The mesquite-grill smoke seeps into the music. The desert is the back wall.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
Book the venue weeks ahead for headline shows. The Sunday night Open Mic is the cheapest way in and frequently better than the touring acts. Stay in Joshua Tree the night before or after , the drive is part of the experience.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
Roadhouse in a 1946 film set on the Mojave. The room is the music. Robert Plant said as much.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Sunday Open Mic is the deep cut. Friday and Saturday for the headline programming. Avoid Mondays (closed). Daytime visits are worth it just for the bar.
Hours
Open Thu-Mon, 5pm to midnight. Closed Tue-Wed. Music most nights, full kitchen.
Getting there
Drive from Los Angeles, 2.5 hours via I-10 to Yucca Valley, then north on Pioneertown Road. From Joshua Tree National Park, 30 min south. The town has no public transport.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates and tickets come from the venue itself. Opens pappyandharriets.com in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is Pappy and Harriet's?
Pappy and Harriet's is in Pioneertown, California, United States. Coordinates: 34.1606, -116.4972.
What kind of music is at Pappy and Harriet's?
Pappy and Harriet's programmes Country, Americana, Indie, Rock. Roadhouse and music venue in Pioneertown, California, a 1940s Western film set on the high Mojave above Joshua Tree. Open since 1982, 250-cap room. Paul McCartney and Robert Plant have played here unannounced.
When is the best time to visit Pappy and Harriet's?
Sunday Open Mic is the deep cut. Friday and Saturday for the headline programming. Avoid Mondays (closed). Daytime visits are worth it just for the bar.
How do I get to Pappy and Harriet's?
Drive from Los Angeles, 2.5 hours via I-10 to Yucca Valley, then north on Pioneertown Road. From Joshua Tree National Park, 30 min south. The town has no public transport.
Why is Pappy and Harriet's in the Sonic Paths atlas?
Roadhouse in a 1946 film set on the Mojave. The room is the music. Robert Plant said as much.
Stay
Book somewhere to stay nearby
Find a bed close to Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown through our accommodation partner, Stay22.
Some links to accommodation are affiliate links. If you book through one, Sonic Paths may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.