Raymond Kalra
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A longtime LGBTQ+ nightlife destination in Cathedral City is getting a new beginning, more than two years after its former nightclub closed amid controversy.
Eagle Cathedral City officially celebrated its grand opening Friday, October 30, following a multimillion-dollar renovation of the property at 67625 East Palm Canyon Drive.
The location was previously home to The Barracks, a popular LGBTQ+ leather bar that served the community for more than three decades before closing in August 2024.
For longtime patrons, the reopening represents more than another place to grab a drink.
“It was a home base. It was home bar. I really loved the community that was there at the Barracks,” said Charles, a Cathedral City resident who frequented the former establishment.
A new chapter for a historic location
The property has a long history within the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ+ community, dating back to 1992, when the original establishment opened as Wolf’s. It later became The Barracks, known for its gatherings, themed events and celebrations during Palm Springs Leather Pride.
However, the bar closed in August 2024 amid regulatory issues involving its liquor license and disagreements over occupancy and building safety requirements.
At the time, the former owner blamed disputes with the city and state regulators for the closure. Cathedral City officials disputed those claims, saying the city had been working with the business to address safety requirements and increase its permitted occupancy.
Now, new owners Phillip and Jeremy Nalwalker say they are determined to give the location a fresh start.
“We wanted to do everything right by the book,” Phillip told News Channel 3. “So just starting with the renovation itself, we met with the city to bring everything up to code. Our goal is to run an establishment that’s going to be open for 30 years and to not have those kinds of issues.”
The renovation included extensive structural improvements, a new roof, updated electrical and plumbing systems, modern lighting and sound equipment, and an expanded outdoor patio.
The owners say they wanted to preserve the sense of community associated with The Barracks while creating a completely modernized nightclub.
Community investors help bring project to life
The transformation was made possible in part by significant financial support from people who believed in the project before the nightclub even opened.
According to the owners, 266 investors contributed a combined $1.5 million through a community crowdfunding campaign.
The owners said they initially expected to raise a relatively small amount of money, but the response exceeded their expectations and helped fund a more extensive renovation.
“When we started this vision, we never imagined we would be able to renovate the space to this level,” one of the owners said.
They explained that the project began after repeatedly hearing people ask what would replace The Barracks.
Rather than continuing to wait for someone else to reopen the location, they decided to take on the project themselves.
The owners say the support has extended beyond the Coachella Valley, attracting interest from people across the country and around the world.
Cathedral City welcomes the investment
Cathedral City Mayor Raymond Gregory joined the owners and community members Friday for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Gregory said the new ownership worked closely with city officials throughout the redevelopment process, including discussions about safety, capacity, fire protection and other building requirements.
“These operators came in, they wanted to do it right, and the city is very excited then to work with them and help them do it in a way that was reasonable to them, but also made it safe and fun and beautiful and a real asset to the city,” Gregory said.
The mayor said the previous establishment had faced issues involving capacity, fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency exits.
He also emphasized the potential economic benefits of the new nightclub, saying the city hopes it will attract visitors who will also support nearby restaurants, hotels and businesses.
Gregory said Cathedral City has a longstanding history as a gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community and believes the new venue will strengthen that identity.
A gathering place returns
For community members who remember The Barracks, the reopening brings back memories of a place where friendships were formed and people gathered for years.
Ron Fellows, who attended the grand opening, said he hopes the atmosphere that made the former nightclub special will carry over into Eagle Cathedral City.
“Honestly, the community, the kindness and the community of the Barracks, I hope, transitions into the Eagle now because, yeah, we’re just welcoming and all encompassing and it’s a great place to be,” Fellows said.
Fellows attended the nightclub’s soft opening Thursday night and said he was impressed by the transformation and the turnout.
Another former patron, Charles, described the old nightclub as one of Cathedral City’s main LGBTQ+ gathering places. He said losing it meant some residents had to travel to Palm Springs to find a similar nightlife experience.
Now, he hopes the renovated space will become a welcoming destination for both longtime patrons and newcomers.
“Just having a beacon of light to make sure that everybody is welcome here,” Charles said.
Eagle Cathedral City opens during Palm Springs Leather Pride weekend, one of the region’s major annual celebrations for the leather community.
The owners say the newly renovated venue has a capacity of 777 people and hope it will become a destination for LGBTQ+ nightlife throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond.
For the community members who once called The Barracks their home bar, Friday’s opening marks both the return of a familiar gathering place and the beginning of a new chapter.
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