Más o Menos is a coffee shop, cocktail bar, and wine stop at 66031 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, California 92252, on the community’s eastern highway corridor rather than its downtown crossroads. Its identity is distinctly High Desert: coffee and matcha by day, cocktails into the evening, and a changing calendar of food pop-ups and music. Travelers come for a relaxed drinks stop or a longer evening built around a visiting food vendor and a DJ set.
What to Expect at Más o Menos
The defining feature is the overlap between café and bar: coffee, matcha, and cocktails are offered all day, so this is not simply a coffee counter that becomes a different business after dark. Organic coffee anchors the daytime offering, while cocktails and wine make it an evening destination. Choose it for drinks and conversation rather than a conventional restaurant meal; the food offering depends on the visiting vendor. The venue operates as a 21-and-over bar, an important distinction for families planning a post-park stop.
Programming gives the place much of its personality. The calendar includes Vinyl w/ Pablo, advertised with a 6 p.m. start, and I Fall to Pizzas, advertised for a 5–9 p.m. food service. These are scheduled appearances, not permanent nightly fixtures. Larger gatherings include the Hi-Desert Groove Collective all-day party, with RSVP required for entry. The bar also promotes hands-on cocktail training with Branden von Fugate; check available dates before planning around a class. For vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-sensitive meals, contact the particular pop-up rather than assuming every vendor offers equivalent choices.
- All-day drinks: Coffee, matcha, and cocktails accommodate both morning stops and evening outings.
- Organic coffee: A daytime option for adults who want a café visit without ordering alcohol.
- Vinyl w/ Pablo: A named music session worth matching to your travel dates.
- I Fall to Pizzas: A visiting pizza pop-up that can turn drinks into dinner when scheduled.
- Cocktail instruction: Hands-on training with Branden von Fugate offers a more participatory experience when available.
Más o Menos at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 66031 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Eastern Joshua Tree highway corridor, outside the downtown cluster |
| Operating Hours | Monday 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday–Thursday 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 8 a.m.–midnight; Sunday 8 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$, moderate-priced drinks; food is purchased separately from visiting vendors. Check individual events for entry requirements. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45–90 minutes; longer for music, food, or a class |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | MBTA Route 1 serves the Joshua Tree–Twentynine Palms corridor; verify the closest stop and return service. Ask the bar about parking and accessible arrival arrangements. |
| Official Website & Phone | Más o Menos official website; +1 442-370-2266 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Choose morning for a coffee-focused visit, or arrive near the beginning of a scheduled food service if dinner matters. Check the official calendar before an evening trip: Tuesday closes at 5 p.m., while Friday and Saturday run until midnight. Use the website’s reservations section for group inquiries and complete any event-specific RSVP. Bring government-issued identification and arrange a designated driver if drinking. For wheelchair access, call ahead to establish the parking-to-entrance surface, any threshold steps, restroom access, and suitable seating; request these practical details before committing to an event.
This stretch of State Route 62 is a driving destination, not a downtown walking circuit. There is no sensible cluster of major sights within a 5–15-minute walk, so pair the bar with separate drives to the Joshua Tree Visitor Center downtown, the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum north of town, or Joshua Tree National Park. For public transportation, consult Morongo Basin Transit Authority for Route 1 stops and timetables; do not assume late-night service matches the bar’s closing time. Avoid walking along the highway shoulder after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Más o Menos open, and when should I visit?
It opens daily at 8 a.m.; closing times range from 5 p.m. Tuesday to midnight Friday and Saturday. Visit in the morning for coffee or match your evening arrival to a listed music session or food pop-up.
How expensive is it, and do I need a reservation?
Plan on a moderate, $$ drinks budget, with food additional. Consult the official menus for current offerings and the event listing for reservations, RSVP requirements, or admission charges.
How long should I allow?
Allow 45–90 minutes for drinks and conversation. Budget two hours or more if combining a food pop-up with music, and follow the advertised duration for a cocktail class.
Can children visit Más o Menos?
No: Más o Menos identifies itself as a 21-and-over bar, including its coffee-focused daytime operation. Choose another café for a family stop and bring valid identification for an adult visit.
When planning your Joshua Tree travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Joshua Tree, pair this stop with standout local spots including Super 8 by Wyndham Yucca Val/Joshua Tree Nat Pk Area, The Castle House – Estate, Furstwurld, and Desert View Conservation Area (7.2 km away).
