When Tara Uzeil returned to Cathedral City after two decades away, she didn’t just come home—she brought a bold new energy with her. Raised in the Coachella Valley, Uzeil grew up attending local schools before heading to San Francisco, where she earned a law degree and launched a legal career. But the desert called her back. “This is where I’m happiest. This is where my soul wants to be,” Uzeil says. “It never really felt like home up there. The city’s hard. It took me 10 years to get used to living up there.”
The moment she knew it was time for something new came in a flash—thanks to a friend’s suggestion. “My friend Stacey, who owns Vetiver Salon, just said: ‘Open a coffee shop.’ And right then, it hit me. I could see everything. I was like, yes.” That yes became Hot Lips Coffeehouse, a colorful, funky, 70’s-infused space nestled in Cathedral City Cove. Described cheekily as “a disco in your mouth and soul,” Hot Lips is more than a café—it’s a community sanctuary.
Creating a Vibe, One Cup at a Time
From the moment you step into Hot Lips, you’re immersed in Tara’s vision—an aesthetic explosion of pop art, cheeky retro details and design. “I loved the ‘70s. I love funk. I wanted it to be pop art bright, funny, sexy… just a vibe,” she explains. “I didn’t work with a designer—my friends Kelly Denise and Tyler Ontiveros helped bring it to life with the stripes and explosions.”
The Hot Lips logo was created by David Dixon is a bold, playful burst of retro flair. The circular design evokes 1970s pop-art and disco vibes—perfectly capturing the funky, feel-good spirit of the brand.
The giant pink chairs, vibrant wall art, and curated corner gallery featuring artists like Joey Division turn the shop into a visual experience. But beyond the decor, it’s the energy that keeps people coming back.
“I want it to feel like another home, where you can come and work, read, or just chill,” says Tara. “I think people feel that. You come in, people start talking to each other. We’re losing human connection in the world. I want to bring that back.”
With the menu, Tara proudly serves coffee from Northern California’s Equator Coffees—ethically sourced, high-quality beans with a story. “If you’re coming in for the first time, get a cortado. You really taste the coffee. If you want it sweeter, try the cherry chai—it’s amazing.”
She also sources pastries from local favorite Si Bon and is starting to incorporate bread from Palm Springs’ Bread and Flours. “We’re going to start making our own syrups soon too. Everything is about quality and intention.”
Desert Roots, Sisterhood & Soul
And then there are the pop-ups—a collective Tara affectionately calls Three Desert Girls, made up of local businesswomen with roots in the desert. “Leslie runs Tea With Iris, where she upcycles everything with a mission to reduce waste. And Shelley is the P.S. Vintage Gal—she’s got an incredible eye for vintage and curates it all beautifully.”
The trio—Tara, Leslie Kelly Shockley, and Shelly Hough Clark—are all Palm Springs High School alumni from the early ’90s and passionate about their roots, their crafts, and building community.
Hot Lips regularly hosts pop-ups with local makers, spontaneous acoustic sets, and a new monthly series called Soul Space, where locals gather for open conversation, connection, and shared knowledge.
From Wild Child to Brew Boss
Owning Hot Lips has transformed Tara’s life in every way. “I didn’t know if I would survive. I was a wild, wild girl,” she laughs, recalling her younger years as a free-spirited party animal at Palm Springs High. “Law school gave me structure, but it’s all about balance.”
Tara’s entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family. Her grandmother owned a women’s resortwear shop on Palm Canyon in the ’70s and ’80s. “She was all about Palm Springs—very oranges and greens, retro. I think she influenced me more than anyone.”
As Hot Lips approaches its one-year anniversary, Tara is planning a celebration for August—complete with DJs, food, and of course, dancing. f Hot Lips had a soundtrack, “It would definitely be disco,” she says. And “Murder on the Dance Floor” would be on repeat.
When asked, how can people support the vibe? Her answer is simple: “Come in. Dance.”
Hot Lips isn’t just a coffeehouse—it’s a love letter to the desert, a gathering place for creatives, and a groovy pulse in Cathedral City. Tara Uzeil, running around “like a chicken without its head” from sunrise to mid-afternoon, wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Connecting with people,” she says, “that’s the best part. It makes me feel alive.”
Hot Lips Coffeehouse
📍 68461 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA
☕ @hotlipscoffeeshopcatcity