Downtown Indio welcomed a new chapter in its cultural evolution with the opening of The Dune Room, a café and live music venue located at 82707 Miles Avenue, which officially opened its doors on Friday, December 12. The debut was celebrated with a free, high-energy performance by The B Side Players, a nine-piece band fronted by Karlos “Sorak” Paez, whose genre-blending sound weaves together influences from Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, and Brazil alongside funk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop rhythms. The evening was hosted by singer-songwriter Grace McKagan, setting the tone for a dynamic new gathering space in the Coachella Valley.
The Dune Room is the latest venture from Ron Mesh, a music industry veteran with more than four decades of experience in live music presentation. Mesh has served as tour manager for iconic artists including Guns N’ Roses, Tower of Power, The Cult, Collective Soul, and Billy Gibbons, and is deeply rooted in the local music scene. He is also the owner of Studio B in downtown Indio—the only **Dolby Atmos recording facility in the Coachella Valley—and a partner in The Church, a full-service recording studio in Cathedral City.
Conceived as far more than a traditional music venue, The Dune Room is designed to function as a true community resource. Supported by the City of Indio’s Downtown Revitalization Program, the space blends music, food, family-friendly programming, and nightlife under one roof.
“The Dune Room is much more than a nightclub; we see it as a community resource,”
Ron Mesh
Open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight, The Dune Room transforms throughout the day. Mornings begin with house-made bagels and a curated selection of Mad Fritz single-origin, ethically sourced organic coffees, served in a setting inspired by a classic soda fountain. One of the venue’s most unique offerings is the soon-to-launch Saturday Morning Cereal Club, a free-membership program for local children ages 12 and under. From 8 to 10 a.m., kids will enjoy complimentary classic breakfast cereals at a bespoke cereal bar while watching nonstop vintage cartoons.
“The kids will have a club of their own, and that underscores our belief in Indio and its youth. We are here, literally, to serve the community.”
Ron Mesh
As day turns to night, The Dune Room shifts into an intimate live music venue for those 21 and over, offering a curated selection of microbrews and adult beverages alongside performances from both local and national artists. With a 250-person capacity, the venue is outfitted with state-of-the-art JBL audio, ensuring premium sound quality for every show.
Adding to its weekly programming, Motown on Mondays officially lands in Indio starting Monday, December 15. The recurring event invites music lovers to kick off the week with legendary soul, timeless grooves, and classic Motown hits in an energetic, welcoming setting. Admission is free with RSVP, making it an easy way to start the week in downtown Indio.
The Dune Room also continues to spotlight heavier and alternative sounds with a special one-night-only live show presented by Hotstuff Booking. On December 20, Oxnard brings its high-energy performance to the Coachella Valley, with support from Face Facts, Bad Mouth, Fatal Wounds, About Face, and Returned. Doors open at 6 p.m., with tickets priced at $20 online and at the door.
Looking ahead, The Dune Room is gearing up for special events, including a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring Frank Ferrer of Guns N’ Roses, spinning classic East Coast punk rock. The evening will include a televised New York City ball drop on a massive screen at 9 p.m., happy hour specials, snacks, ticket giveaways, and more. Admission is free with RSVP, $10 at the door.
For more information, visit www.duneroomindio.com
or follow @duneroomindio on Instagram.