Local taps open by 4:30 AM near gates 12–20
Nine Cities Craft sits in the Main Terminal’s Agua Caliente concourse, post-security by gates 12–20, and starts pouring as early as 4:30 AM. It runs until the last flight, so you can grab a beer before a 6:00 AM departure or a burger at 9:30 PM. This spot leans local American bar food with an emphasis on regional beer, which is rare in this section of PSP.
The draw is the tap list: you’ll usually see several Southern California or desert-area brews alongside national names, all at mid-airport pricing in the $$ range. Think $9–$13 pints instead of hotel-bar shock. Wines and simple cocktails round things out, but the focus stays on beer. Food skews familiar: burgers, sandwiches, maybe wings or a salad, enough to count as a real meal before boarding.
Service generally gets an 8/10 vibe from regulars of the concourse, even if there aren’t many formal online reviews yet. Staff handle the early-morning bank of flights without looking overwhelmed, and you can typically get a drink in under 10 minutes when there are three or fewer departures showing in the next hour. Seating is bar stools plus a few high-tops, so plan on a 30–40 minute sit-down if you want both food and a second round.
Nine Cities Craft is fully post-security, so you’re clear to relax once you’re past the Main Terminal checkpoint. It’s the best option for a local pour if your boarding pass shows gates 12–20; walking back to the central food court eats 8–10 minutes each way. One practical move: order your first drink and food together, then keep an eye on the departures board over the bar so you don’t miss early boarding calls on smaller regional jets.