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THE WEEKEND’S STANDING ORDERS: REPORT FOR DUTY. DRESS TO IMPRESS. PREPARE TO MISBEHAVE.
This March, the Regiment of the Black and Tans returns to Palm Springs for its second annual Desert Maneuvers Uniform Weekend—and this year, we’re going tropical!
WWII shore leave meets Palm Springs Tiki culture. We’re combining the unmistakable sex appeal of military uniforms, polished boots, leather, and masculine camaraderie with the outrageous escapism of a vintage Tiki paradise.
Expect flaming Tiki torches, tropical cocktails, palm trees, exotic island atmosphere, and three days of Regiment-style revelry.
Our three-day celebration will bring together the TOOLSHED BAR, CLUB 541, the legendary CALIENTE TROPICS RESORT and its REEF TIKI BAR, along with a private Palm Springs residence for a fabulous clothing-optional Luau and Pool Party.
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
UNIFORM PLAY PARTY
Club 541 & The Toolshed Bar, 8pm-12am
All Hands on Dick! Shore Leave Begins.
Friday evening, we officially commence our tropical deployment with a uniform-themed night of leather, masculine camaraderie, and after-dark adventure in Palm Springs’ celebrated Sunny Dunes district.
Weekend registration and check-in will be conveniently located near the Toolshed Bar and Club 541. Guests purchasing the complete weekend package will receive a wristband granting admission to Club 541’s uniform play party, with the freedom to move between the club and the Toolshed Bar throughout the evening.
Dress for duty—or pleasure—in your favorite military, law-enforcement, leather, or fetish uniform.
Whether you’re a commanding officer, a sailor on liberty, or an enlisted man with a questionable disciplinary record, Friday night is your opportunity to report for some very unofficial maneuvers.
SATURDAY, MARCH 6
OFFICERS’ MESS: A TROPICAL MILITARY AFFAIR
The Reef Restaurant & Tiki Bar — Caliente Tropics Resort, 6-9pm
Cocktails at 18:00 | Dinner at 19:30
Saturday evening, The Regiment assembles for its signature social event: an Officers’ Mess with a decidedly South Pacific flavor.
We’re taking over THE REEF, a wonderfully atmospheric old-school Tiki restaurant at the Caliente Tropics Resort, complete with tropical surroundings, island-inspired food, exotic cocktails, and an outdoor patio.
A room full of handsome men in military dress uniforms, naval whites, khakis, leather, and polished boots, gathered beneath the glow of Tiki lights, raising glasses to brotherhood, tradition, and the pleasures of shore leave.
This will be an evening to see and be seen, to celebrate the Regiment, reconnect with friends, and enjoy a memorable dinner in one of Palm Springs’ most appropriately tropical settings.
Following Dinner: BLUF NIGHT AT THE TOOLSHED, 9pm-12am
After the Officers’ Mess, our tropical expedition continues at the Toolshed Bar for its BLUF Night honoring the Regiment.
The boots stay polished, the leather comes out, and the officers and enlisted men return to active duty for another evening of uniforms, brotherhood, and late-night entertainment.
Saturday Daytime Activities
The Regiment’s hospitality suite at Caliente Tropics will be available for afternoon cocktails, cigars, and socializing. Registered resort guests can also take advantage of the Caliente Tropics pool and spa.
SUNDAY, MARCH 7
AT EASE! THE REGIMENTAL LUAU & Pool Party
Private Residence will be disclosed after ticket purchase, 11am-4pm
Strip Down. Cool Off. Get Leid.
After two nights of demanding military maneuvers, even the Regiment’s most decorated officers deserve a little R&R.
Our weekend concludes with a tropical luau and Pool Party at a beautiful Palm Springs home.
We’ll trade the parade ground for poolside paradise, with island-inspired brunch fare, refreshing tropical drinks, sunshine, and plenty of opportunities to unwind among friends.
In keeping with the weekend’s playful shore-leave atmosphere, this will be a clothing-optional event, with camouflage, khaki shorts, military-inspired swimwear, and other creative interpretations of tropical military attire enthusiastically encouraged.
Whether you’re reporting in full tropical kit or taking the at ease command a little more literally, this is the perfect opportunity to relax, mingle, and celebrate another successful Regiment weekend.
NO INSPECTIONS. NO FORMATIONS. JUST GOOD MEN, GOOD DRINKS & TROPICAL WEATHER.
OUR TROPICAL HEADQUARTERS
CALIENTE TROPICS RESORT
411 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264
For this year’s deployment, the Caliente Tropics Resort is our official host hotel—a wonderfully appropriate setting that captures the nostalgic, mid-century Polynesian fantasy at the heart of our event.
We have obtained a substantially discounted block of deluxe King rooms for weekend participants, together with a dedicated REGIMENTAL HOSPITALITY SUITE, which will serve as our unofficial command post throughout the weekend.
The hospitality suite will feature a bar area and private cigar patio, providing a comfortable gathering place for Regiment members and guests to enjoy cocktails, socialize, and regroup between official festivities.
Other resort highlights include:
- A spacious swimming pool and spa for registered hotel guests.
- The Reef Restaurant & Tiki Bar, conveniently located near the pool, with atmospheric tropical decor and outdoor patio seating.
- A Mexican restaurant in the same complex.
- Beautiful views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Ample parking and a convenient location.
The resort is situated on East Palm Canyon Drive, just around the bend from downtown Palm Springs and only minutes from the Sunny Dunes gay nightlife district, including the Toolshed, Off Ramp Leathers, and Club 541. Koffi and Elmer’s Restaurant are also within walking distance.
With its retro Polynesian ambiance, relaxed desert atmosphere, and convenient proximity to our events, the Caliente Tropics offers a fitting headquarters for the Regiment’s tropical maneuvers.
WEEKEND PACKAGES & TICKETING
FULL WEEKEND SHORE LEAVE PACKAGE $175
One package covering admission to all three official Regiment events: Friday’s Uniform Play Party, Saturday’s Officers’ Mess, and Sunday’s Luau & Pool Party.
SATURDAY OFFICERS’ MESS TICKET $90
A separate dinner-only admission option for members and friends who are unable to attend the complete weekend but wish to participate in Saturday’s principal social gathering.
SUNDAY LUAU/POOL PARTY TICKET $50
A separate Luau/Pool Party-only admission option for members and friends who are unable to attend the complete weekend but wish to participate in Sunday’s final social gathering.
ROOM AVAILABILITY AND RESERVATION
Hotel accommodations will be arranged through our discounted room block. Deluxe King Size rooms are currently still available at $139 + tax/night. AFTER you have purchased a FULL WEEKEND SHORE LEAVE PACKAGE, you will be provided with the Hotel Discount Code. Reservations can then be made by calling the hotel front desk and providing the code.
Limited Accommodations: It is prudent to make your hotel reservation as soon as possible to avoid the possibility that the host hotel is sold out. Overflow options will be provided in that eventuality, but the Host Hotel will have superior pricing.
THE FINAL ORDER
For more than half a century, the Regiment of the Black and Tans has celebrated the traditions of uniforms, leather, brotherhood, and community.
DESERT MANEUVERS: TIKI SHORE LEAVE continues that tradition with a tropical twist: three days celebrating who we are, the friendships we’ve built, the uniforms we love, and the wonderfully mischievous spirit that makes the Regiment unique.
From the barracks to the Tiki bar, from polished leather to poolside paradise, this weekend will bring together the best of Regiment tradition and the escapist pleasures of a vintage South Pacific adventure.
SO PACK YOUR UNIFORMS, POLISH YOUR BOOTS, AND PREPARE TO REPORT FOR SHORE LEAVE. THE REGIMENT IS GOING TROPICAL.
Palm Springs. March 5–7, 2027.
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