Fame-filled Crystal Palace, owned by the legendary Buck Owens, shuts down in Bakersfield, following nearly 30 years of operation.
The Crystal Palace: A Bakersfield Landmark Closes After Three Decades
The Crystal Palace, a renowned honkytonk venue in Bakersfield, California, has closed after three decades of operation. This iconic establishment, founded by country music legend Buck Owens in 1996, served as a cultural hub for the Bakersfield country scene.
The Crystal Palace was more than just a venue; it was a landmark for country music culture and a rite of passage for performers touring the West Coast. Over the years, it hosted nearly every major country music star, including Owens' own band the Buckaroos, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, and The Chicks.
Buck Owens, who settled in Bakersfield in 1952, was inspired to create the Crystal Palace after visiting legendary venues like the Crazy Horse Saloon in Santa Ana and the Palomino Club in North Hollywood. Construction took about two years starting in 1994, with Owens personally overseeing various changes to realize his vision of a combined museum and dinner club celebrating country music and the Bakersfield sound.
The Crystal Palace housed a museum dedicated to Owens' life and featured the iconic "Bakersfield" arch that was relocated there. The venue was also the site of memorable moments, such as Garth Brooks proposing to Trisha Yearwood during a performance in 2005.
Despite its significance and devoted fan base, the Crystal Palace closed in 2025. Factors contributing to its closure included the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a shrinking market for medium-sized music venues on the West Coast, financial losses from limited operating days, and the advancing age of the Owens family members managing the foundation that owned it.
The closure was met with grief and calls from fans and musicians alike to preserve the legacy of this Bakersfield institution, which played a vital role in promoting the Bakersfield sound and country music nationwide. Jim Shaw, a longtime member of the Buckaroos and director of the Buck Owens Private Foundation, expressed his sadness and hope that someone might buy and maintain the Crystal Palace.
The Crystal Palace, a significant part of country music in Bakersfield, California, will be missed by fans and musicians alike. Its closure marks the end of an era for the Bakersfield country scene, but its legacy lives on in the hearts of those who experienced its unique charm and the unforgettable performances that took place within its walls.
[1] Bakersfield Californian: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace to close after 28 years [2] Los Angeles Times: Garth Brooks proposes to Trisha Yearwood at Crystal Palace [3] Rolling Stone: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace to Close After 28 Years [4] Associated Press: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace closes after 28 years [5] NPR: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace Closes After 28 Years
- The Crystal Palace, a staple of Bakersfield's nightlife, was known for hosting a myriad of country music stars, offering a unique blend of entertainment and music that resonated with its devoted fans for three decades.
- The Crystal Palace, in its heyday, served as a crucial platform for country musicians, providing a vibrant stage for esteemed performers like Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, The Chicks, and Buck Owens' band the Buckaroos.
