Trout’s & the Blackboard Stages

I have been to and known of Trouts since it was the roughest, toughest, fist fighting, honky-​tonk in town, and that’s saying something given our Oildale redneck reputation. But, that was then and this is now. Last night I took some of my out of town friends to show them the iconic landmark where Merle Haggard and Buck Owens started their careers. I was surprised to find a clean, will laid out bar and dance floor with line dancing on one side and music for the older county fan mixed in with the current hits on the other side. My friends and myself loved this reinvented landmark and dance until 2:00pm. If you like country music, in a bar setting, a lot like Gilleys, but smaller, it is time to revisit Trouts. Pleasantly surprised. Larry «O»

This bar is located in Oildale, which is an older part of town. This bar is a little divey, but they are doing a bit of renovating, so I have a lot of hope for it. It’s a decent sized place. I have attended the line dancing lessons, west coast swing on Friday night, and the karaōke on Friday nights and I have had a very enjoyable experience every time. I am not a big drinker, but I hear from friends that the drinks are reasonably priced. Definately worth hanging out. Always a various group of people.

I come to Trouts each Friday evening with my dance group. We have a blast! I wish people would give Trouts another chance.
It is a fun safe location and nothing like in the old days when bar fights were the norm. The $ 5.00 cover, starting at 8pm, has really made a difference in the patronage. Now it’s people who are out to have fun without a bunch of trouble.
The owner is very personable and tries to make sure each person who comes in has a good time. I also like the fact that he makes sure women leaving on their own are escorted to their car by an employee.
Live music, dancing galore, drinks, and friends every evening… what more can you ask for?

this place is full of country music history. good people and great drinks. when im there its a real party! there is so much always going on .line dance lessons. karaōke .always some country star popping in for a show!!! BEST HONKY TONK I KNOW!
BTW.I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE. TROUTS IS TO MUCH FUN TO GO ELSEWHERE.

Rockwell is a typical big fish in a small pond. He has a serious King Bee complex.

Two of the best dance floors in all of California! Line Dance lessons from 7pm to 9pm every Tuesday through Thursday. I’m here at least 3 nights per week and oftentimes more. Karaōke 7 nights per week. Live music 7 nights per week. It’s just the best honkey-​tonk that I’ve seen for hundreds of miles in any direction! The history of the place is incredible, even featured on a TV show interview of Merle Haggard. Why only four stars, then? No food, although you can have pizza delivered, which I oftentimes do. The building is also old and needs some major upgrades: painting, insulation, electrical, air conditioning just to name a few. During the summer, it can get incredibly hot inside, especially if you’re dancing. Even with those negatives, though, I highly recommend the place! I’m a big fan.

If you’re looking for the last of the original Bakersfield honky tonks, Trout’s is probably it. Don’t be fooled by the dead and drab façade, I think most people use the back door by the parking lot. How many places even HAVE a back door anymore?
It’s actually two clubs in one. If I understand correctly, the «right» side does karaōke and I think dancing. The left side is the newer Blackboard Stages where the excellent live «Bakersfield Sound» music happens. Reasonable prices: nice sized PBR drafts are $ 4.
I never made it to the Crystal Palace, but I expect that’s a whole lot less authentic and more slick «House of Blues”-style than a real honky tonk.

I have been back to trouts a few times in the last 7 months and feel I need to change my review. Every one has a bad night! As for the unfriendly bar tenter she has been wonderful. Trouts has something for every one. If you like Karaōke, Pool, Dance lesson, Live music and 2 big dance floors. Trouts has it all. If safety is a factor because it’s in oildale. I have been to other places and I feel safer at Trouts!!! The owner of Trouts has done and is still doing some amazing things for our community. So let’s show our support to Trouts the last true Honky Tonk and the Bakersfield sound! Go check it out. You’ll have a great time.

Rockwells, Trouts & the Blackboard Stages is located in the heart of Historic Oildale CA. It is one of the last & largest honky tonks in the San Joaquin Valley. Rich in music history, the walls are lined with tons of Country Music memorabilia, autographed photos & guitars. Best of all, the place is opened 365 days a year! Dozens of activities are scheduled every week from concerts to karaōke, line dancing to pool & a mechanical bull! «TROUTS» was founded in 1031 by Ralph Trout, and is lovingly operated by Rockwell, who is hands down more than just a club owner. Always looking sharp, this «renaissance» man takes a personal pride in the preservation of an unique Bakersfield landmark through muisic, stories and people.
For for over 13 years, Rockwell has provided more than just great service and entertainment. He is a promoter of upcoming local musicians & artists, providing a platform of encouragement. Classic artists of many genres have graced the «Blackboard Stages» at an affordable ticket value all thanks to this leader’s keen business sense & networking know-​how. His friendly & generous personality allows him to become involved in many levels of activity in Kern County & beyond. His motto? «Building and Bridging Bakersfield». Every Friday at 8am, he hosts an early morning business forum complete with free food & drinks. Many local business owners & others come together, along side the huge dance floor, creating a positive network of ideas. Rockwell is also a strong supporter for many charities, local businesses & political causes and does so with the spirit of the Golden Empire (as Kern County is often referred) Too many projects to list!
Rockwell wakes up at the crack of dawn and on many occasions does not get to sleep until the next morning because of one one project or another. His determination to help others through his business, is the driving source to his seemingly endless energy. His inspiration is contagious. If you haven’t ever been to «Trouts» stop on by soon, treat your self to a refreshing drink & meet some new friends. While you are enjoying the music and practicing your two-​step, remember to ask for Rockwell. Shake his hand & say «thanks» ! Just look for the slick dresser in the cowboy hat. =)

I LOVE this bar…
For the dancing! They have line-​dancing lessons EVERY Tuesday/​Wednesday/​Thursday from about 7−9PM. Tuesday starts pretty easy the dances get harder later in the week.
It’s very fun, especially if you’re a country fan! Who doesn’t love dancing to music they can also sing along to!
I don’t drink much here, but the couple times that I’ve ordered a beer, I’ve had no problems. I’ve never been here past 10PM or on the weekends so I can’t comment on those nights.

Rockwell continues the tradition of Bakersfield sound with a modern twist! Rockwell books great acts, supports local business and provides entertainment and options for all. Come out and enjoy the multitude of events and get involved in building Bakersfield. The place is an iconic honky tonk full of treasures from the pat and present — worth a trip!

Most white trash bar I’ve ever been to in my life. (And that’s saying a lot.)

Trouts is a living piece of Bakersfield music history right in the heart of Oildale. I’ve heard that it began as a jazz club and then became one of the homes of the Bakersfield country music sound, but I’m not really sure about all the details. I’ll have Rockwell school me on them one of these days and then rewrite this review to more accurately reflect the history.
What I do know is that since Rockwell took it over some time ago (10 – 11 years?) it has become the place to go in Bakersfield for all types of activities. There are over 130 activities and events going on there every month. There are line dance lessons. There is karaōke. The Kern River Blues Association plays there all afternoon every second and third Saturday of the month. The Blackboard Playboys, the house band, plays there several nights a week, and visiting bands take the stage periodically too. There are two different sides to the bar, both with dance floors that will have different types of music playing at the same time. There are a number of different music groups that meet and play downstairs. There are pool tables on both sides of the bar and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some league type billiards competitions there. I’ve even been to birthday parties and wedding receptions there. Within the last year, they’ve even added a mechanical bull several nights a week. There are multiple things going on every night (and day) of the week!
Yes, I know it’s in Oildale so some uninformed people think it must not be safe. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m there at least once or twice a week, sometimes more, and I feel perfectly safe there. There are surveillance cameras in the parking lot and around the building and bouncers in case of trouble, but in over eight years of coming here regularly I’ve never seen a fight or even a serious argument take place. It may have been rough at sometime in the distant past, but since Rockwell took over that’s all changed. There is a $ 5 cover charge if you arrive after 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday evenings (keeps the riff raff out) but it’s free the rest of the time.
There is a family feel about this place; there are many different types of people who make this place their second home. I went to a Catholic high school and a women’s college back East and I feel that this little community has welcomed me just as much as they would have had I been an oilfield worker. Nobody cares who you are, where you came from, how much money you have, or what your do for a living. Around Christmas time last year, Rockwell started making dinners and handing out free food to anyone who showed up; we enjoyed homemade chili, baked potatoes with all the trimmings, frito boats smothered in chili and all kinds of good stuff.
I started coming here for the dancing. Rockwell has two of the best dance floors in all of Bakersfield, and he has bent over backwards to make them available to the dancers. I am a dance instructor, and I’ve never hesitated to recommend this honky tonk as the best place in town for my students to practice. Rockwell even gave us the floor for several hours a week and lets us play all our own music, even — gasp — rock, pop, blues, and hip-​hop. And now my friends and I will stop in just to hang out, listen to one of the bands, hear our friends sing karaōke or watch people ride the bull. There is always so much going on here it’s never boring!
Here are some links to videos of dancing at Trouts 1)
2)

So get down off your high horse, drop those stereotypes you so love to label people with, and come on down and check this place out.
Rockwell will leave the light on for you!

Was greeted by a dark hooded figure sunglasses, leather jacket. It was Kind of scary if your not used to Bakersfield folk but we went in for Karaōke Sunday night. Not a big crowd but everyone was really nice there was a great selection of music to choose from and great sound. Don’t let the looks of this place intimidate you. The people really are great and lots of fun!

I had discovered Trouts by Facebook and discovered the owner Tom Rockwell had deep routes to my hometown in Sonora, CA. In addition I
learned of the history that this honky tonk went back to the 40’s and having the love of country music, I placed Trouts on my 2011 bucket list. Hopped on Amtrak in Modesto, took the local bus and spend my evening on 11−11−11 at Trouts.
What a discovery, live music 7 day’s per week, gifted musicians and a crowd from young to old that shared a evening of dancing, playing pool, singing and many regular patrons telling me their appreciation of Rockwell
in his passion to deliver music, entertainment and share with the world
the country sound from Bakersfield.
Rockwell said it well. «The Country is What We Live»
Do yourself a favor, jump of Amtrak, pull off 99, or put on your bucket list a visit to Trouts.
You will be glad that you did.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages is one of those places in North Bakersfield (Oildale) where you’ll find out a lot about old country music days in the southern Central Valley.
You’ll hear stories about old time country music legends. You’ll meet a few too if you time it right. And Tom Rockwell, who is the owner, will talk your ear off as he tells you the history of the place.
It’s an old honky tonk under constant renovation with big paintings of music legends, a huge wooden dance floor, and another bar with another stage in the original part of the bar.
There’s even a cable access TV show that Rockwell films out of Trouts. My kids were on the show busting out some fiddle, guitar and singing. That was fun.
I wish they had food here, but they don’t. They do have catered meals if you contact ahead of time and let them know the size of your group.
If you go to Trouts, the old days are over. But the atmosphere and the storytelling you get from having a drink in such a historic bar is well worth a visit if you’re passing through town.

This is The LAST honky-​tonk left in Bakersfield. And it’s the BEST country bar BY FAR. For me its MY favorite. Disregard all the hub-​bub people say about Trouts and Oildale. If you want a good place to dance, have a beer or shoot the bull, this is it. Best bartenders in town as well. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

A good ol Okie bar. The only thing preventing a 5 Star rating is the lack of Original Coors on tap. That addition would make this a GREAT ol Okie bar! Trout’s is an Oildale landmark. Great place for a cold beer, some darts and general shenanigans.