Downtown Bakersfield has a new heartbeat—a place where neon lights flicker, guitars wail, and the legacy of country music comes alive night after night. Welcome to Rooster’s Honky Tonk — a labor of love, a tribute to Bakersfield’s musical soul, and a symbol of revival brought to life by two longtime friends: Seven Oaks resident Russell Johnson and David Brust. 

 

“Russell is one of my dearest friends,” says David. “I was in his wedding 19 years ago.” They crossed paths at a men’s charity called the Active 20-30 Club, similar to Rotary for those under 40. 

 

“We became really good friends and have been friends ever since,” shares David. Russell chimes in, “David and I used to work together as well. At one point, he was my boss,” he laughs. ‘I love him like my brother.” Over the years, their friendship has been strengthened by a shared love for country music—an appreciation that spans decades and has helped lay the foundation for Rooster’s Honky Tonk. 

Bakersfield was once the epicenter of a musical revolution. Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, along with a circle of local legends, crafted the unmistakable "Bakersfield Sound," a raw, twangy counterpoint to Nashville’s polish. That sound echoed through oil fields, cotton farms, and dusty honky tonks. But with time, the music began to fade, and the venues disappeared. 

 

David, who had spent years championing Kern County tourism, couldn’t let that happen. “Outside of the Crystal Palace, we didn’t have a consistent place to catch live country music,” he says. David, who worked as the sales manager at KUZZ for 7 years, knows country music and its potential. “Bakersfield had the opportunity to be the Nashville of California—and we let it go.” 

 

It took a trip to Nashville to reignite the dream. Walking down Broadway, surrounded by live music pouring from every bar, David saw what Bakersfield could be. He returned home with a fire in his soul. He brought the idea to his old friend Russell Johnson. Russell didn’t hesitate: “I’m in, dude.” 

 

Russell recalls what he was feeling when David brought him the idea. “I remember listening to country music in my dad’s car as a kid. Later, when I worked for County Supervisor Mike Maggard during the Oildale Centennial, I felt that passion all over again. That celebration put an exclamation point on what Buck and Merle meant to Bakersfield.” 

 

During the Centennial, Merle Haggard returned to town with Marty Stuart and gave a special presentation at Cal State Bakersfield. “He told stories about growing up in Oildale, what it was like writing his songs, and being part of the Bakersfield country music scene. Then he and Marty started playing music live. It was electric—every person in the room felt it, from students to folks who grew up listening to Merle.” 

 

That memory was still alive when David sat in Russell’s office and pitched his idea. “I didn’t even hesitate,” Russell says. “That identity—what makes Bakersfield Bakersfield—we needed to take that and run with it. Rooster’s became a way to bring that living history back every night in downtown.” 

 

In launching Rooster’s, they had to find the perfect fit. They searched high and low for the right location—some places would have taken a year or more to renovate. Then, fate stepped in. A downtown bar called Gatsby’s was ready to sell. On June 15, 2023—coincidentally, 615 is Nashville’s area code—they signed the lease. That date marked the birth of Rooster’s Honky Tonk. 

 

The building, originally Wickersham Jewelers, dating back to 1910, needed some work. But within 19 days, the friends opened the Eye Street Pub on July 5, followed by Rooster’s Honky Tonk on September 13. The transformation was fast, furious, and full of grit—just like the Bakersfield Sound. 

 

Rooster’s is more than a bar. It’s a temple of twang. With over 30 tequilas and whiskeys, local beers, and signature cocktails like the Cock-a-Doodle-Rita, the drinks flow freely—but the music is the heartbeat. 

 

Live country music fills the air, from local legends to international acts. A massive photo of Buck Owens performing at the Blackboard Café in 1955, gifted by his nephew Mel Owens, hangs proudly on the wall—a tribute to where it all began. 

 

“Country music is Bakersfield’s true identity,” David says. “It’s what makes us different. It’s who we are.” 

 

Rooster’s isn’t just for country purists. It’s for everyone. The crowd is diverse, and the atmosphere is welcoming. People who never thought they liked country music come for the live experience—and stay for the community. 

 

Musicians are treated like royalty, with a top-tier sound system, green room, and warm hospitality. David himself runs the soundboard most nights. “We wanted a place where artists would love to play,” he says. And they do. Acts traveling from Texas, Arizona, Nashville—even Italy—now make Rooster’s a regular stop. 

 

Opening night featured local talent Joe Peters, and the energy was electric. In fact, even actor Ethan Hawke chose Rooster’s as a filming location for a Merle Haggard documentary. 

 

Rooster’s has become more than a destination—it’s a spark. Russell and David recently purchased Cask Strength Bar and Kitchen, a whiskey bar with a food menu, just around the corner. By the time you’re reading this, Cask Strength will have been transformed into their newest venture, Rooster’s Cantina—a lively blend of Mexican-inspired cuisine, talented mixologists, live music, and nonstop energy. Their dream? A fully walkable downtown scene where music pours out of every door. 

 

“We’re trying to walk the line between honoring the legends and staying relevant,” Russell says. “So far, I think we’re doing a pretty good job.” 

 

They’re not just reviving a sound—they’re reviving a city. “We love Bakersfield,” David adds. “It’s in our bones. The people here are kind, warm, and real. That’s what makes this place special.” 

 

Russell remembers one night standing in the green room, looking down at the crowd as a young woman belted out “Neon Moon.” The room was alive. The moment was magic. 

 

David dreams of the day one of Rooster’s regulars goes on to sell out the Rabobank Arena. “That would mean we did our part,” he says. “That we kept country music alive in Bakersfield.” 

 

In a town still known for oil and agriculture, the music is rising again. Thanks to Rooster’s Honky Tonk, the Bakersfield Sound has a home—and a bright future. And every twang of a guitar string, every stomp of a boot, and every note sung on that stage keeps the story going. One night at a time. 

 

Want to learn more? Check out their website, roostershonkytonk.com. Or stop in for yourself at 1531 19th Street in Bakersfield.