GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE: A LEGACY INSTITUTION

By Sarah Coleman

In 1927, George Pappas opened the Fayetteville brick-andmortar that is nationally known, George’s Majestic Lounge. As the oldest and longest-running club and live-music venue in Arkansas, George’s Majestic Lounge has nearly a century’s worth of history held within its walls. History-making, and often referred to simply as George’s, the venue has managed to shine a light on not only Fayetteville and northwest Arkansas, but also on The Natural State as a whole. The venue was the first bar to integrate in the late ῾50s, was the first bar in NWA to offer color TV and pizza delivery service, and has seen many notable figures walk through its doors.

According to co-owner Brian Crowne, the location began hosting live music on a regular basis in the early ῾70s, but was known for its social events, dances and music as far back as the ῾30s. While the venue is small, it has seen great talent leading to its success. Bands such as Florida Georgia Line, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Old Crow Medicine Show and Fitz and the Tantrums have played here, and solo artists like Pat Green, Sam Hunt, Eric Church, Leon Russell and Cody Johnson have all played on George’s stage.

Pappas, the original owner and namesake of the venue, sold his restaurant, bar and general store to Mary and Joe

Hinton in 1947. Mary Hinton owned the location until she decided to sell it to a couple who had their first date in the ῾50s at the hot spot, Dr. Bill Harrison and his wife, Betty. The couple maintained ownership until 2004, when they sold it to Suzie Stephens, who then sold the property to current owners Day and Brian Crowne. Brian also serves as vice president of the region’s primary concert venue, the Walmart AMP in Rogers.

Crowne understands the language of live music and has experience both as an artist and as a booking manager. Back in his live-performing days, he played happy hours and late nights at George’s, predating his ownership of the venue.

“My wife and I were fortunate enough to buy George’s in 2004. I think the ownership transitions of George’s Majestic Lounge are important because, as the fourth owners of the business over 95 years, it shows me that the owners cared about the business and the community,” Brian said. “I think that the longevity is why George’s still exists, and that’s something that I think is pretty cool.”

George’s Majestic Lounge has served countless people over the years and kept pieces of Fayetteville’s past on the walls of the establishment. Inside George’s, the Crownes have maintained a library of University of Arkansas yearbooks that dates back to 1906, preserving a piece of local — and state — history.

“I find myself asking ‘What if these walls could talk?’ a lot,” Crowne said. “Everybody from President Clinton to Don Tyson has visited this establishment and just a lot of legendary northwest Arkansas people have come through these doors to hang out.”

According to Crowne, there are always things that need to be done in order to stay relevant, especially in a business that has existed as long as George’s. However, Crowne believes that the consistency the venue has provided has helped make it unique and desirable for customers and artists alike.

“When I first started playing music here in late ῾89, we would play from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then come back and play a late night show,” Crowne said, explaining that the Friday night happy-hour concert has been tradition at George’s for approximately 45 years.

“We’ve continued that tradition by making it more of a headline concert that plays from 6 to 8. We have a lot of local bands that play those slots.”

The crowd at George’s varies depending on who’s playing, and Crowne said ages regularly range anywhere from 40 to 80.

“Our guests that were also guests under other ownership also experienced the same Friday night shows, and that’s been one of the traditions that we’ve maintained, even during times of transition, to keep continuity of experience,” Crowne said.

He also credits the success of the venue to the patron experience, which he and his wife work to keep consistent and exciting.

“Day and I have really tried to run this business thinking about what it’s like to be a patron, and we treat people the way we would want to be treated. I think about how George owned for 20 years and did the same. The patron experience has been consistent through all the owners, and that’s a major reason why people keep coming back.”

With George’s closed during the pandemic, Crowne said he realized just how important live music is to the community, and how much music means for well-being.

“Day and I are proud to be able to be part of offering our community something that we think is important to overall public health, and providing that opportunity to have an escape from reality through live entertainment,” he said. “People missed the interaction; they missed having the chance to stand in front of a band they liked, and it’s so fulfilling to know what it means to people. It’s something that my wife and I take seriously, and it’s cool to look at the sum of it all and see that we are making a positive impact, therapeutically, on the community while also making a really positive economic impact.”

Crowne also explained that George’s, and live entertainment venues in general, are a big part of what he refers to as the “night economy.” The night economy, in live music, brings the gig workers out to the area, provides staff with pay and tips and brings in tourists excited to see the show. But they also stay at hotels, eat at local restaurants and enjoy the community.

“It’s bigger than some people realize. It’s not just about putting on a show, but it’s also about the ripple effect of the entertainment economy and how far the ripples go to other industries,” he said.

As a legacy institution, George’s plans for the future are similar to what they have always been — remain relevant through booking bands and acts people want to see and hear.