Crystal Bay Casino

Situated on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, just a few feet from the California/Nevada stateline, Crystal Bay Casino offers gaming, lodging, fine dining, and some of Lake Tahoe’s best live acts—especially music.

Known as the “Epicenter of Lake Tahoe Entertainment” for good reason, Crystal Bay Casino has two great venues: the Crown Room for big shows and the intimate Red Room for smaller gigs and/or afterparties for Crown Room concerts. For those who’d prefer to walk to their room (we recommend it), the Border House has rooms with Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, luxurious linens, hi-def TVs, and more.

Crystal Bay Club

Opened in 1956 — initially as a seasonal resort that closed in winter — the Crystal Bay Club grew into a year-round casino and entertainment venue offering dining, lodging, and good times for visitors to the quieter North Shore of Lake Tahoe. 

Originally part of a retail development called Ta-Neva-Ho, the building sits just around the corner from the famous Cal-Neva Lodge (once part-owned by Frank Sinatra and frequented by JFK and… well, Marilyn Monroe) and what was the classic Tahoe Biltmore. While the Biltmore is a thing of the past and the Cal-Neva is stuck in developer limbo, the Crystal Bay Casino (formerly the Crystal Bay Club) soldiers on, offering an escape for those seeking to raise some decibels on their trip to the quieter side of the lake. 

Although the casino is delightfully not-massive, the showroom’s reputation is, thanks to being the place to play for a variety of funk, jam, reggae, and soul bands, including the California Honeydrops, Los Lobos, North Mississippi Allstars, Anders Osborne, and even the great country-rock troubadour Steve Earle. 

Visitors can stay in one of Border House’s 10 cozy guest rooms, which offer gas fireplaces, rustic, woodsy decor, and free parking 24/7. Dine at the Crystal Bay Club Steak and Lobster House for filet mignon, ribeyes, lobster tails, and other hearty throwback fare.