The Dirty Drummer

The wood-paneled walls, the open grill behind the bar, the jukebox packed with Merle, Willie, Waylon, and the Hanks: There’s much to love about The Dirty Drummer. Maybe its most lovable quality, though, is its origin story. The first location of this sports bar, honky-tonk, and music venue at 44th and Oak streets was opened in 1975 by Frank “Drummer” Armstrong and his partner, “Dirty Dave” Werner. Armstrong died in 2012, and the original Drummer closed in 2018. But the following year, the former owner’s daughter, Dana Armstrong, along with business partners Andrew Smith and Tom Bernard, reopened the spot with a strong nod to the Drummer of yesteryear. Armstrong is the creator of Valley Fever, a DJ night of Arizona country that started in 2005 at Yucca Tap Room. She’s brought much of that outlaw ambiance to The Drummer. Here, patrons are encouraged to play some George Jones, order a Drummer Burger, and tip back a house beer — Miller Lite.