The Dirty Drummer Introduce
A true slice of Phoenix history, The Dirty Drummer is far more than just a bar and grill—it’s an iconic "eatin' and drinkin' place" that has been a staple in the Valley since 1975. Located in East Central Phoenix, this establishment successfully carries the torch of its original, multi-location legacy, now operating as the last and most beloved venue. Reopened and revitalized by the original co-founder's daughter and her partners in 2019, The Dirty Drummer honors its roots by maintaining a wonderfully Casual and Historic atmosphere while embracing the modern Phoenix social and music scene.
The atmosphere inside is a deliberate nod to the bar’s best years in the 1970s and '80s, featuring classic wood paneling, amber lighting, and vintage memorabilia that gives it a distinct, cozy, and nostalgic 'honky-tonk' feel. It operates with a strong, friendly neighborhood spirit, proudly identifying as women-owned and highly welcoming to all crowds, including being explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly. The menu is a celebration of essential American comfort food, perfectly paired with an impressive selection of drinks, making it a reliable spot for Lunch, Dinner, and the crucial Late-night food run. It’s a perfect convergence point for sports fans, music enthusiasts, and anyone simply craving a great burger and a cold beer in a genuine Arizona setting.
In keeping with its community-focused ethos, accessibility is well-addressed to ensure a comfortable visit for all guests:
- Mobility Access: The bar and grill features a Wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated Wheelchair accessible parking lot, a Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating, facilitating effortless access for patrons with mobility needs.
- Parking Convenience: Guests will appreciate the ease of parking, with both a Free parking lot and Free street parking available, which is a significant amenity in a popular urban area.
- Restroom Facilities: The bar provides a Gender-neutral restroom in addition to the standard facilities, reinforcing its commitment to being an inclusive space for all.
- Food Service: Serving delicious Comfort food for Lunch, Dinner, and Brunch, the kitchen is noted for its ability to deliver Fast service, even for the satisfying Small plates and Quick bite options. The kitchen famously serves Food at bar, and they offer Late-night food, ensuring you never go hungry, no matter the hour.
- Dining Flexibility: Guests can enjoy the classic bar and grill experience with traditional Dine-in and Table service, or opt for Takeout for meals on the go. An unusual but welcoming feature is that Outside food allowed is noted as a dining option, although patrons are encouraged to try the house specialties.
- Full Bar Service: The Bar onsite offers a complete selection of Alcohol, including a Great beer selection, Hard liquor, Cocktails, and Wine. The menu highlights a variety of both domestic and craft beers, specialty cocktails (often named after classic Phoenix landmarks), and affordable house wine.
- Deals and Happy Hour: The bar promotes a popular Happy hour drinks and Happy hour food from 2 PM to 6 PM, with deals such as domestic beers for $5 and craft beers for $7. They also offer a tempting 'domestic beer + shot + bag of chips' deal.
- Entertainment Bookings: The bar is heavily invested in community entertainment, offering a comprehensive calendar of events, including Live music (mostly country and Americana, but also alternative and touring national acts), Live performances, Karaoke, Bar games, and Trivia night.
- Iconic Phoenix History: As "the last of 14 locations, and a real piece of AZ history," the venue holds a significant place in the hearts of long-time Phoenicians. The effort to restore the original decor, including the unearthed bar top and vintage aesthetics, creates a unique, authentic Historic atmosphere.
- Premier Live Music Venue: The addition of a dedicated stage in the renovated space has made The Dirty Drummer a major supporter of local and touring acts, specializing particularly in the Americana, Honky Tonk, and Roots Country genres. This commitment to Live music and Live performances ensures a constantly fresh and engaging night out.
- Dedicated Sports Viewing: It remains a quintessential sports haven, with a big projector for playing games and several smaller TVs dedicated to Sports viewing, upholding its original identity as a participant-focused sports hub.
- Exceptional Bar Food Quality: The food is a major draw, known for being "above 'just decent' bar food." The menu features the famous WINGS—available in eight flavors like HOT, TERIYAKI, and GARLIC PARMESAN—and excellent 'DRUMMER BURGERS,' including THE IMPOSSIBLE DRUMMER BURGER for plant-based diners. The starters, such as Fried Zucchini and Mozzarella Sticks, are highly popular comfort classics.
- Commitment to Inclusion: The establishment’s designation as LGBTQ+ friendly and its hosting of diverse events like country dancing and Pride celebrations solidify its status as a genuinely welcoming 'clubhouse' for all groups and backgrounds.
- Unique Drink Offerings: Beyond the domestic staples, the bar offers a curated selection of Great cocktails and craft beers, including local favorites like 'tower station' on tap, and the fun 'Mystery Beers' for $4.
Address: 2303 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Phone: (602) 840-2726
Mobile Phone: +1 602-840-2726
The fact that it is women-owned and highly LGBTQ+ friendly speaks to its welcoming, community-first approach, ensuring everyone feels comfortable. The reliable combination of Fast service, delicious, affordable food, excellent Happy hour drinks, and a palpable sense of Phoenix nostalgia makes The Dirty Drummer an essential stop in the East Central Phoenix bar scene. It’s the kind of genuine neighborhood spot that truly embodies the 'eatin' and drinkin' place' moniker, making it a reliable and fun destination for Groups, Solo dining, or a perfect date night.
The Dirty Drummer Menu
WINGS: choice of HOT (Buffalo), TERIYAKI, HONEY HOT, BBQ, GARLIC PARMESAN, RED GOLD, DRY RUB, MILD, MEDIUM
- Hot Wings $13.00
A dozen juicy hot wings served with carrots & celery and blue cheese or ranch. Get them grilled for $1.50.
DRUMMER BURGERS All burgers served with lettuce, tomato, onion, & pickles. Chips, fries, tater tots, side salad, or celery & carrots.
- THE DRUMMER 1/3 LB BURGER $8.50
Fresh, lean specially ground beef delivered daily, prepared the way you like them, flavored with wine.
- CHEESE DRUMMER 1/3 LB BURGER $9.50
with cheddar, swiss, pepperjack, or american cheese
- SUPER DRUMMER 2/3 LB BURGER $12.50
grilled with cheese in the middle
- THE IMPOSSIBLE DRUMMER BURGER $12.50
awesome vegan burger
SANDWICHES - With chips, fries, tater tots, side salad, or celery & carrots w/ ranch. On whole wheat, rye, white or sourdough bread.
- French Dip Sandwich $11.00
Hot roast beef and melted swiss cheese ona toasted french roll, served with hot au jus.
- Pastrami Reuben $11.00
Hot pastrami, melted swiss cheese, 1000 Islanddressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye.
- DRB $11.00
Roast beef, melted swiss cheese, horseradish mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion & pepperoncinion sourdough.
- BLT $9.00
Grilled bacon, crisp lettuce, tomato and mayo on your choice of toasted bread. Add choice of cheese for $1 or avocado $2
- Grilled Cheese $7.00
Your choice of cheese, grilled on yourchoice of toasted bread. Add green chili, tomato, onion, or avocado for $1ea
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich $11.00
Shaved ribeye smothered with sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers & coveredwith melted swiss cheese.
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich $11.00
Grilled chicken breast with your choice of wing sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle.Add cheese .75
- The Whaler $10.00
Beer battered cod with spicy tartar sauce, meltedamerican cheese on a toasted roll. Served with a side of spicy cocktail sauce.
- Tuna Melt $10.00
Traditional tuna melt with choice of melted cheese and your choice of bread with grilledtuna and sautéed onions.
STARTERS
- French Fries $5.00
- Spicy Fries $5.50
- French Fries with Bowl of Nacho Cheese $7.00
- Tater Tots $5.00
- Chicken Strips $9.00
served with fries
- Onion Rings $6.00
- Fried Zucchini $7.00
House-made
- Fried Mushrooms $7.00
- Combo Fried Zucchini & Mushrooms $7.00
- Small Dinner Salad $5.00
- Veggie Plate $6.00
Served with Ranch
- Veggie Platter $12.00
Served with Ranch
- Bag of Chips $1.25
- Chips & Salsa or Navarro's Hot Sauce $6.00
- Cheese Crisp $6.00
- Nachos (cheese & tortilla chips) $6.00
- Mozzarella Sticks $7.00
Served with Marinara or Ranch
- Jalapeño Poppers $7.00
served with strawberry chipotle
- Hot Pretzel Bites $5.00
served with buffalo cheese sauce
SALADS: choice of Ranch | Blue Cheese | Italian | 1000 Island Champagne Vinaigrette | Oil & Vinegar
- Dinner Salad $7.00
Mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, shredded cheese. Add grilled chicken for $4
- Grilled Chicken Salad $13.00
Marinated chicken breast, tomatoes,sliced red onions, cucmbers, avocados,blue cheese crumbles, croutons,on a bed of mixed greens.
BE FRANK 1/4 lb. Hebrew National Hot Dog - Choice of Relish, Sauerkraut, Onions, Pickles
- 1/4 LB Hot Dog $7.00
add cheese .75
FISH & CHIPS
- Beer battered cod served with fries and a side of tartar sauce. $13.00
The Dirty Drummer Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Bar games
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Karaoke
- Live music
- Live performances
- Serves local specialty
- Sports
- Trivia night
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Dancing
- Food
- Food at bar
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
The Dirty Drummer Photos










The Dirty Drummer Location
The Dirty Drummer
2303 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
The Dirty Drummer Reviews
live musicdive barbandsportsbbq chicken wingstvspool tableshappy hourvalleyfrench dip
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1They have some good beers on tap and fast service (to be fair it was pretty slow when I stopped by though) happy hour is 2 to 6 they no longer do it from 12 to midnight. They have church music and tower station on tap which is a bonus for me. Domestic beers are 5 dollars and craft beers are 7. They have a domestic beer + shot + bag of chips for 8 dollars but they were out of chips when I stopped by. They do mystery beers for 4. Also their menu mentions mini pints of beer which they don't really do anymore the bartender said. They have a big projector for playing games and several smaller TVs. They play live music which the bartender said is mostly country but also alternative sometimes. I didn't try the food so I can't speak on that but it looked pretty good and they have daily specials.
October 06 · Corey GStopped in for sustenance, food was delicious, although I'm not a fan of the sprinkled cheese on fried mushrooms/zucchini, I'll have to remember next to ask for without, servers were very friendly and efficient, amazing atmosphere, watched a bit of The Goonies.
August 15 · Cheryl HarveyMy husband plays baseball from 7-10pm once a week and it’s always a bit hard to find dinner that late that tastes good. We tried Dirty Drummer for the first time and our pastrami sandwich and fries were delicious! Service was great and the vibe was lively. Will return again for live music and more food. Kinda cool that the cook is behind the bar, too. Keep in mind, the music is very loud so conversations must be yelled in order to hear. Lol.
July 12 · Tena ValentiGreat lunch spot! The service is great and the wings are AMAZING! Get them wings Grilled for sure. We sat at the bar and man does this place get busy. Burger tuesday is a great deal. I loved the history our bartender Shay shared with us about the joint. We will be coming back. Thank you Dirty Drummer!
October 14 · Pricilla GutierrezThis place has a decent atmosphere, but overall, it's just another typical bar/restaurant that wishes it was cooler than it really is. We only came here because they have Guiness on tap.The decor is typical, and they have a solitary pool table. I've never been there for music, but they have a small stage right in front of their huge screen.The servers were nice, but not very fast. They were not very busy when we were there and took a long time. Food prep was also slower than average.We ate and drank all kinds of stuff. Burgers and tots, fish and chips, and different kinds of wings. Drank beer and sasparilla. The burger was good but mediocre, and the tots a little overdone. The fish and chips was bad. The fish was way overcooked, so much so that my buddy wouldn't even eat his. I chewed my down, but it wasn't nice. The wings were definitely the best part, with teriyaki and dry rub being our favorites. The draft sasparilla was a nice touch, but be warned it doesn't get refills like the other sodas.If you go, expect bar food and you can probably be happy. Prices are okay, which makes it doable. Wings are a guarantee, but other stuff is just not that amazing. At the end of the day, you won't miss a thing if you go somewhere else.
May 16 · Anthony Howard
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