Drum Stage Bar
This venue was located at 444 Wabasha Street in St. Paul.
The Proprietor in 1944 was Al Coleman.
Image from State Fair Program, 1948, courtesy David Black
October 13, 1948
Sometime in 1949, the proprietor became William Steinman, according to The Musician.
August 28, 1949
October 29, 1949
DRAG SHOWS END THE DRUM
The Female Impersonator show was apparently popular enough to bring back, and had been running for eight days before the police had had enough and shut it down on November 8, 1949. Church and civic leaders had objected to “improper songs and the nature of the act.” (Minneapolis Star, November 9, 1949) What were Church and civic leaders doing at the Drum Bar, anyway?
Sometime before May 1950, the Drum’s location became the new spot for Heinie’s, which was then renamed Alary’s. Confused? Join the club.
Music ain’t linear. Especially in St. Paul.