Get The Smoke Report
A slab of dry-rubbed ribs with baked beans and greens, a Drifters shirt behind it
A slab of dry-rubbed ribs on a plate with red sauce, a side of beans and greens
A cook in a camo shirt and gloves works a brisket on a trailer smoker
Three sliders in a paper-lined basket with coleslaw, pickles and red sauce
Smoked wings in a paper-lined basket with orange dipping sauce and pickles
A slab of dry-rubbed ribs with baked beans and greens, a Drifters shirt behind it
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.
A slab of dry-rubbed ribs on a plate with red sauce, a side of beans and greens
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.
A cook in a camo shirt and gloves works a brisket on a trailer smoker
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.
Three sliders in a paper-lined basket with coleslaw, pickles and red sauce
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.
Smoked wings in a paper-lined basket with orange dipping sauce and pickles
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.
A bowl of shredded meat with pico de gallo, black beans, avocado, sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.
A shake with chocolate drizzle held up in front of a Drifters shirt
Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.

Ribs at Drifters BBQ. Photo: Drifters BBQ, provided by the owner.

TN3260

Hickory-smoked barbecue · Five Points

Drifters BBQ

Hickory barbecue and live music in Five Points since 2009.

Owner verifiedQ&A with owner Josef Gutzmirtl ↓

DirectionsMenu
MenuCall

Josef Gutzmirtl

Owner of Drifters BBQ in 5 Points, East Nashville. He bought the spot about 3 years ago.

Owner Q&A

Answered in writing on Oct 30, 2026. Spelling, grammar and punctuation fixed. Added words are in [brackets]. Nothing else changed.3

From the owner · In Josef’s words

If a first-timer orders one thing, what should it be?
The ribs, for sure. They are a neighborhood favorite. Newcomers also like our Nashville hot chicken.
What's the story of the spot?
I bought the business 3 years ago from the original owner. I was the one who named it Drifters BBQ, because there are so many people that move from other places to reside in Nashville.
How did you get started?
My name is Josef Gutzmirtl. Drifters has been open for 17 years in 5 Points, East Nashville.
What wood do you burn, and what's your style?
We use hickory. St. Louis-style ribs. Dry rub, and we make our own sauces.
Read all 5 answers

Loading…

Which other spots nearby or anywhere in Tennessee do you respect or send people to?
  • Beyond The Edge
  • Boston Commons
  • 5 Points Pizza
  • Middle Ground Coffee
  • I Dream of Weenie

Why go

Drifters opened in 2009 in an alley by the Five Points intersection in East Nashville, with live music on a heated outdoor stage.2 The building took a direct hit in the March 3, 2020 tornado, and the spot came back after repairs.2

Owner Josef Gutzmirtl bought Drifters about 3 years ago from the original owner.3

What to order

  • A slab of dry-rubbed ribs on a plate with red sauce, a side of beans and greens

    St. Louis-style ribs

    Dry rub. Owner Josef Gutzmirtl's pick for a first-timer, and a neighborhood favorite.

    Source: Drifters BBQ (owner)3
  • A mason jar of red sauce labeled Nashville HotPhoto: Drifters

    Nashville hot chicken

    The owner says newcomers like it too.

    Source: Drifters BBQ (owner)3
  • A mason jar mug of red sauce labeled Sweet FirePhoto: Drifters

    Sweet with Fire sauce

    Made in house like all their sauces, and one of the most popular.

    Source: Drifters BBQ (owner)3

Good to know

  • Happy hour

    Mon to Fri, 2 to 6pm: 2 for 1 beers and well drinks. Wed and Sun: 2 for 1 beers all day.3

  • Free live music daily

    Local bands on the patio stage.23

  • Trivia

    Wednesday nights.3

  • Takeout, delivery and catering

    Delivery is through third-party apps.3

What we don’t know yet

We only publish what we can source. Here’s what’s missing.

  • Prices
  • Cash or card

Been here? Send a photo

Near Five Points

Distances are straight-line miles from Drifters, not driving distance.

Nearest trail: Nashville in a Weekend, about 1.9 miles away.

Related guides

Photo: Kaldari, Public domain
City guide · Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Barbecue, Explained

Where critics and locals agree, by style and neighborhood, plus a one-day route, food trucks and sell-out tips.

9 min read15 sourcesUpdated Oct 24, 2026

Own Drifters BBQ? Get a Featured partner listing (paid)

Share this pageFacebookX

Follow BBQ Trail GuideFacebookInstagramPinterestX

Researched by Erik Peterson, sources linked below.

Sources (3) · every fact on this page links to one
  1. Home · Drifters · Checked Oct 27, 2026
  2. About · Drifters · Checked Oct 27, 2026
  3. Owner claim and interview, owner Josef Gutzmirtl · Drifters BBQ (owner) · published Oct 30, 2026 · checked Oct 30, 2026

We don’t publish our own scores. Partner listings are always labeled and never change what we recommend. Hours change, so check before you drive.

DirectionsCall