MARK WAITE / PVT Patrons enjoy refreshment at the Valley Bar located on Gamebird Road near Vicki Ann Street. Advertisement

Valley Bar on Gamebird Road has been a local icon in the Pahrump Valley for many years and undergone a number of changes in both ownership and curb appeal. The most recent structural changes were completed June 16, 2007, giving the property a face lift and changing it from a small, crowded, two-room venue with a gravel parking lot to a 2,400-square-foot, open area with staging for karaoke, dancing, pool and cozy seating along free-standing counters and at tables. The bar, equipped with 15 additional gaming machines which Hallerman said have been "paying very well." The bar is well stocked with all the favorites and a friendly smiling bartender. The parking lot has been paved and landscaped.

The owners, Dan and Victoria George, purchased the property in 2003 and have put their son, Randy Hallerman, in charge of everyday management. Dan was an airline pilot and the venture was an investment after he retired. It was a first for them.

The family has taken its time in growing the business and is now ready to take one more step. Hallerman is in the process of offering additional services to the public. The old portion of the building is no longer in use. However, he is hoping to lease it to someone interested in food service or catering.

There is an additional option, which up until now has just been used by the bar. The outdoor patio has a built-in barbecue grill. The management sometimes uses it for personal parties and food service during poker runs and other benefit events. Hallerman said, "We would like to see that space used for parties like birthdays and anniversaries."

Valley Bar offers Friday and Saturday night "karaoke with Cowboy" beginning at 8 p.m. and continuing as long as people want to party. They also have an everyday happy hour which starts at 8 a.m. and continues through the day until 6 p.m. "The bucket of domestic beer (six bottles) for $12 is a mainstay for us," Hallerman said. "We have people in here all day long just for that."

There is a dart board off to one side and league pool nights are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hallerman said the bar is "the place for NASCAR fans." The races will start this weekend. During the season, Valley Bar has the NFL Ticket package so all the games are available for football fans.

Valley Bar is open 24-7 and located at 2101 E. Gamebird Road at Vicki Ann Street. To reserve the patio for an event or get more information, call 751-9898.