This dataset contains measurement data from drag comparison experiments over rough, smooth, and partly rough walls in turbulent flows. A Taylor–Couette apparatus was used for the experiments, of which the inner cylinder was made rough by attaching sandpaper belts to it. By varying the width (indicated by s/d) of the sandpaper belts, and also the corresponding spacing between two belts, an axially varying pattern of a rough-smooth surface was created. The drag reducing effect of air bubbles is studied for the different surface roughness configurations. See readme.txt file for more information regarding the dataset.