Bar Rescue

Bar Rescue
Genre	Reality
Created by	Darrin Reed
Directed by	Jay Hunter
Starring	Jon Taffer
Narrated by	P.J. King
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	34 (aired)
Production
Production company	3 Ball Productions
Original release
Network	Spike TV
Release	July 17, 2011 (2011-07-17) – present
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Bar Rescue is an American reality series that premiered on Spike TV on July 17, 2011. It stars Jon Taffer (a long-time food & beverage industry consultant specializing in nightclubs and pubs), who offers his professional expertise—at no charge—to desperately failing bars in order to save them from closing.

Overview

The series stars Jon Taffer, owner and chairman of bar/nightclub consulting firm Taffer Dynamics, Inc. Taffer is a bar and nightclub owner who has started, flipped, or owned over 800 establishments in a career that spans over three decades. Bar owners submit an application via the Spike TV website to have their failing establishment "rescued" by Taffer and his team of experts.

During a typical episode, Taffer and one or more members of his team perform reconnaissance (e.g., a team member pretending to be a patron) and surveillance (using "hidden" video cameras in the kitchen and customer service areas, pre-installed with the owners' consent) on a struggling bar to determine its operational and service weaknesses. Based upon these initial observations, Taffer then meets with the owner(s) and staff to discuss his findings, and to describe the specific changes that he insists must be made (e.g., management, customer service, work ethic, cleanliness) for it to become a surviving and thriving business. He also examines the bar's financial records to find possible cost savings. Taffer exhibits a boisterous, no-nonsense, and confrontational approach intended to shock and push the owners/workers into making drastic changes—not excuses—immediately. As people are naturally resistant to change, at different points along the way, members of the ownership and/or staff resist Taffer's new ideas, strategies, and tactics—which he presents on "my way, or, the highway"–type terms (even though the owners do not have to keep any of the changes the production company brings to their business, after filming ends).

Taffer's team members (who often massively overhaul the food and/or drink menus, too) train the staff on methods of improving their product prep, customer service, and efficiency skills. After the training, the bar is put through a "stress test" (similar to a soft opening) to determine how well the staff have mastered their newly learned skills, menus, and drink recipes—under the demands of a fully packed "house". For the stress test, Taffer brings in an overwhelmingly large number of locals to act as test-patrons; in many cases, the volume of customers is several times greater than the insufficiently small number of "regulars" that the staff is used to. Taffer uses market research, technological tools, and partner-companies to scientifically measure the bar's performance, and he discusses the stress test's results with ownership and staff. Next, he closes the bar for a few days, to allow design and construction crews to completely renovate the business for free (including, if needed, deep-cleaning the kitchen). Once the overhauled bar (often re-branded with a new name of Taffer's choosing, consistent with his customized marketing plan) is unveiled, he takes owners and staff on a grand tour of its new features, equipment, uniforms, etc. Taffer then observes how the staff and owners improve as he has them work a grand-re-opening shift, which is once again packed with eager patrons. The episode ends with an epilogue that usually takes place 4–8 weeks after re-launch. In it, owners and/or staff are interviewed to see if they have reverted to their failing ways, have gone out of business even with the rescue assistance, or have improved sales/profitability by staying loyal to Taffer's long-range business plan.

Production

The series is from The Biggest Loser producers J.D. Roth and Todd A. Nelson for 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks US. Spike announced picking up 10 episodes of Bar Rescue in January 2011. The show began shooting in April 2011. It was renewed on September 14, 2011 for a second season in the summer of 2012, from which the first episode of that season aired on July 29. Taffer has confirmed that Season 3 of the show began filming in late October 2012, with 20 episodes being prepared to premiere on February 10, 2013. On May 9, 2013, Spike TV renewed Bar Rescue for a fourth season of 20 more episodes.

Experts

• Jon Taffer - Host/Star/Bar Consultant
• Nicole Taffer - Host's Wife/Marketing/Bar Recon/Specialist
• Samantha "Sam" Taffer - Host's Daughter/Mixologist/Bar Recon/Specialist

Chefs

• Brian Duffy (Bar Recon Specialist)
• J.B. Brown
• Josh Capon
• Ron Duprat (Former Top Chef contestant)
• Eric Greenspan
• Brian Hill (Bar Recon Specialist & Former Top Chef contestant)
• Keith Jones (Bar Recon Specialist)
• Nick Liberato
• Aaron McCargo (Winner of the fourth season of Next Food Network Star)
• Evangelos "Spike" Mendelsohn (Former Top Chef contestant)
• Tiffany Derry

Whiskey Experts

• Peter O'Connor
• Keith Raimondi (Bar Recon Specialist)

Mixologists

• Jason Bran - Speed Mixologist (Bar Recon Specialist)
• Joseph Brooke
• Chris Cardone - Speciality of Flair Mixology
• Jenny Costa
• Russell Davis
• Elayne Duke
• Tobin Ellis
• Ricky Gomez - World Class U.S. Ambassador, Diageo
• Jen J
• Franky Marshall
• Joe Meyer
• Michael Tipps
• Terrelle Treco (Bar Recon Specialist)

Other experts

• Nancy Hadley - Concept/Interior Design
• Jessie Barnes - Service Trainer/Bottle Service/Bar Recon Specialist
• Anthony Curtis - Gaming Specialist/Professional Gambling
• Doc - Security Expert
• DJ Green Lantern - DJ Expert/Music Producer
• Deborah Maguire - Hospitality
• Fred Medrano - Karaoke Specialist
• Kat Munday - Service Trainer
• Gianluca Rizza - Comedy Expert
• Brian Van Flandern - Global Tequila Ambassador, Diageo
• Ed Warnick - Retired Health Inspector
• Owen Benjamin - Comedian/Comedy Expert

Criticism

Although most of the bars that are "rescued" go on to survival and success, some bars do not see the same results off-camera. Breakwall (from the season 1 episode, "Beach Bummer") closed in January 2012. Season 1's Swanky Bubbles, after reverting to its original title, has also closed its doors. The show's first rescued bar of season 2, Piratz Tavern reverted to its original pirate theme. Also, The Chicken Bone, Angry Ham's Garage, The Brixton and Zanzbar reverted to their original names. The Chicken Bone brought back its previously popular menu while Angry Ham's replaced unpopular items with previously popular items from its original menu. Season 2's Murphy's Law closed as well, but this was due to the owners deciding to sell out, not from going out of business.

Not all rescued bar owners have been happy with Taffer's makeovers. Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring, MD, quickly undid most of Taffer's drastic changes shortly after their episode was filmed. The unsuccessful pirate-themed bar was rebranded Corporate Bar and Grill by Taffer but the change was short-lived, as the bar was again going with the pirate theme by the time the episode aired. The owner even released a YouTube video of the new "Corporate" sign created by Taffer's team being burned in effigy. "If you had a pirate concept that had failed for five years and had a new concept, would you go back to the concept that failed for five years or try something new? It defies logic that someone would go back to a (failed) concept just because they don't like the new name", said Taffer of their decision.

Since then, the Piratz Tavern had another makeover funded by the Rebelos and attracted new customers since the episode aired. In return, owner Tracy Rebelo calls Jon Taffer an "idiot". She stated in the episode that she lived in the basement of her parent's house with her cook husband, Juciano, and their teenage daughter. However, she eventually moved the family to rent a place of their own. As of April 10, 2013, the bar is still open and Tracy stated that she would do reality television again despite the bad experience.

Episode guide

Season 1 (2011)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Bar name	Location	Original air date
1	1	"Fallen Angels"	Angel's Sports Bar	Corona, California	July 17, 2011 (2011-07-17)
Jon heads to California to help an bar whose general manager has been so hands off, he's caused so many problems that badly affected the owner's reputation. New Name: Racks Billiards & Bourbon
2	2	"Downey's and Out"	Downey's Irish Pub	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	July 24, 2011 (2011-07-24)
Jon goes to Philadelphia to help a one time chef regain his confidence and backbone in his failing pub. New Name: N/A
3	3	"Shabby Abbey"	The Abbey Pub	Chicago, Illinois	July 31, 2011 (2011-07-31)
When the brothers of a legendary pub feud over how management is running it, Jon must step in and get them on the same page. New Name: N/A
4	4	"Beach Bummer"	Kilkenny's Irish Pub	Redondo Beach, California	July 31, 2011 (2011-07-31)
A pub in California with a tough and rude manager and owners who won't do anything about it, gets help from Jon. New Name: Breakwall
5	5	"Swanky Troubles"	Swanky Bubbles	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	August 14, 2011 (2011-08-14)
When a once successful bar suffers from an owner blindsiding his partner by offering free drinks and harassing women, Jon must get his partner to set him straight before the bar shut down. New Name: Sheer
6	6	"The Blue Frog Sings The Blues"	The Blue Frog 22	Chicago, Illinois	August 21, 2011 (2011-08-21)
When a mother's bad habits get in the way of her relationship with her son and running ther bar, Jon must convince her to give up her habits before the damage is done. New Name: The Local
7	7	"Bad To The Bone"	The Chicken Bone	Framingham, Massachusetts	August 28, 2011 (2011-08-28)
Jon has his work cut out for him when he confronts an owner whose bad decision making, and inability to trust his manager threatens to ruin his bar and finances. New Name: The Bone (modernized version of old name)
8	8	"Chumps"	Champs Sports Pub	Burbank, California	September 11, 2011 (2011-09-11)
Jon helps a once iconic bar that suffering from the owner being neglectful and blaming his inexperienced staff for the problems. New Name: N/A
9	9	"Bar Fight"	The Canyon Inn	Yorba Linda, California	September 18, 2011 (2011-09-18)
Jon helps a baseball player turned owner update his dive bar but not without some opposition. This is the first bar to not have either a stress test or a soft opening. New Name: The Canyon Saloon (modernized version of old name)
10	10	"Hogtied Ham's"	Angry Ham's Garage	Framingham, Massachusetts	September 18, 2011 (2011-09-18)
Jon heads to Massachusetts to help a failing garage themed bar that includes poor decoration placement, an owner who treat his employees as friends and can't have a liquor license due to two of the owners having past D.U.I. New Name: Octane

Season 2 (2012)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Bar name	Location	Original air date
11	1	"Yo-Ho-Ho and a Bottle of Dumb"	Piratz Tavern	Silver Spring, Maryland	July 29, 2012 (2012-07-29)
Jon visits a failing Maryland tavern where the owner and staff are reluctant to let go of the cheesy pirate theme, despite it slowly killing the business. New Name: Corporate Bar & Grill
12	2	"Tiki Curse"	The Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	July 29, 2012 (2012-07-29)
Jon has serious work to do in Florida when the owner's lack of a backbone has allowed not just staff members to walk over him, but also caused short tempers with other staff and a bar that's slowly falling apart New Name: Bamboo Beach Club & Tiki Bar (modernized version of old name)'
13	3	"Murphy's Mess"	J.A. Murphy's	Fell's Point, Baltimore, Maryland	August 5, 2012 (2012-08-05)
Jon goes to Baltmore to help two frat brother owners who don't know how to properly run a bar including one whose arrogant and abrasive attitude have cost them key staff members. This is the second bar to not have either a stress test or a soft opening. New Name: Murphy's Law
14	4	"Mystique or Murder?"	Mystique Lounge	West Palm Beach, Florida	August 12, 2012 (2012-08-12)
Jon helps two club promoters who took over a once popular bar whose reputation is badly tarnished by not just a murder that took place a few years back, but also poor management, declining conditions, and a promoter who brings the wrong people. New Name: Aura Nightclub
15	5	"Bottomless Pit"	The Olive Pit	Orange, California	August 19, 2012 (2012-08-19)
When the owner's bad drinking and actions to women threatens to shut down a long running dive bar, Jon must get his daughter to step up and take over. New Name: The O.P (modernized version of old name)
16	6	"Brokeback Black Sheep"	The Black Sheep	Cheviot, Ohio	August 26, 2012 (2012-08-26)
Jon has a long list to complete at Cheviot when he helps a bar owner who is too busy with his jobs to keep his Irish-German pub in check and has over $800,000 in loans that his family doesn't know about. New Name: The Public House
17	7	"Weber's of Lies"	Weber's Place	Reseda, California	September 9, 2012 (2012-09-09)
Jon's attempts to refurbish a former strip-club-turned-bar in California are complicated by an untrained staff, a head bartender who steals from the till, and a kitchen serving dangerously undercooked food. New Name: Weber's Rum Bar & Grill (modernized version of old name)
18	8	"Owner Ousted"	Win, Place or Show	Fairfield, Ohio	September 16, 2012 (2012-09-16)
A former navy man who can't run his bar properly and lets his partner/musician run wild has Jon doing a serious tactic in an attempt to save the owner's bar. New Name: America Live
19	9	"On the Rocks"	Rocks	Laguna Niguel, California	September 23, 2012 (2012-09-23)
Jon has some major hurdles to get over to rebuild a once popular bar that fell from grace due to a recent change in laws has caused major decline, but has fierce resistance with regular customers who scare away women. New Name: Power Plant
20	10	"Bikini Bust"	Extremes	Orange, California	September 30, 2012 (2012-09-30)
When an owner's early success gets over his head and causes him to get drunk and let the staff become divided, Jon must get him back to reality before his once successful bar closes down. New Name: Second Base

Season 3 (2013)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Bar name	Location	Original air date
21	1	"Turtle on Its Back"	Turtle Bay	New Orleans, Louisiana	February 10, 2013 (2013-02-10)
Jon heads to New Orleans to give a recently opened a major overhaul when he notices no identity, lackluster management and questionable food practices. New Name: Spirits on Bourbon
22	2	"Rock N Roaches"	Headhunters	Austin, Texas	February 17, 2013 (2013-02-17)
Jon tries to save a roach-infested bar and deals with a stubborn owner. This is one of the few rescues that Jon did not thank the owner for his help. New Name: Metal and Lace
23	3	"Bro's Got to Geaux!"	TJ Quills	New Orleans, Louisiana	February 24, 2013 (2013-02-24)
Jon has a lot of work to do when he helps an owner and his frat brother friends who recently purchased a hangout notorious for bartenders who drink on the job and for serving people with fake I.D.s. New Name: The Annex
24	4	"Tears for Beers"	The Brixton	Austin, Texas	March 3, 2013 (2013-03-03)
Jon has more than just a bar to fix when he helps a couple, where the husband is belligerent insulting customers, and not knowing how to make proper drinks, which threatens to derail everything they worked hard for. New Name: Rocket Room 6
25	5	"Empty Pockets"	Zanzbar	Denver, Colorado	March 10, 2013 (2013-03-10)
Jon gets more than he bargins for when he has a face off with a very prideful and stubborn owner who is desperate to keep his bar alive after a car crash a few years back ruined its success when his old staff failed to control it while he was recovering. ' New Name: Solids & Stripes
26	6	"Jon T, He Don't Like It"	The Kasbah	Aurora, Colorado	March 17, 2013 (2013-03-17)
Jon goes to work for a reformed night club that used to cater to an older crowd, forced to accommodate to the younger, more hyper customers. The security poses massive issues of safety while the bartenders' service suffers. New Name: N/A
27	7	"In a Pinch"	Lona's Wardlow Station	Long Beach, California	March 24, 2013 (2013-03-24)
Jon works with a nice but passive owner whose poor decisions, including putting in a controversial animal crane game, has caused her bar to hit the rocks. New Name: Lona's City Limits Cantina (modernized version of old name)
28	8	"Karaoke Katastrophe"	Dimples	Burbank, California	March 31, 2013 (2013-03-31)
When America's first karaoke bar is facing closure, Jon decides to go hands on to help this historic establishment. New Name: N/A
29	9	"A Horse Walks Into a Bar"	Kid Chilleen's Badass BBQ	Black Canyon City, Arizona	April 7, 2013 (2013-04-07)
Jon heads to the Arizona desert to help a family owned bar whose members drink on the job and allow animals to enter the bar doing questionable acts. New Name: Chilleen's on 17 (modernized version of old name)
30	10	"Meat Sauna"	Stand Up Scottsdale	Scottsdale, Arizona	April 14, 2013 (2013-04-14)
Jon journeys to a comedy club, and he must assist the business with achieving more laughter and securing a larger amount of profit from the customers. New Name: Laugh Factory
31	11	"Don't Mess with Taffer's Wife"	Sand Dollar	Las Vegas, Nevada	July 7, 2013 (2013-07-07)
A Las Vegas bar owner tries to pick up Jon's wife, leaving Jon in a frenzy and tough predicament. He also has to get the owner partner to become a manager, get a new sound to attract more people and loosen gambling rules in their games. New Name: Bar 702
32	12	"Don't Judge a Booze by its Bottle"	Cashmere	Raleigh, North Carolina	July 14, 2013 (2013-07-14)
Jon learns that a North Carolina nightclub has an immature and partying manager and is refilling premium liquor bottles with cheap alcohol and must get the owner to hold him and his empolyees accountable to save his bar. New Name: Duæl (The third letter is a superposition of "a" and "e", making the name both "Dual" and "Duel")
33	13	"Two Flew Over the Handlebars"	Handlebar Cafe	Pawcatuck, Connecticut	July 21, 2013 (2013-07-21)
Jon tries to get two partying sisters to stop binge drinking in order to save a biker bar. New Name: Handlebar and Grill (modernized version of old name)
34	14	"There's No Crying in a Bar Business"	Barlow's Bar and Grill	Tucker, Georgia	July 28, 2013 (2013-07-28)
Jon must put an end to a feud with two owners, whose bitter resentment towards each other is allowing their staff to get way with theft, drinking on the job, and constant fighting at their failing sports bar. Note: This is the first time that a female is helping with food New Name: The Comeback
35	15	"Play. Some. Janet. Jackson!"	Gipsy	Las Vegas, Nevada	August 4, 2013 (2013-08-04)
Jon looks to save Las Vegas' first gay nightclub from its verbally abusive and intoxicated owner. New Name:
36	16	"Characters Assasination"	Characters Quarters	Garner, North Carolina	August 11, 2013 (2013-08-11)
Jon deals with a Yankee family who is having trouble adapting to a more Dixie enviroment. New Name:
37	17	"Corking the Bunghole"	22 Klicks	Hope Mills, North Carolina	August 18, 2013 (2013-08-18)
Jon puts a bar's owners through a personal bar boot camp to attract local military personnel. New Name:
38	18	"A Bar Full of Bull"	TBA	TBA	August 25, 2013 (2013-08-25)
Jon tries to help two siblings from wasting their father's retirement with a rickety mechanical bull in a New England whaling community. New Name:
39	19	"Beer and Loathing in Las Vegas"	TBA	TBA	September 9, 2013 (2013-09-09)
New Name:
40	20	"Barely Above Water"	TBA	TBA	September 15, 2013 (2013-09-15)
New Name:

Notes:

External links

• Official website
• Bar Rescue at IMDb