Bar Rescue

Bar Rescue
Genre	Semi-Reality
Created by	Darrin Reed
Written by	Tim Hoffmann
Directed by	Jay Hunter
Starring	Jon Taffer Tim Hoffmann
Narrated by	P.J. King
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	68 (aired) (1 removed and 6 specials)
Production
Production company	Eyeworks USA
Original release
Network	Spike
Release	July 17, 2011 (2011-07-17) – present
Related
Hungry Investors

Bar Rescue is an American reality TV series that premiered on Spike 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 plus renovations and equipment —at no charge— to desperately failing bars in order to save them from closing. In the UK, the show airs on 5*, starting from January 8, 2014.

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.

A typical episode begins with Taffer's team performing reconnaissance and surveillance on a struggling bar to determine its operational and service weaknesses. For the recon, one or more team members and/or local residents enter the bar, order food and drinks to gauge their quality, and form an opinion of the atmosphere and service. The surveillance involves hidden cameras, pre-installed with the owner's consent, through which Taffer and his team watch the kitchen and customer service areas. He then introduces himself to the owner(s) and staff to discuss his findings, and to describe the changes he believes should be made (management, customer service, cleanliness, etc.) in order to make the bar profitable. He also examines the bar's financial records to find possible cost savings. During these meetings, Taffer exhibits a brusque, no-nonsense, and confrontational attitude intended to goad the owner(s) and staff into making drastic changes to the way the bar is run - including the firing of inept or dishonest employees when necessary.

Taffer's team members train the staff on methods of improving food/drink preparation, customer service, and efficiency, frequently concentrating on a more limited selection of recipes than the bar typically offers. After the initial training, Taffer puts the bar through a "stress test" (similar to a soft opening), inviting in a large crowd of patrons in order to determine how well the staff can use their newly learned skills to deal with the pressure of a busy night. He uses market research, technological tools, and partner companies to scientifically measure the bar's performance. After discussing the stress test's results with owners and staff, Taffer meets with his experts to begin devising a new concept for the bar.

The experts put the staff through a second, more extensive phase of training, overhauling the menu to fit the new concept. Once this phase is complete, Taffer and Tim Hoffmann closes the bar for a few days so that construction crews can redesign the interior. Deep-cleaning and structural work are performed when necessary. After the overhauled bar (often re-branded with a completely new name or a variation of the old one) is unveiled, Taffer takes the owners and staff on a tour to point out its new features. During the grand re-opening, he observes the overall improvement as a large crowd again packs the bar.

An epilogue segment describes the changes in the bar's success or failure since the re-opening, through a combination of text and interviews with the owners and staff. Bars are not required to keep the changes that Taffer implements; some have reverted to their original names, concepts, and/or menus since being featured on the show. Some have since closed, or changed ownership.

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.

On March 21, 2014 Spike TV ordered 20 more episodes of Bar Rescue. Season 4 debuted on October 5, 2014.

On June 27, 2014, Jon Taffer announced on his Facebook page that he will be begin shooting 30 episodes for Season 4 after a week long trip to Paris. The fourth season premiered on October 5.

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

• Kevin Bludso - BBQ Chef
• J.B. Brown - BBQ Chef
• Josh Capon - Host of Frankenfood
• Brendan Collins - Chef on MTV's House of Food
• Tiffany Derry - Judge on Hungry Investors/Former Top Chef contestant
• Brian Duffy - Bar Recon Specialist
• Ron Duprat - Former Top Chef contestant
• Jason Febres - Former contestant on Guy's Grocery Games/Chef at Taste and See in Wichita, KS
• Tony Gemignani - 8 Time World Pizza Champion/Bar Recon Specialist
• Eric Greenspan
• Brian Hill - Bar Recon Specialist/Former Top Chef contestant
• Keith Jones - Bar Recon Specialist
• Anthony Lamas - Latin Culinary Chef
• Nick Liberato - Chef/Restaurateur
• Aaron McCargo Jr. - Winner of the fourth season of The Next Food Network Star
• Spike Mendelsohn - Former Top Chef contestant
• Frank Pinello - Pizza Expert/Bar Recon Specialist
• Eric Regan - Food Truck Expert
• Stretch - Culinary Expert/Fabricator
• Celina Tio
• Vic Vegas

Mixologists

• Jason Bran - Speed Mixologist/Bar Recon Specialist
• Joseph Brooke
• Chris Cardone - Specialty of Flair Mixology
• Adam Carmer - Beer Expert/Owner of Freakinfrog in Las Vegas, NV
• Jenny Costa
• Russell Davis - Bar Recon Specialist/2012 Mixologist of the Year
• Tony Devencenzi
• Elayne Duff
• Tobin Ellis
• Raul Faria
• Rachel Ford - Tanqueray Brand Ambassador, Diageo
• Scott Ford
• Trevor Frye
• Kate Gerwin
• Ricky Gomez - World Class U.S. Ambassador, Diageo
• Jen J
• Lisamarie Joyce - Bar Recon Specialist
• Franky Marshall - Bar Recon Specialist
• Mia Mastroianni
• Joe Meyer - Bar Recon Specialist
• Kat Munday - Service Trainer
• Peter O'Connor - Whiskey Expert
• Keith Raimondi - Whiskey Expert/Bar Recon Specialist
• Michael Tipps
• Terrelle Treco - Bar Recon Specialist
• Brian Van Flandern - Global Tequila Ambassador at Diageo
• Phil Wills - Bar Recon Specialist

Other special experts

• Jessie Barnes Hyatt. - Service Trainer/Bottle Service/Bar Recon Specialist
• Owen Benjamin - Comedian/Comedy Club Expert
• Steve Blovat - Health Inspector
• Anthony Curtis - Gaming Specialist/Professional Gambler
• Doc - Security Expert
• Sal Ferro - Contractor
• Ken Gillie - Inventory Control Specialist
• Dave Gravino - Owner of Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House/Consultant
• Dominique Kelley - Choreography Expert
• DJ Green Lantern - DJ Expert/Music Producer
• Nancy Hadley - Concept/Interior Design
• Deborah Maguire - Hospitality Expert
• Fred Medrano - Karaoke Specialist
• John Naddour - Hookah Expert
• Gianluca Rizza - Comedy Club Expert
• Brandy Starr - Hospitality Expert
• Ed Warnick - Retired Health Inspector
• Nikhil "Nik" Kundra - Partender (Food & Bar Inventory in 15 Minutes) Specialist
• Monica Kundra - Partender (Food & Bar Inventory in 15 Minutes) Specialist

Criticism

Although most of the bars featured on the show go on to survive and succeed, some bars do not see the same results off-camera. The changes the show made to Downey's Irish Pub, featured in the July 24, 2011, episode "Downey's and Out", were not enough to prevent a planned sheriff's sale on August 2, 2011, due to $2.4 million owed to the city of Philadelphia and Wells Fargo bank, including $125,881 in business-privilege, wage, liquor and other taxes. Breakwall (from the season one episode, "Beach Bummer") closed in January 2012. Season one's Swanky Bubbles, after reverting to its original title, has also closed its doors. The show's first rescued bar of season two, Piratz Tavern reverted to its original pirate theme. Also, The Chicken Bone, Canyon Inn, Angry Ham's Garage, Weber's Place, 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 two's J.A. Murphys was sold by the owners shortly after the makeover, becoming a Mexican restaurant. Stand Up Scottsdale reverted to its original name due to problems with becoming a franchise of The Laugh Factory.

Not all rescued bar owners have been happy with Taffer's makeovers. Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring, Maryland, 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 and shot at in effigy called Piratz Revenge which was heavily disliked by YouTube viewers and currently has only a positive rating of 4%. "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.

Rocket 6 in Austin, Texas, reverted to its old name, The Brixton, 6 weeks after its relaunch. The owner continued his use of social media to insult critics that was documented in the show, although the bar was not closed.

The Rocky Point Cantina in Tempe, Arizona closed after a repaint of the bar triggered a code inspection, which uncovered years of modifications to the building that had been completed without building permits. The bar owner opted to close the bar rather than bringing his building up to code.

Lawsuit

Jon and Nicole Taffer, along with the show's production company Bongo LLC, have been sued by Dr. Paul T. Wilkes from Bar 702. In the episode the bar and it's staff were featured in, Paul is shown to hit on Nicole and Jon yells at him in retaliation. However, he claims that in reality that the producers ordered him to be sleazy and make offensive comments on women and texted him to "Hit on Mrs. Taffer hardcore!!". After he did so, instead of "setting him straight", the doctor claims that Taffer allegedly called the control room to tell them to have a drink near the spot where he intended to confront Dr. Wilkes, so he could throw it in his face and said to a colleague "Now I'm going to show you why my show is Number One". Dr. Wilkes then claimed that Jon Taffer came in to confront him and showed him footage of his audition tapes where he insulted the way Jon dressed. Jon then grabbed the drink in his hand, threw it in his face, and smashed the cup in his face. Jon then spit in his face and tore off his shirt so violently that buttons ripped off his shirt. Jon then picked up the second drink that was planted and threw it in Dr. Wilkes face. After that, Jon swung at Dr. Wilkes' head with his electronic tablet and turned around to get his coat. Dr. Wilkes thought Taffer was going for a weapon, so he tried to restrain him and was punched in his left jaw by him. Jon Taffer began hyperventilating and collapsed on the floor with the entire attack was caught on camera. As a result of this attack, Dr. Wilkes suffers from emotional distress and things such as migraines, nausea, vomiting, night terrors, crying spells, severe depression, and anxiety attacks. There is currently no update on the lawsuit.

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 a 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 brothers who own 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 the partner to set him straight before the bar shuts down. Note: This is the first episode where the bar reverted back to its old name at the end of the episode. 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 their 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 decisions and inability to trust his manager threaten 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 suffers 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. Note: This is the first bar to not have either a stress test or a soft opening. It is also the second bar to revert back to its old name during the epilogue, when the owner changed the name of "Canyon Saloon" back to the "Canyon Inn". 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 owners and staff are reluctant to let go of the cheesy pirate theme, despite it slowly killing the business. Note: For the recon in this episode, Jon brought in the owners of The Chicken Bone, featured in the seventh episode of season 1. Also, this is the 3rd bar to change back to its old name. 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 not only allowed staff members to walk all 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 Baltimore to help two frat brother owners who don't know how to properly run a bar, including one whose arrogant and abrasive attitude has cost them key staff members. Note: This is the second bar to not have either a stress test or a soft opening; the bar was structurally unsound. New Name: Murphy's Law (modernized version of old name)
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 drinking and behavior toward 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	"Broke 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. Note: This episode was dedicated to Yvette Taffer (1924-2012), Jon Taffer's mother. 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, which fell from grace due to a recent change in laws, 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 goes to 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. Note: For the recon in this episode, Jon brought in the owner and general manager of Angel's Sports Bar (re-branded as Racks Billiards & Bourbon), featured in the first episode of season 1. New Name: Second Base

Season 3 (2013-14)

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 bar a major overhaul when he notices no identity, lackluster management and questionable food practices. Note: For the recon in this episode, Jon brought in the bar manager and kitchen manager of The Black Sheep (re-branded as The Public House), featured in the sixth episode of season 2. 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 where 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, the husband of which is belligerent, insulting to customers, and doesn't know how to make proper drinks, which threatens to derail everything they worked hard for. Note: This is the fourth bar that reverted back to its name at the end of the episode. New Name: Rocket Room 6
25	5	"Empty Pockets"	Zanzbar	Denver, Colorado	March 10, 2013 (2013-03-10)
Jon gets more than he bargains 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 at a reformed night club that used to cater to an older crowd, but was 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 running motorcycles and horses inside, creating health hazards for the customers. 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, where he must assist the business with achieving more laughter and securing a larger amount of profit from the customers. Reverted back to original name of Stand Up Scottsdale. New Name: The 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 Nicole, leaving Jon in a frenzy and tough predicament. He also has to get the owner's 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 who is refilling premium liquor bottles with cheap alcohol, and must get the owner to hold him and his employees accountable to save his bar. New Name: Duæl Ultra Nightclub (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 the Bar Business"	Barlow's	Tucker, Georgia	July 28, 2013 (2013-07-28)
Jon must put an end to a feud between two owners, whose bitter resentment towards each other is allowing their staff to get away with theft, drinking on the job, and constant fighting at their failing sports bar. Note: This is the first time a female chef expert is helping with the food aspect of a bar. 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. Note: This is the first episode whose epilogue specifically states that the bar has closed down since Jon's visit. In this case, the owner expressed his belief that the overhaul was a mistake, then closed the bar two days after its relaunch. New Name: SBLV (South Beach Las Vegas)
36	16	"Characters Assassination"	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 environment, mostly because the brother is a hot-head who verbally insults his family and staff, and the other members wear ridiculous costumes to support one of the worst concepts Jon has seen to date. The episode also had a flashback to the infamous Piratz Tavern episode. New Name: Moonrunners Saloon
37	17	"Corking the Hole"	Cliques	Hope Mills, North Carolina	August 18, 2013 (2013-08-18)
Jon must humble an arrogant and condescending U.S. Marine/bar owner who bulldogs his employees and fails to capture the local military personnel due to poor design choices. New Name: 22 Klicks
38	18	"A Bar Full of Bull"	Libad's Bar & Grill	New Bedford, Massachusetts	August 25, 2013 (2013-08-25)
Jon tries to help two siblings who are wasting their father's retirement with a rickety mechanical bull, get hold of their inexperienced, over-pouring bartenders, and help them recover from a family loss that had the owners closing the kitchen, in a New England whaling community. Note: This is the first episode where the owner watches the recon of the bar with Jon. New Name: Libad's Seaside Tavern (modernized version of old name)
39	19	"Beer and Loathing in Las Vegas"	The Hammer	Las Vegas, Nevada	September 8, 2013 (2013-09-08)
Jon helps repair the strained relationship of two classically trained chefs who have a blue collar bar in desperate need of help. New Name: Hammer & Ales (modernized version of old name)
40	20	"Barely Above Water"	Marley's on the Beach	Warwick, Rhode Island	September 15, 2013 (2013-09-15)
Jon tries to save a marriage and a bar by splitting one bar into two, but has trouble with an inexperienced staff, including a good, but frustrated cook, and the husband not doing anything to help. First time the landlord and rival business owner appear as part of the recon team. New Name: St. Michelle's Beach Club
41	21	"Crappy Cantina"	Rocky Point Cantina	Tempe, Arizona	October 6, 2013 (2013-10-06)
Jon must do a reality check on a bar whose oblivious owner, ill-conceived death metal theme, and filthy bathrooms are driving away the college-age crowd. Note: For this episode, Jon's experts assess the problems in the bar without him being there. He stays outside and watches footage of their visit, then enters after the staff has cleaned the bar. New Name: Havana Cabana
42	22	"Jon of the Dead"	The Underworld Grill & Bar	Las Vegas, Nevada	October 13, 2013 (2013-10-13)
Jon encounters poor food service, tacky decor, and deep distrust between employees and management as he tries to save a Halloween/horror-themed bar run by two former rockers. New Name: The End
43	23	"Grandpa Got Run Over by His Grandkids"	Kerry's Sports Pub	Las Vegas, Nevada	October 20, 2013 (2013-10-20)
Jon confronts a bar owner's adult grandchildren, whose lax oversight of inventory and money handling have brought the bar close to failure. Note: This is the second episode where the bar owner watches the recon with Jon. New Name: Bacon Bar
45	25	"Drunk & Dirty Dolls"	The Alibi	Las Vegas, Nevada	November 3, 2013 (2013-11-03)
A motorsports bar's female-unfriendly theme and its employees' vulgar behavior - including heavy drinking on the job and display of a sex doll - prompt Jon to push the owner to reassert control over the business. New Name: Garnet Lounge
46	26	"Empty Bottles Full Cans"	MT Bottle	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	November 10, 2013 (2013-11-10)
A Tennessee bar without a liquor license has severe sanitation problems in the kitchen and basement, female bartenders who routinely flash their breasts at customers, and an owner who has a reputation for ingenuity yet leaves all the hands-on work to his wife. New Name: Bottles & Cans
47	27	"Hole in None"	Fairways Golf & Grill	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	November 17, 2013 (2013-11-17)
Surveillance on a golf-themed bar reveals terrible sanitary conditions and incompetence in the kitchen, which is run by the owner's friend, that threaten to ruin the owner's investment, unless Jon can get the borderline-oblivious owner to take control and fix things up. New Name: Brew U
48	28	"Music City Mess"	BoondoxXx BBQ & Juke Joint	Nashville, Tennessee	November 25, 2013 (see note)
A country music snob with an explosive personality turns to Jon for help. Note: The episode was originally supposed to air on November 24, 2013, but was replaced with an encore after the owner was accused of fatally shooting a patron, and then claimed the shooting was in self-defense. However, it aired unintentionally three hours later in a late-night "encore slot" due to technical or human error. New Name: Pit & Barrel
49	29	"Brawlin' Babes"	Long Shots Sports Bar	Grain Valley, Missouri	December 8, 2013 (2013-12-08)
Jon must help a sports bar's owner and staff overcome long-held infighting, poor training, and a lack of publicity and promotion in order to succeed against the local competition. New Name: Badlands Country Nightclub
50	30	"Twin vs. Twin"	R.G.'s Lounge	Independence, Missouri	December 15, 2013 (2013-12-15)
When a personal feud between twin brothers threatens the future of the bar they own, one brother's son calls Jon in to save the business. Note: The son of one brother, who is also the nephew of the other brother, works with Jon ahead of time to give him inside information on the bar's problems in addition to watching the recon. New Name: BARcode
51	31	"Hostile Takeover"	O' Banion's Bar & Grill	Bellevue, Nebraska	March 9, 2014 (2014-03-09)
When an owner's heavy drinking and loud antics threaten the bar's fortune, Jon must get the owner's brother and his best friend, who together hold a majority stake, to overrule him and act to save the bar. Note: Two of the three co-owners join Jon to watch the recon of this bar. This is also the first episode where he performed a hostile takeover. New Name: Sorties Tavern
52	32	"Critters and Quitters"	KC's Bar & Grill	Merriam, Kansas	March 16, 2014 (2014-03-16)
Jon must make a members-only club into an asset, but has trouble with a carefree owner and his aloof son, bartenders who over-pour, a manager who is set to take over but has little power, and a raccoon infestation that poses a major health hazard. Note: After turning the bar around, Jon was presented with a raccoon hat and a membership card for the bar. New Name: Johnson County Line
53	33	"Punch-Drunk & Trailer-Trashed"	O'Face Bar	Council Bluffs, Iowa	March 23, 2014 (2014-03-23)
Arguments and fights among a bar's owners and staff leave Jon wondering if he even wants to attempt to rescue it. Note: After breaking up a fight and witnessing the owners arguing and abusing the staff members, Jon advised the owners to seek professional counseling and left without completing the rescue. He stated that he did not want his name associated with the bar, as it would ruin his reputation, and felt that any changes he made to the bar would quickly be undone by the owners. This is the first time in his career that he has walked away from a bar rescue. New Name: N/A
54	34	"Scoreboard to Death"	Scoreboard	Norwalk, California	March 30, 2014 (2014-03-30)
Jon is joined by celebrity guests Maria Menounos and Adam Carolla as he takes over a failing sports bar, wrangles with an incompetent owner, whose father owns the building as a whole, and undertrained staff. Note: Menounos and her fiancé/AfterBuzzTV co-creator Kevin Undergaro go undercover for the recon of this bar. New Name: Agave Junction Cantina
55	35	"Grow Some Meatballs!!"	The Tailgate	Santa Clarita, California	April 6, 2014 (2014-04-06)
Jon must mend the relationship between the owners and their father, who's fed up with the staff's unruly behavior, but can't do anything since the owners are too lenient and refuse to fire them. However, when one of the employees causes a disaster in the kitchen, Jon must convince them otherwise. New Name: The Shot Exchange
56	36	"Taxed Out in Texas"	Bryant's Ice House	Katy, Texas	April 13, 2014 (2014-04-13)
Jon must give a bar a major overhaul, from the staff to the name, when a tax-accountant-turned-owner bought it and the bad reputation and location that it gained a few years back. New Name: The Wildcatter Saloon
57	37	"When Life Doesn't Hand You Lemons"	Pat's Cocktails	Valley Village, California	April 20, 2014 (2014-04-20)
Jon recruits the bar's bartenders to get inside help about the bar's problems and must get the manager to stop treating the place like a romantic playground, while convincing the owner to go more hands on with his business. New Name: N/A
58	38	"I Smell A Rat"	Oasis Hookah Bar	Omaha, Nebraska	April 27, 2014 (2014-04-27)
Finding a hookah bar plagued by unsanitary smoking equipment, putrid odors, an inexperienced manager, and an owner who lets his staff run wild, Jon wonders if the bar's concept can ever turn a profit. New Name: Taza Nightclub
59	39	"Scary Mary's"	Mary's Outpost	Grand Prairie, Texas	May 4, 2014 (2014-05-04)
The owner of a dying Texas bar crosses the line with one of Jon's experts. Other issues he must address is a bartender who bends all the rules, a general manager (who happens to be the owner's wife) who has little power, and a makeshift kitchen that's not up to standards. New Name: Thirsty's Roadside Bar
60	40	"Muscle Madness"	The End Zone Sports Bar and Grill	Katy, Texas	May 11, 2014 (2014-05-11)
Two meatheads' tempers and testosterone threaten their friendship and their Houston bar, forcing Jon to address not only their management style, but their personal issues. New Name: Houston Sports Hub

Season 4 (2014-15)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Bar name	Location	Original air date
61	1	"Bug Bite"	The Artful Dodger	Huntington, New York	October 5, 2014 (2014-10-05)
Jon must teach owners how to promote their business and update their décor and standards, when their fledging nightclub becomes a hazard due to the owners misguided decision to adopt a 18 and over policy, bringing unruly teens, and a bar so dirty it attracts fruit flies and mosquitos. Note: This episode debuted on the Spike app as a sneak peek before its actual airing. New Name: P's & Q's Auto Body
62	2	"Thugs with Mugs"	Undisputed Sports Bar & Grill	Yonkers, New York	October 12, 2014 (2014-10-12)
Rowdy customers at a New York sports bar attack Taffer's crew when they discover they are being served cheap booze at premium prices, prompting Jon to teach the importance of serving quality drinks and maintaining crowd control. New Name: SOYO
63	3	"Schmuck Dynasty"	Rhythm & Brews	Staten Island, New York	October 19, 2014 (2014-10-19)
A Staten Island bar that is overrun by a biker gang who are cooking their own food and getting their drinks, due to the the owner's inability to stand up to them. Jon must help the owners build the courage to take back their bar and return to their glory days. New Name: 5th & Vine
64	4	"El Moronte!!"	Laguna Lounge	Jersey City, New Jersey	October 26, 2014 (2014-10-26)
Jon must deflate the ego of a passionate Puerto Rican bar owner whose constant berating, boisterous personality, and focusing more on DJ-ing, is not just turning the staff against him, but his own sons as well. New Name: Tres Cuartos
65	5	"Anything You Can Yell, I Can Yell Louder"	Jack's Ale House	Sunnyside, New York	November 2, 2014 (2014-11-02)
Jon tries to calm the sparks between three loud-mouthed firefighting brothers struggling to keep their Queens bar afloat, who are more concerned about who gets the last word rather than manage things such as quality control and holding the staff accountable. Note: For the recon in this episode, Jon brought in the co-owners of The Bungalow Bar (re-branded as The Bungalow Bar & Restaurant), featured in the Hurricane Sandy special. New Name: Jack's Fire Dept. (modernized version of old name)
66	6	"To Protect and to (Over) Serve"	Lickety Split	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	November 9, 2014 (2014-11-09)
Jon tries to straighten out a former Philly detective who now owns a bar, and hits the bottle hard after years on the force. Note: The owner's daughter joins Jon to watch the recon and provide inside information of the bar. This is the first episode where the epilogue states that a bar went through another change after Jon's visit. This led to the removal of Alleged Bar & Pizza. New Name: 2nd State Lounge/Alleged Bar & Pizza
67	7	"A Dash of Bitters"	Plush	Glenside, Pennsylvania	November 16, 2014 (2014-11-16)
Jon uses the help of an owner's ex-wife and former manager to help turn a bar around, due to the owner's bitter attitude and constant tendency to play the victim when he faces criticism. New Name: Osteria Calabria
68	8	"Swinging from the Rafters"	Dirty Rooster	Antioch, Illinois	November 23, 2014 (2014-11-23)
Jon abandons ship until an outrageous lakeside bar owner can face reality. Note: While watching the recon, Jon sends his experts to inform the owner he isn't coming to the bar that night. New Name: Lake Marie Lodge
69	9	"Spoiled Brat Party"	Y-Not III	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	December 7, 2014 (2014-12-07)
A third genration bar owner in Milwaukee is living off his family. New Name:
70	10	"Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling"	TBA	TBA	December 14, 2014 (2014-12-14)
An Irish bar owner who is withholding employee paychecks to keep the business afloat. New Name:

Specials

#	Title	Bar name	Location	Original air date
1	"Hurricane Jon vs. Hurricane Sandy"	Bungalow Bar	Rockaway, New York	October 27, 2013 (2013-10-27)
Jon faces the triple challenge of rebuilding a bar that was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, getting the five brothers who own it to set aside their disagreements, and retraining staff members who are long out of practice. Note: For this episode, the staff training and stress test were done at a bar in Manhattan, since the Bungalow Bar was undergoing extensive reconstruction. Prior to the grand re-opening, the owners of Turtle Bay (re-branded as Spirits on Bourbon, episode 1 of season 3) visited to present the staff with a new set of souvenir cups and T-shirts and a $5,000 donation. As Jon prepared to leave, the owners presented him with an autographed picture of an American flag raised amid Hurricane Sandy's floodwaters, framed with wood taken from the portions of the Rockaway Beach boardwalk that were destroyed in the storm. New Name: Bungalow Bar & Restaurant (modernized version of old name)
2	"The Lost Episode"	South Park Bar & Grill	Montclair, New Jersey	June 1, 2014 (2014-06-01)
Jon tries to save a New Jersey bar whose owner's short temper leads him to fight with customers and drive business away. Note: This episode, filmed in 2010, originally served as the pilot prior to the show's premiere one year later. New Name: V Bar
3	"Taffer's Top 10: Most Disgusting Bars"	N/A	N/A	June 22, 2014 (2014-06-22)
Counting down the ten most disgusting bars encountered during the first three seasons.
4	"Taffer's Top 10: Worst Owners"	N/A	N/A	June 22, 2014 (2014-06-22)
Counting down the ten worst owners encountered during the first three seasons.
5	"Taffer's Top 10: Angriest Moments"	N/A	N/A	June 29, 2014 (2014-06-29)
Counting down the ten angriest moments encountered during the first three seasons.
6	"Taffer's Top 10: Toughest Rescues"	N/A	N/A	June 29, 2014 (2014-06-29)
Counting down the ten toughest rescues encountered during the first three seasons.

Notes:

See also

• The Profit

External links

• Official website
• Bar Rescue at IMDb
• Bar Rescue Updates - Unaffiliated site that keeps track of bars being open or closed and has updates for each bar