Bar Rescue Updates

The Regal Room (Happenchance) - Bar Rescue Update

2026-03-20T22:41:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Nolensville, Tennessee to rescue Happenchance Social Lounge. Owners Amanda and Dylan Guy opened the bar with $250,000 and borrowed another $250,000 from family to keep the bar open. The bar is supposed to be an upscale wine bar but the interior decor doesn't fit with that concept.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Happenchance Social Lounge to The Regal Room and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Regal Room since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Food was fantastic had the crab dip and it was fantastic. They had great signature craft beverages and staff was friendly and attentive."
"This The Regal Room is such a welcome refresh! The drinks are genuinely delicious--well-crafted, balanced, and clearly made with care. The menu is just as delightful, offering fresh, flavorful options that make you want to come back and try more. The recent makeover gives the space a fresh, modern feel while still keeping it cozy and inviting."
"A true neighborhood gem!!! The Regal Room is everything you hope a local bar will be-welcoming, thoughtfully curated, and effortlessly charming. From the moment you walk in, the warm lighting and relaxed atmosphere make it the kind of place you want to linger, whether you're stopping by briefly or settling in for the evening."
"Great venue for small bites, cocktails and conversation! Service was prompt and responsive. Both the drinks and food were really great!"
"Love this spot! I've been coming here about 4 years, even before the name/ambiance change, and it's only gotten better. The vibe is on point, music's always good, staff is great, and they carry my favorite wine (hard to find!). Always a great time here."
"Loved the Regal Room. Beautiful ambiance, tastefully decorated, free parking, friendly service, excellent drinks and small bite menu."
"Love the Regal Room! Dillon makes the BEST cocktails. Great place to get a nice night cap."
"The bar and drinks were amazing, and even more so our server, Dylan, was great!! If you like an old fashioned, check out the Prime Cut (Cut #2)! We will definitely come back."
"Such a gem in the neighborhood! Cocktails are delicious, service was fantastic, and very cozy vibes."
"So happy to have experienced the new and improved space. We've been several times when it was Happenstance. Now, it's cozy and more like a speakeasy feel. I love it! I highly recommend The Regal Room for a nice relaxing time."

Negative Reviews:

"So the drinks are great and the vibes would be great except they host music nights where the music is WAY too loud, low quality, and the artists clash with the entire concept of a lounge."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Happenchance Social Lounge happened in July of 2025.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page with NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick.
The episode is titled, "Don't Leave it to Happenchance."
Here is the Regal Room website and Facebook page.

The bar is open Mon-Thurs 4-10pm and Fri-Saturday 4-11pm.
The About section of the Regal Room website states, "Born from the spirit of Happenchance Social, The Regal Room represents the next chapter in our evolution—a refined expression of everything our guests have come to love, elevated with a touch of city sophistication. What began as a cozy neighborhood lounge has grown into an immersive experience designed to invite guests to sip, savor, and indulge."

Here are the reviews for The Regal Room from Yelp and Google.

The Regal Room has a 4.6-star average on Yelp and a 4.9-star average on Google with over 500 reviews.
The bar takes the time to respond to the online reviews.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Happenchance Social Lounge to The Regal Room and the bar has kept the name. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive with people liking the food, service, atmosphere and cocktails. This was one of highest rated places to appear on Bar Rescue, and it was hard to even find any negative reviews. The 4.9-star average with over 500 reviews tells you the bar also had positive reviews before the makeover. Perhaps the bar wasn't in need of a rescue, but they continue to deliver by getting positive reviews and have kept the Bar Rescue concept.

*To see how all of the bars from Bar Rescue are doing, go to the Bar Rescue Updates page, and also Like us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter to stay up to date with all things involving Bar Rescue.

Blu Rose Art Bar - Bar Rescue Update

2026-03-14T22:11:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Douglasville, Georgia to rescue Blu Rose Art Bistro. The bar is owned by a married couple whose dream was to have an art-themed bar. While they have a passion for art, they need a little help on the business side of things. Once again during recon, there is cross-contamination in the kitchen and Jon Taffer doesn't want anybody to eat the food.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to slightly change the name of Blue Rose Art Bistro to Blu Rose Art Bar. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Blue Rose Art Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Had a wonderful experience at Blu Rose. The staff gave excellent service from Jazinae & Crystal. The food was excellent and the Chef even came out to make sure we were happy. We had the Catfish and grits which were perfectly done. We also enjoyed the oysters and Beignets. The drinks were also great!"
"Cool little spot in Downtown Douglasville worthy of a try!! Cool atmosphere. Good food. Great cocktails. It’s ISLAND TIME @ The Blu!!"
"First time here and it did not disappoint! The food is delicious and the staff are amazing! We went on Valentines Day and they had the inside decorated so cute and the whole vibe was just fun! I ordered the pasta and fried cauliflower and both were 10/10, my daughter and her bf ordered catfish and fries and said that was also 10/10. Give this place a try, you won’t regret it!"
"I’m locked in with Blue Art Bistro for life. I’ve been a return customer for the last 3 years and the experience is always top tier. Carly, is absolutely amazing; she’s attentive and exhibits superb customer service. Definitely check them out!"
"The food and service was excellent.. Everything was super tasty and cooked perfectly I thought!!!! Me and the family will be coming bac"

Negative Reviews:

"It’s a great vibe on Fridays with the line dancing and music but everything else is horrible. My family of 5 got our food at all different times and I didn’t even receive mine. Then when the check came items were on the check that I never got. I would love to keep coming here but the service keeps going down and the prices keep going up."
"Service is horrible. Slow on getting drinks & your food. So of course it will be cold. They need to hire more staff & maybe that will help. Until then, I would not return."
"I went here this past week with a group of 13 for lunch. The atmosphere was nice, however the service not so much. "
"Too overpriced for Douglasville. $18 for a breakfast sandwich is ludicrous!"
"Only 6 people in the bistro yet it took 25 minutes for a half waffle. The waffle was cold. They advertised a chicken breast on top of the waffle but I got 2 chicken stripes instead. Not a good experience."
"WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN!!! Service is sooooo slow I could have went to the kitchen and cooked my food faster. I order a " catfish poboy" and I still haven't received it , and that was three (3) days ago. The drinks were no go, this establishment need more then two waitresses to cover the house."
"Poor service,meals came out one at a time and one never came. I read that bar rescue came to help them , they need bar rescue to come back."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Blu Rose Art Bistro happened in May 2025.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled "A Palette of Problems."
Here is the Blue Rose Art Bar website and Facebook page.

The bar is advertising their upcoming appearance on Bar Rescue and said, "It’s finally here… check out the show and the amazing new changes! Thanks Bar Rescue for the love… it was tough but so blessed for Jon Taffer tough love." (Link)

Here are the reviews for Blue Rose Art Bar from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to slightly change the name of Blue Rose Art Bistro to Blue Rose Art Bar and the bar has kept the name. The reviews for Blue Rose Art Bar are somewhat negative with a lot of complaints about service and some people complaining about prices for the area. The positive reviews like the atmosphere and it seems like the bar owners are happy with the changes made by Bar Rescue and Jon Taffer.

Chase's Garage Bar & Kitchen (Alley Cat) - Bar Rescue Update

2026-03-07T21:43:00.000-05:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Bowling Green, Kentucky to rescue Alley Cat Dive Bar & Grill. The bar is having management issues and two bartenders are contending for a leadership role due to this. When Jon Taffer is doing recon, he sees a filthy kitchen along with cross contamination from the cook.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Alley Cat Dive Bar & Grill to Chase's Garage Bar & Kitchen and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Chase's Garage Bar & Kitchen since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Loved the energy . Venus served us with a smile and great energy"
"Great atmosphere! Ashley was awesome with quick service and great drinks."
"Food and atmosphere is so great. Awesome drinks as well. The bartender Dallas was awesome and so fun. Love her personality!"
"Good atmosphere, good people, fun time."

Negative Reviews:

"Only three entrées on the menu when I went there. Burger, steak sandwich or chicken sandwich. Did not order because they only had two beers on tap and they were both light beers."

*Reviews from Facebook, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Alley Cat Dive Bar & Grill happened in July 2025.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled "Alley Cat-astrophe."
Here is the Chase's Garage Bar & Kitchen Facebook page.
Chase's has a car theme and it is in close proximity to the National Corvette Museum.
The bar is open until 2am daily. They also offer different daily specials such as $3 drafts and $2 shots.
Thursday - Sunday 4-8 they have a business called Cravn Cajun running the kitchen. (Link)
Here are the reviews for Chase's Garage Bar & Kitchen from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Alley Cat Dive Bar & Grill to Chase's Garage Bar & Kitchen and the bar has kept the name. There haven't been too many reviews for Chase's Garage bar, but it seems that people like the atmosphere and the staff.

The Cask (Game Room & Social Club) - Bar Rescue Update

2026-03-01T00:09:00.000-05:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Orlando, Florida to rescue Game Room & Social Club. The Game Room & Social Club is a bar that revolves around the theme of games such as board games. The owner is very passionate, but the bar is failing due to a flawed and misguided concept. When Jon Taffer is doing recon, he sees items in the kitchen are being cross contaminated with raw chicken.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Game Room & Social Club to The Cask: A Whiskey Bar and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Cask since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"I had a good time here. Amir was our bartender and he was really attentive and personable. Made sure we were taken care of and had a positive experience."
"Amir is one of the best bartenders out there, super friendly, hard working guy. He is a sports FANATIC and if you are there for sports and the TVs he’s your guy."
"Great place to hang out"

Negative Reviews:

"Amir the bartender had a negative and bad attitude, made my friends and I feel uncomfortable and immediately wanted to leave. Terrible service, hire a better bartender!"
"Atmosphere was nice but service was slow even though it was empty and the $14 Sazerac remix drink was weak. Not ever coming back."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Game Room & Social Club happened in April 2025.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page.
The episode is titled When Dreams Hit the Sidewalk.
Here is The Cask website and Facebook page. They are also on Instagram.

All of the graphics and recent advertisements all have The Cask, so they have kept the name given to them by Bar Rescue.
The website says, "Enjoy a wide array of games, including shuffleboard, foosball, and board games, or catch all the action on 18 TVs showcasing your favorite sports teams." So it seems Bar Rescue allowed them to keep the games, but probably upgraded them.
The bar is having a viewing party for the episode. Celebrity guest bartender Alli Torres from the show will be there. (Link)
The bar is open daily 12pm-2am.

The bar is owned by Garito Hospitality which also owns other restaurants/bars.
Here are the reviews for The Cask from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Game Room & Social Club to The Cask: A Whiskey Bar and the bar has kept the name. The reviews for the bar since the makeover are mixed and there also aren't too many reviews despite the makeover being almost a year before the episode first aired. The owners of the bar also own other businesses/bars in the area, so this bar isn't the only source of income for them.

Kiki's (Main Street Hideaway) - Bar Rescue Update

2026-02-21T23:20:00.002-05:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Ashland City, Tennessee to rescue The Main Street Hideaway. The owner is defiant and literally sits on a stool while his family bar crumbles around him. Jon Taffer needs to inspire the owner to turn around his business.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of The Main Street Hideaway to Kiki's a Chicago Bar & Grill and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Kiki's since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"The Staff is exceptional and the food ive tried is always great."
"Always a great time, wonderful weekend bartenders, and a great Atmosphere. Live bands on Saturdays"
"New fav in town! The food and service was beyond amazing!"

Negative Reviews:

None

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for The Main Street Hideaway happened in June 2025.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled, "Sitting Down on the Job"
Here is the Kiki's Chicago Bar & Grill Facebook page.

All of the recent advertisements use the Kiki's name.
The bar is having a viewing party for the episode.

Here are the reviews for Kiki's Chicago Bar & Grill from Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of The Main Street Hideaway to Kiki's Chicago Bar & Grill and the bar has kept the name. There haven't been too many reviews for the bar, but the ones since the makeover have been positive.

Season 10 of Bar Rescue starts February 22nd

2026-02-20T23:08:00.002-05:00

New episodes of Bar Rescue episodes will return to Paramount Network on Sunday, February 22nd and this season will be considered season 10 of the show. There will be two new episodes to start the season on February 22nd.

From the Paramount press release, "Taffer and his trusted team of culinary and mixology experts tackle each rescue with his signature tough-love approach – identifying the core issues holding businesses back and implementing high-impact solutions designed to guide them toward long-term success. Along the way, viewers can expect explosive confrontations, emotional breakthroughs and inspiring turnarounds that highlight the resilience of small businesses across the country."

There will be celebrity guest appearances as always and the ones advertised in the press release were Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC and pro wrestler/actress Mercedes Varnado.

A preview video of the upcoming season can be seen here.

As always, I will have updates for each of the bars that appear on the show, so make sure to visit the Bar Rescue Updates website after each episode airs.

Vitaly's Hideaway (Slotzy's) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-06-28T23:21:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Worden, Illinois to rescue Slotzy's. This is the season finale of Bar Rescue and Slotzy's is struggling and in danger of closing. The bar was inherited from the owner's father, but the manager has never been trained properly, which is causing problems at the bar.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Slotzy's to Vitaly's Hideaway and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Vitaly's Hideaway since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"The food was excellent, the bar manager and owner were very friendly and engaging. All around great experience. Can't wait to go to a comedy show there."
"Met the owner. Nice guy! I've had the cheeseburger, steak salad and chicken sandwich. No complaints on anything! Really good food at great prices! Check it out! AND!!! They're open on Mondays!"
"The new remodel looks nice & clean. The bar is bigger and there is a gaming room. The seating for dinner is quaint. There is a pool table and pinball machines around also. Our waitress (Sam) was very nice. She knew the menu well. Our food came out quick and hot. I had the wrap and it was delicious. The fries were so good, they have a garlic honey seasoning and I could've eaten 2 orders of them. I would go back there again."
"The burgers were big and juicy. Jamie and Molly checked on us multiple times while there; definitely going back!"
"This is definitely an improvement from previous iterations of this bar. The food is good and the drinks are reasonably priced. It has a fun "speakeasy" motif going, and a friendly staff. The owner greeted us at our table on the last visit. The Big Poppa tenderloin and pulled pork canoles are both very good."

Negative Reviews:

"The service was incredibly sub par, especially as I, myself, had to ask FOUR times for another beer but the manager behind the bar was too busy being social with one patron to hand me a beer. This occurred 3 separate times on my beers and my fiances drinks. Priorities, right? The atmosphere was the same as Diggers used to be, and Slotzys before it became Vitales. Very very rough crowd, staff showing their breasts as the night goes on, and the odor of Marijuana on the kitchen staff and servers was overwhelming. I would not recommend this bar to any women going out alone, or honestly, with their significant other either. My fiance was absolutely uncomfortable with the environment, as was I on a safety standpoint. I am not sure what was rescued about this bar, other that keeping the original dangerous vibe and lack of safety intact."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Slotzy's happened in June 2024, so about a year before the episode aired.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue Facebook page.
The episode is titled, "Slotzy's Last Shotzy."
Here is the Vitaly's Hideaway Facebook page.
In a local article, Nick Lang said he reached out to Bar Rescue to try to continue his father's legacy. Since the makeover, he said he has seen new customers every day and is looking forward to more once the episode airs.
Here are the reviews for Vitaly's Hideaway from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Slotzy's to Vitaly's Hideaway and the bar has kept the name. The reviews for Vitaly's Hideaway are mostly positive and it seems like the owner is happy with the makeover and new customers are coming in.

Pat and Dandy's - Bar Rescue Update

2025-06-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Bar Rescue is in Toledo, Ohio to rescue Pat and Dandy's. This is another rescue where Jon Taffer is not there, but he sends Phil Wills to do the rescue. The staff at the bar is untrained and they are taking advantage of the owner. To stop the bar from losing money, they will need to turn things around.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to keep the name of Pat and Dandy's. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Pat and Dandy's since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"I'm from Cincinnati and whenever I pass through Toledo I try to have dinner here. I love their shrimp and perch dinners on Friday and Saturday evening. The food is terrific as well as the wait staff. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
"Great Food! My wife said it was the best Ruben she ever had!! One tiny issue over 15 TV's and no golf on ... all baseball....can't wait to share with friends Thank you!"
"Bartenders are best in Toledo and great food and prices"
"Delicious cheeseburger in a great atmosphere. This place really goes in for the Miami Dolphins; so if you like that team it's the place for you. Lots of TVs to watch sports. The waitress was right on top of things. I would definitely come back."
"Not quite the same Pat and Dandi that at once used to be but still a pretty cool place"
"Wanted to try the place after hearing about the Bar Rescue episode. Definitely improved from its earlier incarnation: better lighting, updated decor, and cleaner. Tried a new appetizer (bam bam shrimp) that was a solid addition to the menu. Both of the sandwiches we ordered were tasty (Italian sub and club sandwich). The food has always been decent at P&D, at least for a local bar, but it also seemed improved."

Negative Reviews:

"Had a bad experience before here. Decided to try pat and dandy's again after the bar rescue... we are Dolphins fans so we came in to watch the game and were told we couldn't sit at the bar tables (best tables to see and hear game) because we were not part of the "fan club" wtf... so we took our business elsewhere will never return...."
"Disgusting to watch the cook and wait staff constantly sit out on the patio smoking. Bet none of them washed their hands. Bar Rescue evidently didn't teach them that appearances mean a lot to new customers. Food was ok but had already lost our appetite."
"We had heard that they were in the TV show Bar Rescue so we wanted to check it out. Ummm , if they changed anything it was some paint and wallpaper and added some TV's. The place still looks rundown, the food was still just ok and the service while friendly, was very slow and our server forgot part of every order. Won't be going back. Sorry to see the place get so rundown"

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Pat and Dandy's happened in May 2024, so more than a year before the episode first aired.
The episode is titled, "The World Famous Raw Chicken Wings"
Here is the Pat and Dandy's website and Facebook page.
Here are the reviews for Pat and Dandy's from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google.
There were a lot of comments of people complaining about the higher prices right after the makeover. Many said the higher prices would make loyal customers and regulars not return. (Link)

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to keep the name of Pat and Dandy's and the makeover was done over a year before the episode aired. The reviews for Pat and Dandy's are mixed with people liking the food and there being mixed reviews on the quality of the Bar Rescue makeover. Pat and Dandy's seems like a bar that caters to their regulars, so it upset people when they thought prices at the bar increased. The bar is also a Miami Dolphins bar, which also supports the concept that they cater to their regulars who come to watch all of the football games.

Brother's Smokehouse (Jon's Goodtime Bar & Grill) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-05-17T23:46:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the show is in Inkster, Michigan to rescue Jon's Goodtime Bar & Grill. This is another rescue where Jon Taffer is not present, but Phil Wills is doing the rescue. The bar is owned by three lifelong friends and despite there being multiple owners, things are still being neglected at the bar. The grease in the fryers is old and black and the bar has a fly trap visible despite having an open kitchen that customers can see.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to change the name of Jon's Goodtime Bar & Grill to Brother's Smokehouse Bar & BBQ and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Brother's Smokehouse since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Before I talk about the food I want to stress the environment and the vibe. From the moment you walk in you feel like you're invited to the bbq. The staff is so warm and beautiful I've never felt at home in a restaurant more than I did here....You need to get your a$$ to Brothers Smokehouse and have an experience. 5 stars and then some"
"I suggest anybody who is looking for some good smoked southern brisket, ribs n chicken find your way to inkster and get your fix. You won't regret. You'll thank me later."
"Smelled it driving by and it’s really hard to find good BBQ in Michigan. My nose led me here and I am so thankful and grateful it did! The Brisket was great and Mac N Cheese is also very good! Hats off to the pit master!"
"The brisket was juicy and flavorful! The people on staff were great, nice guys! I can’t wait to return! "
"The brisket is delicious! You can taste the smoke, and the love that went into. And the baked beans are fire!! Matt the bartender will take great care of you, and Derrick knows his grill. 5 star, all the way!!"
"Great spot with friendly people & nice vibes. Was in the area and strolled in last week and man was that a good decision….great portions, good drink selection, and damn amazing food as well! The brisket was delicious and the mac and cheese was out of this world."
"Great music, people, food, and drinks! The atmosphere was welcoming and fun. Bartender was caring. Brisket was tender and delicious, Turkey was juicy and flavorful. 10/10 will be back!"
"I had the ribs and my wife had the brisket. Both were VERY good but the brisket stole the show. The house made BBQ sauce was so good I wanted to take it home with me. It's better than brisket I've had in Texas. This is real BBQ. The chef is out front with a real wood smoker and the hard work put in is tasted. I can't wait to come back to this place."

Negative Reviews:

"I was craving brisket and I googled places near me to find some. This place had good reviews and from the pics the food looked amazing. I ordered a carry out mind you it’s a few to use your CC that they don’t tell you. But imagine the disappointment $25 later… my brisket was primarily more fat with just barely any meat. And to top it off my brisket was very very tough I mean I could barely bite into it. So disappointing that I couldn’t get more tender pieces of brisket. Especially for the price."
"Good food but god damn the prices are not realistic at all two baby sliders for 19$ is a joke."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Jon's Goodtime Bar & Grill happened in April 2024, so about a year before the episode aired.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled, "Bad Times at Goodtime."
Here is the Brother's Smokehouse Bar & BBQ Facebook page.
A local post about Bar Rescue rescuing the bar had a lot of people wishing the bar well and everybody was really positive about it. In other rescues, sometimes people always comment on how it was needed.
Here are the reviews for Brother's Smokehouse from Yelp and Google.

The reviews are very positive on both sites - 4.8 on Google and 5 on Yelp (only 2 reviews at the time of posting).

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to change the name of Jon's Goodtime Bar & Grill to Brother's Smokehouse Bar & BBQ and the bar has kept the name. It seems like it is more of a BBQ restaurant than a bar, but the reviews since the makeover are very positive. People seem to like the food, especially the brisket, and the atmosphere. It seems like it is the food that is making people visit Brother's Smokehouse vs. the bar/drinks.

Smithton Station (CJ's Pub) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-05-04T18:25:00.001-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Smithton, Illinois to rescue Smithton Station Bar. The owners are married, and one is working two jobs to support them while the other is mismanaging the bar. During recon, the bartenders are muddling drinks with a shot glass and going to a walk-in cooler to pour pre-made drinks. The walk-in cooler is also filled with black mold. The kitchen is also disorganized and needs two cooks because there is a pizza making station in a separate part of the bar.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of CJ's Pub to Smithton Station Classic Kitchen & Cocktails, but the bar switched back to its original name and closed before the episode aired. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Smithton Station since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Bartender Joselynn was very polite. Food was a great price and really clean atmosphere."

Negative Reviews:

"The meat was extremely tough and chewy, service was fairly hard to get at times despite being empty, and the sandwiches were verrrry small compared to what you'd get across the street for the same price. The restroom stalls were also extremely dark and the toilet paper was just placed on the floor(no holder). Maybe I came on a bad day, but I don't think I'll be back.... At least for a while."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Smithton Station Classic Kitchen & Cocktails happened in June 2024, so about a year before the episode aired.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled, "On the 3:10 to Failure."
Here is the CJ's Pub Facebook page.

The bar used the name Smithton Station for only about a few weeks, then all of the advertisements started using CJ's Pub again.

In early September, the bar posted on Facebook, "As many of you have heard…there will be new ownership taking over 9/16. Our last official day will be 9/15. We will be having amazing food and drink specials starting this weekend to clear out inventory…..We hope to get a chance to see everyone!!!"
On September 15th, the bar posted, "It’s our last day and we would love to see each of you before our departure. There will be live music on the patio and great food! We open at 12pm…See you soon."
New owners bought the location and a bar is now operating there called The Roost.
Here are the reviews for CJ's Pub from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of CJ's Pub to Smithton Station Classic Kitchen & Cocktails, but the bar switched back to the name of CJ's pub quickly after. The Bar Rescue makeover was done in late June, and about 2 months after the makeover in early September, CJ's Pub announced it was closing. A new owner and bar are now operating in the same location. As the bar was only open for a few months after the Bar Rescue makeover, there weren't too many reviews. CJ's Pub/Smithton Station Classic Kitchen & Cocktails is marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page.

Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar (Calendar's Pizzeria) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-04-26T22:22:00.001-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the show is in Macclenny, Florida to rescue Calendar's Pizzeria. This is another rescue where Jon Taffer is not there, but Danny Trejo is doing the rescue. Calendar's is a pizza restaurant that is struggling and the owner is reluctant to let her daughter take charge of the restaurant. The bartenders do not know how to make popular drinks such as a negroni and the menu is confusing.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to change the name of Calendar's Pizzeria to Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar, and it seems like they still use both names. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar/Calendar's Pizzeria since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Don't let the small town vibe fool you! Food is very good, especially the pizza! We had a build-your-own pie and it was excellent. Even their turkey sandwich was outstanding. Looking forward to our next visit!"
"A solid pub style pizza experience to be certain. The toppings were fresh and generous in their supply. It reminded me of a really good street pizza, but indoor."
"This is a well established restaurant and pool hall with decent but slow service and excellent food. They have mini calzone type sandwiches a bit different from what you are used to getting elsewhere."
"I always enjoy coming here when I'm in town for work. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is welcoming and the service is amazing. "
"The Greek pizza. Freaking phenomenal. Nice strong drinks and very attentive"

Negative Reviews:

"One of the worst bar and restaurant experiences of my life. Undercooked, bad tasting food, weak drinks, and horrible service."
"It's not Italian it's just not good enough for the price. I won't return . Upon arrival it didn't look busy but took half hour to get a drink and about an hour later for the food. The restaurant looks great so I thought the food would be good but I was disappointed."
"So there's not many restaurants in Macclenny and this place was open on a rainy Saturday. There are two different names, one says Terry's one says Calendars. It's a big venue, the part we ate at had two pool tables. I got the January flipper which was like a cross between a sandwich and a calzone, but not, it was hot but the filling was raw, it was kind of odd."
"Probably the worst wings and fries I’ve ever had, and some of the most disorganized and terrible service I’ve experienced. Tried to double charge us for our food and drinks. Go literally anywhere else."
"The pizza is edible. The quality has went way down since Terri took over. We will never order from here again. If you can’t cook the crust longer, there is a problem."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Calendar's Pizzeria happened back in December 2023, so this one took a while to air.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page.
The episode is titled, "Calendar's Crisis."
Here is the Calendar's Pizzeria website and Facebook page.

The website and Facebook page are still Calendar's Pizzeria, but recent pictures have signs that say Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar, so it seems they use both names for the bar/restaurant.
Here is the Facebook page of Terri who still refers to the bar/restaurant as Terri's Italian Kitchen.

Here are the reviews for Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar/Calendar's Pizzeria from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google.

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to change the name of Calendar's Pizzeria to Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar, but it seems that the bar/restaurant uses the names interchangeably. The reviews for Terri's Italian Kitchen & Bar are mixed with there being mixed reviews for the food. It seems like this is more of a pizza restaurant and take-out place versus a bar, so this was a bit of a stretch for a Bar Rescue makeover.

The Airliner - Bar Rescue Update

2025-04-19T22:06:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the show is in East Alton, Illinois to rescue The Airliner bar. This is a rescue that Jon Taffer will not be there, but Spike Mendelsohn is doing. The owner of the bar is struggling to run the bar left by her late husband and her daughter is having problems managing the business. During the recon, bartenders cannot make basic drinks and the food is underwhelming.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to keep the name of The Airliner. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Airliner since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Delicious. Love the airliner sizzler and white fish especially. Never had anything bad here. The decor had changed over the years but the food is great."
"For a neighborhood bar and grill, this place gets 5 stars. Cold beer and great food. Friday fish is always great. Saturday night pizza special is also great and an excellent deal."
"The white fish fries and hush puppies was recommended and was very awesome I had an incredible waitress everything was wonderful and I look forward to going back and dining there again"
"We had the Alaskan White Fish dinner 🍽 It was really good."
"Tuesday is the best. $.35 wings with beer or food purchase. Waitresses are incredible, work hard and keep you full of drinks and food."

Negative Reviews:

"Needs some love on the building. but the people there are great"
"After the bar rescue went there to see the difference and it still has bad food and service was not good. what a joke"
"Over charged for the whitefish sandwich with chips. And the chili dog was terrible and not $6.00 as it stated on the menu. Onion rings were soggy."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for The Airliner happened in the July 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled, "The Airliner is Grounded."
Here is The Airliner website and Facebook page.
Here are the reviews for The Airliner from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google.
This is the 2nd time there was a bar named The Airliner on Bar Rescue, with the first one being in Los Angeles in season 6 - Update for that one.

Conclusion:

This was another Bar Rescue where Jon Taffer wasn't there and Spike Mendelsohn did the rescue. Bar Rescue decided to keep the name of The Airliner and the reviews for the makeover are mostly positive although there weren't too many. It seems like it is a bar that has a lot of nostalgia and regulars, so that probably factored into keeping the name. All of the positive reviews seem to complement the fish dinner, so that seems to be a popular menu item at The Airliner.

Legacy Bar & Venue (Bar 8) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-04-12T21:56:00.001-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Houston, Texas to rescue Bar 8. The owner of the bar purchased the bar as a gift to her husband, but it turns out that wasn't the best idea. Her husband wasn't happy about it and the bar is now losing money. Bar 8 is unorganized and dirty and Jon Taffer calls it a shithole when he is doing his recon.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Bar 8 to Legacy Bar & Venue and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Legacy Bar & Venue since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"This place is excellent for a evening out with drinks and dancing."
"Great drinks! Great Hookah! Great entertainment!"
"Bartenders are always nice!"
"Only viewed the space for a potential event, but nice and updated decor. Staff was nice."

Negative Reviews:

None

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Bar 8 happened in May 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page.
The episode is titled, "Honey, I Bought a Bar!"
Legacy Bar & Venue doesn't have a website and it seems all of their updates and advertisements are on their Instagram page. They have a Facebook page, but there are only a few likes and they don't really post on it.

They rent out their venue and have different packages ranging from $1700 to $5400 per night. (Link)

Here are the reviews for Legacy Bar & Venue from Google.

Despite the rescue happening about a year ago, there weren't too many reviews after the makeover.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Bar 8 to Legacy Bar & Venue and the bar has kept the name. Despite the makeover happening almost a year before the episode aired, there weren't too many reviews, which isn't a great sign. However, the minimal amount of reviews were positive. Legacy Bar & Venue only maintains an Instagram page as their online presence, so it was also hard to get much information on things other than events that were happening at the bar.

Blue Velvet (Brothers on Main) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-04-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the show is in St. Clair, Missouri to rescue Brothers on Main. This is another rescue where Jon Taffer is not there, but Jason Santos is in charge. Brothers on Main is owned by brothers David and Daniel. The brothers aren't getting along and they aren't at the bar enough to run it properly. The bar is supposedly weeks away from closing if things do not turn around.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to change the name of Brothers on Main to Blue Velvet and the bar kept the name. However, Blue Velvet closed before their episode first aired. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Blue Velvet since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Changed name - it's now Blue Velvet. Food is pretty solid and the ambience is fine too. Had a burger and a pizza. Do check out the burgers!! Friendly service!"
"Stopped by for dinner. Had a Ribeye sandwich, tater tots, and tea. Left happy."
"Gorgeous decor, friendly staff, and delicious food. My friends and I stopped here after a long day on the river and it did not disappoint!"
"There are less food choices and higher prices . The drinks are good but once again higher prices. Our waitress was great. Most of the food below was not on the menu."
"Bar Rescue has recently revamped this establishment, and I must say that the new look is quite impressive. The cuisine is exceptional, and I'm delighted to see the return of some of their classic recipes. Their country fried steak is my personal favorite. The owner is a kind and respectful individual, and I wish him all the best in his endeavors. Supporting small businesses is crucial for our communities. I will definitely be frequenting more often."

Negative Reviews:

"The wife got philly cheese steak was tough as shoe leather"

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Brothers on Main happened in the April 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Here is the Blue Velvet Facebook page. The Facebook page was still 'Brothers on Main', but all of the advertisements had Blue Velvet.
On November 8th, 2024, the bar posted on Facebook, "*ATTENTION* Hey Everyone. We will be open at 4pm Friday 11/8 Limited Menu and Fried Catfish on Special. This Could be the last Friday we are able to serve you. Would love to personally thank everyone for their Support the past 4 years. We plan on being open all weekend, come in and see us if you can. Thank You, Daniel"

That post had a lot of people wishing them well and thanking them for the memories. The bar closed shortly after this in November 2024.

The property of the bar is currently listed for sale at $199,000. The bar was originally listed for sale at $299,900 in November 2024.

The listing says, "Recently upgraded/remodeled Bar by the TV Show "Bar Rescue". Location is great. Sellers are open to selling as a package, or if buyers are not interested in the equipment, it can be sold separately."

Here are the reviews for Blue Velvet from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue and Jason Santos decided to change the name of Brothers on Main to Blue Velvet and the bar did keep the name, however the bar closed before their episode first aired. The episode was filmed in April 2024 and closed in November 2024, while the episode didn't air on TV until April 2025. Blue Velvet still hasn't sold after multiple price drops and it is currently for sale at $199,000.

Taylor's Tavern (Backroads Bar & Grill) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-03-29T22:37:00.001-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the show is in Holly, Michigan to rescue Backroads Bar & Grill. The bar is a family-owned bar that is struggling, and the struggles have impacted the family and made them grow apart. The bartenders have not had proper training and cannot make basic drinks. This is another episode where Jon Taffer is not there for the makeover, but Phil Wills is in charge of the makeover.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to change the name of Backroads Bar & Grill to Taylor's Tavern and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Taylor's Tavern since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Nice owners and staff"
"Great Burgers and Fantastic Staff!"
"A fun & friendly community Tavern & Kitchen. Although a modest menu, the quality and preparation of food is fantastic. Live entertainment, comedy shows, karaoke and live music are all offered here. Great owners, awesome staff, and a consistent flow of happy regulars. Check em out.. & join the party!"
"Always a fun place to be!"

Negative Reviews:

"Kitchen was closed before we got there at 6pm."
"This bar is a joke don't waste your time staff don't even care about service."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Backroads Bar & Grill happened in May 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled "Backroads to Ruin."
Here is the Taylor's Tavern Facebook page and the old Backroads Bar Facebook page which they also post on.
Here is the Facebook page of Taylor.
In September 2024, Taylor posted the latest menu in a local Facebook group and there were over 200 comments from people, a lot of which were arguing about the prices of the burgers which were $16.95 and $19.95. (Link)
In a local article about the makeover, owner Tina said they had a great experience on the show and the show was fantastic, but it was very emotional. She also said business has been "OK."
Here are the reviews for Taylor's Tavern from Google. There weren't reviews on any other review sites.

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to change the name of Backroads Bar & Grill to Taylor's Tavern and the bar has kept the name. Despite the episode being filmed in May 2024, there weren't too many reviews for the bar online, so it is hard to see what people think of the changes. The owners have said that they had a great experience on the show and that business has just been "OK." With not many reviews and the owners saying business was just "OK" since the makeover, it doesn't seem like business has picked up too much.

Royal Street (Daq Shack) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-03-23T22:44:00.002-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to rescue Daq Shack. The bar is a daquiri bar that doesn't offer many other drinks or cocktails. The bar is pretty clean, but the owners do not seem to know how to run a bar. They also are missing the mark with their New Orleans theme. Jon will need to redesign their concept in hopes the bar succeeds.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Daq Shack to Royal Street and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Royal Street since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Royal Street MKE formally Daq Shack MKE underwent a beautiful transformation inside but the heart, quality of food and service are the same...wonderful! It's always like visiting family here, the main bartender always remembers us even though we only come a couple times a year when in the area. Food is always fresh, hot and delicious. Absolutely go if you're in Milwaukee try all the flavors they provide with the daiquiris."
"Great customer service. I loved my visit to this local hidden gem! I’m look forward to my next visit. Please try the Pickle Fries"
"We each got a po boy to go- shrimp and roast beef - so good! Shrimp was wonderful but the roast beef was the star. Super juicy with onions and a horseradish sauce that really put it over the top. Of course we got a large daiquiri to go, with blue raz and who dat (GOAT), other than the brain freeze it was perfect. The service was great everyone inside was friendly (even remembered us from months ago!) can’t wait to go back and sit at the bar with a couple daqs and maybe a hookah too!"
"10/10 would recommend! Came to celebrate my pre- birthday the food, the music, the prices, the esthetics was everything. But the best part was the customer service. S/O to "Lee" who was our server, absolutely stunning."

Negative Reviews:

None

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Daq Shack happened in September 2024.
The episode is titled "I'm a F'n Bar Guy! I'm a F'n Bar Girl!"
Here is the Royal Street website and Facebook page.
Royal Street is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm to 10pm.
Royal Street has the tagline of New Orleans Daiquiris Grill.
The bar recently received an A on their health inspection, so they continue to keep the bar clean. (Link)
Here are the reviews for Royal Street from Yelp and Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Daq Shack to Royal Street and the bar has kept the name. There weren't too many reviews of the bar since the rescue, however all of the reviews were positive with people liking the makeover, the food, and the service.

Montego Bay Beach Club (Tropic) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-03-22T23:01:00.002-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to rescue Tropic. The bar is a family-owned bar that is struggling due to their concept and is supposedly months from closing. Tropic is a New Orleans inspired frozen daiquiri bar and the owner is letting her daughter manage the bar despite not being qualified. The bar is having trouble finding good employees and the food and drinks are off the mark.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Tropic to Montego Bay Beach Club and the bar quickly went back to their old name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Montego Bay Beach Club (Tropic) since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Idk what these reviews are because my experience was AMAZING!! I went to tropic a few times last year but when I went recently was the best. They got better tables and the decor is beautiful. Wayyy better than the past. Our server was great and we later found out she was the manger!! It just shows how much she cares. My mother who was visiting hasn't stopped talking abt it since. We got shots, content, and filled to the top drinks. It's a little pricey but we felt it was worth it. Overall definitely going back, new favorite spot, and I appreciate"
"I recommend The service, the drinks, the food, the everything! The owner has made it her personal business to elevate each patron’s experience! This is not an accident as every business she’s had or been involved- same experience!"
"I went to Tropic for R&B night and had such a good time. The lemon drop was delicious and the live band was amazing! I’ll definitely be back."
"Enjoyed my recent visit. I’ve been here before but the updates are amazing! Definitely will be coming more!"
"I heard about this place on TikTok and HAD to try it out! The staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. Ashley was a great server. The food and drinks are easily a 10/10. I will def be back!"
"Juicy jerk chicken tacos, with smooth amazing hookah and don’t forget to add the candy tip! Service is top notch with knowledgeable & personable staff! And I cannot forget to mention that the kitchen is open till 1AM for late night good eats!"

Negative Reviews:

"Place is nice and the service was great, but the food is not that good and the prices are not what I’m willing to pay for the food options they have. Drinks are great."
"First off a $10 dollar entertainment fee is stupid especially when the entertainment is a loud ass off beat dummer. If your want my money have a good attitude and good service. Repeat business is the best business. Trying to run up the tab on every customer is crazy."
"18% service charge automatically added to the prices of drinks is ridiculous!"

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Tropic happened in September 2024.

Bar Rescue was scouting bars in the Milwaukee area in January 2024, but the episode wasn't filmed until September 2024.

Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled "I'm a F'n Bar Guy! I'm a F'n Bar Girl!"
Bobby Portis from the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks is in this episode.
Here is the Tropic Lounge website and Facebook page..

Here is the Facebook page of Hyacinth (owner)

The bar was named Montego Bay Beach Club by Bar Rescue, but as you see in their website and Facebook Page, there is no mention of Montego Bay Beach Club despite posting pretty much every day. All advertisements still have 'Tropic' on them.
Here are the reviews for Tropic from Yelp and Google.

The bar takes the time to respond to reviews on Google.

Owner Hyacinth Nembhardt also owns another business called Concoctions which is a beverage business.
This bar was supposed to air on March 23rd, 2025, which is when this update was from, but it got delay until June 1st, 2025.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Tropic to Montego Bay Beach Club, but the bar quickly went back to their name and still goes by Tropic. The reviews for Tropic since the Bar Rescue update are mostly positive with people liking the food, drinks, atmosphere, and entertainment. The few negative reviews are about prices, but the reviews overall have definitely improved since the show visited. The owner Hyacinth also owns another business which is a beverage business called Concoctions.

Pete's Butcher Block (Pete's Cutting Board) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-03-15T22:45:00.001-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the show is in Chesterfield, Michigan to rescue Pete's Cutting Board Sports Bar & Grill. This rescue is being done by chef Jason Santos. The owner of Pete's is drinking excessively in the bar while his kids try to run the bar and make it a success. During recon, the bartenders cannot make basic drinks, while Pete is in the bar drinking and not helping out.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Bar Rescue decided to slightly change the name of Pete's Cutting Board Sports Bar & Grill to Pete's Butcher Block and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Pete's Butcher Block since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Great place to hang out for drinks and food. Bartenders are amazing"
"Been here 3 times food is awesome and comes out quick and hot. Staff is also great. Definitely a fun place to be."
"Always a great time at Petes. The food is great and so is the service."
"Best corned beef in town. Very friendly wait staff and bartenders. Love chicken tenders and mushrooms. Going back for more love this place "
"The food was very tasty. Trivia night is a blast. Our waitstaff and the manager were extremely attentive and came by multiple times. They make sure that everything was done correctly and make sure our drinks were full."

Negative Reviews:

"After watching the work going on over the summer we wanted to check it out. Tuesday's night, bar stools full, couple of tables eating. She had a cheeseburger plain didn't come with fries or chips $11.50. Believe it was an extra $2.00 for fries. Said it was okay. Had the Lamplighter, again didn't come with fries or chips. Corned beef was totally tasteless, bread was very soggy and greasy. Disappointed"
"I was hoping for a good sandwich. Failed"
"This place is way too overrated $14 for a Ruben is insane for what it is unless you like dry flavorless meat. This one can’t be rescued."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Pete's Cutting Board happened in May 2024
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled "Pete's Ruined Tavern."
Here is the Pete's Butcher Block Facebook page and they do not have a website at the moment.

They are advertising their appearance on Bar Rescue on their Facebook page.
All of their recent pictures and advertisements on Facebook use Pete's Butcher Block, so it appears they have kept the name given to them by Bar Rescue.

Here are the reviews for Pete's Butcher Block from Yelp and Google.

Despite the rescue being done over 9 months ago, there were no new reviews on Yelp.

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to change the name of Pete's Cutting Board to Pete's Butcher Block and the bar has kept the name. Despite the bar being rescued over 9 months ago, there aren't too many reviews of the bar, which isn't a great sign. The reviews for Pete's Butcher Block are mixed with people liking the staff and atmosphere while having both positive and negative things to say about the food.

Blue Line Tavern (Top Shelf Sports Bar) - Bar Rescue Update

2025-03-08T23:56:00.001-05:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin to rescue Top Shelf Sports Bar. The owners of Top Shelf Sports Bar are dealing with the death of their son and Jon Taffer is going to try to help them move forward. During recon, the bartenders cannot make simple drinks like an Old Fashioned and the food is being cooked in a microwave.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Top Shelf Sports Bar to Blue Line Tavern and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Blue Line Tavern since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Amazing food, and excellent service. Keep up the great work!"
"Super friendly owner, good food and awesome decor"
"The owner is awesome. My husband tried all 5 speciality drinks that bar rescue came up with and they were very good. The beer cheese was yummy"
"Amazing food. Surprised how slow it is here. Great bar and location. Bartenders are better here now. In my opinion, it was the slow service and rude Bartenders that made this place die off."
"Got food here and drinks! Had a new bartender! He did great I believe his name was Victor! 10/10 service, food and drinks. I will definitely be coming back to see Victor"
"had an amazing experience at Blue Line Tavern! The Blue Line hamburger were absolutely delicious — juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The tator tots were crispy, a perfect side dish. The beer selection was impressive, and served ice-cold just the way I like it."
"Really good wings and friendly atmosphere. I think I went around a time where they were kind of slow so there was only a few people working. But after about a half hour people started coming in to work so I only give it a four-star for service because they were short-handed at the time. Otherwise, great place to eat and have a beer watching your favorite team."

Negative Reviews:

"It was dead when we went in yet our Sever acted too busy for us. I got a tea and the flavor was atrocious like it was very very old, or ran through dirty lines. Food sounded good but my meal was a smaller portion than I expected based on the price and my husband said his meal tasted as if were microwaved. I really don't know if we'll be stopping back there ever again."
"Since their big TV make over they are a bit of a disappointment. Our first visit after the taping was a disaster and we left before we even ordered. Our second try (because they used to be really good), was not a whole lot better. One staff person running their large bar and waiting tables and delivering food. The kitchen was keeping up nicely though. We waited longer for the check than for the food. They need to get their act together and hire reliable staff, then be staffed for downtown events. Quit winging it!"
"Waited 20 minutes for no one to even ask if we wanted anything to drink. Will never step foot in this place again. Walked out without any service. Place was dead. Bartender and friends just starred at me and my wife. Don't waste your time. Lot of good the TV show did."
"Was bad as Top Shelf, even worse after their "makeover". Stay away! Probably the worst place in Fond du Lac."
"It's pretty sad when you can go to taco bell and get greeted upon walking in the door, where as at blue line tavern we walk in the wait staff stares at you. We seat ourselves and wait at least 15 mins and still no service. Very disappointing, will not return."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Top Shelf Sports Bar happened in September 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page.
Donnie Wahlberg is on this episode.
The episode is titled "Rock Bottom at Top Shelf."
Here is the Blue Line Tavern website and Facebook page.

The Blue Line Tavern theme is a hockey bar.

Right after the makeover, the bar posted, "All of us at Top Shelf would like to formerly thank everyone for their ongoing support! It has been a crazy week, but we are looking forward to a fresh start and are truly hoping to give our customers the best experience when they visit us. Our new name will be "Blueline Tavern" it will be an adjustment, but we feel with a new start we needed to embrace the change. We are pretty excited to launch our NEW MENU soon, but have added some feature items that are absolutely incredible! We will be working on getting our logo and name changed soon."
The bar posted the following about the upcoming episode, "This Sunday at 9pm at Blue Line Tavern, we will be airing our story on the TV show "Bar Rescue. Our business opened in 2019 and it was a prominent place in our community offering great food & service. In 2023, our son was killed in a motor vehicle accident and our lives were shattered. It has been extremely difficult to run a business and unfortunately, our business suffered. We are truly grateful to Jon Taffer, Donnie Wahlberg & the Bar Rescue team for all of their help in trying to put our business back on track after losing our son. It is amazing to be in such a great community that continues to support our business and to some that have given us another opportunity after some pretty bad times. Thank you!!! Anyone that comes in Sunday to watch our episode will receive a FREE Breakfast Gift Certificate along with a FREE Bar Rescue cocktail. We will also keep our kitchen open later so you can order our featured Bar Rescue food that we prepared during the week of filming."

According to their comments, it seems they are happy with their Bar Rescue experience and they have kept the name, concept, drinks, and menu.

Here are the reviews for Blue Line Tavern from Yelp and Google.

The bar currently has a 3-star average on Yelp and a 4-star average on Google.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Top Shelf Sports Bar to Blue Line Tavern and the bar has kept the name. The reviews for Blue Line Tavern are mixed with people liking the food and atmosphere while there are complaints about the service. Both the positive and negative reviews talk about how there aren't too many people inside the bar, which isn't a great sign. Blue Line Tavern seems to have kept the Bar Rescue drinks on the menu and also seem happy with their experience on the show.

Harbor Lights Coastal Sports Bar - Bar Rescue Update

2025-03-01T23:29:00.004-05:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, the team is in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to rescue Harbor Lights. This is another episode where Jon Taffer is not doing the rescue, but it will be Spike Mendelsohn. The bar is in danger of closing because of the owner's bad attitude that makes his staff afraid to speak out against anything he does. During recon, the bloody mary that they are supposedly known for doesn't live up to its name. The kitchen is tiny, and a grilled cheese is being made on the top of a bar.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, the show decided to keep the name of Harbor Lights, but added a tag line by calling it Harbor Lights Coastal Sports Bar. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Harbor Lights Coastal Sports Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Great Atmosphere! Friendly Staff! Amazing Drinks! We felt so welcomed! Packer raffles, and great food!! And the Bloody Mary’s 😋. Thanks Dave. Jeff, Terry, and Eric "
"Great place to watch a game and relax. Dog friendly!!"
"I stopped in for a quick adult beverage while in town for some meetings. I ordered a beer but found out their internet was down and they could only take cash. I had no bills on me but the gentleman a few seats over offered to buy me the beer. Well that beer turned into four and i made a great new friend. The bar tender was incredibly kind and very nice as well as my new buddy Jeff. This town is amazing, and this bar was the best. Ty for all the kindness. I'll will absolutely be back to repay the warmth."
"This review is post remodel/updates/facelift…The interior is nice and warm, and the woodwork and nautical themes are warm and welcoming! I tried two new drinks and enjoyed both of them! I hope to be back soon! 5 star for sure!"
"Bartenders are nice and plenty of history behind the building. Cool location. Outdoor area could use some work and bloody Mary was just ok for me. Would check it out again though."

Negative Reviews:

"Local from Sheboygan County. First time here tonight. Nice looking place, and the bartender was good! But, 1 star because of the drink prices. $4 for a can of beer. No thanks. I'll go to one of the other 50 other bars within 5 miles of you."

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Harbor Lights happened in September 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
The episode is titled "Lights Out in the Harbor."
Here is the Harbor Lights website (says it is coming soon) and Facebook page.
The bar is in a historic location that has housed bars since 1865. The current owners from the show purchased the bar in 2015 and changed the name back to the original of Harbor Lights.
Here are the Facebook pages of Dave (owner), Tina (manager), Kayla (bartender)
Here are the reviews for Harbor Lights Coastal Sports Bar from TripAdvisor and Google.

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to keep the name of Harbor Lights and added a Coastal Sports Bar tagline to it, but most people still refer to it as Harbor Lights. This was another episode that was not done by Jon Taffer and Spike Mendelsohn handled the makeover. There aren't too many reviews of the bar, but the few reviews are positive with people liking the building, atmosphere, and the fact that it is dog friendly on the patio. The Harbor Lights website is still under construction, but they do post pretty frequently on Facebook to advertise their specials. The update at the end of the show said Dave was unhappy with the rescue.

Interlude II Bar & Grill - Bar Rescue Update

2025-02-22T23:01:00.002-05:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Kenosha, Wisconsin to rescue Interlude II Bar & Grill. The bar is a family-owned and operated bar that has been opened since 1963. Despite having a kitchen, they aren't using it to serve food and just have frozen pizzas that are heated in a residential oven. The bartenders do not know how to make basic drinks, and the bar hasn't been updated in years.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to keep the name of Interlude II Bar & Grill. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Interlude II Bar & Grill since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Good drinks.....service.....friendly bartender.
Owner great to deal with as a salesman way back when!!"
"I stopped in after work on Tuesday night for a bite to eat. Ronda was awesome super down to earth and sweet. I will definitely be back just because of her. She deserves a raise :)"
"Great little place, loved the seating by the wall and the candles. Signature drinks we're small and just enough."

Negative Reviews:

"And next time Google says your bar is a bar and grill I would expect you guys to have food I can order but no there is no food at all now to me that's false advertisement you guys cannot call yourself a bar and grill without serving food I was hoping for a burger and fries with my whiskey but it's too good to be true"
"Very interesting place. The air is reeked of cigs. There are 3 beers on tap so I’m really sure how this bar stays afloat. The crowd is very rowdy, but lively. I will say of your doing a pub crawl it is a good spot to stop. Not really a place to enjoy a drink with friends. I don’t highly recommend. Spotted cow was refreshing!"

*Reviews from Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Interlude II Bar & Grill happened in the August 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page.
The episode is titled 'Jimmy Meet World.'
Here is the Interlude II Bar & Grill Facebook page and they do not have a website.

The bar is having a watch party for the episode and is selling 50/50 tickets with 50% going to the raffle winner and the other 50% going to staff. (Link)

The bar has been open since 1963 and they said Jon Taffer didn't change the name due to the family history of the bar. (Link)

There is also a sign that says The Long Bar at Interlude II Bar & Grill. (Link)

Here are the reviews for Interlude II Bar & Grill from Yelp and Google.

Despite the bar being around for so long, there aren't too many reviews.

A lot of posts on Reddit and Facebook say that the bar is a dive bar with a lot of regulars.
None of their posts on Facebook advertise any food and none of the recent reviews mention food. They also haven't posted a menu online, so it appears they aren't serving the food that was installed by Bar Rescue.

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to keep the name of Interlude II Bar & Grill due to the family history of the bar and it being open since 1963. There aren't too many reviews for Interlude since the makeover, but they are mixed with people liking the staff. It seems they are not serving food despite having "Bar & Grill" in their name. They do not have a menu posted online, no reviews mention food, and none of their specials advertise food. The bar has a lot of regulars who just like to come there to drink beer.

Gateway Pub (Corner Pocket) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

2025-02-21T23:40:00.000-05:00

The Gateway Pub and Grill in Hickory, North Carolina which appeared on season 8 (3rd set) of Bar Rescue has closed. The bar was originally named Corner Pocket II, but when Bar Rescue visited in August of 2022, they renamed the bar to The Gateway Pub & Grill.

The Gateway Pub & Grill is listed as 'Closed' on all review sites and their last post on their Facebook page was in July 2024.

Part of the reason for The Gateway Pub & Grill being closed is because of the amount of times police were required to come to the bar. According to a local article, the Hickory Police Department was called more that 250 times from January 2022 to June 2024, and in May 2024 a Hickory Police officer was shot while attempting to arrest an armed suspect near the bar. Their liquor license was suspended shortly after this incident.

N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement said about the bar, “Gateway Pub and Grill has a history of violent events, including the discharge of firearms, large scale fights, and weapons violations involving employees of the business,”

Corner Pocket II appeared on Bar Rescue in 2022 where it was renamed to The Gateway Pub & Grill and here is the original update for the bar. The Gateway Pub & Grill is now marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates Page.

New Season of Bar Rescue Starts February 23rd

2025-02-16T11:13:00.002-05:00

New episodes of Bar Rescue episodes will return to Paramount Network on Sunday, February 23rd and it is being labeled a continuation of season 9 of the show.

Photo - Paramount

From the press release from Paramount, "One of the best parts of my job is hugging bar owners at the end of each episode and seeing them embrace a fresh start for their business—and their lives. For over a decade, we’ve empowered bar owners, employees, and their communities to rediscover their potential. This milestone reflects the dedication, passion, and resilience of everyone involved. I am profoundly grateful to Paramount Network for being an unwavering partner in this journey and for giving us the platform to continue transforming struggling businesses into inspiring success stories."

A preview video of the upcoming season can be seen here.

Also announced in the press release was the renewal of Bar Rescue for a 10th season, so there will be even more new episodes coming in the future. It remains to be seen if Jon Taffer will do all the rescues, but judging by the preview, it seems he will have other experts doing some rescues again this season.

As always, I will have updates for each of the bars that appear on the show, so make sure to visit the website after each episode airs.

Midtown Pub (Coaches Pub) - Bar Rescue Update

2024-08-04T00:01:00.004-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Houston, Texas to rescue Coaches Pub. The bar doesn't maintain standards and cannot make basic drinks properly. The kitchen is a mess, there are fruit flies in the bar, and the owner is drinking while at the bar. The owner Robbie is supposedly $230,000 in debt and the bar is supposedly months away from closing.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Coaches Pub to Midtown Pub Steak & Sports and the bar has kept the name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Midtown Pub Steak & Sports since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Great local pub for locals, regulars and people just stopping by. Good people, good drinks, good food and great bartenders. Best happy hour in town - mon-fri 4p-7p AND 10p-close"
"Friendly attentive staff. New to the area, they adopted me right in. Its like Cheers, everyone knows your name! Food is great, I haven't tried anything I don't recommend. They just had a makeover and have some new dishes and drinks. Try the Triple Play, its my new favorite!"
"Love this place and the people and the food! Oh! The beer is delicious as well! A daily stop for us for sure!"

Negative Reviews:

"Stopped in on a Monday afternoon. There were five people at the bar and three people at a table. Older guy w a goatee and a bald spot took my drink order rather quickly but then was too busy talking to the five people at the end of the bar rather than ask me if I wanted food. I had the menu out and was looking forward to a pub burger. By the time my beer was half empty I just motioned to the other guy to close me out. I’m guessing with a place like this you don’t get good service if you’re not a regular or unless you look rich. I’ll never be back."
"They advertise prime steaks..B.S I had the worst ribeye steak ever. Charged 26.95. It was more like a 12.95 steak from Sizzler. I do not recommend this place !"
"This place is not accessible to wheelchairs and they put no effort into making it so. Don't support this place if you care about making places accessible to all."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for Coaches Pub happened in the March 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
Here is the Midtown Pub website, Facebook page and Instagram page.

Their websites/social media all say "Midtown Pub (Formerly Coaches Pub)"

Here are the Facebook pages of Robbie (owner), JoJo (bartender)
Here are the reviews for Midtown Pub from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google.
There is another bar less than a mile away called Midtown Bar & Grill, so that could be confusing for some potential customers.

Some reviews online even mix up the two.

People on their recent social media posts are asking if they are still closed because of a fire, but I don't see any evidence of that.
In 2013, Robbie had an interview with the local news about a string of robberies in the area and his bar was hit multiple times, so he started sleeping in it to protect it. (Link)

Conclusion:

Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Coaches Pub to Midtown Pub Steak & Sports and the bar has kept the name. Their websites and social media say Midtown Pub Steak & Sports (formerly Coaches Pub)." The reviews for Midtown Pub are mixed with people liking the local atmosphere, but there were some negative reviews about the food. There is another bar less than a mile away called Midtown Bar & Grill, which is confusing for some people as they can be mixed up.

The Pour Station (The Wagon Wheel) - Bar Rescue Update

2024-07-27T22:12:00.000-04:00

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Phil Wills and Danny Trejo are in Cleveland, Texas to rescue The Wagon Wheel. The bar is owned by a pair of friends and the bar is ruining their friendship. During recon, they find that the bar has filthy fans and cockroaches and the bartenders cannot make the most basic and popular drinks.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Bar Rescue decided to change the name of The Wagon Wheel to The Pour Station, but the bar still goes by The Wagon Wheel. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Wagon Wheel since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Positive Reviews:

"Always great service the best fried rice you will ever eat large portions and reasonable prices. The pretzel is a great appetizer. The pho is a little different but still very good"
"The steak was cooked to the correct temperature which is, in my experience, uncommon when asking for a medium RARE steak. Paige the Barmaid was very friendly and attentive. My only complaint is the parking lot.. pot holes are an understatement. Such a beautiful diamond with a rough exterior!"
"The food was fantastic. Our server Jade was very engaging. She answered all our questions, has a great personality and made sure we had everything we needed."
"Cool little joint. Wait staff had trouble with the four tables that were there. Chicken fried steak was average and it and gravy were served atop the roasted vegetables... kind of an odd plating choice."
"Lots of fun! Beer by the bucket, got some dancing in and the ladies behind the bar were awesome. Don’t get to the area much but when I do, I’ll make the stop here for some cold beer and fun"

Negative Reviews:

"The service provided by the staff was satisfactory. However, the extended wait time for the food was unacceptable, particularly considering the establishment was not operating at full capacity. I had ordered the stir-fry Ramen with beef, but it was not prepared as described on the menu. The ramen noodles were not the correct type, the egg was served cold and overcooked, and the beef was excessively cooked."
"The restaurant is cute and our server was friendly. The blooming onion was the best I've had. The potatoes are instant, green beans are canned. Too much garlic in the breading, the chicken fried steak and the chicken fried chicken were tough. None of the 4 of us were pleased with our meal."
"The ac was broken. Should have closed up and used the time to clean the tables well. Service was excellent, but the food all came out of a box or bag, and you can tell."
"Food was horrible, old grease smell when you go in. Did not eat over 3 bites. Will not return."

*Reviews from Yelp, Google

Other News and Links:

The Bar Rescue for The Wagon Wheel happened in April 2024.
Here is a preview video of the episode from the Bar Rescue YouTube page
Here is The Wagon Wheel Facebook page.
All of their recent advertisements still say The Wagon Wheel, so they went back to their old name and do not use The Pour Station.

They do still have The Pour Station signs up in the bar based on the photos they have on Facebook. So they haven't removed all of the signage installed by Bar Rescue.

Here is the Facebook page of Jorge (owner)
Here are the reviews for The Wagon Wheel from Yelp and Google.

The Google page says The Wagon Wheel/The Pour Station, but there are no indications that they are using The Pour Station as their name.

Conclusion:

Bar Rescue decided to change the name of The Wagon Wheel to The Pour Station, but the bar still goes by The Wagon Wheel based on all of their advertisements. They still have some 'The Pour Station' signs in the bar, but they still go by The Wagon Wheel. The reviews for the bar since the Bar Rescue makeover are mixed and it seems like a good place for a drink, but not for food.