Jon Taffer's Advice For Bars To Get Around 'ObamaCare'

Jon Taffer was on Fox & Friends earlier this week promoting his book Raise the Bar: An Action-Based Method for Maximum Customer Reactions, and talked about tips for business owners.  With it being Fox News, of course they had to ask him about 'ObamaCare' or the Affordable Care Act.  Jon stated that in the bar industry, he is suggesting adjustments where instead of switching to part-time employees, he is suggesting bars team up with each other and share employees.  For example, two bars could share an employee and have them work 20 hours at each bar.  That way the employees can work full-time, but businesses wouldn't have to deal with the regulations.  I'm not sure how many bars this would impact as I think you need 50 full-time employees before you have to provide insurance, which most bars have nowhere near that amount.

Jon also states in the interview that people need to stop blaming other people for their business failing and start blaming themselves.  At the end, Jon states that he thinks only 4 or 5 bars have closed, but as of now, the count from this site is eight.

Video of the interview is after the jump:

Bar Rescue - Bacon Bar (Kerry's Sports Pub) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are headed to Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Kerry's Sports Pub.  William, the owner of Kerry's, has invested $4 million in the bar to help secure his kids and grandkids future, but his grandchildren have taken advantage of the bar by using it as their private boozing place.  During the makeover, Bar Rescue decided to change the name of 'Kerry's Sports Pub' to 'Bacon Bar.'

Let's take a look at some reviews and updates of The Bacon Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (all reviews are post Bar Rescue makeover):

Bar Rescue - The End (Underworld Grill and Bar) Update

Photo - Facebook

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are headed to Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue The Underworld Grill and Bar.  The Underworld is a "horror" bar run by two former rock musicians that is in need of some help.  During the makeover, Bar Rescue decided to change the name of 'The Underworld Grill and Bar' to 'The End.'

Lets take a look at some reviews and updates of The Underworld Bar and Grill/The End since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (all reviews are post Bar Rescue makeover):

Jon Taffer Releases His Book Today

Just an FYI that Jon Taffer's book Raise the Bar: An Action-Based Method for Maximum Customer Reactions was released today.  This is Jon's first book and it is about creating the right reactions in your customers to transform a bar or restaurant.

The book is currently #1 on Amazon in the category of "Service Industry," however the competition isn't too strong.  If you are interested in taking a look inside of the book, Amazon has a "Look Inside" feature, which allows you to flip through a lot of the book.

Bar Rescue - Rocky Point Cantina (Havana Cabana Bar and Grill) Update

On the season 4 premiere of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are headed to Tempe, Arizona to rescue Rocky Point Cantina.  Rocky Point Cantina is a death-metal bar run by two brothers who have apparently drained their parents' retirement fund to keep the bar open.  Bar Rescue decided to change the name to Havana Cabana Bar and Grill during the makeover.

There has been a bit of drama since Bar Rescue came to makeover Rocky Point Cantina, so lets take a look at some reviews and updates of the bar since Bar Rescue came to town:

Jon Taffer's Reddit AMA

Jon Taffer did a AMA today on Reddit, which was pretty entertaining if you are a fan of Bar Rescue and Jon Taffer.  Here is the link to the whole AMA and below are some of the highlights:



Jon gives some insight on how real the show is with this answer:

All Bar Rescue Updates - How Many Are Open Vs Closed?

Now that season 3 of Bar Rescue is complete, I have put together a list of ALL bars that have appeared on Bar Rescue, and whether they are still open or have closed, as well as how they are reviewed.

This list will be kept up-to-date and will be updated as more episodes air and when bars end up closing.

As of today, 40 bars have appeared on Bar Rescue, and of those 40 bars, seven have closed, and the rest remain open.


There is a tab at the top of the webpage called "Bar Rescue Updates," or here is the direct link to the page.  This page has each episode listed, along with the status of the bar and any relevant links.  So head over to there to see the detailed analysis of all Bar Rescue bars.

Also, keep an eye out for detailed updates for upcoming episodes and past episodes on the blog.

Bar Rescue - Handlebar Cafe (Handlebar and Grill) Update

In season 3 of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew went to Pawcatuck, Connecticut to makeover the Handlebar Cafe.  The Handlebar Cafe is a biker bar run by two sisters whose partying ways are impacting their business.  Despite being near multiple motorcycle dealerships, the bar was still struggling and needed the help of the Bar Rescue crew.  Bar Rescue decided to change the name to Handlebar and Grill during the makeover, but the owners have decided to keep their old name.

There has been some recent drama regarding the Handlebar Cafe with the local government.  Lets take a look at some reviews and updates of the Handlebar Cafe since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (all reviews are post Bar Rescue makeover):

Bar Rescue - Marley's On The Beach Update

On the season 3 finale of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are headed to Warwick, Rhode Island to makeover Marley's On The Beach.  The Oakland Beach beachfront bar is struggling and Jon is trying to save the bar as well as the owner's marriage.  Bar Rescue decided to change the name to St. Michelle Beach Club during the makeover, but the owners have since changed the name to Marley's Beach Club.

Lets take a look at some reviews and updates of Marley's since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (all reviews are post Bar Rescue makeover):

Bar Rescue - The Hammer (Hammer & Ales) Update

Photo - Facebook

Tonight on Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are headed to Las Vegas to makeover The Hammer Bar.  The bar is dealing with a strained friendship between two trained chefs, Chris and Mitch, who own and operate the bar.  Bar Rescue came to update the bar back in March, and they decided to change the name from The Hammer Bar to Hammer & Ales.

Lets take a look at some reviews and updates of the bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (all reviews are post Bar Rescue makeover):