Bar Rescue - The 38th Floor (Mandala Lounge) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in San Mateo, California to try to rescue Mandala Lounge.  The bar is owned by Greg Hawkins and he is a self-proclaimed "nightlife expert" who has a large ego.  He also supposedly thinks that women don't belong behind his bar.  Mandala Lounge started to go downhill when the economy went downhill and they went from doing $60,000 in sales a month to $24,000 a month.  The bar is supposedly losing $5,000 a month and is months from closing.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Mandala Lounge was renamed to 38th Floor. The bar is supposed to make you feel like you are in a high rise despite being on the ground floor. The bar has kept the name and concept and they still go by 38th Floor.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for 38th Floor since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Patriot House (The Holding Company) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in San Francisco, California to try to rescue The Holding Company.  The Holding Company has been in San Francisco for about 40 years and was recently bought by four Irish sisters.  Their bickering is supposedly causing the bar to go downhill and The Holding Company is supposedly losing $6,000 a month with a total debt of $600,000.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, The Holding Company was renamed to the Patriot House.  They have kept the name of the bar and still go by Patriot House.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for the Patriot House since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue's Piratz Tavern (Corporate Bar & Grill) To Close

Photo - Spike TV

Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was featured on the second season of Bar Rescue has announced that they will close on April 4th due to the bar losing their lease.  Tracy, the owner of the bar, posted the following message on the "The Soul of Piratz Tavern" Facebook group.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have to deliver the sad news that Piratz Tavern has lost it's lease. Our last night will be April 4th. I am trying to keep this information within the family as we really don't want to deal with anymore bullshit from the reality TV world. Thanks to all who worked and played so hard to make the last eight years so great. The memories will last forever!"

The Piratz Tavern episode of Bar Rescue is one of the show's most popular and controversial episodes.   Jon Taffer got rid of the pirate theme at the bar and renamed it Corporate Bar & Grill.  This upset the owners and regulars who wanted to keep the pirate theme, and quickly after Jon Taffer left, they removed all of Bar Rescue's changes and reinstalled the pirate theme.  They sold items from the Bar Rescue makeover and supposedly spent $60,000 to get the bar back to the way they wanted it.  Also the self serve draft beer tables didn't have the proper permits, so they were removed.  Piratz Tavern even posted a Youtube video of them burning the Corporate Bar & Grill sign, and as of today, this video has been viewed over 200,000 times.

After the makeover, the owners and customers were publicly critical of Jon Taffer and his concept, and Jon Taffer felt they were more concerned with being pirates rather than making profits.  Also, fans of Bar Rescue flooded the Piratz's Yelp page to give a bunch of 1-star reviews (over 200 of which have been filtered).  A fan of the bar reached out to Jon Taffer on Facebook about this, and Jon Taffer actually responded to a fan saying he wanted his fans to be civil but also that the pirates brought this upon themselves with the way they acted.

One of the most common questions I get asked is "Is Piratz still open?," and the answer to that question will soon be 'No'.  If you want to get your pirate fix before they close, you have a little over a week to do so.  When they close on April 4th, the bar will be updated as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Update Page.


UPDATE - After everyone found out about the closure, Piratz Tavern posted the following on their Facebook page:

"Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Piratz Tavern will open it's doors for the last time on Saturday April 4th. Unfortunately the negative publicity, constant prank calls, vandalism and bogus reviews generated by our unfortunate participation on Bar Rescue have taken their toll. To add insult to injury, late last year Taffer's crew reached out to me again asking that we participate in a back to the bar episode. They promised that it would be followed by a re-rescue and that they would right all the wrong's committed during the first episode. Obviously I don't learn. I believed them. On December 1st we went to the effort to open on a Monday, the one day a week we have been closed for 8 years, with a skeleton staff of former employees who agreed to play the parts. It was basically coerced and staged to be an opening act for a re-rescue. I was told to bring in several changes of clothes to make it appear that filming covered several days. As usual they brought in a bunch of extras to fill the house and we were told what to say and with whom to speak. Throughout the entire shoot the director coached Juciano to curse and say negative things about John Taffer. He referred to me as the "hero", my daughter as the "victim" and Juciano as the "villan". Total bullshit frown emoticon Basically we have been fucked by reality TV again and with know one to blame but ourselves, we have decided not to renew our lease. Just can't take anymore. Director James Agiesta sweet talked me into the deal and then left us behind like carnage, just like the first time. A HUGE thanks to all of you who worked and played so hard to make Piratz Tavern the awesome place it has been for the last 8 years."

So, the bar will be on an upcoming episode of Bar Rescue and they appear to be saying everything was faked in hopes of another makeover.  I guess we will see when that airs...


Here is a preview of the "Back To The Bar" episode that will air on Sunday, April 5th and the clip features Piratz Tavern (video after the break):

Bar Rescue's LA Brew Co. Listed For Sale

Photo - Loopnet

LA Brew Co, which was just featured on Bar Rescue on 3/22/2015 and was Jon Taffer's most expensive rescue is already listed for sale.

There is a real estate listing on LoopNet that has the bar listed for $600,000.  The listing was posted two days ago (3/23/2015) and the description states:

"Business for sale. Upscale Bar & Restaurant includes a separate bar and sitting area for private events. Completely updated less than 6 months ago. With 100 beer tab Glycol system, two large seating areas, 50 foot long bar with 5 individual coolers behind the bar, large kitchen, pantry station and prep area, several coolers and jockey boxes, Auto-Chlor dishwashing system, liquor storage room, private office, one food walk-in cooler, one walk-in 100 line beer cooler, too much to list&

This beautiful clean classy bar & restaurant is located in the historic Broadway Theatre District in Downtown LA and not to mention the cities new project of revitalization Bringing back Broadway . True opportunity&"

There is also a real estate listing that was created 3/16/2015 that has the bar listed for $650,000 and has multiple pictures of the interior.  It appears they may have dropped the price with their latest listing.

(h/t commenter The Ugly Truth)

UPDATE - The bar is no long open as they try to sell, so this has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Update Page.

Bar Rescue - LA Brew Co (Los Angeles Brewing Company) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Los Angeles, California to try to rescue Los Angeles Brewing Company.  The bar is located in downtown Los Angeles, and is owned by Richard Ramos who is supposedly a million dollars in debt and losing $15,000 a month.  The debts and disagreements caused by owning the bar have triggered a family divide.  Maria Menounos is back again to do recon with Jon Taffer, and the bar ends up serving Jon's spies raw hamburger meat.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Los Angeles Brewing Company's name didn't change much as the signs that Bar Rescue put up now say LABREWCO.  They seem to be going by LA Brew Co, but still have a Los Angeles Brewing Company website and Facebook page.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Los Angeles Brewing Company/LA Brew Co. since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Stein Haus Brau & Brats (Friar Tuck's) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Pomona, California to try to rescue Friar Tuck's.  Friar Tuck's is a castle-shaped bar, and the owner Ivan has anger management issues that has pushed his staff to their breaking point.  Ivan does not get along well with his bartenders, or his general manager Sami, and he is supposedly $100,000 in debt due to the bar.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Friar Tuck's was renamed to Stein Haus Brau & Brats, which has a German theme most likely due to the castle exterior.  The bar has kept the name of Stein Haus Brau & Brats.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Stein Haus Brau & Brats since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - The Hot Rock Bar & Grille (Sandbar Grill) Update

Photo - Spike TV

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Coconut Grove, Florida to try to rescue the Sandbar Grill.  The bar is co-owned by Albert and Matt, and Albert is too concerned with his fantasy football team to pay attention to his bar.  The bar was thriving but the local government made some changes in 2010 that impacted the bar.   The bar is supposedly losing $7,000 a month and is two months away from closing.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Sandbar Grill was renamed to The Hot Rock Bar & Grille, which had a Korean BBQ theme.  The bar quickly changed the name back to Sandbar Grill and also put back up some old decorations.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Sandbar Grill since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Ele (Heat Restaurant & Lounge) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Hollywood, Florida to try to rescue Heat Restaurant & Lounge.  The bar is co-owned by Vin and Vanessa, who are husband and wife.  They bought the bar in 2012 and things started to go downhill when they slashed prices, which attracted a bad crowd.  Heat's bartenders also are out of control and they are giving away a ton of free drinks.  They also act more like strippers than bartenders and are dancing for tips.  Vin and Vanessa are supposedly $230,000 in debt and are losing $5,000 a month, so they called on Bar Rescue to help out.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Heat Restaurant & Lounge was renamed to Ele.  The bar seems to have kept a variation of the name and goes by Ele Lounge and Ele Nightclub.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Ele since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Bonny and Read's (Toucan's Oceanside Bar & Grill) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Hollywood Beach, Florida to try to rescue Toucan's Oceanside Bar & Grill.  The bar is co-owned by friends Jamie and John, and they have already survived multiple hurricanes.  Jamie recently lost a son and things started to go downhill at the bar.  They are supposedly $250,000 in debt and about 5 months from having to close.  To top it all off, there are rats in the kitchen of the bar.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Toucan's Oceanside Bar and Grill was renamed to Bonny & Read's.  The bar seems to have embraced the name and still goes by Bonny & Read's.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Bonny & Read's since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue Now Casting For Next Season

I get a lot of questions from people asking how they can get a bar to be on Bar Rescue, so I figured I would do a post to let everyone know that Bar Rescue is currently casting.

Metal Flowers Media is doing the casting for the next season and they are currently looking for bars in Tampa, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City.  They usually pick the city first, and then find the bars, so if you are trying to get on the show and aren't in one of these cities, you are most likely out of luck.

If you want to apply to be on the show, you can fill out an application at the Metal Flowers Media website, and they have also set up a Facebook page and Twitter page for Bar Rescue casting.  Also, if you are interested here is the actual Metal Flowers Media Facebook page.

Bar Rescue - Clear Bar (Underground Wonder Bar) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Chicago, Illinois to try to rescue the Underground Wonder Bar.  The bar is a live music bar owned by Lonie Walker, and since the bar moved locations it has been struggling.  Lonie is more concerned about live music and performing at her bar than the actual success of the bar.  Underground Wonder Bar is supposedly $515,000 in debt and Jon Taffer is there to turn that around.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Underground Wonder Bar was renamed to Clear Bar.  That name did not stick as they quickly went back to the Underground Wonder Bar.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Underground Wonder Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Second Base Bar and Grill Update

Photo - Second Base

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Orange, California to re-rescue Second Base Bar and Grill.  The bar was on the second season of Bar Rescue and was transformed from Extremes into Second Base Bar and Grill.  The bar was has gone back downhill with the owner not putting any money back into the bar and they have stopped serving their Bar Rescue food and drinks.

During the Second Base Bar and Grill re-rescue, Jon Taffer said he would put about $100,000 into the Second Base re-rescue, but only if the owner Terry was willing to put up some money of his own.  Terry needed to put up about $30,000 of his own money for Jon to start the makeover, which he refused and said he could not come up with the money.  So Jon walked out without making any changes.  Here are some updates for Second Base Bar and Grill since Bar Rescue visited the first time.

New Bar Rescue Episodes Start February 8th

Photo - Facebook

Here is just an update to remind you that New Bar Rescue episodes will begin on Sunday, February 8th.  The Bar Rescue Facebook page posted the picture on the right confirming the start of more new episodes.

I am not sure if this will still be considered season 4 of Bar Rescue, but whatever season they classify it as, expect 10 more new episodes.  There have been episodes shot in Miami, Florida and San Francisco, CA, so expect those to show up on this season.

As always, come here to Bar Rescue Updates to see updates on every episode of the new season. To see how all of the bars that have appeared on Bar Rescue are doing, visit the Bar Rescue Update page.

Brew U From 'Bar Rescue' Has Closed

Brew U in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which was featured on the third season of Bar Rescue has closed.  Brew U was originally named Fairways Golf & Grill until Jon Taffer and Bar Rescue did their makeover.  During that episode, the bar infamously had a mushroom growing in their walk-in cooler.

While the bar hasn't said anything official about the closing, their Facebook had the following statuses on December 8th:

• "Now that is a lot of shots....THANK YOU to everyone that showed up last night...Memories last forever"
• "The last ones standing...Best Staff, Best Wings (people's choice winner) and most importantly the BEST CUSTOMERS.."

Other clues that they are closed:

Mushroom in the walk-in

• I called the bar the past three days, and no one picked up.
• Their website is no longer active.
• A recent Yelp review on 12/16/2014 stating, "They have gone out of business so if are clicking help through groupon - don't buy this one . We really liked them while open and bought the groupon, now waiting for a refund"
• Visitors to this site letting me know they drove by recently and it was closed.

UPDATE - They confirmed that they closed in a post on Facebook stating, "Kimberly, yes wes have now closed. Lease expired in December and we realized we could no longer keep the doors open in that horrible location. 2 1/2 years of great food, fun and friendships though"

This is the fourth bar from the 2nd set of bars (10 total) to air during season 3 of Bar Rescue, and the Bar Rescue Update Page has been updated with this information.

Dimples From 'Bar Rescue' To Close

Photo - Spike

Dimples karaoke bar in Burbank, CA, which was featured on the third season of Bar Rescue will be closing some time in mid-January 2015.  Dimples is one of the few bars on Bar Rescue that Jon Taffer chose to keep their original name.  The bar is closing due to the Talaria Project, which will tear down the bar to help make room for a Whole Foods grocery store as well as residential development.

The bar has posted on their Facebook page:

"We're CLOSING sooner than we thought. Come make a few last memories at Dimples!

****DIMPLES LAST DAYS****  

It looks like our last day open will be some time in MID JANUARY. We will be getting rid of all of the alcohol so DRINK SPECIALS will be going on. Plus, we will be throwing our LAST NEW YEARS EVE PARTY. More details to come. Please spread the word and share our info so everyone can say goodbye to AMERICA'S FIRST KARAOKE BAR DIMPLES"

A post on laist said the bar would like to find a new location, but as of now they haven't had any luck.

Also, Dimples' Facebook page said that Bar Rescue was filming at their bar on December 2nd to do an update segment.  It should be interesting to see if Bar Rescue reveals that they are closed when that update episode airs.

The Dimples Bar Rescue episode aired in 2013, and this will be the 5th bar to close from season 3 of Bar Rescue (1st set of 20 bars).  The Bar Rescue Update Page will be updated when they close for good in January.

UPDATE - The bar actually closed in April 2015.

Bar Rescue - Campbell's Irish Pub (Packy's Pub) Update

Photo - Twitter

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin once again to try to rescue Packy's Pub.  The bartender Guppy is drinking a ton behind the bar while on the job, and Jon Taffer is surprised he can stand up straight.  Also, the owner Patrick is supposedly failing to pay all of his employees.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Packy's Pub was renamed to Campbell's Irish Pub, which is still an Irish themed bar.  The bar seems to have kept the name.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Campbell's Irish Pub since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Nick's House (Y Not III) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to try to rescue the Y Not III bar.  The Y Not is a franchise of bars in the Milwaukee area, and Nick is the owner of Y Not III.  The bar is supposedly losing $65,000 a year, and Nick is one of the main reasons why the bar is losing money.  Jon Taffer says to Nick, "I've met some stupid bar owners in my day, but you get the freakin' cake."
 
During the Bar Rescue makeover, Y Not III was renamed to Nick's House, which is a 70's themed bar and it seems that the bar has kept the name.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Nick's House since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Lake Marie Lodge (Dirty Rooster) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Antioch, Illinois to try to rescue the Dirty Rooster.  The bar is a lakeside bar, and the owner Rob spends more time swinging from the rafters of his bar than managing his staff.  While doing the recon, Jon Taffer steps away and says he will not help the bar until he sees some changes in the owner.
 
During the Bar Rescue makeover, Dirty Rooster was renamed to Lake Marie Lodge.  Since the makeover, the bar has kept the name of Lake Marie Lodge, however their Facebook page still has the name of the Dirty Rooster.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Lake Marie Lodge since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue - Osteria Calabria (Plush) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Glenside, Pennsylvania to try to rescue Plush.  The bar has supposedly gone downhill since the owner Bruno divorced his wife Shari.  Shari is now back to help Jon Taffer do recon on the bar and to help try to turn around the bar.
 
During the Bar Rescue makeover, Plush Nightclub was renamed to Osteria Calabria.  Since the makeover, the bar has somewhat kept the name as they refer to the bar as The OC, which is short for Osteria Calabria.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Osteria Calabria since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Bar Rescue's The Chicken Bone Remains Closed And Is Up For Sale

The Chicken Bone in Framingham, Massachusetts, which was on season 1 of Bar Rescue announced in June 2014 that they would be closing for the rest of the summer, with plans to re-open after Labor Day.  Many people saw the writing on the wall and figured that they would be closed for good and it appears that they would be correct.

Labor Day passed, and the bar didn't re-open.  Then, the bar said they would open on October 3rd, and they later updated customers to say there was a slight delay and it would be October 10th.  That date passed as well, and the bar kept stringing along customers saying they still planned to re-open.  However, a few days ago, it was discovered that The Chicken Bone was listed for sale on Bizquest for $175,000.

The Chicken Bone addressed their customers on Facebook about the restaurant being for sale, stating:

"Hello Fans of the Chicken Bone,

By now many have seen information that the Chicken Bone is for sale. It saddens me to say this is true. When we closed for the summer we had the full intention of re-opening. We worked with a prospective new management team to try to be ready to go as soon as the summer was over. Delays and resulting economic conditions have made us unable to continue. When we realized this we found a buyer who was committed to re-opening as The Chicken Bone on October 1st . As the day came and passed it became clear that this buyer did not have the resources to move forward. We are in the process of looking for a solution and remain committed to the Chicken Bone brand.

Please accept my deepest apologies to all who love the Chicken Bone and have so patiently waited, as well as the bands who have stuck with us and been so patient though this difficult time. I have been trying very hard to connect with a serious buyer who has the capacity and fortitude to rebuild what I have damaged. My passion for The Chicken Bone will never fade. It is clear, however, that I simply had too much going on and I lost the confidence of many of our faithful guests and friends. I am sorry for letting you down. I have certainly paid a steep price financially, but worst of all, I hurt the place we all love. I'm not exactly sure what will happen from here. I don't know if I will find a buyer who believes, as I still do, that the Chicken Bone is a viable entity. A buyer who can provide the proper management and ownership oversight to build this place back up to being the place we all knew and loved. If you believe in the Chicken Bone as it was and want it back(minus me) that’s cool, I get it, please share this correspondence with your friends and let your feelings be known here in this forum and elsewhere.

We’ll continue to update you on the fan page as things progress. When new management is ready to come in and re-open, perhaps under even a new name, we hope you’ll give them the same loyalty that I was honored to have while running the Chicken Bone.

Thank You,
Bill Rodenhiser"

This bar will now be marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page, and this is the third bar from season 1 of Bar Rescue that has closed.