Bar Rescue - Derby's Bar & Grill (The Wheelhouse Bar) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Hemet, California to try to rescue The Wheelhouse Bar.  The Wheelhouse Bar is a roller rink bar that has out of control bartenders and owner Jesse Vivanco doesn't know how to control them.  The bar is supposedly $165,000 in debt and Jesse has depleted almost all of his retirement money.  The Wheelhouse bar is also supposedly losing $6,500 a month and is six to eight months from closing.

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

Bar Rescue - Champagne's (Champagne's Cafe) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Las Vegas, Nevada to try to rescue the Champagne's Cafe.  Champagne's Cafe was bought in 2015 by Greg Simms with the help of a $150,000 loan from his mother.  The bar was once a famous mob hangout, but now it has issues such as outdated decor, not enough customers, and an owner that is a pushover.  Also, when locals got word that Bar Rescue was coming to the bar, they got a little upset and hoped that nothing was changed.

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

Bar Rescue - Gallopin' Goose Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Coolidge, Arizona to try to rescue the Gallopin' Goose.  The Gallopin' Goose is owned by Scott Wohrman and his ex-wife Stacey who bought the bar in 2009 while they were still married.  Scott made some mistakes which cost them their relationship and caused the bar to go downhill.  The Gallopin' Goose is supposedly $370,000 in debt, losing $2,000 a month and is six months away from closing.

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

More Bar Rescue Episodes Plus Jon Taffer Late Night Talk Show Coming To Spike TV

Photo - Spike TV

Spike TV announced that Bar Rescue will have 30 new episodes for the 5th season of the show in addition to 10 more "Back to the Bar" specials.  The fifth season actually starts on August 7th, so the end of the fourth season and beginning of the fifth season are on in back-to-back weeks.

Spike TV also revealed that Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer will film a late night talk show pilot on the channel, however details about the show or when it will air have not been announced.


The full Press Release from Spike TV is below:

"Spike Press Release – Spike Backs “Bar” Business and Star Jon Taffer

SPIKE BACKS “BAR” BUSINESS AND STAR JON TAFFER

NETWORK ORDERS NEW JON TAFFER PILOT, 30 EPISODES FOR  5TH SEASON OF “BAR RESCUE,” AND 10 MORE “BACK TO THE BAR” SPECIALS

New York, NY, July 27, 2016 – Spike has greenlit 30 episodes of “Bar Rescue” for the fifth season of the network’s popular original series, in addition to ordering 10 more “Back to the Bar” specials and an untitled, late night talk show pilot from “Bar Rescue” star, renowned bar and nightlife expert Jon Taffer. The series and pilot are produced by 3 Ball Entertainment (“Extreme Weight Loss,” “My Cat From Hell”) and executive produced by Jon Taffer.

The fifth season of “Bar Rescue” will debut on August 7 at 9pm ET/PT, with the additional “Back to the Bar” specials airing throughout the “Bar Rescue” run of original episodes on Sunday nights.
“Bar Rescue” follows Taffer across the country as he utilizes 30 plus years of experience in the restaurant, bar and nightclub business to help give failing establishments one last chance to transform themselves into profitable businesses. The fifth season will take Taffer to bars in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Seattle, and additional cities across America.

The additional installments of the successful “Back to the Bar” specials will continue to revisit infamous bars from the series’ past. In the newest iteration of these “where are they now” specials, Jon Taffer and a studio audience celebrate the most memorable “Bar Rescue” personalities and relive classic “Bar Rescue” moments. “Back to the Bar” also features new, never before seen footage of Taffer’s experts checking back in at previously rescued bars, and revisits tense confrontations between Taffer and well-remembered owners.

As part of its first-look agreement with Jon Taffer, Spike has ordered a late night talk show pilot also to be produced by 3 Ball Entertainment.

For additional information about “Bar Rescue,” fans can log onto barrescue.spike.com to view full episodes, check out before and after photo galleries of the rescued bars, and watch video previews of new episodes.  Fans can also get updates via Twitter @Spike and/or the @BarRescue handle, and join in on the conversation at the official Bar Rescue Facebook page.

About 3 Ball Entertainment:
3 Ball Entertainment is one of television’s most prolific producers of reality and non-fiction programming, both for broadcast and cable. Fully independent, 3 Ball’s current and recent series include Bar Rescue for Spike; My Cat From Hell for Animal Planet; LA Hair for WE tv; Kitten Bowl and the upcoming Kitten Summer Games for Hallmark Channel; Kingin’ with Tyga for MTV; WWE: Breaking Ground for WWE Network; and Extreme Weight Loss (which also airs as Obese in 130 countries). 3 Ball has additional series in production and development with networks including FOX, CBS, Spike, A&E, CNBC, Food Network, WE tv, MTV, FYI, Z Living and Redbull.
About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 91.4 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos."

Bar Rescue - Blacklight District Lounge Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Long Beach, California to try to rescue Blacklight District Lounge. Blacklight District Lounge is owned by Dave Franich with a little help from his friend Gabe Lopez.  They purchased the bar for $110,000 and turned it into a punk rock bar after doing some renovations. The bar has never made money and is supposedly losing $3,000 a month leaving Dave $160,000 in debt.  Dave is also stubborn about making any changes to the punk rock theme of the bar which causes conflict with Jon Taffer.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, there was no name change for Black Light District. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Black Light District since Bar Rescue came to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue visit):

Bar Rescue - Brick and Barley (Baseline Sports Bar) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Tempe, Arizona to try to rescue Baseline Sports Bar. Baseline Sports Bar is owned by AJ Hunter who took out a lien on her house to purchase the bar.  Baseline Sports Bar was supposedly doing between $65,000 and $80,000 a month when AJ purchased the bar.  Then AJ made the staff all female and called them the "Baseline Babes," which included her two daughters.  The bar went downhill and AJ is supposedly losing $4,000 a month and is $190,000 in debt.

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

Owner From Bar Rescue's The Arena Sentenced To Prison For Failure To Pay Taxes

Photo - Michigan Attorney General

Brian Michael Flore (aka Mike), who is the owner of The Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan was recently sentenced to two to five years in prison for 120 counts of failure to file taxes due to not paying sales tax for about 10 years (one count for each month).  He supposedly collected $700,000 in sales tax during those years and did not give any to the state of Michigan.  He worked out a payment plan with the state, but after missing a few payments, Mike was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution after penalties for fraud and interest were added. 

It is unclear if the bar will remain open, but it seems like the bar is looking for investors or looking to sell the business.

The Arena appeared on season four (4th set) of Bar Rescue and the update on this site had Mike saying he did the show pretty much for a free makeover.  Maybe he should have been more focused on paying his taxes.

If The Arena closes because of this, I will update the Bar Rescue Update Page, but for now I will keep it as "Open"

(h/t Detroit News)

UPDATE - The bar went up for auction in late July and is now closed. (Link)

Bar Rescue - The Beechwood (City Bistro) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in St. Louis, Missouri to try to rescue City Bistro. City Bistro is owned by Tiffany Hutchinson and her bartenders are out of control and flashing patrons.  She is supposedly $300,000 in debt and the bar is supposedly two months away from closing.  Jon Taffer also decides that Tiffany needs to fire a bartender for him to stay and finish the makeover of City Bistro.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer changed the name of City Bistro to The Beechwood and they have kept the name of the bar.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Beechwood since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Power Strip and Proving Ground Bar & Grill From Bar Rescue Have Closed

Two Detroit area bars that appeared on Bar Rescue (Season 4, 4th set) have recently closed:  Power Strip (previously Chix on Dix) in Detroit, MI and Proving Ground Bar & Grill (previously The Hooch) in Dearborn Heights, MI.

A fan of the website posted the picture to the right on the Bar Rescue Updates Facebook Page which showed Power Strip for sale and a number to call. The number is Brown Business Brokers, which has the listing on their website described as "Edge of Detroit Topless Bar - All new inside and out. Property and bar available at bargain price."

I called the number and was told the asking price was originally $1 million, but has now been dropped to $600,000.  I was also told the owner is selling because he doesn't want to run it himself and has lost his manager (assuming Darren).  The price includes the liquor license, topless license (which is supposedly expensive), the building, the land, and all of the equipment.  I also confirmed that Power Strip is currently closed and the new owner would have to get alcohol, new dancers, etc.

The other bar that recently closed is Proving Ground Bar & Grill/The Hooch.  Owner Chandra posted this on her Facebook Page on May 23rd, "Well... the bar is now closed ... forever.... thanks BR !"  On the comments of that post, she has replies saying there wasn't enough money to keep it going and that they were doing MUCH better before Bar Rescue.  Chandra also replies to a comment that references Jon Taffer saying, "Worst mistake in my whole life."

The Bar Rescue episode of The Hooch was pretty controversial due to the way Chandra acted on the episode, which caused many fans of the show to leave 1-star reviews and caused The Proving Ground/The Hooch to take down their Facebook page.  The bar was listed for sale after the show and it looks like it sold for $225,000 on May 26th (Link).

With Power Strip and The Hooch/Proving Ground closing, this makes three recent Bar Rescue closures in the Detroit area as Back Beat Piano Bar also closed.  The Bar Rescue Updates Page has been updated to show Power Strip and Proving Ground as 'Closed' now.

Back Beat Piano Bar From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Back Beat Piano Bar in Southfield, Michigan which was featured on season four (4th set) of Bar Rescue has closed. When Bar Rescue made over the bar in 2015, it was called Jazz Katz and Jon Taffer decided to rename it Back Beat Piano Bar, which the bar kept.

While there wasn't any official announcement of the closure, all of the signs point to the bar being closed.  They had a GoFundMe with hopes of raising $7,000 that has been taken down.  Their website and Facebook Page are down and their phone number is no longer in service.  I also emailed owner Tamika about the bar being closed, but received no response.

Back Beat Piano Bar is the first bar of season four (4th set) of Bar Rescue to close and the Bar Rescue Update Page has been updated with that information