The Morgue (Kiva Lounge) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Kiva Lounge & Bar in San Marcos, Texas which appeared on season 6 (2nd set) of Bar Rescue has closed.  On October 14th, the bar posted on their Facebook page, "As of today our doors are closed. Thanks for all the memories San Marcos!"  The comments on that post say the closure was sudden and there were still bands scheduled.  People were also saying that someone bought the bar, but nothing can be confirmed.

When Jon Taffer did the makeover of Kiva Lounge & Bar, he renamed the bar to The Morgue.  The bar did not keep the name and went back to the name Kiva Lounge & Bar a few months after the makeover.  Here is the detailed update from when the episode aired and Kiva Lounge & Bar/The Morgue is now marked 'closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page.

Bar Rescue - The Fifth Amendment Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in West Bountiful, Utah to rescue The Fifth Amendment.  The Fifth Amendment is also referred to as "The Fifth" and is owned by Brad Hepworth whose father previously owned the bar.  During recon, Jon packs the bar and pulls all of the bartenders out of the building.  The owner Brad doesn't even notice, and he is just sitting in the bar drinking.  Brad has owned the bar for 20 years and still doesn't know how to make drinks or use the cash register.


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

Bar Rescue - Malloy's Bar & Grill (GI Jodi's) Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Littleton, Colorado to rescue GI Jodi's. GI Jodi's is owned by a woman named Jodi who lost her military-veteran father who helped run the bar.  She is now overworked and needs her son to step up to take more responsibility at the bar and to fill the void.  Jodi's leadership style has caused the bar and her family relationships to fail.  Jon needs to convince her that she is the problem and that she needs to change for the bar to succeed.


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

Bar Rescue - The Prime Bar (WildeFire Bistro) Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Aurora, Colorado to rescue WildeFire Bistro.  WildeFire Bistro is owned by Tony David who bought the bar and is a performer who must choose between his career and his responsibilities.  Tony used his savings to open the bar and he is supposedly losing $15,000 a month and is $250,000 in debt.  While Jon is doing recon, he sees that Tony's performances are not entertaining and he also sees food at the bar that has a hair in it.


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

Bar Rescue - Water's Edge Bar & Grill (Edge of Town) Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Blue Springs, Missouri to rescue Edge of Town.  Edge of Town is owned by Mark Wilson and his fiance Ozzie who are getting another chance at a Bar Rescue.  They also owned Longshots/Badlands Country Nightclub which appeared on season 3 (2nd set) of Bar Rescue in late 2013.  While Jon is doing recon, he finds bartenders that can't make basic drinks, are drinking on the job, and a cook who cannot correctly cook basic items.


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

Bar Rescue - Pit Stop Bar & BBQ (Stix & Stones Bar and Grill) Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Sugar Creek, Missouri to rescue Stix & Stones Bar and Grill.  Stix & Stones is owned by Billy Banks who supposedly wrote Jon Taffer asking for help.  While Jon is doing recon, he sees bartenders that are too drunk and a cook who is cross contaminating all of the food items.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Stix & Stones Bar & Grill to Pit Stop Bar & BBQ, but the bar quickly changed the name back to Stix & Stones. The bar did close for a bit, but it is now open again.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Stix & Stones Bar & Grill since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Bar Rescue - BCBG (Buffalo City Bar & Grille) Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in St. Petersburg, Florida to rescue Buffalo City Bar & Grille.  Buffalo City Bar & Grille is owned by Doreen Levy whose late father opened the bar.  The bar is losing about $5,000 a month, revenues are down 25% and the bar has supposedly given away $90,000 worth of liquor in the past year.

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

Bar Rescue - Butcher & Brew Pub (Drunken Donkey) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Lewisville, Texas to rescue Drunken Donkey Bar & Grill. Drunken Donkey Bar & Grill is owned by two best friends who are on "the verge of losing their bar."  Co- owner Nick Vogiatzis is working while wearing sandals, the bar has 75 different kegs, and they are using four different managers to help run the bar.  The bar's menu is too large, and the kitchen is using a microwave to warm up food.

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

Fatballs (Bayou Bar & Grill) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Fatballs in Jacksonville, Florida, which appeared on season 6 of Bar Rescue, has closed.   The bar last posted on Facebook in May 2019, and they confirmed that they closed in late May 2019.   Owner Tony Azer also confirmed Fatballs was closed on his personal Facebook page and it appears he is now involved with a sandwich shop.

Fatballs was renamed to Bayou Bar & Grill by Jon Taffer, but the bar changed back to Fatballs after the makeover.  At the time, owner Tony Azer said he changed the name back due to his licenses being in that name, decreasing sales with the new name, and customers thinking Fatballs closed due to the name change.


The Bar Rescue for Fatballs was done in January 2018 and the episode aired in July 2018.  Since the makeover, there weren't too many reviews and Fatballs had a few bad restaurant inspections.  If you are interested in the detailed update done for the episode, here is that post.  Fatballs is now marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page.

Bar Rescue - JB Taco (Harbor Point Club & Grill) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Richardson, Texas to rescue Harbor Point Club and Grill. Harbor Point Club & Grill is co-owned by John Willis and Bert Novey who have no prior bar experience.  The owners are drinking in their bar and during recon, Bar Rescue pretends they are not making over the bar to see the reaction of John and Bert.  Jon Taffer sees they are genuinely upset and decides to go through with the makeover.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Harbor Point Club & Grill to JB Taco.  The bar did not keep the name and currently goes by the name Rocket's Sports Bar & Grill.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for JB Taco/Rocket's Sports Bar & Grill since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Bar Rescue - The Stampede Saloon (Whiskey Girl Saloon) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Fort Worth, Texas to rescue Whiskey Girl Saloon. Whiskey Girl is co-owned by "big time bar-persona" Rick Roundhouse and Jon Taffer needs to convince him that he is the reason why the bar is failing.  The bar is supposedly losing $6,000 a month and they are only open two days a week and do not have a kitchen.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Whiskey Girl Saloon to The Stampede Saloon and the bar has kept the name, however they have already closed. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Stampede Saloon since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Bar Rescue - Thunderbird KSC Tavern (Thunderbolt) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Pleasant Valley, Missouri to rescue Thunderbolt Bar & Grill.  While Jon is there, he finds a filthy kitchen and the owner Don is acting like a frat boy in his own bar.  Don will need to change his ways if he wants Jon Taffer to rescue his bar and if he wants Thunderbolt to succeed.


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

Cayman Cove From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Cayman Cove in Tampa, Florida, which was featured on season 4 (5th set) of Bar Rescue has closed.  The bar posted on Facebook that they closed in June 2019 as the owners wanted to focus more time on their growing family.  The Facebook post said:

"That’s how we END cayman cove. We wanna thank you all for the loyalty all those years. It was an amazing 9 years. But today our family is growing and we wanna be able to stay together and the bar was a great time but the hours are crazy and we’ve decided we want time for us and do things together. We will keep you all in our hearts and prayers as we move onto a new chapter of our life’s. We wanna thank you in a very special way the loyal people that worked with us and became family. Michelle, Nicole, Cristina, Yolanda, Burt, Michaella and few others I can’t remember all the names. But in a very special way all of you made us last 9 years. May god bless us all. Special thanks to our partners. In memory of RUSSEL BAIN forever in our hearts we will live life the fullest. Stephanie, Scott, Howard & Rudy."

Cayman Cove appeared on Bar Rescue in March 2016 and was originally named Dale 1891.  Jon Taffer decided to rename the bar to Cayman Cove and the bar did keep the name until they closed.  The owner Scott also appeared on a Back to the Bar episode of Bar Rescue (video).

The reviews of Cayman Cove were pretty bad with a lot of recent 1-star reviews on Yelp before they closed.  Cayman Cove has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page and here is the original update for Dale 1891/Cayman Cove.

Bar Rescue - Das Brauhaus (New England's Ale House) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Palm Harbor, Florida to rescue New England's Ale House.  New England's Ale House is owned by Tara Cook who is recently divorced and is now a single mother.  She hired her friend Doug as a general manager, and he helps her out in both the bar and her personal life, but the bar is failing.  Three Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Beau Allen, Cameron Brate and Ali Marpet are there to help Jon Taffer do recon.  While doing recon, Jon discovers the kitchen has a big problem with cross-contamination.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of New England's Ale House to Das Brauhaus, which is a German-themed bar and restaurant.  The bar decided to keep the name, but Das Brauhaus closed before its episode aired. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Das Brauhaus since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Jon Taffer's Marriage Rescue

Jon Taffer has a new show on Paramount Network that will premiere this Sunday at 10pm ET/PT called Marriage Rescue.  The show is a spin-off of Bar Rescue, but instead of rescuing bars, Jon will be trying to save marriages.  Marriage Rescue will have six one-hour episodes and there will be two couples on the show per episode.  The show was filmed in December 2018/January 2019 in Puerto Rico at a five-star resort.  After Jon puts the couples through challenges, they have to decide if they want to remain together or split up before leaving the resort.

While Jon Taffer is not a licensed marriage counselor, I guess the thought is that people enjoy Jon Taffer screaming at bar owners about their bar, so they will also enjoy Jon Taffer screaming at people about their marriage.  Jon will use the same approach to try to fix marriages as he has limited time to get the job done.


What are your thoughts on Marriage Rescue?  Will you be watching?  If anything interesting comes out of the show, I can do some updates or maybe I will keep track of the couples who stay together vs. separate. Feel free to discuss the episodes in the comments of this post.


A 5-minute preview of the first episode and a 2-minute preview of the season of Marriage Rescue is after the break.

Rack's Billiards and Bourbon (Angel's Sports Bar) From Bar Rescue (Already Closed) Caught Fire

The building which held Rack's Billiards and Bourbon from season 1 of Bar Rescue had a large fire last night which badly damaged the building.  The Corona, California bar and gentleman's club was originally named Angel's Sports Bar and Jon Taffer renamed it to Rack's Billiards and Bourbon on the show.  The bar eventually changed their name from Rack's Billiards and Bourbon to Bar 1650 and they closed in 2018.

Since the bar closed in 2018, the building has remained vacant and last night there was a four-alarm fire that caused a lot of damage.  The Corona fire department provided updates about the fire which was eventually put out and one firefighter received a minor burn injury.  A picture of the building while the fire was being extinguished is below.


Renee Vicary, who was the owner of Rack's Billiards and Bourbon also owns other bars which still remain open.  Renee got in trouble after Bar Rescue in 2012 and was charged with tax evasion and workman's comp issues.  Renee later plead no contest and avoided any jail time.

In 2015, a man was fatally stabbed outside Rack's Billiards and Bourbon and the suspect in that case was later found guilty and sentenced to 37 years to life in prison. 


*To see the status of all bars that have appeared on Bar Rescue, visit our Bar Rescue Updates page.

Bar Rescue - Sauced (Gil & Rick's Sports Bar and Pizzeria) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Largo, Florida to rescue Gil & Rick's Sports Bar and Pizzeria.  Gil & Rick's is as the name states a sports bar and pizzeria owned by two longtime postal employees Gil Grim and Rick Johnson.  Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports helps Jon Taffer do recon and the bar cannot handle an order that includes multiple pizzas.


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

Bar Rescue - The Tipsy Bull (China Grove Trading Post) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in China Grove, Texas to rescue The China Grove Trading Post.  The China Grove Trading Post is owned by Wendy and Raymond Jenkins and they are enabling their "belligerent" daughter Maggen who works at the bar.  While Jon Taffer is there doing recon, he sees that there is a possum in the bar.  In previous episodes, Jon has seen horses and raccoons in a bar, so now we can add possums to the list of animals seen on Bar Rescue.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of The China Grove Trading Post to The Tipsy Bull and the bar decided to keep the name. However, the bar has already closed before this episode aired.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Tipsy Bull since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Bar Rescue - Halo Restaurant and Bar (LIV Nightclub) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue LIV Nightclub.  LIV Nightclub is owned by Michelle Lim and she is supposedly almost out of money due the bar.  The bartenders cannot make basic drinks and they are also giving away drinks to get bigger tips.  Jon Taffer has "social media experts" helping him do recon and Tyme the Infamous is one of them.  While Jon Taffer is doing recon, he discovers the cook is cross contaminating everything with his dirty gloves and by reusing the same cutting board.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of LIV Nightclub to Halo Restaurant and Bar and the bar decided to keep the name. However, the bar has already closed before this episode aired. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Halo Restaurant and Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Bar Rescue - The Shattered Bar (Eliphino Dive and Dine) Update

On this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Eliphino Dive and Dine. Eliphino is owned by John McDonnell who supposedly makes more enemies than friends at his bar.  Jon Taffer does recon with a former employee Casey and the kitchen is not being used at the bar due to leasing it out to somebody else.  The owner John also tells Jon Taffer that he feels he is perpetually one step away from a panic attack.


During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Eliphino Dive and Dine to The Shattered Bar and the bar did keep the name.  However, the bar has already closed before this episode aired.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for The Shattered Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):