Ace's A Sporting Bar & Grill (Ace's Sports Hangar) - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in The Colony, TX to rescue Ace's Sports Hangar.  The owners Will and Candace Kuhn purchased the bar in August 2020 and they own multiple bars in the area.  They purchased the bar during the pandemic and Candace has been running the bar with hopes of opening additional bars.  After a year in business, the bar is draining the finances of the owners and is supposedly losing $15,000 a month. 

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Ace's Sports Hangar to Ace's A Sporting Bar & Grill and the bar did keep the name, however the bar closed just a few months after the makeover. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Ace's A Sporting Bar since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar:

Stadium Club Bar & Grill (Gilly's Sports Bar) - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Dunwoody, Georgia to rescue Gilly's The Spot.  Gilly's is owned by Willie Chandler who has been in the hospitality industry his whole life. The bar is supposedly losing between $2,500 and $5,000 a month and Willie is supposedly $275,000 in debt and 60 days from closing.  The kitchen is so dirty that even the employees will not eat the food there.  Jon needs to get Willie to regain his passion for his bar in hopes that things turn around.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of Gilly's The Spot to Stadium Club Bar & Grill and the bar went back to their original name of Gilly's. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Stadium Club Bar & Grill/Gilly's since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Fogline Bar & Grill Owner Convicted of Cocaine Smuggling - Bar Is Closed

Fogline Bar & Grill in Hayward, California which appeared on season 5 of Bar Rescue has closed.  Lemack "Lee" Bellot was the owner who appeared on the Bar Rescue episode, and he was recently convicted of smuggling cocaine through SFO airport.

Lee Bellot was charged in a 2019 indictment, but details about the case were recently revealed as there was a trial set to happen.  According to the indictment, Lee met with an undercover DEA informant who was posing as an Atlanta area drug dealer.  In meetings that happened at Fogline Bar & Grill, Lee said he had a connection with someone who could sneak drugs around the country.  He had allegedly been paying airline employees to allow drugs to be smuggled past security. He was quoted as allegedly saying, "I had a connect. I’d run 10 bricks to Philly, 10 bricks to Ohio, and 10 bricks of china white to Miami, I used but my boy got popped. But I did find someone else recently.”

Some details about the case from Mercury News:

In one instance, on Nov. 28, 2018, the confidential source allegedly checked luggage at San Francisco International Airport, at Bellot and Askew’s direction, which made it onto a flight without being flagged by screeners, prosecutors say. This occurred after the informant allegedly handed over $8,500 in cash for a smuggling fee.

In another case, the agent attempted to board a flight with sham cocaine, only to be stopped by the Transportation Security Administration, but the DEA intervened so that the undercover operation wouldn’t be revealed, prosecutors say.

In early March 2022, Lee Bellot was found guilty of the charges against him according to Bay City News - one for attempting to aid and abet the possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and another count for 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.  A date for sentencing has not been set, but he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 plus restitution on the first count, as well as life in prison and a fine of $500,000 on the second count.

Fogline Bar & Grill was originally named Russel City Grill before Bar Rescue did the makeover and changed the name.  They did keep the new name and here is the detailed update for that episode.  The phone number to the bar is no longer in service, there is no current liquor license and a recent Yelp review stated, "Read news item that FEDS raided the place and drugs were found/distributed. Been there a few times, but it's location is not ideal for me. But, parking lot has a chain on it now."  All this coupled with the recent conviction of Lee, Fogline Bar & Grill has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page. 

Pacific Coast Wine Bar (Brix Sunset Beach) Is Closed - Bar Rescue Update

Brix Sunset Beach in Huntington Beach, California from season 4 (3rd set) of Bar Rescue is closed.  During the Bar Rescue makeover, the bar was renamed to Pacific Coast Wine Bar, but they changed the name back right away.  

In looking at the liquor licenses for the address, the bar has been sold a few times and the bar now goes by the name of Sunset Lounge Bottoms Up and here is their Facebook page and Instagram.

The interesting part about this is the liquor license for Sunset Lounge Bottoms Up lists Suzanne Blevins as the owner.  Suzanne appeared on season 7 of Bar Rescue as the owner of Bottoms Up Bar & Grill.  So, someone that appeared on an episode of Bar Rescue ended up buying another bar that appeared on the show.  As stated in the Bottoms Up update, Suzi owns multiple bars and Sunset Lounge Bottoms Up is referred to as the 6th Bottoms Up location. 

Brix Sunset Beach appeared on Bar Rescue in 2015 and here was the update for that episode.  Pacific Coast Wine Bar (Brix Sunset Beach) has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page. 

Legacy Bar & Grille (Game Time Sports Grill) Has Closed - Bar Rescue Update

Legacy Bar & Grill in Arlington, Tennessee which appeared on season 6 of Bar Rescue has closed.  The bar closed for good in late 2020/early 2021 and put the blame on the pandemic and health department restrictions.

On December 28, 2020, the bar posted on Facebook,

 "Dear friends and family,

As you may or may not know, The Legacy Bar & Grill got into a little bit of trouble a couple of weeks ago with the Health Department and their new guidelines.

We have been inspected and given the ok that we are good. But they  still have not given the go ahead to reopen. With that being said we have decided not to reopen. Bills keep coming and with 2 weeks no income it’s put us in a financial bind. 

The restrictions put into place by the Shelby County Government is restricting us to 25% capacity that only allows for 30 customers at a time. They have essentially ripped the rug out from under my business and are making it impossible to continue doing business, pay my employees and make any kind of profit.

This decision has not come easily. I have employees to think about as well as my family. I also have to consider my health and well being.

I am going to take this opportunity to spend time with my 3, soon to be 4 grandchildren, take a trip or two with my husband and make my health a priority.

Thank you to all of my friends and family that have been so supportive of us for the last several years! We appreciate and love each and every one of you and we look forward to this next chapter in our lives.

Thank you for the memories!"

Then on February 6, 2021, the bar posted this on Facebook, 

"Ok, most people know that The Legacy was shut down by the SCHD on Dec. 14,2020 for “breaking the rules” I will OWN that one. But when a great band like Twin Soul is playing it’s hard to keep control. We as owners and employees did everything that the SCHD told us we had to do to reopen. We were inspected and PASSED on Dec. 21, 2020. We ask if we could reopen and she informed us that she would turn it in and Bruce Randolph would have to approve it and send someone to take the sign off the door so we could reopen. Another week passed and no word. So we made the tough decision to close our doors permanently. Well!!! I’m starting to adjust to there just no being a Legacy in Arlington anymore. Owner locked us out, everything is going downhill! 

THEN I see this on the news last week! I wasn’t going to post anything! But I have just one question.......Who the hell buried the Legacy paperwork to keep us from reopening!! I wanted to reach out to News Channel 3 to let them know they had their information completely wrong. Who has this power! Who ever you are I hope your happy!"

So, it appears they violated the health department rules and had to shut down temporarily, but the owners made the decision to close permanently after that. 

Legacy Bar & Grille was originally named Game Time Sports Grill until Bar Rescue changed their name during their episode.  They did keep the name given to them by Bar Rescue and here is the detailed update from when their episode aired.  

Legacy Bar & Grill has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page. 

Libad's Bar & Grill (Libad's Seaside Tavern) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Libad's Bar & Grill in New Bedford, Massachusetts which appeared on season 3 of Bar Rescue has closed.  The bar is listed as closed on all review sites and they have not posted on their Facebook page since 2019. 

Libad's was listed for sale in February 2021 and here is the real estate listing that had the following description, "South End bar/restaurant on Clarks Point in New Bedford. Chosen to be a location filmed for the movie "Jungleland". Some items filmed will be sold with business and real estate. Full liquor license, stock and inventory to pass with sale. Handicap accessible, off street parking with back lot. The bar was on spike TV's bar rescue... episode "a bar full of bull". Net operating income see Agent."

The bar took about a year to sell and sold for $315,000 in January 2022. 

Libad's Bar & Grill was slightly renamed to Libad's Seaside Tavern during their Bar Rescue episode, but they went back to their original name.  The online reviews for the bar were actually pretty good and they stayed open well after their Bar Rescue appearance in 2013.  Libad's Bar & Grill has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page. 

Lucky 66 Bowl (Great 66 Entertainment Center) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Lucky 66 Bowl in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which appeared on season 7 of Bar Rescue has closed.  In March 2020, Lucky 66 said they had to close due to COVID and posted on Facebook, "By order of the governor of the state of a New Mexico, we are ordered to close until the state allows us to re open."

Almost a year later in January 2021, Lucky 66 revealed that they would not reopen and posted, "It unfortunate that I have to tell all of the patrons that have supported for the last 18 years, that we have to close the business. Not only the virus, COVID-19, but the policy of our governor has placed hardships and financial challenges that the company is unable to overcome."

In June 2021, they followed up with another message, "We appreciate the interest in our bowling center, However the financial requirements needed to reopen the center after the Governor forced our closure for mote than a year was more than we could handle. Thank you for remembering our and for your support. We appreciate you so very much."

So, it appears that government regulations shut down Lucky 66 Entertainment Center at first, and the owners decided not to reopen when they were allowed to.  The Lucky 66 update from when the episode originally aired stated that the owner Mike posted a lot of political thoughts on his Facebook page, so I am sure he was not happy with being shut down by the Governor.

Lucky 66 Bowl had their name changed to Great 66 Entertainment Center during their Bar Rescue makeover, but they quickly changed their name to Lucky 66 Entertainment Center and they kept that name until they closed.  Lucky 66 Entertainment Center has been marked 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page. 

Brenda's Inferno (Armadillo Grill) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Brenda's Inferno, which appeared on season seven of Bar Rescue has closed. The bar was originally named Armadillo Grill until Jon Taffer decided to change the name to Brenda's Inferno, which the bar kept until closing. The bar closed in December 2021, and in November 2021, they posted the following message on their Facebook page:

"After 24 years in business, Brenda's Inferno/Armadillo Grill is closing it's doors for good. Our last day is Sunday December 5th, 2021. Thank you for your business and your friendship. The people that worked here and that came in to the 'Dillferno' have made the last 24 years the fun place it is. There are SOOO many great memories that I will cherish. Wishing you all the best. Thanks for an amazing 24 years!!

Cheers,

Brenda

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"

Dr. Seuss"

Shortly after they closed in December, Brenda's Inferno held a liquidation sale to sell all of the items inside of the bar.  

Brenda's Inferno appeared on Bar Rescue in September 2020 and the episode was filmed in March 2020.  Here is the detailed update done when the episode aired. 

Brenda's Inferno (Armadillo Grill) has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates page. 

The Roost (True Grit Tavern) - Bar Rescue Update

 In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Maricopa, Arizona to rescue True Grit Tavern.  In 2015, Ralph Skrzypczak borrowed $150,000 from his father to open True Grit Tavern.  The bar started off well and was eventually doing $100,000 to $120,000 a month but is now supposedly $500,000 in debt.  

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

The Billy Bar (County Line Lounge & Grille) - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Tucson, Arizona to rescue The County Line Lounge & Grille.  In 2018, bartender Denise Maley and her fiancé Billy decided to buy the bar to fulfil Billy's lifelong dream of owning a bar.  They got help from Billy's best friend Paul who agreed to buy the bar for 49 percent of the business.  Three months after purchasing the bar, Billy tragically passed away.  Now Denise is more focused on drinking at the bar than running the business and for this year, the bar has currently lost $48,000.

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

Ninja Karaoke - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas to rescue Ninja Karaoke.  Ninja Karaoke is a karaoke bar owned by married couple Steve Corral and Mami Kanemitsu who bought the bar in 2017.  The bar was flourishing with popular events until the pandemic hit and then the bar was losing thousands per month. The struggles at the bar have caused Steve and Mami to put their goal to start a family on hold. 

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

Griff's Las Vegas - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Griff's Las Vegas.  Griff's Las Vegas is a premier billiards hall owned by Mark Griffin that is struggling after having to close during the pandemic.  Mark missed some time at the bar due to health reasons and he felt that his manager Gary didn't do enough to step up while he was gone.  When Jon Taffer is there, he also finds that the general manager Gary may be part of the problem at Griff's.

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

VFW Post 10054 Pahrump - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Pahrump, Nevada to rescue VFW Post 10054.  VFW Post 10054 opened in 1979 and is a staple in the community for the veterans that go there and for the locals who go there to gamble.  Marty Aguiar is the post commander and says the pandemic has had a big impact on the VFW Post.  Also, his wife is facing a battle with cancer and he will soon have to step aside to help her. With the amount of visitors down, the VFW Post is wondering if they will be able to stay open. 

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer obviously kept the name of VFW Post 10054.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for VFW Post 10054 since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Badlands Saloon - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Badlands Saloon.  Badlands Saloon is one of the oldest gay bars in Las Vegas and has been around for about 30 years.  The current owners bought the bar in January 2019 and they flourished at first. Then the pandemic hit, and the bar had to close for six months and the staff was furloughed.  Badlands Saloon was losing $5,000 to $10,000 a month and they were unable to have their normal entertainment due to capacity restrictions. 

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

Nevada Brew Works - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Nevada Brew Works.  Nevada Brew Works is a family-owned brewery that was forced to open during the pandemic.  The owner Jason is supposedly over $700,000 in debt and at risk of losing his house as it was used for collateral.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to keep the name of Nevada Brew Works like all bars so far during this season. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Nevada Brew Works since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

La Casona - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue La Casona.  La Casona is a Mexican bar/restaurant that has a 40-year history and was purchased during the pandemic.  Parents Victor and Claudia got their daughter Febe to put her name on the mortgage, which is putting her future in jeopardy. The family is struggling to pay their staff and were recently evicted from their home, so they are currently living above the bar.  This is also the 200th episode of Bar Rescue.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to keep the name of La Casona like all bars so far during this season. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for La Casona since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Cork & Thorn - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Cork & Thorn.  Cork & Thorn is a wine bar and floral emporium owned by Randi Garrett.  She has run a successful floral business for decades and decided she could parlay that success into a successful bar.  Her concept was working until the pandemic hit, and now she finds herself about $200,000 in debt. 

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to keep the name of Cork & Thorn like all bars so far during this season. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Cork & Thorn since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Champagne's - Bar Rescue Update (2nd Visit)

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Champagne's.  This is the second time that Jon Taffer has visited Champagne's because he did a makeover of the bar in 2016.  

As Champagne's was already on Bar Rescue, there will not be the normal update.  You can visit the other update done for the bar to see all of the links for the bar and reviews. Champagne's still uses the name of Champagne's Cafe and they put up their old sign, but they seem to use Champagne's and Champagne's Cafe interchangeably.  Here is a preview video of the episode if you are interested. 

Champagne's posted on their Facebook page about the upcoming episode, "Check out our second (yes second) Bar Rescue remodel.  They did a great job....again.  In addition to the remodel, we have another new drink menu and panini menu.  Thanks to Jon Taffer for committing the entire next season to  the Vegas bar industry surviving Covid!"

So, it appears they are happy with the makeover and are happy that Jon Taffer came to the bar again. 

One recent update for Champagne's is that a bartender (one that wasn't featured on Bar Rescue) died after an assault at the bar just a month ago.  Here is the link for that story.

Capo's Restaurant & Speakeasy - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are once again in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Capo's Restaurant & Speakeasy.  Capo's Restaurant & Speakeasy is a mob-style restaurant with a speakeasy theme that is owned by Nico Santucci.  Capo's was forced to shut down for months due to the pandemic and Jon Taffer is attempting to save Capo's Restaurant and bring it back to its pre-pandemic success.

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

Paradise Cantina - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Las Vegas, Nevada to rescue Paradise Cantina.  Paradise Cantina is owned by Ronnie Pellegrino who had immediate success and took in $1.2 million in his first year in business in 2019.  The year 2020 started out well too and there were plans to open additional locations until the pandemic hit and disrupted everything.  Now Ronnie is supposedly $750,000 in debt and has lost his life savings.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to keep the name of Paradise Cantina which may be a common theme this season.  Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Paradise Cantina since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):