ByCL Staffon Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 6:25 pm
The state of Florida has been a longtime favorite for the reality show "Bar Rescue," where host Jon Taffer – inventor of the "butt funnel" and the NFL Sunday ticket– gives bar owners a free remodel in exchange for getting screamed at on camera.
In the spirit of Taffer's catchphrase "Shut it down!" we wondered how many of Florida's "Bar Rescue" bars have actually succeeded and how many have shutdown over the years.
While the whole state has plenty of watering holes featured on the show, Central Florida wasn't immune to the Taffer treatment. Tampa Bay alone has had 11 bars featured over the show's eight seasons.
So, here's what happened to the Florida bars that agreed to pull backthe doors, bust openthe books and make a call for help to "Bar Rescue."
Tags:
- Bar Rescue bars in Florida,
- Bar Rescue bars in Tampa,
- Florida Bar Rescue bars,
- Spike TV,
- Tampa Bay bars on Bar Rescue
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Throwbacks
418 Sanford Ave, Sanford
While this bar wasn’t lacking in popularity around Sanford, Taffer quickly sniffed out Throwbacks’ lack of properly trained employees and menu variety. Despite rebranding as Murphy’s Arcade after the owner’s beloved three-legged dog, the establishment appears to be going strong under its former title.
Photo via Throwbacks/Google
JF Kicks Restaurant & Patio Bar
3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Valrico
JF Kicks—renamed Jimmy’s—did not start the first of season eight’s Florida “rescues” strong. Though maintaining decent reviews post-renovations, the bar quickly went back to its former name and traded much of Taffer’s menu modifications for old items. After the episode’s air date, the owner expressed being largely unhappy with Taffer’s changes.
Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
AJ’s on the River
9808 Vaughn St., Gibsonton
After renovations, proper employee training and changing the bar’s name from AJ’s on the River, Jerry’s Dockside Bar and Grill appears to be doing well for itself since its “Bar Rescue” episode aired in May. Jerry’s maintains good ratings on Google Reviews and regularly hosts events and live music.
Photo via Jerry’s Dockside/Facebook
Sidelines Sports Grill & Bar
315 N Highland St, Mount Dora
The family bar run by an aggressive father is still standing. After addressing sanitary issues, applying a fresh coat of paint and rebranding as Lake House Bar & Grill, the bar is still chugging along with daily specials and nightly entertainment.
Photo via The Lake House/Google
The Copper Rocket
106 Lake Ave., Maitland
The original owner of The Copper Rocket threw a fit online after claiming he was the rightful owner of Orlando Weekly’s “Best Of” awards. The Bar Rescue episode, which addressed the bar’s salmonella problem, was delayed while Spike TV transformed into Paramount Network. The bar’s owner sold The Copper Rocket before the episode aired, but the new owners kept the name.
Photo via thecopperrocket.com
The Forge Irish Pub
109 W Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon
After being hurt by COVID-19 and a power struggle in leadership, The Forge was a perfect candidate for “Bar Rescue.” Despite a supposed $50,000-70,000 worth of renovations and rebranding as Crowne Irish Pub, the bar permanently closed its doors last month, less than two months after the episode’s air date.
Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Dale 1891
11742 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
Taffer reinvented the bar and grill with an island theme and a rebranding as Cayman Cove. The bar announced they were closing on June 6, 2019, with the owners citing a desire to spend more time with their family. A beach-themed bar named Twisted Turtle took over the location until Green Parrot Tiki Bar and Grill moved into the spot in September 2021.
Photo via Cayman Cove/Google
No Name Saloon
2001 S Ridgewood Ave., Edgewater
Before Taffer arrived, No Name Saloon lacked a drink menu and struggled with rowdy customers. While the family-owned biker bar kept its name during Taffer’s renovations and is still in business, the bar has been temporarily closed since May 31 due to “property issues,” according to a Facebook post on the bar’s page. Despite a man being fatally shot on the property in 2019, No Name Saloon has maintained good reviews.
Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Heat Restaurant & Lounge
1936 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood
Despite having the word “restaurant” in their name, Heat Restaurant & Lounge had a vacant kitchen. The bartenders also had a habit of dancing on the bar for tips. Rebranded as Club Elé, Taffer tried to get the kitchen in working order, teach the bartenders new recipes and made some renovations, but the bar was permanently closed in 2015. A Peruvian and Cuban restaurant named Cabo Blanco has taken its place.
Photo via Cabo Blanco Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
King's Duck Inn
4155 N Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
The Space Coast bar and restaurant boasted stories of astronaut patrons, but the feuding mother-daughter owners still needed Taffer’s help. After some remodeling, the bar remained open until the owner decided she wanted to spend more time with family. After an unsuccessful attempt to auction the bar off for $1.6 million, King’s Duck Inn closed in April of 2022 after nearly six decades in business.
Photo via King’s Duck Inn/Google
Toucans Oceanside Bar & Grill
500 N Broadwalk, Hollywood
Although there were rats in the kitchen, Taffer teared up after hearing that one of the co-owners had recently lost a son. The restaurant has since changed its name to Bonny and Read’s, and has a mostly positive rating on Google reviews.
Photo via Bonny and Read’s/Facebook
Mystique Lounge
114 S Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach
This club and bar was haunted by a violent reputation after someone was murdered there. The bar, which changed its name to Aura, closed despite Taffer’s attempts to save the bar with a new name, helping the owners tighten up their business practices and training the staff to revamp their VIP service. A new Cape Cod-inspired club and homage to JFK, Camelot, has since opened in its space.
Photo via Cmelot/Google
New England's Ale House Grille
3419 US-19 ALT, Palm Harbor
During recon, the owner of New Englands Ale House discovered that the bars kitchen had sanitary issues. Multiple members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made guest appearances in this episode and the Ale House was rebranded as a German-themed restaurant named Das Brauhaus. The restaurant closed in 2019 and the owner repurposed the bar’s Facebook to promote her real estate business. After nearly three years of vacancy, the location currently hosts Indiana-based chain Wings Etc. as of this May.
Photo via Wings Etc./Google
The Bridge Lounge
1056 N Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs
Taffer helped this fisherman-themed bar recover after the BP oil spill and the death of the owner’s father. Although they didn’t change its name, they added “A Local’s Bar” to their sign.
Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Buffalo City Bar & Grill
5631 Park St. N, St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg hosted the first ever “emergency rescue” at the Buffalo City Bar & Grill. The owner of the bar learned how to run the business after her father died, so Taffer stepped in to help. The bar was renamed BCBG during renovations and is still open, but has since reverted back to using its former title.
Photo via Buffalo City Bar & Grill/Google
Cap'n Odie's Lounge
2206 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach
Bartenders had a difficult time making co*cktails and the bar’s dirty ice machine led to contaminated drinks before Taffer stepped in. The bar dropped “Lounge” from its name and is still operating in memory of its late founder. It has mostly positive Google reviews.
Photo via Cap’n Oldies/Google
Lucky Leprechaun
43356 US-27, Davenport
Taffer renamed the Lucky Leprechaun as Lucky's Corner Pocket to emphasize the bar’s abundance of pool tables. The bar also got a new coat of paint and some new furniture. However, Taffer’s renovations didn’t keep the bar from closing in 2018. Fireside Lounge and Billiards has taken Lucky’s place with new owners.
Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Sandbar Sports Grill
3064 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove
Although they changed their name to The Hot Rock Bar & Grille during the “Bar Rescue” episode, the owners have since changed their name back to Sandbar Sports Grill. However, in classic “Bar Rescue” fashion, Taffer helped the bar redecorate, attract a new demographic and taught the bartenders some new recipes. Despite being closed from 2020-2021 due to a fire, Sandbar is currently back in business.
Photo via Sandbar Sports Grill/Google
The Bridge Lounge
1056 N Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs
Taffer helped this fisherman-themed bar recover after the BP oil spill and the death of the owner’s father. Although they didn’t change its name, they added “A Local’s Bar” to their sign.
Photo via The Bridge Lounge/Facebook
Rockin' Rhonda's Lounge
2617 S Orlando Drive, Sanford
Taffer was unsure whether structural repairs could be made in time at Rhonda’s. Luckily, the crumbling floors were fixed and the bar, which was renamed Rhonda's A Neighborhood Bar, is still in business.
Photo via Rhonda’s Neighborhood Bar/Facebook
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