Ep 5. Bottomless Pit

Jon Taffer, renowned bar and nightlife expert, is back with another episode of Bar Rescue. In this episode, titled "Bottomless Pit," Taffer is called upon to rescue a bar in Orange County, California that's losing tens of thousands of dollars every month.

The bar, Bottoms Up Bar & Grill, was started by three friends who had no prior experience running a bar. They quickly realized that running a successful bar is more difficult than it looks. Taffer arrives to find a bar that’s falling apart, a staff that’s disinterested, and a menu that’s way overpriced.

The episode starts with Taffer doing a spot check to examine the bar before he meets with the owners. Upon his inspection, he finds that the kitchen is filthy and the food is not up to standard. The owners have been relying on the bar's specialty- a chicken wing challenge- to bring in customers, but Taffer is quick to realize that gimmicks won't solve the bar’s problems.

Taffer confronts the owners about the inherent problems in their strategy, and they respond with hostility, refusing to take responsibility for their role in the bar's decline. They argue that Taffer doesn't understand the bar’s loyal customers, but a quick visit to the Yelp reviews disproves their claims.

Next, Taffer takes a closer look at the bar's finances and uncovers that the owners have been bleeding the bar dry. They have been giving away free drinks and food items without accounting for them, which has led to an insurmountable mountain of debt. Taffer explains that these practices must stop immediately if the bar has any hope of being profitable.

After addressing the owners' bad practices, Taffer moves on to tackle the bar's physical appearance. He brings in his construction team, who completely redo the interior of the bar and give it a new and improved look. The team also brings in a professional cleaning company to deep clean the kitchen and remove the hidden dirt and grime.

While all of this is happening, Taffer works with the bartenders and creates a new, affordable menu that suits the bar’s customer base. He trains the bartenders on how to make drinks efficiently and how to upsell patrons without making them feel uncomfortable.

After several grueling days of work, the Bottoms Up Bar & Grill is finally ready to show off its new look and menu. Taffer has invited a group of VIP patrons to the bar for a soft opening, to test out the new menu and drink items. This is where the real test comes in, as the owners and staff see if their hard work has paid off.

The feedback from the VIP patrons is overwhelmingly positive and they say that they would definitely return to the bar. The owners are ecstatic and realize that Taffer’s help was crucial in turning their bar around. In the end, Taffer leaves the bar with a renewed sense of optimism and helps the owners understand how to run their business efficiently.

"Bottomless Pit" is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in bar and nightlife management. Taffer's expertise and no-nonsense approach to the problems at Bottoms Up Bar & Grill make it an educational and engaging episode. Watching the transformation of this failing bar into a profitable business that is sustainable is truly inspiring.