Ep 11. Ice, Mice, Baby

Bar Rescue is a popular American reality TV show that follows renowned bar and nightlife expert Jon Taffer, who visits failing bars and nightclubs in an effort to turn them around and make them profitable in a four-day time span. In season 8, episode 11, titled "Ice, Mice, Baby," Jon Taffer is called upon to rescue a bar that has been struggling to make ends meet due to poor management and lack of leadership.

The bar, which is situated in an industrial area, was once a thriving hot spot but has fallen on hard times due to several factors including mediocre drinks, staff that lacks customer service skills and a lackluster ambiance. With the bar facing mounting debts, Taffer has been brought in to try and rescue the venue and get it back on its feet.

Upon arrival, Taffer and his team are greeted with a nightmare scenario, the venue is infested with mice. The rodents have taken up residence in the walls, floors, and even in the kitchen refrigeration units. This is not an uncommon problem for many bars and restaurants, but it's one that can quickly lead to the downfall of a business if not dealt with effectively.

Taffer's first order of business is to bring in a professional pest control team to eliminate the infestation and remediate the damage they've caused. The team then sets to work briefing the bar staff on the proper hygiene standards, how to prevent future rodent infestations and safe handling of food to keep both customers and staff safe from foodborne illnesses.

With the pest problem tackled, Taffer and his team turn their attention to the bar's operations. Taffer sees a lot of potential in the bar’s location but knows that changes need to be made to the staff and the bar's menu if it's going to survive. The team gets to work rebranding the bar, creating a new name to reflect the new direction the bar is taking, and designing a new signature cocktail menu that will set it apart from the competition.

Training new bar staff, Taffer's team focuses on customer service and upselling techniques to provide better service to the customers and increase bar earnings. Taffer also puts in place clear measures of control and accountability to identify and manage staff who are not performing well.

The Bar Rescue team also turns their attention to the venue's ambiance. Taffer arranges for a complete makeover of the bar, creating a new open concept kitchen, and adding new lighting features and furniture to improve the ambiance. The team creates a new floor plan that optimizes the space, with designated areas for drinking, dining and live music entertainment. Taffer and his team also create a new logo design that reflects the new and improved changes.

However, turning around a failing bar in just four days isn't without its challenges. The bar staff has been resistant to change and the renovations are running behind schedule, the food vendors are not reliable enough, and there’s no time to waste if the bar is going to be ready for the relaunch.

As the deadline draws closer, several challenges arise that threaten to derail the rescue. The Bar Rescue team must work quickly and efficiently to deal with all the obstacles and ensure a successful relaunch. In the end, it’s up to Jon Taffer to determine if the bar is finally ready to turn around its reputation and become a profitable enterprise.

Overall, Bar Rescue season 8 episode 11 is an entertaining yet informative episode that provides a fascinating insight into the challenges facing struggling bar owners. It’s a great episode that anyone in the bar industry or those who love rehab rescue shows will appreciate.