Ep 2. Downey's and Out

In the second episode of season one of Bar Rescue, titled "Downey's and Out," the host and expert Jon Taffer travels to Downey, California to help a failing bar called The Morgan's Den. The establishment, previously known as Downey's, is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Lillian Morgan and has been open for over twenty years. However, in recent years, the bar has been struggling to attract customers and is in danger of going under.

Upon arrival, Taffer is greeted by Rick and Lillian who explain that their bar is not generating enough revenue to pay the bills. The couple blames the poor economy, but Taffer quickly points out that the real problem is the outdated decor, unorganized bar, and subpar drinks. Jon is surprised when he sees that Rick and Lillian are not only the business owners but also the only employees working at the bar. He immediately identifies this issue as a significant hurdle since the couple must juggle several roles, leading to various operational inefficiencies.

To start the overhaul, Taffer invites members of the community to visit the bar and offer opinions on what is not working. The opinions given show some common problem areas that include the lack of a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, poor-quality drinks, and food that isn't up to standard.

To address the problems at Morgan's Den, Taffer brings in his team of experts. Chef Brian Duffy develops a new menu with the right prices and ingredients to appeal to Morgan's Den's clientele. Beverage Expert Elayne Duff upgrades the bar's cocktail menu by suggesting bottled cocktails that provide high-quality, consistent cocktails that are easy to make and a quicker and efficient delivery system. Then, AJ and Heidi build a new bar, ripping out the old one, to give the bar a modern and inviting feel.

In another critical area of focus, Taffer mentors Rick and Lillian to improve their management style and communication. The couple receives advice on delegating responsibilities, hiring competent staff, and developing a training program so that everyone knows what it takes to run a successful bar.

After several days of renovation and training staff, Taffer hosts a relaunch party to unveil the new and improved Morgan's Den. Joining Taffer are members of the community, who have all been waiting to see the changes firsthand. The new bar is sleek and inviting, with a modern interior design that creates a more comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The menu items are made with fresh ingredients and consistent portions that meet customers' expectations. The bar is now efficient, with new systems in place that save time and speed up service. Bartenders can now focus on making great cocktails rather than dealing with issues that arise from slow or unavailable stock.

In the end, Taffer's renovation was a huge success. Morgan's Den is now a successful business with multiple sources of revenue, including a separate event room that caters to parties and other private gatherings. Rick and Lillian have re-established themselves as successful bar owners with a renewed sense of pride in their business. Overall, the second episode of Bar Rescue shows how a struggling bar can improve with the right team and tools in place, reinforcing a great lesson that there is still hope for business owners who find themselves in dire straits.