Ep 10. Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling

In Bar Rescue season 5 episode 10, titled "Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling," veteran bar expert Jon Taffer is called to a failing Irish pub in Detroit. The bar, which shares its name with the episode title, is run by a mother and son team who have different visions for the establishment. While the mother wants to maintain the traditional Irish pub atmosphere, her son wants to modernize it.

Upon arrival, Taffer finds a bar that is poorly managed, understaffed, and lacking in cleanliness. The bar's finances are also in disarray, with the owners unable to pay their bills and suppliers threatening to cut them off. To make matters worse, the staff is poorly trained and the food and drink offerings are lackluster, leading to a lack of repeat business.

Taffer immediately sets to work, bringing in his team of experts to help revamp the bar. He first tackles the kitchen, revamping the menu and training the chef and kitchen staff on how to prepare and present high-quality, authentic Irish dishes. He also works with the mother and son team to come up with a cohesive vision for the bar, finding a middle ground between the traditional and modern aspects.

The bar makeover includes updating the decor to create a more welcoming and inviting space, as well as installing new bar equipment and a state-of-the-art sound system. Taffer also brings in a mixologist to create a new cocktail menu, featuring drinks that incorporate traditional Irish ingredients like Guinness and Baileys.

But the real challenge comes in getting the staff on board with the changes. Taffer works to train the bartenders and servers on how to properly prepare and serve the new menu items and cocktails, while also improving customer service skills. He also puts in place new management systems to help keep the bar running smoothly.

In the end, the Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling bar is transformed into a thriving establishment, with a cohesive vision, high-quality food and drinks, and great customer service. The mother and son team are now able to pay their bills, suppliers are happy, and the bar has regained its status as a beloved neighborhood hangout.

Overall, "Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling" showcases Jon Taffer's skills as a bar expert and his ability to transform failing establishments into successful businesses. It also highlights the importance of having a cohesive vision and effective management in a bar or restaurant.