Ep 13. Back To The Bar: The Power Of Bacon And Beer

In Bar Rescue season 9 episode 13 titled "Back To The Bar: The Power Of Bacon And Beer," host Jon Taffer revisits some of the bars he previously rescued to see how they are doing and help them overcome new challenges.

The episode starts with Taffer heading to The Pit and Barrel, a bar that he saved from closing down in season 4. The owner, Chris Ferrell, had struggled with alcoholism but was on a road to recovery. However, things took a turn for the worse as Chris has fallen back into his old habits and the bar's sales have plummeted. Taffer tries to help Chris regain his sobriety, while also implementing new strategies to boost the bar's revenue.

Next, Taffer visits The Abbey, a gay bar in Chicago that he rescued in season 6. The owner, Marty Conway, had to deal with backlash from the community for his initial reluctance to embrace the bar's gay clientele. However, he had made efforts to become more inclusive and had a successful run until COVID-19 forced the bar to close down temporarily. Taffer provides tips on how to adapt to the new normal and make the bar pandemic-proof.

The episode then takes us to J. Black's Feel Good Kitchen & Lounge, a bar in Austin that Taffer rescued in season 4. The owner, Jon Bartholomew, had financial problems that he had been hiding from Taffer. With the help of Taffer, Jon had turned around the bar's fortunes, but the bar's success was short-lived as Jon's personal issues began interfering with its operation. Taffer steps in to offer support and help Jon overcome his personal issues, while also giving the bar a makeover to increase its appeal.

The final stop is at Lake Marie Lodge, a bar in Minnesota that Taffer rescued in season 3. The owner, Todd Mitchem, had lost his passion for the bar business and was planning to sell the bar. Taffer helped Todd regain his enthusiasm and put the bar back on the map. However, with time, Todd's focus shifted back to other interests, causing the bar's sales to decline. Taffer returns to help Todd reignite his love for the bar business and make it successful once again.

Overall, "Back To The Bar: The Power Of Bacon And Beer" is a heartwarming episode that showcases Taffer's dedication to helping bar owners overcome their challenges. It highlights the importance of adapting to changing times and how personal issues can impact business operations. The episode also offers useful tips on how to make a bar pandemic-proof and increase revenue.