Ep 22. Back to the Bar: The Tradewinds of Change

In Bar Rescue season 9 episode 22, titled "Back to the Bar: The Tradewinds of Change," veteran bar expert Jon Taffer returns to previous bars that he rescued in past seasons to see how they have progressed since his last visit.

The episode begins with Taffer heading to Tradewinds, a tiki bar that was featured in season 6. Taffer had turned the struggling bar around, but after a couple of years, the owner, Billy, has fallen back into old habits and the bar is once again failing. Taffer confronts Billy about the problems with the bar; despite the bar being busy, the money isn't adding up, and the bar is losing money. One of the biggest issues is the unorganized bar, with bartenders not following the procedures set in place, leading to errors and wasted product.

Taffer sees that the current menu is outdated, the drinks are not consistent, and the staff is not properly trained. Taffer has a frank discussion with Billy, who is resistant at first but eventually agrees to make the changes necessary to succeed. Taffer introduces a revamped menu, including new tropical cocktails and dishes. He also brings in a mixologist to train the staff on how to make consistent drinks and improve their skills. The staff undergoes a training session, where they learn the importance of following procedures and how that leads to more efficient service. The bar is given a makeover, with new decor and furniture, adding a fresh and modern look.

After a few stress tests, the bar performs excellently, with the staff serving drinks quickly and efficiently. The customer's feedback is positive, and Tradewinds is on its way to being successful once again.

Taffer then heads to The Bridge, a family-owned bar that he rescued in season 5. The bar is owned by three siblings who are struggling to keep the business afloat. The siblings are not communicating properly, leading to tension and problems with the business. The staff is not adequately trained, and the bar lacks consistency.

Taffer intervenes by bringing in a communication consultant to help the siblings work together better. He also introduces a new menu, adding dishes that complement the bar's theme and revamped cocktails. The staff undergoes a training session, where they learn how to make drinks consistently, and how to anticipate the customer's needs, leading to a better customer experience. The bar is given a facelift, with the introduction of new decor and furniture.

After the renovation, the bar performs much better. The staff is happier, the communication between the siblings has improved, and the customer feedback is positive. The bar has a new menu and culture which has brought in more customers.

Finally, Taffer visits MoonRunners Saloon, a bar that he helped rescue in season 4. The bar is still successful, but Taffer sees an opportunity to improve the business further. He introduces a new menu, adding more food dishes and revamping the drink menu to make it more current. The staff undergoes more training, focusing on consistently making drinks and anticipating customer needs. The bar is given a new look, making it more welcoming to customers.

The stress tests reveal that the bar is performing excellently, with the new menu and training making a significant impact on the quality of service and customer experience. Taffer concludes the episode by noting the importance of maintaining the changes implemented and ensuring that the bars stay true to their new culture.

In conclusion, "Back to the Bar: The Tradewinds of Change" is a great episode showcasing Jon Taffer's skills in identifying the problems ailing a struggling bar right from the surface level and helping the owners in bringing them back from the brink. The episode brings in the right mix of drama and excitement as we see the establishments transform right from the start to finish, making it a worth-watching episode for Bar Rescue fans.