Friday, March 25, 2016

Dirty Rooster/Lake Marie Lodge From Bar Rescue - Closed

The Dirty Rooster in Antioch, Illinois, which was featured on season 4 of Bar Rescue closed at the end of 2015.  The bar has been marked 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates Page, but as there wasn't much information at the time, no post about the closure was created.  This weekend, the bar will be featured on a back-to-the-bar special, and there is a bit more information on the closure, so I figured I would do a post.

During the Bar Rescue makeover the Dirty Rooster was renamed to Lake Marie Lodge, but they ended up going back to the name of The Dirty Rooster.

The bar closed at the end of 2015 and owner Robert Hoffman was recently trying to sell the POS system that was given to them by Bar Rescue.  In the comments of that post, people were asking why the bar was closed, and Robert stated, "That part on my show about me and Scott hating each other is real. So Scott decided to sue the bar and me personally for 125k.... That was enough to put me over the edge. Not to mention the state of Illinois get a tax on it because they saw me giving away alcohol on TV that cost me $12,000. Time to move on"

He also added, "Everything we had is for sale. But I had to pay a company to come in inventory all the equipment move it from the building. I'm now paying storage on all that equipment until the lawsuit is over. Then everything will be for sale cheap,"

We will see if anything else comes up on the back-to-the-bar episode, and if it does, I will update this post.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Bar Rescue - Cayman Cove (Dale 1891) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Tampa, Florida to try to rescue Dale 1891.   Dale 1891 has three co-owners and during the rescue, Jon discovers one is siphoning the profits.  The owners also own a movie theater which is in the same shopping center.  The bar is supposedly losing $5,000 a month and they are behind on rent

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Dale 1891 was renamed to Cayman Cove, and they have kept the new bar name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Cayman Cove since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Bar Rescue - Crafted (Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in St. Louis, Missouri to try to rescue Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro.   Dani Davis is the owner and worked at the bar as a bartender before eventually buying it.  She is supposedly $250,000 in debt and losing $2,500 a month, but would rather vape in the corner of the bar than engage with her customers.  There is also a filthy kitchen and a dog running around in the bar.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro was renamed to Crafted, and they have kept the new bar name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Crafted since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Bar Rescue - Boulder Lodge Bar & Grill (Mac and Chester's SRO) Update

On tonight's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Oak Grove, Minnesota to try to rescue Mac and Chester's Standing Room Only.  This is the 100th episode of the show and Mac and Chester's SRO is a bar that also has softball fields outside.  There are two feuding owners and one owner is ready to leave the business while the other has his marriage on the line.  The bar is supposedly losing $6,000 a month and bikers have taken over which is scaring customers away.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Mac and Chester's Standing Room Only was renamed to Boulder Lodge Bar & Grill, and they have kept the new bar name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for Boulder Lodge Bar & Grill since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Downey's Irish Pub From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Photo - Spike
Downey's Irish Pub in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from season 1 of Bar Rescue has closed.  Philly.com reported the closure and noted that their liquor license is in safekeeping status, meaning they cannot legally serve alcohol (Link to PA licenses - click on Philadelphia, and Downey's is the first license listed and is in safekeeping).

Downey's was listed for sale in May 2015 for $2.9 million, but I guess they never found a buyer at that price.  The bar will now go to sheriff's sale due to foreclosure on May 3rd, 2016 and the opening bid is $124,100 with an assessed value of $936,600. (Link to Sheriff Sale site - Use 526 S FRONT ST as the address to search).  The Philly.com article also states "City records show $80,712.43 in taxes, interest, and penalties for 2013 to 2016" for Downey's.


Downey's was still advertising on their Facebook Page on February 29th, so it appears the bar closed shortly after that.

This is the fourth bar from season 1 of Bar Rescue to close and the Bar Rescue Updates Page has been updated with this information.  Jon Taffer has done four Bar Rescue makeovers in the Philadelphia area, and all four are now closed - Downey's, Swanky Bubbles, Lickety Split/2nd State Lounge, and Plush/Osteria Calabria.

UPDATE 5/2016 - Downey's was operating as a takeout food restaurant without a license.  They seem to have cleared that up and are still offering takeout food only.  The bar area remains closed. (Link)