JJ's Sports Cafe (JJ's Sports Bar & Grill) - Bar Rescue Update

In this week's episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer and crew are in Highland, California to rescue JJ's Sports Bar & Grill.  The bar is owned by Joe and Jackie Swidan who bought the bar in 2017 using their life savings. JJ's Sports Bar & Grill started out as a success, but the pandemic caused them to shut down.  When the bar reopened, they struggled to regain what they once had.  Joe is drinking too much at the bar which is impacting both the customers and employees. The bar is supposedly losing up to $30,000 a month and the owners are about $175,000 in debt.  JJ's Sports Bar & Grill is supposedly two months away from closing unless things turn around.

During the Bar Rescue makeover, Jon Taffer decided to change the name of JJ's Sports Bar & Grill to JJ's Sports Cafe, but it seems like they still use the old name. Let's take a look at some information, reviews, and updates for JJ's Sports Cafe since Bar Rescue came and made all of the changes to the bar (All reviews are post-Bar Rescue):

The Loft (Cerealholic Cafe & Bar) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

The Loft in Ybor City, Florida which appeared on season 8 (2nd set) of Bar Rescue has closed. The bar closed at the end of August 2022, which was just about three months after appearing on the show.  The Loft posted the following message on their Facebook page to announce their closure:

"As many of our Cerealholic and Loft family and friends know, we are a family owned and operated business. We have had our struggles and great achievements. Our time in this community has been the most honored feelings for all of us. Given we are a family business, we have had some family issues that require full attention. This is a very difficult decision, which we have contemplated and reviewed for some time now. With a very heavy heart, we have decided to move on from our wonderful, amazing business. We took painstaking measures to ensure we find a business to take over our place in this community and honor the rich history and community we have become to be a part of. We have the deepest gratitude to all of our followers and fans. You have enabled us to move on with amazing support. So many of you have become like family and we (I) will always be grateful and miss all of you so much. As I review all of the pictures, events, posts, etc, it becomes clear how much it will be very difficult to move on. However, our family is first and foremost to us. We have some great events for the rest of August. We will be closing out August and turn our vision over to the new business....In addition we resume our posted hours for the final month. Please come by and see us. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime. XOXO"

They did find another business to take over the space and a new bar called SpookEasy Lounge is operating there. SpookEasy Lounge has also taken over The Loft Facebook page.  

The Loft was originally named Cerealholic Cafe & Bar until Bar Rescue came and did the makeover.  The Bar Rescue makeover to turn Cerealholic Cafe into The Loft happened in February 2022 and aired on TV in May 2022 (here is the update for that episode).  Cerealholic Cafe & Bar opened in early 2021, so the bar didn't last a full 2 years and closed just three months after appearing on the show.  The Loft has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates Page. 

Crowne Irish Pub (Forge Irish Pub) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

Crowne Irish Pub in Brandon, Florida, which appeared on season 8 (2nd set) of Bar Rescue has closed.  The bar closed in July 2022 and posted the following message on their Facebook page:

"To all the amazing guests at the Crowne Irish pub, formerly the Forge, past and present. It has been an experience of a lifetime to be a member of the community and serve you all. Unfortunately, due to a series of events, not really worth getting into, our doors will close for the last this Sunday night. The concept of the bar was to bring a neighborhood atmosphere, music, food, and a drink or two. A place where you could relax, unwind, and feel safe. With that being said from the bottom of my heart thank you all again for supporting small businesses, employees current and past, musicians and vendors I couldn’t have done it without you. I was hoping for more time for my employees’ sake, so before any Facebook warriors complain we have lined them up with jobs. Blessed to have such a great network of small business owners who all have each other’s backs.

Slainte (cheers), Patrick"

Their Facebook page has been removed since they closed and it appears nothing has opened in the location of the bar yet.

The bar was originally named Forge Irish Pub, but was renamed during Bar Rescue to Crowne Irish Pub.  Here is the detailed update from the episode and the reviews were pretty mixed.  

Crowne Irish Pub appeared on Bar Rescue in May 2022 after being rescued in March 2022.  This means Crowne Irish Pub closed just a few months after their episode aired.  Crowne Irish Pub has been marked as 'Closed' on the Bar Rescue Updates Page.

The Prime Bar (WildeFire Bistro) From Bar Rescue Has Closed

The Prime Bar in Aurora, Colorado which was featured on season 6 (3rd set) of Bar Rescue has closed.  Their Facebook page has been taken down and the bar is marked as 'Closed' on review sites.  Also a new bar called Events at Piney Creek has opened in its location.  Based on when the new bar opened, it seems that The Prime Bar closed around the middle of 2021.

The Prime Bar was originally named WildeFire Bistro until their Bar Rescue makeover which changed the name to The Prime Bar.  The makeover happened in May 2019 and the bar was already sold before the episode aired in September 2019.  The new owners did keep the name of The Prime Bar until it closed and here is the full update for the bar when the episode aired.

The Prime Bar was listed as 'Sold' on the Bar Rescue Updates Page and it will now be changed to 'Closed' as it is no longer operating.