It’s no secret Florida is home to an abundance of longstanding dives, kitschy watering holes and people who like to drink. That may be why it’s been a favorite of reality series Bar Rescue, where host Jon Taffer gives bar and restaurant owners a free business makeover in exchange for a lot of on-screen screaming.
Over the course of the show’s nine seasons, the first of which aired in 2011, more than 30 Florida restaurants have received the Taffer treatment, some to more success than others. Although Bar Rescue has hit all parts of the Sunshine State, Central Florida received its fair share of tough love. And more are set to come; the show’s been renewed for a 10th season.
Spots in Maitland, Sanford, Edgewater and more have been subject to Taffer, who is also set to open up Florida’s first location of his restaurant Taffer’s Tavern right here in Orlando. Maybe some of those owners can visit and give Taffer their opinions on his work.
Here are the Central Florida bars that have been featured on Bar Rescue, and whether they’re still in business or not.
The Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar
4040 Galt Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale
In the season 2 episode “Tiki Curse,” Taffer tried to get slacking bartenders to tighten up and addressed an angry kitchen manager. The bar and restaurant is still in operation with a 3.9/5 Google review ranking. Credit: Photo via Bamboo Tiki Bar/FacebookMystique Lounge
114 S Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach
This club and bar was haunted by a violent reputation after someone was murdered there. The bar closed despite Taffer’s attempts to save the bar with new name Aura, helping the owners tighten up their business practices and training the staff to revamp their VIP service. A new club, Camelot, has since opened in its space. Credit: Image via Google MapsToucans Oceanside Bar & Grill
500 N. Broadwalk, Hollywood
Although there were rats in the kitchen, Taffer teared up after hearing that one of the co-owners had recently lost a son. The restaurant changed its name to Bonny and Read’s, but ultimately shut down. Credit: Image via Google MapsHeat Restaurant & Lounge
1936 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood
Despite having the word “restaurant” in their name, Heat Restaurant & Lounge had a vacant kitchen. The bartenders also had a habit of dancing on the bar for tips. Rebranded as Club Elé, Taffer tried to get the kitchen in working order, teach the bartenders new recipes and made some renovations, but the bar was permanently closed in 2015. A Peruvian and Cuban restaurant named Cabo Blanco has taken its place. Credit: Image via Google MapsSandbar Sports Grill
3064 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove
Although they changed their name to The Hot Rock Bar & Grille during the Bar Rescue episode, the owners have since changed their name back to Sandbar Sports Grill. However, in classic Bar Rescue fashion, Taffer helped the bar redecorate, attract a new demographic and taught the bartenders some new recipes. At least they got a some new two-touch POS systems. Credit: Image via Google MapsDale 1891
11742 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
Taffer reinvented the bar and grill with an island theme and a rebranding as Cayman Cove. The bar announced they were closing on June 6, 2019, with the owners citing a desire to spend more time with their family. A beach-themed bar named Twisted Turtle eventually took over the location, and then ultimately shut down as well. Credit: Photo via Cayman Cove/FacebookFreaki Tiki
28778 U.S., 28778 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater
Taffer found a used condom at this tiki bar before helping the bar rebrand as Frankie T’s. Needless to say, the owners were scolded for neglecting their bar. Despite politically oriented clout chasing attempts, the spot closed in 2017. Credit: Photo via Freaki Tiki/websiteThe Bridge Lounge
1056 N. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs
Taffer helped this fisherman-themed bar recover after the BP oil spill and the death of the owner’s father. Although they didn’t change its name, they added “A Local’s Bar” to their sign. Credit: Photo via The Bridge LoungeSidelines Sports Grill & Bar
315 N. Highland St., Mount Dora
After addressing sanitary issues, applying a fresh coat of paint and rebranding as Lake House Bar & Grill, this Mount Dora bar ultimately was not able to stay open. Now, in its former space is Whiskey Kitchen Mount Dora. Credit: Image via Google MapsRockin’ Rhonda’s Lounge
2617 S. Orlando Drive, Sanford
Taffer was unsure whether structural repairs could be made in time at Rhonda’s. Luckily, the crumbling floors were fixed and the bar, which was renamed Rhonda’s — A Neighborhood Bar, is still in business. Credit: Photo via Rhonda's/FacebookLucky Leprechaun
43356 US-27, Davenport
Taffer renamed the Lucky Leprechaun Lucky’s Corner Pocket to emphasize the bar’s abundance of pool tables. The bar also got a new coat of paint and some new furniture. However, Taffer’s renovations didn’t keep the bar from closing in 2018. Fireside Lounge and Billiards has taken Lucky’s place with new owners. Credit: Image via Google MapsKing’s Duck Inn
4155 N Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island
The Space Coast bar and restaurant boasted stories of astronaut patrons, but the feuding mother-daughter owners still needed Taffer’s help. After some remodeling, the bar is still open with the same name. Credit: Image via Google MapsCap’n Odie’s Lounge
2206 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach
Bartenders had a difficult time making cocktails and the bar’s dirty ice machine led to contaminated drinks before Taffer stepped in. The bar dropped “Lounge” from its name and is still operating in memory of its late founder. It has mostly positive Google reviews. Credit: Photo via Cap'n Odie's Lounge/websiteThe Copper Rocket
106 Lake Ave., Maitland
The episode that addressed the bar’s salmonella problem was delayed while Spike TV transformed into Paramount Network. The person who owned the Copper Rocket at that time then sold it before the episode aired, but the new owners kept the name. Credit: Photo via Copper Rocket/Google MapsNo Name Saloon
2001 S. Ridgewood Ave., Edgewater
Before Taffer arrived, No Name Saloon lacked a drink menu and struggled with rowdy customers. The family-owned biker bar kept its name during Taffer’s renovations and remained opened after the episode aired. However, in 2019, No Name Saloon was the site of a fatal shooting which led to owners suing the series for failure to provide adequate security measures. It closed shortly after. Credit: Photo via No Name Saloon/websitePhish Heads
1445 S.W. Main Boulevard, Lake City
When the family-owned bar was struggling to stay afloat, Taffer gave it a remodel and chewed out the owners’ son, who wasn’t picking up the reins after 9 years behind the bar. Taffer renamed the bar Phish Tales, and it is still in business. Credit: Image via Google MapsBlue Water
205 First St. N., Jacksonville Beach
Taffer and hip-hop artist Lil Jon helped Blue Water’s owner take control of his beach bar. The bar was renamed Sydney Australian Beach Club during renovations and sported a shark theme before it ultimately closed down for good after the episode was filmed. Credit: Photo via Sydney Australian Beach Club/FacebookFatballs Sports Bar and Grill
7457 103rd St., Jacksonville
Fatballs had a bad reputation and didn’t keep Taffer’s suggested renaming, Bayou Bar & Grill. The bar’s owners reverted to their original name after the building’s makeover, but it ultimately closed down in 2019. Credit: Image via Google MapsGil & Rick’s Sports Bar and Pizzeria
1250 Seminole Boulevard, Largo
During recon, the bar struggled to fulfill an order for 11 pizzas. Taffer renamed the sports-focused pizzeria and bar Sauced Sports Bar during renovations. Sauced is still in business and has decent Google reviews ratings. Credit: Image via Google MapsNew England’s Ale House Grille
3419 US-19 ALT, Palm Harbor
During recon, the owner of New England’s Ale House discovered that the bar’s kitchen had sanitary issues. Multiple members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made guest appearances in this episode and the Ale House was rebranded as a German-themed restaurant named Das Brauhaus. The restaurant closed in 2019 and the owner repurposed the bar’s Facebook to promote her real estate business at the time. Credit: Photo via ParamountBuffalo City Bar & Grill
5631 Park St. N., St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg hosted the first ever “emergency rescue” at the Buffalo City Bar & Grill. The owner of the bar learned how to run the business after her father died, so Taffer stepped in to help. The bar was renamed BCBG during renovations and eventually closed. Credit: Image via Google MapsJF Kicks
3345 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico
When it first opened, JF Kicks was successful, but one of the two brothers who owned the space passed away shortly after its opening, causing business struggles. Taffer stepped in to implement several business changes, which appeared to have stuck and help the eatery stay open today. Credit: Image via Google MapsCerealholics Cafe and Bar
1909 N 15th St., Ybor City
With less than two years in service at the time, Cerealholics in Ybor City didn’t take long to attract the attention of the Bar Rescue team. During Taffer’s stint at Cerealholics, the bar ditched its nostalgia-centered theme for a more modern approach under The Loft Elevated Bar + Food. However, The Loft ending up closing due to family issues, the establishment said.AJ’s on the River
9808 Vaughn St., Gibsonton
Despite its quite literally riverside location, AJ’s on the River never made a profit in the six years it had existed prior to its debut on Bar Rescue, the owner said during the episode. Amid renovations, Taffer renamed the bar Jerry’s Dockside Bar and Grill, after the owner, and implemented changes that seemed to help keep the space afloat. It remains open today. Credit: Photo via Jerrys Dockside/FacebookThe Forge Irish Pub
109 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon
This Irish pub experienced business struggles following the COVID-19 pandemic. During its Bar Rescue episode, it was renamed Crowne Irish Pub and underwent an interior makeover and a complete relaunch. It officially closed in 2022, just two months after the episode aired. Credit: Photo via The Forge Irish Pub/InstagramWildkat Records Bar
119 E. Bay St., Jacksonville
Renamed Bay Street Sports Grill, the former Wildkat Records Bar was victim to disorganized management and declining bar sales. The Jacksonville spot got Taffer-style renovations and an overall revamp; it’s still open today. Credit: Image via Google MapsArnold’s
3912 N. Ponce De Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine
This decades-old St. Augustine spot got the Taffer treatment with a complete theme redo, shifting the decor from rock music-centric to more coastal beach vibes. The space got a new sign and outside decor to grab the attention of passersby, and it is still open today. Credit: Image via Google MapsOne11 Boca
111 S.E. Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton
Now named Boca Luna Luxe Lounge, One11 Boca is owned by a music industry veteran and displayed a “terrible” physical layout, Taffer said. The bar appeared dirty and kitchen service was backed up due to issues with the cooking equipment. Taffer employed the new name, changed the layout of the space, and it remains open now. Credit: Photo via One11 Boca/FacebookLos Cocos
269 S.W. Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Port St. Lucie
Taffer didn’t personally captain this revamp, but instead sent in a replacement professional to whip the spot into shape. The strip mall joint Los Cocos was being run by three brothers who unevenly split responsibilities and were drowning in debt. It was renamed Three Tides Caribbean Restaurant & Bar, renovated, established a new menu and is still in operation today. Credit: Photo via Three Tides/FacebookVFW Post 1689
3409 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville
Issues with an aging building, equipment failures and a lack of younger veteran attendance plagued this spot before Taffer’s team arrived. He initiated a slate of renovations and changes, including adding brand new cooking equipment and training staff to properly make drinks, and VFW Post 1689 remains open today. Credit: Image via Google MapsGerri’s Sports Pub
6500 W. Atlantic Boulevard, Margate
This dive bar legally allowed indoor smoking — a privilege taken advantage by everyone, even staff members working behind the bar and in the kitchen. Taffer called it one of the “most unappealing environments” he had ever seen. He eventually got the space to convert to be non-smoker friendly and change its name to Jerzy’s Sports Pub, and it’s still open today. Credit: Photo via Google MapsCielo Lounge
8765 S. U.S. Highway 1, Port St. Lucie
After dishing out disappointing drinks and service in the Season 9 episode, Cielo Lounge got a revamp and a new name: Don Marcos Cantina. It remains open today serving Latin-inspired bites and beverages. Credit: Image via Google MapsDr. Philgoods Sports Bar
4251 N. Dixie Highway, Pompano Beach
This Pompano Beach bar featured in Season 9 had no drink menu and was slinging poorly made cocktails when the Bar Rescue team arrived. Taffer employed the help of series veterans whose bar was “rescued” in an earlier season to scope out the issues. The sports bar remains open today and is still active on its social media. Credit: Image via Google MapsThrowbacks
418 Sanford Ave., Sanford
This retro-style bar offers arcade games, board games, live sports, music and regular weekly events in downtown Sanford. The spot’s laid back manager and improperly trained bartenders at the timing of filming contributed to its financial struggles. It was renamed Murphy’s Arcade, after the owner’s dog, and remains open today. Credit: Image via Google Maps
