The state of Florida has been a longtime favorite for the reality show Bar Rescue, where host Jon Taffer – inventor of the “butt funnel” and the NFL Sunday ticket – gives bar owners a free remodel in exchange for getting screamed at on camera.

In the spirit of Taffer’s catchphrase “Shut it down!” we wondered how many of Florida’s Bar Rescue bars have actually succeeded and how many have shut down over the years. While the whole state has plenty of watering holes featured on the show, Central Florida wasn’t immune to the Taffer treatment. Maitland’s Copper Rocket was a notorious example, and Tampa Bay alone has had seven bars featured over the show’s six seasons.

So, here’s what happened to the Florida bars that agreed to pull back the doors, bust open the books, and make a call for help to “Bar Rescue.”

 

 

The 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. Photo via The Copper Rocket’s website
The Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar 4040 Galt Ocean Drive # B1-A, 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 an above average Google review ranking. Photo via Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar Facebook
Dale 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/Facebook
Toucans 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 Maps
New 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 Paramount
Buffalo 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 Maps
The 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 Lounge
Gil & 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 Maps
Freaki 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/website
Sidelines 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 Maps
Fatballs 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 Maps
Heat 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 Maps
King’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 Maps
Lucky 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 Maps
Mystique 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 Maps
No 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/website
Phish 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 Maps
Rockin’ 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. Photo via Google Maps
Blue 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/Facebook
Cap’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/website
Sandbar 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 Maps

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