In this Bar Rescue episode, Jon Taffer visits the Hogwash Saloon in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Hogwash Saloon is owned by Jason Reinke.
Jason decided to buy the bar he had been visiting for years.
He bought the bar with the help of his friends Paul and Cathy Cook.
Jason’s lack of experience soon showed as the bar started to go downhill.
There is no drinks list, no proper stock and no management.
Jason has stepped back and is now acting more like a patron than an owner.
The friends are now worried about their investment.
It is now apparent to his friends that Jason is not a calm drunk.
Jon meets the silent partners Paul and Cathy.
They give an overview of their stake in the bar.
Jon invites them to recon the bar with him.
He sees the bar decor is poor.
There is no food served at the bar, only snacks are available.
Jason is drinking a pitcher of beer at the bar.
They see the bartenders work on making drinks.
The customers cannot hide their dislike of the drinks served.
Jason is seen drinking and openly flirting with customers.
Jon has to convince the friends Jason is drinking away their money.
He thinks that Jason needs to be called to order.
Jon goes in with the friends to confront Jason.
He is drunk after having had six beers.
Jason is told how he is running down the bar.
He is disappointing his friends and some of it gets through to him.#
Jon is walked through the bar.
They have a kitchen space but they could not afford to install one.
Jon has Jason promise not to drink at the bar.
If he keeps to it, then Jon will buy him a brand new kitchen.
Jason agrees to stop drinking at the bar.
The next day, the staff are all gathered for a meeting.
Jon has them all tell Jason how he has cost them their livelihood.
Jason is full of excuses for a lot of his shortcomings.
Jon is frustrated and the friends have to talk to him.
Jason does not remember the conversations of his friends making suggestions because he was drunk.
All three beg for Jon’s help when he returns.
Jason is made to promise the staff he will change and be more supportive.
Jon brings in his experts, expert chef Tatiana Rosana and expert mixologist Rob Floyd.
Tatiana trains the kitchen staff on making a meatball sub.
It is a simple dish they can make out of the makeshift kitchen set up.
Rob asks the staff to make the drink they made the night before.
He corrects them on their use of glasses for a better cocktail.
They are trained to make a phoenix sunrise cocktail.
They are to have a stress test and the customers are let in.
Some customers are told to set their stopwatch to time the service.
The bartenders make mistakes with the cocktails and they have to be dumped.
They are dumping more drinks than are going out to customers.
For the drinks that do go out the bartenders forget to collect the money for them.
Jason is not drinking but he is useless.
He is confused and not keeping an eye on anything.
The bar is quickly shut down as there is no improvement.
The next day, Rob gives them feedback on their poor stress test.
The bartenders were both over and under pouring the drinks.
He takes them through making a Diamondback cocktail.
Jon then sits with Jason and his partners.
He is complimentary on his greeting of the guests but he should stick to what he can do.
Jon will fix the broken systems and they expect it will get easier to manage.
Jon meets with his team to discuss some major construction changes to be made to the bar.
He wants them to build a whole new kitchen.
It takes them time and a lot of favors but they finish the renovations.
On the relaunch night, the staff, customers and the team are gathered.
The bar has been renamed to the Skybox Ultra Sports Lounge.
The staff are taken inside to see the changes.
It is more inviting and looks more upscale and sophisticated.
They have a fully stocked brand new kitchen.
They have a new fryer and a Turbo Chef oven.
There are new Skytabs, new bar products and custom wall prints.
Jon has also given them a subscription to Partender
The staff quickly set up for the relaunch and Jason lets in customers.
The bartenders make drinks confidently to the applause of the customers.
The kitchen works quickly to get through orders, keeping service times down.
Jason is sober and helping his staff out to run drinks and food.
The partners and Jason are all happy.
They say that he is a changed man.
What Happened Next at Hogwash Saloon?
Six weeks later, sales are increasing with new customers patronizing them.
The community loves the new look and theme of the bar.
Head Bartender John Rambo stepped up to run the bar.
The other partners now handle the books.
Hogwash Saloon / Skybox Ultra Sports Lounge is open.
They have kept the new name.
Reviews are mostly positive.
There is praise for the beer selection and service.
Click for more Bar Rescues
Previous episode - Wildkats Records Bar and Grill / Bay Street Sports Grill
Next episode - The Thirsty Ox
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