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 shutdown 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. Tampa Bay alone has had 11 bars featured over the show’s eight 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.”

JF Kicks Restaurant & Patio Bar 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., 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. Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
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. Photo via Jerry’s Dockside/Facebook
Sidelines Sports Grill & Bar 315 N Highland St., Mount Dora The family bar run by an aggressive father is still standing. After addressing sanitary issues, applying a fresh coat of paint and rebranding as Lake House Bar & Grill, the bar is still chugging along with daily specials and nightly entertainment. Photo via The Lake House/Google
Throwbacks 418 Sanford Ave, Sanford While this bar wasn’t lacking in popularity around Sanford, Taffer quickly sniffed out Throwbacks’ lack of properly trained employees and menu variety. Despite rebranding as Murphy’s Arcade after the owner’s beloved three-legged dog, the establishment appears to be going strong under its former title. Photo via Throwbacks/Google
The Copper Rocket 106 Lake Ave., Maitland The original owner of The Copper Rocket threw a fit online after claiming he was the rightful owner of Orlando Weekly’s “Best Of” awards. The Bar Rescue episode, which addressed the bar’s salmonella problem, was delayed while Spike TV transformed into Paramount Network. The bar’s owner sold The Copper Rocket before the episode aired, but the new owners kept the name. Photo via thecopperrocket.com
The 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. Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Dale 1891 11742 N Dale Mabry Hwy., 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 took over the location until Green Parrot Tiki Bar and Grill moved into the spot in September 2021. Photo via Cayman Cove/Google
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. Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Heat Restaurant & Lounge 1936 Hollywood Blvd., 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. Photo via Cabo Blanco Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
King’s Duck Inn 4155 N Courtenay Pky., 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 remained open until the owner decided she wanted to spend more time with family. After an unsuccessful attempt to auction the bar off for $1.6 million, King’s Duck Inn closed in April of 2022 after nearly six decades in business. Photo via King’s Duck Inn/Google
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 has since changed its name to Bonny and Read’s, and has a mostly positive rating on Google reviews. Photo via Bonny and Read’s/Facebook
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, which changed its name to Aura, closed despite Taffer’s attempts to save the bar with a new name, helping the owners tighten up their business practices and training the staff to revamp their VIP service. A new Cape Cod-inspired club and homage to JFK, Camelot, has since opened in its space. Photo via Cmelot/Google
New England’s Ale House Grille 3419 US-Hwy. Alt-19, 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. After nearly three years of vacancy, the location currently hosts Indiana-based chain Wings Etc. as of this May. Photo via Wings Etc./Google
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. Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
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. Photo via Buffalo City Bar & Grill/Google
Cap’n Odie’s Lounge 2206 Mayport Rd., 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. Photo via Cap’n Oldies/Google
Lucky Leprechaun 43356 US-27, Davenport Taffer renamed the Lucky Leprechaun as 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. Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
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. Despite being closed from 2020-2021 due to a fire, Sandbar is currently back in business. Photo via Sandbar Sports Grill/Google
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. Photo via The Bridge Lounge/Facebook
Rockin’ Rhonda’s Lounge 2617 S Orlando Dr., 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 Rhonda’s Neighborhood Bar/Facebook
Gil & Rick’s Sports Bar and Pizzeria 1250 Seminole Blvd., 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. Photo via Sauced Sports Bar/Facebook
Blue Water 205 First St. N, Jacksonville Beach Taffer and hip-hop artist Lil Jon helped a Chinese immigrant take control of his beach bar. The bar was renamed Sydney Australian Beach Club during renovations and emphasized a shark theme. While doing well for a short time, a scathing health inspection in 2018 led to the bar’s closure in early 2019—less than a year after appearing on “Bar Rescue.” Google Street View indicates that the bar’s former location was torn down. Photo via Sydney Australian Beach Club/Google
Freaki Tiki 28778 U.S., 28778 US-Hwy. 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. Ditching Taffer’s concept, Frankie T’s went back to its dive bar theme until closing in 2017. The space has been occupied by the Florida-based kava franchise, Kava Culture Kava Bar, since October of 2021. Photo via Kava Culture Kava Bar/Google
Cerealholics 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. Nowadays, the address is home to the popular Spookeasy Lounge. Photo via The Loft Ybor City/Facebook Credit: Photo via TheLoftYborCity/Facebook
Phish Heads 1445 SW Main Blvd. No. 170, 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 nine years behind the bar. Taffer renamed the bar Phish Tales, and it is still in business. Photo via Flip the Switch Marketing Experts/Facebook
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. Photo via Fatballs/Google
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 is still open, but has since reverted back to using its former title. Photo via Bar Rescue/Youtube
Wildkat 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 Maps
Arnold’s 3912 N Ponce De Leon Blvd., 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 Maps
One11 Boca 111 SE Mizner Blvd., 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/Facebook
Gerri’s Sports Pub 6500 W Atlantic Blvd., 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 Maps
Cielo Lounge 8765 S. US-Hwy 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 Maps
Dr. Philgoods Sports Bar 4251 N Dixie Hwy., 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 Maps