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Here's what happened to every Florida bar featured on 'Bar Rescue'

By CL Staff on Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 6:25 pm

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."

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Gil & Rick's Sports Bar and Pizzeria

1250 Seminole Boulevard, Largo
During recon, the bar struggled to fulfill an order for 11 pizzas. Taffer and guest-star Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports renamed the sports-focused pizzeria and bar “Sauced” during renovations. Sauced is still in business and has decent Google reviews ratings. While the rescue included cleaner, more modern signage, Sauced has since opted for a more sports bar-y look.

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 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. 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, 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 nostalgic-centered theme for a more modern approach under The Loft Elevated Bar + Food. However, The Loft recently announced they would close due to family reasons.

Photo via The Loft Ybor City/Facebook

Phish Heads

1445 SW Main Blvd #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 9 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 and the bar then closed in 2019. As of this year, Jam’s Karaoke Bar & Restaurant currently occupies the space and maintains a positive rating on Google Reviews.

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