“Bar Rescue” is a docu-reality series featuring veteran nightlife expert Jon Taffer as he seeks to revamp and rescue bars on the brink. Taffer and his dream team of industry experts understand the science behind a bar’s success and spare no details in their rescues; tackling everything from the perfect pour, to the height of the bar stools. To date, Taffer and his team have saved four bars in the Phoenix Valley.
Kid Chilleen’s
33150 S Cold Water Rd
Black Canyon City, AZ
Chilleen’s on 17 originally opened as Kid Chilleen’s Bad ASS BBQ and Steakhouse in February of 2003 by Scott and Donna Chilleen. After many ups and downs Scott and Donna along with daughter Aleah, contacted Spike TV’s Bar Rescue in hopes that they could save an almost bankrupt business. Bar Rescue came to Black Canyon City in late January of 2013. After five days of filming, remodling and staff re-training Kid Chilleen’s reopened, as Chilleen’s on 17. chilleenson17.com
Stand Up Scottsdale
5101 N Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ
This comedy club in Scottsdale is locally owned who’s headliners are nationally touring comedians, generally with many tv appearances to their credit. For their support staff, they source the best local comedians committed to the original comedy. During the show, owner Howard Hughes was extremely outspoken and even landed himself on Jon Taffer’s personal list of worst owners. However misleading the show may be, the comedy club is still doing great and is a popular local spot for comedy lovers. standupscottsdale.com
Rocky Point Cantina
Tempe, AZ
Rocky Point Cantina was a death metal bar owned by two brothers who had apparently drained their parents’ retirement fund to keep the bar open. In season 4 of Bar Rescue, Taffer and his crew rid the bar of it’s death metal fan base and renamed it the Havana Cabana Bar and Grill. However, due to the show repainting the building it triggered a code inspection that uncovered years of modifications of the building that had been completed without building permits. The brothers opted to close the bar rather than bring the building up to code.
George & Dragon
4240 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ
The most recent Valley restaurant to be on the show is George & Dragon, a local favorite dive bar and is the only authentic English Public House “Pub” in the city. Business seemed to take a downturn after owner Dave Wimberley’s mother passed. When Jon’s team arrived, they kept the original name but updated the signage, logo, built “snugs” and gave it a fresh coat of paint. When you visit, make sure you try their famous curry! georgeanddragonpub.net
