In last night's Spike episode of “Bar Rescue” creator Jon Taffer went to Austin, Texas to rescue "The Brixton," but had a bigger job on his hands than just rescuing a bar.
"The Brixton" is a punk-rock theme dive bar on Austin's famous Sixth Street in the heart of Austin's hipster headquarters. Purchased in 2010 by newlyweds, Tim and Sara Lupa; the place is going downhill because of Tim's bad attitude, despite Sara's winning personality. Tim chases customers away with his mean-spirited attitude. In spite of the fact that they are over $100,000 in debt, Tim does not try to change his ways. If Jon cannot help this bar, they will lose everything, including their marriage. The divorce rate of married business owners is a whopping 82 percent.
There are fifty-six other bars in the area, so the competition is great. When Jon and mixologist Peter O'Connor pulled up to the bar, it resembled a crack house; not a drinking establishment. Before opening the bar, Tim was a marketing professional for a Fortune 500 company and yet posted derogatory messages on his social media page about the clientele. Jon sent in someone who had a bad experience previously in "The Brixton." When Sara came to the bar, she made good drinks to replace the nasty ones Tim made. Tim looks down on anyone who orders a specialty drink and then does a rotten job making their drink. Jon told the couple that he lost his first wife because they worked together and understands the problems that ensue.
The following day, Jon meets with the staff. While the other bars in the area are thriving, theirs is facing death. Jon asked the staff what the problems were? One stated that there was no food, which sent customers away in search of food. Another said it was because Tim and Sara did not get along. Customers do not feel welcome. Tim threw out a group of ten people because they were getting louder than he thought was proper. If they close, several people will lose their income and Sara and Tim will lose their home.
For the stress test, Tim was behind the bar and so was Sara. When the bar was packed, Tim could not handle his side of the bar, and Sara was designated to be the manager by Jon. She was fed up with Tim's lack of bar knowledge. As Peter directed him, Tim only got worse. Finally, as customers could not wait any longer, they were leaving. Sara sent him from the back of the bar and called in another bartender. Sara and Tim argued behind the bar, turning off customers more than the wait for drinks. It was determined that Sara and Tim could not work together behind the bar because everything was personal, and they could not separate business from family.
Peter and Jon decided to change their drink menu with infusions. Beer cocktails have emerged once again as a best-seller. Peter taught the staff how to make drinks that will bring people to the bar; Tim has to learn how to keep them there. Tim told Jon that he refused to change the name of the bar. By rebranding the bar, it will remove any negativity from the past and create a new image. Tim was a total jerk about it and obviously would rather lose his livelihood, friends, wife and self-esteem than change the name of the bar where he used to hang out; so he walked away. Sara finally persuaded Tim to grow a pair, and he reluctantly agreed. Then Jon sent him to a local radio station to promote his new bar. The disc jockey brought up the negative pictures that were posted on the website, and Tim promised to change his ways.
Jon and a local sculptor redesigned the place. As the staff waited for the unveiling, they loved the new brand. The name was now "Rocket Room 6" after the rocket tattoo on Tim's arm. The food truck across the street made all the food, eliminating a need for a kitchen. Food was available via an electronic menu and delivered right to the customer. Tim had a new attitude, and customers loved the place.
After six weeks, the name was changed back to "The Brixton," but the rest of the changes are still in place, and sales are up 17%. Sara and Tim are also expecting their first child. Now they can support their family thanks to Jon Taffer and his staff from "Bar Rescue."
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