In last night's Spike episode of “Bar Rescue” creator Jon Taffer went to New Orleans, La. to rescue "TJ Quills," a bar with immaturity written all over it.
In this episode, the establishment in need of help is this failing college bar accused of and fined for serving minors and acting more like something out of "Animal House," than a viable establishment. Owner Darian Blanchard bought the bar in 2012. The bar had a negative reputation for serving high school kids, and Darian wanted to revitalize the place; instead, it is sliding further downhill because Darian's friends and immature staff are unruly and are drinking away his profits. Time to separate his friends from his business because he is over $400,000 in debt and no females want to be anywhere near the place.
Finally, Darian called Jon Taffer and agreed to open the books and let Jon help him. "TJ Quills" is located just six miles from Bourbon Street and home to two universities; Tulane and Loyola. Nearly a quarter of the population is college students.
For his reconnaissance, he sent in Elayne Duke, the head mixologist for Diageo, who spotted the broken glass on the front door immediately. John has been watching the place for three days, and it is a mess. John also sent in some sorority girls; one with a fake ID (although she is legally able to drink.) Smoking is legal, as there are smokers on the video. The girl with the fake ID is drinking, as are the bartenders. Creepy guys are staring at the girls, and the bartender follows them out. One bartender is shirtless and showing off his muscular body. Now Jon makes Darian face the music. When Jon accused them of letting the girl with the fake ID in, the crew got belligerent with Jon and denied that they would let anyone in with a fake ID. Jon showed them and demanded an apology, telling them the liquor license could be lifted, and the place closed.
Next Jon took the staff aside to hear his plan. He had Darian explain how dire the circumstances really were. He introduced Elayne to the staff and brought in chef Brian Duffy to assist with the menu to attract females to the bar and hopefully remove the frat house reputation. They brought in a "Turbochef" oven to help with the menu.
As Elayne conducted the class for the bartenders, Brian took two of the worst offenders to the kitchen for food training.
When the stress test occurred, the crowd was outside waiting to get in. Another fake ID got through, and Jon demanded that the offender was fired. Although he was a friend, Darian understood that his business has to come first.
Lyle the bartender refused to smile, although reminded several times, until the customers started chanting, smile Lyle. He was fed up with college kids. Spellman, the bartender who was drinking shots, was put in the kitchen, and could not handle it. Russell had to fire Spellman for his habits and lack of work ethic.
Matt was amazing in the kitchen, but went back to the bar. Lyle was berated by Jon and asked for a second chance. When he told Elayne that he hated the customers, it sealed his fate, and Jon fired him.
The next morning, Jon had a surprise and brought in Darian's mother to see where her money went. She had loaned him $20,000 from her retirement, but had no more to give him. Now his mother knows the facts, and so does Darian.
The new menu in the kitchen was done by Brian. The names of the bar snacks were related to the colleges in the area. Elayne made some female friendly drinks named after literature read in college. With two hours before relaunch, the new name for the bar was "The Annex." The interior was friendly and casual. The new bar and food menu was awesome; the POS system was set for food and drinks. Immediately, a fake ID was turned away. The drinks were coming slowly, and the kitchen needed a bit of speed, but within six weeks, bar sales increased by 12% and the new kitchen brought in another $2,000 a month. Hopefully, with a new lease on life, Darian and his crew will continue to thrive, thanks to Jon Taffer and his crew from "Bar Rescue."
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