Bars have become a popular hangout on many of our favorite shows over the last few decades. The 70’s had the Regal Beagle on Three’s Company, the 80’s had Cheers on the sitcom of the same name, and the 90’s had Moe’s Tavern on The Simpsons. The 21st Century had it own share of hangouts on shows ranging from How I Met Your Mother to Grey’s Anatomy. In 2011, a show debuted on Spike TV called Bar Rescue, where bar expert Jon Taffer visits struggling bars all over the United States. Taffer and his team try to save the establishments from going bankrupt. If you have ever watched this show, you know Jon Taffer has a temper, especially if he is working with a lazy bar staff. We at TV Overmind were wondering which of our favorite TV show bars could use a visit from Mr. Taffer. Here is our list of the 5 television bars that are in the most need of a Bar Rescue. Who knows, maybe one of these shows could do a crossover episode with Bar Rescue? That would be something I would love to watch.
5. Clyde’s Bar, New Girl
Clyde’s Bar is a popular hangout for Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and the rest of the gang on New Girl. Nick (Jake Johnson) has been employed at Clyde’s since the first season and Cece (Hannah Simone) is serving drinks there as well. The reason I feel Clyde’s needs a visit from Bar Rescue is because of the overall ambiance of the bar. It is always so dark inside, even when the gang is there having a few cocktails during the afternoon. And is it just me or does the red retro wallpaper gives off a Regal Beagle Three’s Company vibe? That may have worked in the 1970’s and 80’s, but a bar this outdated is not going to be filled with customers.
Bar Rescue will need to update the bar to make it more appealing to the target audience that should be frequenting it. Since Jess, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Winston (Lamorne Morris) and Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) are all in their early 30’s, I am guessing that is what this bar should cater towards. Jon Taffer would know exactly what this outdated bar will need. After all, we do not want Nick and Cece to lose their jobs. Also, I would welcome an interaction between kooky Jess and hothead JohnTaffer.
4. The Bronze, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Though Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been off the air for more than a decade, The Bronze needed to be included on this list. If Jon had done his Bar Rescue before 2003, it would not have mattered as the bar was destroyed along with the rest of Sunnydale following the Battle at the Hellmouth. If the city is rebuilding, why not have Jon Taffer come and make The Bronze an even cooler bar than it was in its heyday?
I am sure Jon Taffer would want to make a few updates to the new establishment. He would definitely ban the annual Fumigation Party, where patrons could capture cockroaches they found and get free drinks. Taffer knows a health code violation when he sees one. Also, Taffer might build the exterior with vampire proof materials like garlic and crosses to keep the bad guys out. This would also save in repair cost from all the fights that took place there on Buffy.
3. Moe’s Tavern, The Simpsons
Moe’s Tavern has been a staple on The Simpsons since the show premiered in 1989. Homer Simpson likes to frequent the bar in almost every episode with his closest pal Barney and co-workers Carl and Lenny. Moe himself has even changed the look and name of the bar. In a 1995 episode, Moe updated the bar to Uncle Moe’s Family Feedbag. It was successful until Moe went ballistic on a young child. In 2011, Moe decided to change the name of his bar to Mo’s and turned it into a ultra-trendy gay bar. That did not last long either. It is clear that Moe needs Jon Taffer’s help to make changes that will continue to bring in more business.
The Bar Rescue team will have a lot of work to do, but there first suggestion may be to add a food menu to draw in more business. I do not think the pickeled eggs Moe currently sells to his customers is doing the trick.
2. Merlotte’s/Bellefleur’s Bar and Grill, True Blood
Merlotte’s looks like a decent bar. There are always customers and this may be because there is not many other places for the people of Bon Temps to frequent. The main problem with the bar is the unreliable staff. Sookie (Anna Paquin) was hardly ever at work and called in more times than anyone should be allowed. Also, Arlene (Carrie Preston) and Tara (Rutina Wesley) are always rude to the customers. You are guaranteed to see a fight between two co-workers if you stop in for a beer at this bar.
The Bar Rescue team would need to work with Sam (Sam Trammell) and Andy (Chris Bauer) on how to manage their employees better. Once they outlaw any fighting and tardiness, this bar is sure to flourish and make the owner’s even more money than they were already making.
1. Paddy’s Pub, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It is obvious to anyone who watches Sunny why they are in desperate need of a visit from Bar Rescue. The outside of the building looks like a warehouse, so no one can even tell what it is. Also, the few customers the bar actually has look like they should be in a homeless shelter and not a bar. The staff at Paddy’s is either not working or being mean to the few customers they have. Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Dennis (Glenn Howerton) are horrendous bartenders and Charlie (Charlie Day) is an even worse janitor. Also, what exactly is Mac’s (Rob McElhenney) job? There was even a season four episode entitled, “Paddy’s Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia.”
Jon Taffer would have a lot to work to do at Paddy’s, but he has dealt with worse. He could turn the worst bar in Philly to one of the best in just a matter of three days.
Do you think these bar could use a visit from Bar Rescue? Or do you have one that is not in the list? Please tell us in the comments section below.
Photo by: Spike TV
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