Jon Taffer attends the grand opening of Taffer\'s Tavern in Watertown, MA. Sophie Park/for Taffer\'s Tavern / Shutterstock Shut it down! “Bar Rescue” is back for its landmark tenth season, once again fronted by hospitality expert Jon Taffer as he rehabs watering holes in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.
While the hospitality expert has become famous for his loud, tough love approach, he’s remarkably gentle when he stops by the Fox Studio lot for a chat with Page Six Hollywood. “People will be surprised that I’m not screaming and yelling at you,” he jokes.
To be fair, those heightened emotions are often justified – this season sees Taffer contend with one bar that’s got bugs inside their liquor bottles and another with a kitchen that hasn’t been properly cleaned in three decades.
Jon Taffer is the host of “Bar Rescue.” Getty Images But there’s another reason behind that gruff TV persona: “I’m not fighting with them, I’m fighting for them,” Taffer says. “That’s why I can be so aggressive, because I know in the end, I’m going to get the hug. The ones that fight me the hardest give me the biggest hug, so it inspires me to be tougher next week.”
This season has proven particularly challenging for Taffer and his team as they contended with an environment that’s become increasingly difficult for bar owners, he says. “Post-Covid, people are different. People stay home. People have changed their social habits. That’s affecting the business. Elevated costs are affecting the business, of course, the inflation effect. And then only about 54% of America is drinking alcohol right now. That trend is way down.”
Taffer has managed to find success within those difficult parameters with his own cozy pub chain, Taffer’s Tavern, which has three locations in Georgia and one in Florida – but don’t expect a Golden State outpost anytime soon.
“I can’t tell you how many hospitality professionals will not come to California,” Taffer tells Page Six Hollywood, adding that he couldn’t in good conscience recommend setting up shop here. That’s largely because of California’s strict regulations concerning bars, including the prevention of specials like Ladies’ Nights and 2-for-1 deals.
“I challenge these regulations. And here’s why: the view of California is that the operator is not responsible enough to do 2-for-1s and not overserve people. They believe that the industry is not responsible enough to operate in these ways. I strongly disagree,” Taffer says.
“Other states prove that California is wrong in that. In other states, where these things are legal, people aren’t driving into trees, they’re not being busted on Dram shop liability issues. They’re not serving minors. None of these things are happening. So when you look at another state and the business is prospering without those regulations, and then you come to a state where all these regulations exist, you have to question them. And I do.”
As for the lucky businesses who are thriving in LA, Taffer has one clear favorite for when he wants to knock back his favorite drink, The Godfather (scotch and amaretto). “I love Craig’s. I’ve known Craig for 30-something years. I have a business card of Craig’s when he used to build websites. That’s a wonderful bar. It’s a great scene, very Hollywood.”
“Bar Rescue” airs at 10pm Sundays on Paramount Network.
