Overview

Hammer and Ales was a bar featured in season 4 of Bar Rescue, a reality TV show where Jon Taffer, a bar and nightlife expert, helps struggling bars to turn their business around. The episode aired on May 11, 2014, and showcased the challenges faced by Hammer and Ales, the solutions provided by Jon Taffer, and the results achieved after the makeover.

Challenges Faced by Hammer and Ales

Hammer and Ales was a bar located in Las Vegas, Nevada, that was struggling to attract customers and generate revenue. The bar had a confusing concept, with a mix of sports bar, craft beer bar, and nightclub, that didn’t resonate with the local market. The bar was also poorly managed, with a lack of leadership, training, and accountability among the staff. The bar had a negative reputation, with online reviews criticizing the service, the cleanliness, and the overall experience.

Solutions Provided by Jon Taffer

Jon Taffer and his team identified the following issues with Hammer and Ales:

• The concept was confusing and needed to be simplified to focus on craft beer and sports.
• The bar was dirty and needed a deep cleaning.
• The staff was untrained and needed to be retrained on customer service, bartending, and teamwork.
• The bar lacked a signature drink and needed to create one to attract customers.
• The bar needed to improve its online reputation by responding to negative reviews and promoting positive ones.

Jon Taffer and his team implemented the following solutions:

• They renamed the bar to Hammer and Ales Craft Beer House and Sports Bar to clarify the concept.
• They deep cleaned the bar and replaced the old furniture and decor with new ones.
• They trained the staff on customer service, bartending, and teamwork, and implemented a system of rewards and punishments to ensure accountability.
• They created a signature drink called the Hammerhead, which was a mix of beer, vodka, and lemonade, and promoted it as a must-try item.
• They responded to negative reviews on Yelp and other platforms, apologized for the issues, and offered discounts and free drinks to the customers who had a bad experience. They also encouraged satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and share their experience on social media.

Results Achieved After the Makeover

The makeover of Hammer and Ales resulted in the following improvements:

• The bar saw a 30% increase in revenue in the first month after the makeover.
• The bar received positive reviews from customers who praised the new concept, the cleanliness, and the service.
• The staff became more motivated and efficient, and the turnover rate decreased.
• The bar became a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts and sports fans, and hosted events and parties that attracted a diverse crowd.
• The bar was featured in local and national media, including the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Huffington Post.

Overall, the makeover of Hammer and Ales was a success, thanks to the expertise and guidance of Jon Taffer and his team. The bar was transformed from a struggling business to a thriving one, and became a model for other bars to follow.