Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill / Soyo Bar - Bar Rescue Update - Open or Closed?

Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill Bar Rescue

In this Bar Rescue episode, Jon Taffer visits Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill in Yonkers, New York.

Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill is owned by former boxer Miguel Torres and longtime friend and boxing teammate Brian O’Shea.

The pair opened Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill in 2009.

Brian says that they put in about $50,000 each for this bar.

At first, Undisputed’s boxing theme attracted a lot of business.

They were making around $50,000 a month in the beginning.

They were a top spot in Yonkers.

Brian became intoxicated with the bar’s success and soon used the bar as his own party ring.

Over time, standards and security dropped and customers soon left to go to safer bars.

Faced with a deteriorating bar, an uninspired staff and their friendship on the line Miguel and Brian are $120,000 in debt.

Miguel says they are losing around $3,500 a month.

Miguel and Brian make a call for help to Bar Rescue.

Yonkers, New York is located 12 miles north of Manhattan.

It is the second fastest growing market in the state.

Yonkers is divided into two vastly different economic parts.

North Yonkers has a median household income of $28,000.

The up and coming South Yonkers has a median household income of $51,000.

Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill lies within the middle of the two sides of Yonkers.

For the bar, Jon brings in expert bartender Russell Davis.

For the kitchen, Jon brings in expert chef Aaron McCargo.

Jon says they have enough money to make it a couple more weeks.

Jon brings in spies Ray, Brian and Matt for tonight’s recon.

Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill is a 1,500-square-foot bar with two speed wells, one POS terminal and a full-service kitchen.

The cook left the fridge open for way too long.

The wings aren’t cooked properly.

Brian is having a beer in the bar.

Brian and Miguel are arguing and cursing in front of the customers.

Jon decides that now is the right time to walk into the bar.

The bartender tells Russell how they put cheap liquor in expensive bottles.

The temperature in the fridge is 60 degrees but it should only be 40 degrees.

Jon tells them to toss everything in the fridge and to get the plates from the customers before someone gets sick.

Jon and Russell both scold Miguel and Brian for putting cheap liquor in the more expensive bottles.

Jon calls them both a thief and says he’s leaving.

Brian and Miguel close the bar for the night.

A fight breaks out between the customers and the bartender says she’s going to call the cops.

Jon’s crew got assaulted during the fight.

The next morning Jon meets with the staff.

Miguel’s wife Tanya says that she hates the bar.

She says that Brian isn’t doing his part.

Brian and Tanya get into an argument because he doesn’t see how his behavior is a problem.

Jon tells Brian to shut up and listen.

Brian puts cheap liquor in expensive bottles, disrespects people and lets in dangerous people.

Jon brings in Jenny, a former employee.

Jenny says she quit because she didn’t feel safe enough to work at the bar.

She says she thought she was going to die.

Jon asks them to raise their hand if they feel safe in this bar and nobody raises their hand.

Brian takes responsibility for how unsafe the bar has been.

Jon brings in his experts and introduces them to the staff.

Aaron shows them how to properly cook chicken wings.

Russell shows them three very basic drinks: Mojitos, Manhattans and peach cosmos.

Bartender Blue says that he’s excited to be learning these drinks.

Before the bar opens up for stress test, Jon meets with the owners with a security team.

He says he wants to ensure that this bar is safe during stress test.

Jon tells them he wants to see quality drinks and for Miguel and Brian to manage security.

He wants to see them work together.

Undisputed opens up for stress test.

The staff are swamped with orders.

Customers are waiting for their food and drinks for far too long.

There is no organization.

One customer sucked up a piece of glass through her straw.

Jon says they can’t possibly succeed no matter how hard they try.

Jon says the only thing they did right was security.

There wasn’t a single fight in this bar tonight.

Jon meets with Aaron and Russell to discuss the new concept.

They plan on creating a more Manhattan, upscale feel.

Jon brings Brian and Miguel to a gym.

He lets them box each other.

Miguel and Brian feel like this has brought them closer again.

Russel shows them classic cocktails that will be added to the new menu including the Soyo Tea and the Eclectic Blue.

Aaron shows them new recipes that will be added to the menu including an upscale take on the classic burger.

Jon begins construction on the bar.

He discusses the changes he will be making with Miguel and Brian.

The owners are very excited to see the new bar.

The next evening, Jon meets with the staff to show them their new bar.

The bar has been renamed and Undisputed is now called Soyo Craft Bar.

They used contemporary colors.

Jon says that thugs don’t go to bars with bright colors.

The staff are in love with this new bar.

Jenny says that this is nothing like how it was and she already feels much safer walking into it.

Jon installed a new draft beer system and a new cooler system for the fridge.

He says he put in $90,000 just for the refrigeration systems.

Jon installed three Revention POS systems.

SoYo opens up for the first time since remodel.

On relaunch, the customers are very excited for this new bar.

The food and drinks are amazing.

Attitudes have changed for the better.

Customers are saying that this bar really stepped their game up.

Communication is much better.

The bar is packed and everyone is happy.

Jon shakes Miguel’s and Brian’s hands and says that his work here is done.


What Happened Next at Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill / Soyo Craft Bar?

Six weeks later, SoYo is the hottest place in this area.

They are still working together as a team.

Brian says that Jon has brought him and Miguel back together.

A month after the rescue sales dropped by more than 60%.

The police were called to the bar numerous times after the rescue.

They were called more than 60 in less than a year and a number of felony arrests were made.

Undisputed Sports Bar and Grill / Soyo closed in March 2018.

They closed after sales declined and regular fines for public nuisance due to disturbances at the bar.

The bar was listed for sale for $150,000 in January 2016 and was sold two years later.

Reviews after the rescue were mixed with many negative comments on service.

This post was last updated in February 2022.

1 comment:

  1. Jesus even the camera crew got clapped on this one, no surprise that closed soon after I don't think even 5 Jon taffers could save the place

    ReplyDelete

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