In this Bar Rescue episode, Jon Taffer visits One11 in Boca Raton, Florida.
One11 Boca Raton is owned by Jay Joseph.
He is a music producer and promoter with 20 years experience.
He had no experience managing a bar.
Jay tried multiple marketing events to attract people and money.
They offered food early in the night and dancing afterwards.
But all the activity has left the bar without an identity.
The staff lack proper direction and the process is too long.
The space itself also needs a lot of work.
Jay spends all his time but is in debt of over $800,000.
Jon surveys the bar with expert chef Michael Ferraro.
Inside they see Jay at the bar.
Jays son Jose is in the kitchen, Kat is the manager and Hendrix is a bartender.
The layout of the bar stands out to them.
Jon has asked 2 on-air personalities to be his spies.
They are also foodies, who review restaurants.
The spies hate the seat as it is worn out and dirty.
Jay is not in control as the cook is late.
He is also dressed differently from his staff.
Kat makes the drinks and she over-shakes them.
Despite this they are still made improperly and do not taste good.
The spies find a floater in the drink and Kat has to remake them.
In the kitchen, their chicken wings are made in bad cooking oil that froths when they are put in.
Jon and Michael enter and sit with the spies to stop the service of the food.
The food took more than 20 minutes to make but it still came out cold.
Jon and Michael tell Jay all the things that are wrong with the bar.
The two spies took over a lot of club space as the tables sit about 6-8 people
They think that Jay needs to think of sales per foot.
Jon leaves Jay to clean the kitchen and bar.
They clean all night and the next day the staff are all gathered at the bar.
Jay took some of the advice and is dressed up in a button-down shirt and jacket.
Jon arrives and interviews the staff.
The staff tell Jon what is wrong with the place.
Jay explains that it is not a club but an upscale establishment.
Jon points out how confusing the decorations are.
Jay says he brought most of the staff over from a bar that closed down.
They brought their knowledge and menu from there.
The bar opened in 2019 and had to shut down during the pandemic.
They have struggled ever since.
Jay tries to blame the failures of the bar on the pandemic.
Jon says it has been years and it is not an excuse.
Jay finally admits he is the problem.
Jon introduces his expert mixologist Carlos Ruiz.
Carlos is first and takes staff through making a Buttom Up cocktail.
They are using the proper tools so no finger touches the ingredients.
He also trains them on how long to shake a drink for.
Carlos takes Jay, Jose and the cook to make a crispy chicken Tikka Masala.
He is happy the kitchen and fryer is cleaner.
For the stress test, Jon tasks Jay with acting more like a manager.
He will be directing and supporting his staff.
The customers are let in and orders roll in.
The bartenders are busy and the kitchen is clean.
They are 10 minutes on ticket times but are close to falling behind.
Jay tries to help take orders but he has not checked on the other areas.
Tables are left for more than 20 minutes without drinks and food.
When food starts coming out the orders are mixed up and it quickly descends to disaster.
Jay is made to shut the night down and send people home.
Jon talks with his experts and they identify Jay was on the right track.
It is a high-end neighbourhood but they need everything in the bar to match.
Carlos is creating a new cocktail menu to reflect this.
Michael is creating a menu of mostly seafood as they are by the beach.
Carlos trains them to make some new signature cocktails while Jon talks to Jay and Jose.
He tells Jay he can't focus on the small stuff like bartending.
He has to trust his staff and manage them.
If he does this then he can have time to spend with his son.
Jon meets with his team on changing the interior decor for better people management.
They have a challenge as they have to remove the floor.
After a few days they are back at night to unveil the new bar.
The exterior has been changed, with a new name Boca Luna.
Inside has all new decor and lighting with new colours.
They have a new Orange Door entertainment system in the DJ booth and some skytabs.
There are new bartools and new kitchen equipment.
A local company mixed a custom paint color for them.
The staff all love it and soon they let in the waiting customers.
On relaunch, orders come in and the staff enjoy taking orders.
The bartenders make drinks faster and serve the people at both the bar and the tables.
The spies are back sitting at a table for 2 not taking up too much space.
They also love their drinks and food.
Jay is directing his staff and Jon and his son Jose are proud of him.
Soon, the music comes on and the customers have fun.
What Happened Next at One11 Boca Raton / Boca Luna Luxe Lounge?
Six weeks later, sales of food and drink have increased by 30-40%.
They have been getting new clientele.
Jose and Jay have had more time to spend together away from the bar.
One11 Boca Raton / Boca Luna Luxe Lounge is open.
They have kept the new name.
Reviews are mostly positive.
Customers think the bar is stylish and both food and service is good.
Click for more Bar Rescues
Previous episode - Epic Lounge / Epic Live
Next episode - Los Cocos / Three Tides
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