Interlude II Bar and Grill - Bar Rescue Update - Open or Closed?

In this Bar Rescue episode, Jon Taffer visits Interlude II Bar and Grill in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Interlude II Bar and Grill is owned by Jimmy.

He took over the bar in 1993 from his father who had owned it since 1963.

Jimmy took over to fulfill a promise to his mother.

He enjoyed the community of running the bar.

For over 30 years, the bar has declined as they cannot bring in a younger crowd.

The bar is also in disrepair and his fiancé Nikki tries to help.

She has no defined role at the bar, which irks the staff.

The bar and family legacy are on the line.

Jimmy does not want it to close.

Jon surveys the bar with expert chef Jennifer Murphy and expert mixologist Alli Torres.

Jon introduces the staff and the fiancé working at the bar.

They are primarily selling beer in cans and shots, which are not female friendly.

Two spies ask for a basic Old Fashioned and frozen pizza, as that is all they have.

The drinks are awful and have been made with too much grenadine.

Jimmy is great at interacting with customers but is not managing the bar or staff.

Jon enters and meets with Jimmy, hears his story and introduces the spies.

He calls out the staff and all the things wrong with the setup of the bar.

Jon is a little lenient with Jimmy, as he is a good guy.

He promises to train him over the next four days.

The next day, Jon comes back and meets the staff.

The staff think there is inconsistency due to a lack of training.

Nikki says she is the manager with Jimmy confirming but the rest of the staff did not know this.

Jon says he will set them all up for success, including Nikki.

He also notices that the bar has no soda guns, which is losing them money.

Jimmy says he closed down the kitchen as it was losing them money.

Jon explains food makes people stay longer and spend more with added tips.

They also need draft beer as it is cheaper than beer bottles and cans.

The Partender report reveals they are losing $1,600 in a week and $77,500 in a year.

Before the training starts, Jon takes Jimmy down to a local bar that has a younger crowd.

Interrogating the owner, they learn he has systems and programs in place to bring in the younger crowd.

They have draft beer and a lot of what Jon had mentioned they needed.

They agree to cross-promote the bar and the beer.

Alli trains the staff on proper pour counts and making a proper Old Fashioned.

Jennifer trains them in the recommissioned small kitchen on some simple sandwiches.

The team practices and Jon gathers the staff before the stress test to see what they will be doing.

The game plan is they hope not to take up to 10 minutes on the tickets.

As the customers are let in, the orders come through.

The bartenders take their time taking orders.

Jon entertains the waiting customers with a magic trick.

He has them set their phone timers to 12 minutes.

Bartenders soon start messing up the pour counts and the drinks are tossed.

Jimmy helps out with direction but the wait is getting longer for the customers.

They customers all say that they would walk out in a normal situation.

Jon calls Jimmy to the side to admit the night is a failure.

The staff all have heart, which Jon commends.

The next day, Alli trains the staff on blending and making a new cocktail called the Second Act.

Jon sits with Jimmy and Nikki.

He instructs Jimmy on how he can give Nikki authority and choose a head bartender.

Jimmy accepts what he must do and is happy with how things are turning out.

A few days later, the renovations are completed and the community, along with the staff, are gathered for the unveiling.

The bar name has been retained to keep the legacy.

The sign has been changed with an added nod to the origins of the bar.

Inside, the bar has been updated with a cohesive theme and warmth.

There is a photo of Jimmy’s parents in the center place.

The bar back has been untouched as well to preserve the legacy.

There are two workstations with Skytabs and Partender subscriptions.

They have new ceiling tiles, Rockless tables and new bar tools.

There is a new ice machine, new kegs of beer and a new draft beer system.

Jimmy uses the opportunity to tell the staff Nikki is the manager and she will be supporting them.

Jimmy and Nikki let in customers and they come in with orders.

The bartenders are on top of things, taking orders and making drinks correctly.

In the kitchen, the menu is easy and food is made quickly.

Jimmy is happy and so is Jon.

What Happened Next at Interlude II Bar and Grill?

Six weeks later, profits are up on the new menu items.

Nikki is now the GM of the business.

Jimmy is embracing the changes and expanding the beer program.

Interlude II Bar and Grill is open.

Nikki told reporters they had lots of new faces coming to the bar.

Regulars are seeing improvements to service and like the new atmosphere.

Reviews are mostly positive.

Some reviews suggest they are no longer serving food.

Click for more Bar Rescues

Previous episode - Coaches Pub / Midtown Pub

Next episode - Harbor Lights