Episode Recap: Bar Rescue Season 4, Ep 8

courtesy Spike TV

Welcome to Alcohol Professor’s weekly recap of Bar Rescue, Spike TV’s reality show that gives desperate liquor purveyors a chance to turn themselves into beyond visitable venues. Hosted by nightlife guru Jon Taffer, this week’s episode, entitled "Swinging From the Rafters," showcases a bar whose monkey business, is killing their overhead.

This week's bar, The Dirty Rooster, well, it's called The Dirty Rooster. Such a name needs no explanation.

Rob is one of the most obnoxious bar owners I've ever seen on this show, and that's saying plenty. He gives cute girls free shots (like, a lot of free shots), and even implores them to do one off of his navel. Bartender Tara is a single mom of four, which was only mentioned three or four times throughout the episode. Taffer calls in Nick Liberato and Raul Faria, makes his usual threat to not revamp the bar, etc.

A few things confused me about this episode. First off, Taffer calls in an outside investor (who looks like a character from The Sopranos) and tries to get two out of the three partners to sell their shares. Then, he tries to convince them not to. All I can say is the White Knight, Frank (yes, his name is Frank), is probably sitting somewhere, immensely confused and a little ticked off.

The Dirty Rooster is renamed Lake Marie Lodge, which is all fine and well, except that winter drinks and summer drinks are served simultaneously. I get that Bar Rescue had to showcase both the drinks, but it still seemed odd to serve hot cider and a daiquiri at the same time. Also, I felt like the drinks could have used a touch of variation, both being Captain Morgan-based fruity cocktails.

But, since this bar is off of a busy road and a lake, I'd still probably go there while indulging in some outdoorsy fantasy. A lake is all I need to feel like I'm on an adventure. That's why I go to New Jersey.

Visit Lake Marie Lodge:

25855 Route 173

Antioch, IL 60002