The Bacon Bar in Las Vegas gained national attention when it was featured on the popular TV show Bar Rescue in 2013. Owned by Bill Davis the bar was originally called Kerry’s Sports Pub before Jon Taffer came in and rebranded it as The Bacon Bar. The episode aired in October 2013, showing Taffer helping to turn around the struggling family-run bar.
But is The Bacon Bar still open today, over 9 years after appearing on Bar Rescue? Let’s sizzle up some info on what happened to this bacon-themed bar in Vegas.
Recapping The Bacon Bar’s Bar Rescue Episode
Before we get to whether The Bacon Bar is still running today, let’s do a quick recap of the bar’s story on Bar Rescue.
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The bar was originally called Kerry’s Sports Pub, owned by Bill Davis who invested his life savings into it.
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Bill hired his family members to work there to save money, including his grandson Justin and daughter Kim.
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Business was struggling and Bill only had a few months of cash reserves left to operate.
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The bar suffered from stealing by staff, bad drinks, and poor management.
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Jon Taffer rebranded it as The Bacon Bar, added bacon menu items and cocktails, and did a colorful bacon-themed renovation.
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In the end, Bill loved the changes and was optimistic about the future.
So with the makeover and menu revamp from Bar Rescue, The Bacon Bar seemed poised for success. But did it manage to stay open?
The Bacon Bar Remained Open for Years After
The good news is that The Bacon Bar did thrive for many years after appearing on Bar Rescue. Jon Taffer’s makeover proved successful in transforming the struggling Kerry’s Sports Pub into a popular Vegas hot spot.
Some key points about The Bacon Bar’s longevity:
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Sales increased by 32% within just 6 weeks of filming.
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It maintained mostly positive online reviews from customers.
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It survived major challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic that closed many bars.
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It remained open for nearly a decade after opening, only closing in 2022.
Given that most failing bars only last about a year after Bar Rescue, The Bacon Bar was one of the show’s big wins. The bar’s unique branding and menu concept helped drive continued business.
Why The Bacon Bar Eventually Closed in 2022
While The Bacon Bar enjoyed many successful years after Bar Rescue, it did ultimately close for good in May 2022.
So what led to its closure after being open for so long?
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The owner Bill Davis retired – At an older age and dealing with health issues, Bill was ready to permanently retire and closed The Bacon Bar as a result.
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No succession plan – It seems Bill did not have a concrete succession plan to pass The Bacon Bar business onto a family member or new owner, leading to its closure.
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Sale of the property – Some speculate that selling the underlying real estate was more profitable than keeping the bar open.
The Building Now Houses a Mexican Restaurant
While The Bacon Bar is closed, the physical building does still live on in a new form. The former home of Kerry’s Sports Pub and The Bacon Bar is now occupied by a Mexican restaurant named Camino Real.
Camino Real took over the lease and renovated the interior sometime in 2022. The new owners gave it a completely new look, erasing the previous bacon theme.
So the address that once housed The Bacon Bar lives on with a new tenant and cuisine. The Bacon Bar may be closed but at least the location still operates as a restaurant and bar, retaining part of its legacy.
Why Didn’t Bill Davis Sell The Bacon Bar?
One lingering question is why Bill Davis didn’t attempt to sell The Bacon Bar when he was ready to retire.
A few possible reasons why he closed it down rather than selling:
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He may not have gotten any decent offers from potential buyers.
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Running the sale process may have been too complex for him.
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It was more profitable to just sell the real estate outright.
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Family members weren’t interested in taking over the business.
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He simply wanted to detach fully from the bar business.
Ultimately, since Bill owned the business he was within his rights to close up shop. But it does seem like a missed opportunity to sell given the bar’s success.
In Summary, a Bittersweet Ending to The Bacon Bar Story
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The Bacon Bar remained open for nearly a decade after appearing on Bar Rescue.
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It closed permanently in 2022 due to the owner Bill Davis retiring.
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A new Mexican restaurant now operates out of the former Bacon Bar building.
So while its closing was certainly bittersweet, I would consider the Bacon Bar a win for Jon Taffer and Bar Rescue. It operated successfully using Taffer’s rebranding long after filming wrapped.
The Bacon Bar will live on in Bar Rescue infamy as one of the show’s most memorable turnarounds. And customers will fondly remember all the creative bacon fare and cocktails they enjoyed at this unique Vegas bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people have about the current status of The Bacon Bar from Bar Rescue:
Is The Bacon Bar still open in Las Vegas?
No, The Bacon Bar closed permanently in May 2022. The owner Bill Davis retired and decided to close the bar rather than selling it or passing it on.
What is in The Bacon Bar location now?
The former Bacon Bar building now houses a Mexican restaurant named Camino Real Cantina. They have completely redone the interior decor.
Why did The Bacon Bar close if business was good?
While The Bacon Bar had success after Bar Rescue, owner Bill Davis ultimately decided to retire given his age and health limitations. Since there was no succession plan, he closed the bar for good.
How long was The Bacon Bar open after Bar Rescue?
Impressively, The Bacon Bar remained open for nearly a decade after appearing on Bar Rescue in October 2013. It closed in May 2022, so just over 8.5 years.
Could The Bacon Bar come back or relocate?
While unlikely, there is always a chance Bill Davis or a family member could restart The Bacon Bar brand with a new location. They could also sell the naming rights and concept to new owners. But for now, The Bacon Bar remains permanently closed.
The Bacon Bar Legacy Lives On
Even though its doors are now closed, The Bacon Bar leaves behind a lasting legacy:
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It demonstrated how Jon Taffer’s expert consulting could successfully reinvigorate a failing bar business.
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It became one of the most memorable Bar Rescue transformations thanks to its eccentric bacon theme.
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It helped owner Bill Davis realize his dream of owning a bar by making it a real success story.
So while its run is over, The Bacon Bar will live on as one of Bar Rescue’s biggest wins. Jon Taffer and Bill Davis can look proudly on what they accomplished together on that fall day back in 2013 when bacon saved the day.