Episode 3: “Shabby Abbey” – Don't Take The Nucleus

Not every Bar Rescue episode is pure chaos—and this one proves it. This week, we take a look at The Abbey, an Irish bar in Chicago that somehow makes being an Irish bar look…uninspired. Jonathan, Alana, Lexi, and Jess do their best to find something interesting in this rescue, but let’s be real—this one’s a slow burn. Can bad branding and lack of enthusiasm make for good television? (Spoiler: not really.)

Expect: Taffer doing his best to inject energy into the least exciting bar ever. A menu makeover that feels…fine? Will this bar actually change, or just keep sleepwalking through existence? Grab a drink (a strong one, you’ll need it), and join us as we attempt to make The Abbey more shabby.

Episode 2: "Downey’s and Out" - We Meet Grandpa Carlos

This week, we tackle Bar Rescue’s second-ever disaster: Downey’s Irish Pub, a Philadelphia bar that somehow managed to make drinking feel like a terrible idea. Jonathan, Alana, Lexi, and Jess dive into the chaos—from an owner who refuses to admit his bar is sinking to a kitchen nightmare so bad even the drinks seem nervous. We break down the red flags, questionable management decisions, and whether Taffer’s Irish makeover was enough to save this shipwreck. 

Expect the worst excuses from an owner in full denial. A bar so unsanitary it’s practically biohazard-certified. Did Taffer’s rescue actually work? Or was it just Guinness-colored optimism? So grab a pint (from a clean bar, preferably), and join us as we dissect another legendary mess.

Episode 1: "Fallen Angels" – The One That Started It All 

It’s time to go *back to the beginning**—Season 1, Episode 1 of Bar Rescue, where Jon Taffer took on his very first failing bar. And wow… what a mess. Join Jonathan, Alana, Lexi, and Jess as we break down the chaos of Fallen Angels*—an LA bar with disinterested management, questionable drinks, and an aesthetic that screams “poor life choices.” We’ll analyze the biggest red flags, the rescue tactics, and whether this place was actually doomed from the start.

Expect: The worst decisions ever made in a bar (and that’s saying something). Taffer’s first-ever rage moment—did he hold back, or did he go full Taffer? Did this rescue actually work? Or was it all neon lights and false hope?

So grab a drink and settle in—because we’re diving headfirst into the dumpster fire that started it all.

Welcome to Pour Decisions!

Before we dive headfirst into the chaos of failing bars and questionable management decisions, we’re kicking things off with a little introduction. In this episode, Jonathan, Alana, Lexi, and Jess lay out exactly what Pour Decisions is all about—expect deep dives into Bar Rescue drama, brutally honest takes, and enough snark to fill a poorly stocked liquor shelf.

We’ll talk about: Why we started this podcast and our love (or side-eye) for Bar Rescue. How we’ll break down each episode—the red flags, the rescues, and the ridiculous excuses* from failing bar owners.

So grab a drink (preferably one that doesn’t come from a bar with a roach problem) and get ready—because it’s about to get messy.