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Bar Rescue - Storming the Castle (S4, E16)

Friar Tucks Sports Bar (now Stein Haus) – Pomona, California

 

Jon Taffer arrives at this castle-shaped bar to a surly owner with anger management issues whose attitude has pushed his staff to their breaking points.

In 1996, Ivan Vuich impressed the owner of Friar Tucks Bar, won the heart of the owner's niece and was immediately given keys to the castle.  Friar Tucks had been one of Pomona's most successful bars since the 80s and Ivan's first few years were busy and profitable. But the customers weren't the only ones who enjoyed the party, Ivan struggled to manage his out of control staff that drink on the job and don't respect him as a manager.  To relieve some of the stress, Ivan brought on Sami Marzougui as general manager in 2008.  Instead of turning Friar Tucks around, Ivan and Sami clash at every turn.

Friar Tucks was an outdated, tension-ridden bar when Jon was tasked with the job of turning it around.  Jon brought in Jason Bran, master mixologist to create signature cocktails for the failing bar and create a fun and unique customer experience.  

When they arrived, Friar Tucks was not equipped with the correct pour spouts.  Jason taught the importance of having consistency in pouring your liquors not only for bar cost but for making your cocktails correctly.  He changed out all of their pour spouts to BarConic® 304SS™ Stainless Steel Liquor Pourers that pour at 1/4 ounce per second.  He trained them on making classic cocktails like the "Dirty Martini" and the "Manhattan" correctly and the difference between shaking and stirring each.  Jason uses our BarConic®; glassware, shakers, straws, cocktail picks and stirring spoons to craft these classic cocktails.

BAR RESCUE: RECIPES

SMIRNOFF 21 DIRTY VODKA MARTINI

  - 1 oz. Olive Brine
  - 1.5 oz. Smirnoff 21 Vodka 
  - Dash of Dry Vermouth

Add ice and shake ingredients in Boston Cocktail Shaker, making sure it's a good sound shake and strain. Garnish with our Bamboo Cocktail Picks and three olives.

CLASSIC MANHATTAN

  - Dash of Bitters
  - 0.5 oz. Sweet Vermouth
  - 2 oz. Fresh grapefruit juice
  - 1.25 oz of Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey

Combine ingredients in Boston Cocktail Shaker. Add ice. Stir using our BarConic® Bar Spoon - 10" Classic

All of the featured products plus many bar supplies can be purchased from Barproducts.com