Spike TV and Renowned Nightlife Consultant Jon Taffer Aim to Raise the Bar With the Series Premiere of "Bar Rescue"

Top Restaurant and Bar Consultant Jon Taffer To Pour One Last Shot For Ailing Drinking Establishments In Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia When Series Premieres Sunday, July 17 at 10:00 PM

NEW YORK, June 15, 2011 -- Spike TV's new series "Bar Rescue" gives failing nightlife establishments one last chance at success when it premieres Sunday, July 17 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT. Over the course of the series, one bar per week in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia will be reborn under the watchful eye of Jon Taffer. One of the country's top restaurant and bar consultants, Taffer delves into every business facet of running a bar, from creating a profitable drink/food menu, to music selection, to managing crowds as well as dealing with disgruntled employees.

"Bar Rescue" exhibits Taffer tapping into his vast experience, which spans the entire spectrum of the food and beverage, hotel and hospitality arenas. His expertise, along with his "in-your-face" style and renowned method of management called "Taffer Dynamics," helps transform outmoded bars into vibrant, profitable establishments. From utilizing state-of-the-art science such as eye tracking technology to analyzing the effect the tempo of music being played has on rate of alcohol consumption, Taffer leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to revitalize the venues in "Bar Rescue." Turning traditional Irish pubs, biker hangouts and karaoke bars into billiards clubs, surf barbeque restaurants and whiskey taverns is just a sampling of the transformations that take place under Taffer's supervision.

Aiding Taffer in rebuilding these establishments are his wife Nicole, who operates undercover to help him diagnose each bar's problems, along with a rotating group of experts, including famed restauranteur Josh Capon, celebrity chef Brian Hill, Diageo Master of Whisky Peter O'Connor and Diageo mixologist Elayne Duke.

Fans can log on to Spike.com to view full episodes, check out before and after photo galleries of the rescued bars, read blogs from Taffer and his experts and get a cocktail recipe for a drink featured on the show every week.

"Bar Rescue" is a ten one-hour episode series produced by 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks US and Executive Producers JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson ("The Biggest Loser," "Master Chef," "I Used to be Fat," "Flying Wild Alaska"). Sharon Levy is Spike TV's executive vice president, original series and animation, Tim Duffy is senior vice president of original programming for Spike TV.

About Jon Taffer:

A virtual fixture in the restaurant, bar and nightclub business, Taffer is an internationally recognized, award-winning restaurant operator, owner and concept developer. He's a respected industry "voice" with nearly 30 years of hands-on experience in over 800 establishments worldwide and delivers expertise in the creation, development and management of casual restaurants, entertainment venues, nightclubs, bars, stadium/arena food service, resort facilities and large theme restaurants. In January 2010, he was appointed by Questex Media Group LLC the president of its Nightclub & Bar Media Group, which includes the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, Nightclub & Bar magazine and related digital media products.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 99.4 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.