Is ‘Bar Rescue’ Staged Or Real? Answers Before The Premiere

“Bar Rescue” is an American reality TV show hosted by Jon Taffer about a man who transforms dive bars into upscale bars and beer gardens.

Taffer has more than 40 years of experience in the industry, Vox reported and has been hosting the show since its season premiere in 2011.

However, like with many reality shows, fans have questioned for a long time whether "Bar Rescue" is staged. Taffer’s tough attitude demands perfection and he often does his job by speaking candidly with the bar owners he works with about what they are doing wrong and the changes that need to be implemented. Sometimes because of his attitude, arguments ensue. Often his improvements include bringing in new staff, redesigning the layout of a place and upgrading the menu. His entire philosophy is based on the idea that the bars he works with need to focus on selling an ambiance — an experience.

So, is “Bar Rescue” a staged show?

In 2014, one of the show’s Season 3 guests, Paul Wilkes, claimed that he was set up to hit on Nicole, Taffer’s wife. This provoked the show host to then attack him, which he said caused him to suffer “medical and legal expenses” and “pain and suffering,” according to Deadline.

Wilkes also claimed he was encouraged by show producers to act “outlandish” and to make rude, offensive comments about women while at a strip club.

Where one guest claims the show is staged, another claims the opposite. Debbi Snook, a reporter who specializes in food, was invited onto the show in 2015 to critique the food at one bar both before and after the makeover.

“I worried they'd tell us what to say, Snook said. “They did stop in weeks earlier to try the whole menu and find its weakest points. They wanted us to order those items, but told us to speak freely.”

After her experience on “Bar Rescue,” she reported that its “one of the best bleeping shows in the business,” according to Cleveland.com.

As fans head into the Season 7 premiere of “Bar Rescue” on March 1, they will have to watch the show and determine for themselves.