BARcode Bar Rescue Update (R.G.’s Lounge) – Still Open in 2024?

Episode Recap

R.G.’s Lounge, later renamed BARcode, was an Independence, Missouri bar that was featured on Season 3 of Bar Rescue.

Though the BARcode Bar Rescue episode aired in December 2013, the actual filming and visit from Jon Taffer took place before that in early 2013.

It was Season 3 Episode 30 and the episode name was “Twin vs. Twin”.

In this episode, Jon Taffer visits R.G.’s Lounge, which is in Independence, Missouri.

If you’re not familiar with Missouri geography, Independence is a suburb of Kansas City, MO, so the bar is near a large metropolitan area.

Rick and Randy, two twin brothers, own the lounge.

Yup – they’re twins! That’s definitely not something you see on every Bar Rescue episode.

Rick was a bartender at the bar for years before it was bought.

Rick still had a day job, so that left Randy to manage the day-to-day aspects of the bar.

At first, the bar thrived due to the twin’s personalities, but soon their competitive natures got the better of them.

They now make the customers uncomfortable because of their fighting. 

They have neglected the bar, and it has fallen into disrepair, which is why the R.G.’s Lounge Bar Rescue episode exists.

The clientele is also very old, which fits with the twin’s ages I guess.

At the time of the visit from Jon Taffer, the brothers are now losing $5,000 per month and are in severe debt.

To help the bar, Jon brings in expert chef Celina Tio and mixologist Mia Mastroianni.

He also talks with Tyler, who is Ricks’s son.

Tyler lets Jon know how the twin brothers are always fighting, and the decor is outdated.

Rachel, a local, comes in as Jon’s spy. 

Rachel is left waiting at the bar for 10 minutes until she is served.

The first drink she orders is too sweet, and the served beer is too warm.

The food is cooked on a dirty and grimy stove.

The sandwich that Rachel ordered is soggy.

Soon a drunk patron is making a scene in the bar, yet the drunk woman is still served more alcohol. 

Jon is concerned about the patron’s safety, so he goes in to confront Rick.

Randy is also confronted because this is irresponsible behavior.

The patron is found outside and is eventually arrested by the police.

Jon leaves and comes back the next day to meet with the staff.

The staff has complaints about the age of the clientele and the fighting between the twin brothers.

Jon sits with the brothers individually to figure out what the problem is.

They say the problems began with their mother’s inheritance and how she left everything to Rick.

That obviously led to some resentment with Randy, which I can understand.

The experts inspect the bar after the meeting with the owners. 

There is a dirty drain, fruit flies, and grease all over the stove.

The cook refuses to clean; he claims the kitchen is immaculate.

Jon Taffer and the cook almost get into a physical confrontation.

The cook gives into cleaning because he wants to keep his job. 

Jon brings in three new bartenders who will compete against the staff for their jobs.

Mia conducts a contest between the two sets of bartenders to make simple cocktails.

Celine trains the cook on a proper French dip sandwich as well. 

The competition with the bartenders goes into the stress test.

The tickets are all handwritten, and soon everyone is overwhelmed.

The bar staff steps up even though the new girls give them a run for their money.

The night ends, and Jon leaves the team with feedback.

Erica is made head bartender, and the new girls stay as well. 

The twins are admonished for fighting and bad-mouthing each other in front of customers.

Tyler meets with his dad and uncle and tells them how everyone is sick of their fighting.

They call a truce. The bar is renovated by Jon Taffer and his crew, and the staff gathers. 

As part of the renovations, the bar is renamed from R.G.’s Lounge to BARcode.

The interior is updated and more modern.

On relaunch, Randy manages well.

The kitchen does great and sends out delicious food. 

So – is the BARCode bar still open? Keep reading our update to learn what happened next and how the bar is doing in 2024 and beyond (including real customer reviews).