Lake House Bar Rescue Update (Sidelines Sports) – Still Open?

Episode Recap

Sidelines Sports Grill and Bar, later renamed to Lake House Bar and Grill, was a Mount Dora, Florida bar that was featured on Season 5 of Bar Rescue.

Though the Lake House Bar Rescue episode aired in August 2017, the actual filming and visit from Jon Taffer took place around a year earlier in 2018.

It was Season 5 Episode 27 and the episode name was “Daddy Dearest”. 

In this episode, Jon Taffer heads to Sidelines Sports Grill and Bar in Mount Dora, FL.

Mount Dora is a small city in central Florida.

It’s known for antique shops and annual festivals, so there’s a lot of history there.

Basically, it’s a cute little town.

The nearest major city is Orlando, which is located not too far to the southeast.

Rich Marinacci, the owner, took over a buffet restaurant in 2006.

He is also a franchise owner and used money from that as an investment to turn the buffet into a sports bar.

After opening in 2009, the bar was very successful.

Soon, Rich sold his franchises but failed to manage the bar properly, which led to a decline, which is why the Sidelines Bar Rescue episode happened.

Rich has borrowed a large sum of money from his father and has made his sons work for him even though they are busy with school.

The two brothers argue at the bar often.

Due to the stress of the bar, his marriage has begun to fail.

Because of this, Rich has been drinking a lot, even when he’s supposed to be working at the bar.

Jon Taffer, mixologist Phil Wills, and expert chef Michael Ferraro watch the footage from inside the bar.

Ashley, the manager and bartender is shown.

In the kitchen are Richie Jr and Joey, the cooks.

Finally, Nika, a bartender, is shown, and Katie, a bartender and server.

Two locals, Alex and Dawn, spy on the bar for Jon Taffer. 

Alex and Dawn must order fifteen items from the menu.

The two first-order a margarita and a long island iced tea.

The cocktails are not served in the proper glasses.

As the spies order more items from the menu, the bartenders know Richie Jr will not like this.

Joey cooks the food while Richie Jr does nothing. 

Joey cross contaminates the food, and Chef Michael runs into the bar to stop the customers from eating because of the health risk.

Chef Michael confronts Joey and admonishes him, and Joey gets angry and punches a hole in the wall.

Rich then slaps his son Richie Jr. Yup – it’s some pretty crazy classic Bar Rescue drama going on.

Jon Taffer angrily confronts Rich while Joey cries and tells Jon his dad is an angry drunk.

Before Jon Taffer leaves, he tells Rich and the staff to clean the kitchen.

The next day Jon meets with the team and Bonnie, Rich’s wife.

Rich’s father is in charge of the financials, and when he is around, Rich acts like a different person.

At the meeting, Jon shows Rich’s father the footage of his son from the day before. 

Rich wants to change, but no one is taking him seriously.

While the relationships will need work, the bar also has more immediate problems.

To fix those, Jon introduces the experts.

Phil begins to train the bar staff on making a mojito with Bacardi rum.

Michael teaches Rich and his sons about making a shrimp and chips dish.

Jon Taffer tells Rich not to drink and be respectful toward his employees and his family for the stress test. 

The bar starts slow during the stress test.

Rich is confused when asked to help run food from the kitchen.

The bar is being served, but those sitting at tables have not received their drinks yet.

The test fails, and the bar shuts down for the night.

Rich tells his sons he is proud of how they worked during the stress test. 

The next day Jon brings Rich together with his sons.

The three have a heartfelt talk and a tearful hug.

While the relationships are getting back on track, the experts also add some new details to the bar.

The bartenders learn how to make a pina colada the right way.

Jon Taffer and his crew have also been hard at work on renovating the bar.

As part of the changes, Jon introduced a new name and concept – Lake House Bar and Grill.

Given the atmosphere of Mount Dora, I think the Lake House concept makes a lot more sense than just another sports bar.

Beyond the new name, there are new soda guns and Harbor Touch POS machines. 

When the bar opens for the relaunch, customers are impressed.

The customers love the new décor and food and drinks.

The bar does get overwhelmed, but Rich steps up as a leader and fixes the problem. 

So would the changes from the Sidelines Bar Rescue episode work out?

Keep reading to learn how Lake House Bar and Grill is doing and whether or not it’s still open in 2024.