(keep reading to learn what happened)
Season: 3 | View All Season 3 Episodes
Original Episode Air Date: March 9, 2014
The Bar's Original Name Was: O'Banion's Bar and Grill
Sorties Tavern Address: 2871 Capehart Rd Bellevue, NE 68123
Episode Recap
Sorties Tavern, originally O’Banion’s Bar and Grill, was a Bellevue, Nebraska bar featured on Season 3 of Bar Rescue.
Though the Sorties Tavern Bar Rescue episode aired in March 2014, the actual filming and visit from Jon Taffer took place before that.
It was Episode 31 of Season 3 and the episode name was “Hostile Takeover”.
Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, O’Banions Bar and Grill is owned by Jerry, Dave (Jerry’s brother), and Steve (Jerry’s friend).
In 2005 Jerry bought the bar with his brother Dave and their friend Steve.
They split the bar 40%, 40%, and 20% for Steve. So together, the brothers control 80% of the bar.
Here’s Jerry:
The guys have even put their homes up as collateral for the purchase, which obviously puts a lot of stress on them if the bar fails.
At first, the bar was going great, but then Jerry began partying too much, and he is beginning to make customers uncomfortable.
Steve and Dave blame Jerry while talking to Jon Taffer in the SUV.
Jon shows the footage from the bar. Jerry is seen at the bar being loud and chugging beers.
The bar used to sell food, but the owners had the equipment removed due to costs.
Jon reminds the owners they have 60%, and together they can kick out Jerry.
Dave and Steve tell Jerry they’re staging a hostile takeover so that they can put the bar back on track.
It’s obviously a bit stressful to have to tell your brother and friend that you’re taking over the business from him.
Jerry gets angry, and his girlfriend has to come to pick him up.
The next day Jerry comes back to the bar, sober, and is asked to be a part of the bar rescue.
Jon brings in mixologist Terry Frye to aid in the recon.
Jon gets O’Banion’s Bar and Grill’s new kitchen equipment and asks culinary expert Nick Liberato to train the staff.
There is a bad smell coming from the sink as the grease trap is overflowing and growing bacteria next to it.
They have a short time to train before the stress tests as plumbers have to come in to fix the grease trap.
Trevor Frye trains the bartenders on drinks, but they keep falling behind.
In the kitchen, Jerry is trained on how to make a chicken bacon sandwich.
Since the bar is on an airbase, Jon invites the local airmen to come in for the stress test.
Unfortunately, the staff is unprepared, and they run out of glasses.
The stress test is a definite failure and there’s still a lot of work to do.
Although there was a lack of communication during the stress test, Jerry stepped up and was given back his keys to the bar.
Trevor and Nick continue to train the staff on signature cocktails and food items.
Jon tests the team on speed, and they do well.
Jon shows the staff the renovations and the bar’s new name – Sorties Tavern.
The exterior is bright and colorful. Inside is a tribute to the air force.
A new bar top is added as well as a different workstation.
Everyone is happy about how the relaunch goes.
So was the OBanions Bar Rescue episode a success? Keep reading our update to learn what happened next and if it’s still open in 2024 and beyond.
Sorties Tavern Update - What Happened Next?
Six weeks after the Sorties Bar Rescue episode, we learn that food sales at the newly-named Sorties Tavern have doubled.
What’s more, Jerry is staying sober, which is helping the bar do well and improving the working dynamic with the team.
Reviews for Sorties Tavern are mixed depending on the platform.
It has just a 2.5 star rating on Yelp, but it has a 4.2 star rating on Google Reviews (which has a lot more reviews).
In general, people seem to compliment the staff and the low prices.
Is Sorties Tavern from Bar Rescue still open?
As of 2023, Sorties Tavern is still open and serving customers in Bellevue, Nebraska.
The bar regularly posts events and specials on its Facebook page, such as karaoke.
Here’s an example:
However, it’s operating under new ownership as Jerry, Steve, and Dave sold the bar in 2016.
They sold the bar on Craigslist, with an initial asking price of around $200,000.
Why did they sell the bar?
The listing says that it’s because of medical reasons.
However, the new owners have kept the bar open with the same name and atmosphere, which is why we’re keeping Sorties Tavern on our Bar Rescue Open list.
Here’s the full text of the for sale post on Craigslist:
Have you always wanted to own a bar?
Here is a great opportunity to own a beautiful bar that has been in business since 1977.
Own a newly remodeled Award Winning bar with profits today.
This is a turn key business with loyal customers.
This bar is making great profits.
More profits to be made if new owner opens the grill.
Brand new Kitchen is in place ready to go for new buyer to serve food.
Have financial’s to show profits.
Buyer must apply for your own Liquor License and Seller will not finance.
Buyer must have own financing.
Will suggest financial institution.
Owner wants to sell for Medical reasons but will hand it down to children if seller does not get the right price.
We will look at all REASONABLE offers
Another interesting part of the listing is that it mentions $160,000 in new kitchen equipment.
This likely means that Bar Rescue spent $160,000+ on the Sorties Tavern renovations.
As is always the case, bar owners don’t have to pay anything for Bar Rescue renovations.
Here’s what the Sorties Tavern Nebraska location looks like in the most recent picture from Google Maps street view…
Reviews seem to be more positive since the acquisition.
For example, this five star review from March 2017 specifically mentions improvements under new ownership.
Under new ownership.
They have really turned this place around.
The kitchen isn’t open, but there are a couple of places nearby that will deliver to the bar.
One of which has amazing pizza.
The bartenders are great.
Nice place to wind down from a busy day.
They also have karaoke on the 1st and 3rd Friday’s of the month!!
If you want to see another Nebraska Bar Rescue episode, you can check out my update for Oasis Hookah Bar / Taza Nightclub in Omaha.
The infamous O Face Bar in Council Bluffs Iowa is also located right nearby.
Thanks for reading!
More Information
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sorties-tavern-bellevuehttps://www.facebook.com/SortiesTavern/
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Last updated: 2023-02-03 05:58
I loved it that was a good family fixer
How is Jerry? John has a great heart and opened Jerry’s heart with kind words that was overdue to Jerry. Keep your heart open to receive God’s word 🙏 and keep your cool!
Your admirer,
Diane
Omw really another one of these owners that just call up John, have him fix up their bar just to go and profit from it after selling it. *Facepalm, sigh* Then what makes it even worst is the new owner doesn’t even serve food, like WTF!! What happened to all the kitchen equipment worth over $160,000? Seriously if I was John, I would have them signed a contract that prevents them from selling their bars for at least 5 years. John, I salute u!! I seriously believe u deserve waaaaay better than what you’re receiving. You’re doing a thankless job with only 43 % actually appreciating what you’re doing. Bless u all the way Mr.John Taffer.