Are you a bacon lover?
Do you enjoy a good tavern atmosphere with delicious food and drinks?
If so, you may have heard of the Bacon Bar in Las Vegas.
This popular spot gained attention after being featured on the TV show Bar Rescue, and has since become a go-to destination for bacon enthusiasts.
But with rumors circulating about its closure, many are left wondering: is the Bacon Bar still open?
In this article, we’ll dive into the history of this beloved establishment, its recent status, and what you can expect if you plan to visit.
So grab a slice of bacon and read on to find out more!
Is The Bacon Bar In Vegas Still Open?
The Bacon Bar in Las Vegas has been a popular destination for bacon lovers since its rebranding and appearance on the TV show Bar Rescue. However, rumors have been circulating about its closure, leaving many wondering if it’s still open.
According to recent reports, the Bacon Bar did indeed close its doors in May of 2022. The owner, who had successfully run the bar for almost a decade, decided to retire. While this may be disappointing news for fans of the Bacon Bar, it’s important to note that the closure was not due to any failure or financial struggles.
In fact, the Bacon Bar had survived the Covid-19 pandemic that took out many other bars and had gained popularity among customers. Its menu offered more than just bacon, with a tavern-like atmosphere and a variety of delicious options.
While the Bacon Bar may no longer be open, its legacy lives on. The old location is now occupied by a Mexican restaurant named Camino Real Mexican Restaurant and Cantina.
The History Of The Bacon Bar
Before its closure in 2022, the Bacon Bar had an interesting history. Originally named Kerry’s Sports Pub, the bar was featured on Season 3 of the TV show Bar Rescue. The show’s host, Jon Taffer, helped the struggling bar by introducing a bacon-themed concept and renaming it the Bacon Bar.
The new menu featured bacon-inspired dishes like bacon sandwiches and Bloody Marys with a bacon twist. The interior was renovated with colorful bacon-themed decor to match the new concept.
The Bacon Bar quickly became a hit among locals and tourists alike, drawing in customers with its unique menu and lively atmosphere. The bar’s popularity continued to grow even after the show aired, becoming a staple destination for bacon lovers in Las Vegas.
Despite some initial struggles with staff and management, the Bacon Bar eventually found its footing and became a successful business. It weathered the Covid-19 pandemic and continued to serve customers until its owner decided to retire in 2022.
While the Bacon Bar may no longer be around, its impact on the Las Vegas bar scene is undeniable. Its legacy lives on through its devoted fans and through the many other bars that have been inspired by its bacon-themed concept.
The Impact Of Bar Rescue On The Bacon Bar’s Popularity
The Bacon Bar’s appearance on the TV show Bar Rescue had a significant impact on its popularity. The show’s host, Jon Taffer, worked with the owner to revamp the bar’s concept and menu, focusing on its bacon offerings. This resulted in increased media attention and customer interest.
After the episode aired, the Bacon Bar received a surge of positive reviews on Yelp, with many customers eager to try out the new menu items. The bar’s Yelp rating rose to 3.5 stars with over 595 reviews, making it one of the more popular bars in terms of review count.
The show also helped to establish the Bacon Bar as a destination for bacon lovers, with its unique bacon-centric menu items such as bacon-wrapped onion rings and bacon burgers. The bar’s success even inspired Taffer to create a whole series of bacon-based bar foods, such as candied bacons and flavored bacons.
Rumors Of The Bacon Bar’s Closure
Rumors of the Bacon Bar’s closure had been circulating for some time before it officially closed its doors in May of 2022. However, it’s important to note that these rumors were not due to any financial struggles or failure of the bar. The owner, Bill Davis, simply decided to retire after successfully running the bar for almost a decade.
The Bacon Bar had gained popularity among customers and had survived the Covid-19 pandemic that took out many other bars. Its unique concept, as seen on the TV show Bar Rescue, had attracted bacon lovers from all over. However, despite its success, the owner’s decision to retire ultimately led to its closure.
While it may be disappointing news for fans of the Bacon Bar, it’s important to remember that its legacy lives on. The bar had successfully operated for almost a decade using Jon Taffer’s concept and had gained a loyal following. The old location is now occupied by a Mexican restaurant named Camino Real Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, but the memories of the Bacon Bar will always remain.
Current Status Of The Bacon Bar
As of 2023, the Bacon Bar in Las Vegas is no longer open. The owner, Bill Davis, retired in May of 2022, leading to the closure of the popular bacon-centric bar. Despite its closure, the Bacon Bar’s legacy lives on. It successfully operated for almost a decade, surviving the Covid-19 pandemic and gaining popularity among customers. The rebranding and appearance on the TV show Bar Rescue helped to increase its visibility and attract more customers. While fans of the Bacon Bar may be disappointed to hear of its closure, they can still enjoy delicious bacon dishes at other restaurants in Las Vegas, such as Bacon Nation, which offers a variety of gourmet bacon varietals on its menu. The old location of the Bacon Bar is now occupied by a Mexican restaurant named Camino Real Mexican Restaurant and Cantina.
What To Expect When Visiting The Bacon Bar
If you were lucky enough to visit the Bacon Bar before it closed, here’s what you could have expected. Upon entering from the northwest corner of the building, you would have found yourself on the bar side with rooms divided by a large wall. Walking through the bar, you would have noticed the dining side and been advised by a staff member that you could choose your seats.
The menu offered a variety of bacon-inspired dishes, including the Porky Pile, which consisted of pulled pork, bacon, roasted pork loin, Alabama white BBQ sauce, tangy coleslaw and cheddar served in a brioche bun with hand cut fries and an in-house dill pickle. While some customers found the Alabama White BBQ Sauce overwhelming, others raved about it.
Another popular dish was the Bacon Sloppy Joe, served with bacon and onion strings. Customers reported that it lived up to its name and was absolutely delicious.
The decor of the Bacon Bar was described as not flowing well, with several televisions playing sports talk shows or soap operas without sound or subtitles. However, the atmosphere was described as tavern-like and welcoming.
Service was reported to be fine, but some customers noted that their server disappeared after their food arrived. It’s important to note that there was only one server in the dining area during some visits.
While some customers reported cleanliness issues such as sticky table tops and kitchen equipment in need of cleaning, others did not notice any problems.
Bacon-inspired Menu Items At The Bacon Bar
Before its closure, the Bacon Bar was known for its unique and creative bacon-inspired menu items. Some of the most popular dishes included:
1. Man Candy – This dish featured applewood smoked bacon cooked in a special candy glaze and served with a Jim Beam maple reduction for dipping. The combination of sweet and savory flavors made it a fan favorite.
2. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers – These spicy appetizers were stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. Served with a horseradish ranch, they were the perfect blend of heat and coolness.
3. Bacon Garlic Buns – Warm buns loaded with roasted garlic, mozzarella cheese, and chopped bacon were served with marinara sauce on the side. The addition of bacon took this classic dish to the next level.
4. Bacon Onion Rings – Sweet onions were battered, wrapped in bacon, and fried to perfection. The crispy bacon on the outside added an extra layer of texture and flavor to this classic bar food.
5. Gourmet Bacon Flights – For those who couldn’t get enough of the salty, crispy goodness, the Bacon Bar offered a variety of flavored bacon flights. From lemon pepper to brown sugar, teriyaki to applewood bourbon, there was a flavor for every palate.
