Suvechha Sarkar
Paramount’s ‘Bar Rescue’ follows the nightlife expert Jon Taffer as he steps into struggling bars to turn them into successful ventures. Season 10, episode 12, titled ‘Havana Rough Time’ takes the host to Powder Springs, Georgia, where he visits the Havana Haven. Established in 2024 by a divorced couple, they hoped to build a lively neighborhood destination so residents would not have to drive 20 or 30 minutes to visit Atlanta for a fun night out. However, the business soon found itself spiraling into financial trouble. With little experience in the bar industry, the owners struggled to keep operations under control, leading to mounting debts. Desperate to save the eatery before it collapses, the owners turn to Jon Taffer for his experienced assistance.
Havana Haven Teeters on the Brink of Collapse Due to the Owners’ Inexperience
In 2024, Edward and Cassandra Dallas took a leap of faith when they opened Havana Haven in Powder Springs, Georgia. They had separated after 27 years of togetherness, during which they welcomed and raised three children. Since they trusted each other deeply, Edward believed his ex-wife was the perfect person to become his partner in launching the business. However, neither of them had any prior experience running a bar or restaurant. Edward had served in cybersecurity, where he managed several POS system brands for 9 years. Yet he and Cassandra believed they could create a spot that would attract customers who usually drive several minutes to Atlanta to experience nightlife. Edward initially envisioned a cigar bar, but after signing the lease, he discovered that smoking indoors was prohibited in the building.
The owners then pivoted toward a Cuban-inspired bar, rebranding the space with Havana-style decor. Although the venue carried a Cuban identity, the menu lacked the authentic dishes. Moreover, several menu items were often unavailable. The bar’s staff includes the assistant manager, Cayla, bartenders Kay and Lily, and chef Nakia. Without proper leadership and industry knowledge from Edward and Cassandra, the eatery fell into a debt of approximately $400,000. Jon finally arrives outside the bar with culinary expert Mika Leon and mixology expert Natasha Mesa. As they begin watching the daily operations through the cameras, they notice that the eatery has failed to set up a clear concept. They further observe that the kitchen is quite untidy and that Nakia isn’t using a food-safe container for the frozen chicken.
Jon then sends in two food bloggers, Caro and Tina, as the recon spies, who quickly remark that the restaurant doesn’t have the atmosphere depicting Havana. They attempt to order drinks like a mojito and a piña colada, but are shocked to learn that they are unavailable. Meanwhile, Jon, Natasha, and Mika observe food safety violations in the kitchen, where ingredients are handled carelessly, and a frozen salmon is placed directly on a dirty grill. Additionally, the tickets keep piling up chaotically. While Cassandra is working with dedication, the host finds Edward completely disengaged. When Jon storms inside, he asks Nakia to stop cooking and points out the health hazards that can make customers ill. He also learns from Edward that the business is losing $25,000 in a month and the owner has no money left.
Jon Taffer Finds a Lack of Proper Concept and Leadership at Havana Haven
The revelation leaves Jon stunned by the lack of accountability and leadership from Edward and Cassandra. When the host returns the following day, he gathers the staff and learns that Cassandra was actually a nurse. When her former husband explains the failed Havana concept, Jon points out that the problem is that neither the owners nor the staff have any connection to the place. The staff reveals that inventory is a major problem for the bar, as customers sometimes walk out when they can’t get the drinks they want. Jon emphasizes that it is the management’s fault after he discovers that Edward has done nothing to prevent the business from losing more money. It turns out they only have until the beginning of June before they have to close the bar. With the host’s insistence, Edward finally takes accountability for the failure.
Jon then brings in Mika and Natasha to first assess the staff and then train them for the upcoming Stress Test. When the test begins, the host notices that the bartenders are first serving the customers with water. He quickly steps in to explain that it’s not something a bar should do. The tickets begin piling up as patrons wait for drinks and food. When the POS system also stops working, Jon remarks that the bar lacks organization before shutting down the service. He then begins working with the renovation team, while Mika and Natasha focus on staff training. Shortly after, Jon meets with Edward and Cassandra for a much-needed conversation. Since the owners lack the intuition to run a successful bar, the host offers them three options. Jon states that the first option for the owners is to work with the transformed bar and continue to run it.
While the second option is to bring in an experienced manager and potentially offer the person some equity after a year, the final alternative is to become more committed to learning the business properly. Cassandra begins leaning toward the second option since she wants to retire soon. On relaunch night, Jon reveals the bar’s new identity: Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille. Upon entering, the owners and the staff are shocked to see a lively place with new kitchen equipment and decor. Once the service begins, the drinks and the food start flowing out despite the initial hiccup. Seeing the progress firsthand, Jon finally bids goodbye to the bar. Six weeks later, the eatery continues to receive positive customer feedback, but kitchen consistency issues persist.
Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille Has Been Permanently Closed After the Revamp
Following the transformation, Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille was operating at 4093 Marietta Street in Powder Springs, Georgia. Initially, the bar appeared to be moving in a promising direction with its new island-inspired identity. They were also hosting a variety of events to draw in the local community. By June 2025, the bar was actively promoting line dancing events hosted by DJ Reggie Reg. Around the same time, the venue also launched Karaoke Thursdays, giving customers another reason to gather at the newly refreshed establishment. As summer continued, the business leaned heavily into themed parties.
In July 2025, Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille welcomed DJ Tont T for the 4th of July party. In that same month, they hosted a karaoke contest, which was followed by a fire party and a Friday Night Live Comedy event. On August 8, 2025, another comedy event took place, hosted by Demakco. By the following month, the bar achieved another milestone, officially celebrating its relaunch. In October, the business was even advertising openings for bartenders and servers. Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille also maintained its own website, showcasing menu offerings, pricing, and upcoming events.
Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille regularly hosted football watch parties throughout the season to attract sports fans. They further earned a 4.2-star rating with 49 written reviews on Google, with many customers praising the friendly service and flavorful food. However, as of writing, Google shows Bimini Bay Island Bar & Grille as permanently closed. From what we can tell, the bar stopped posting on its social media in October 2025, suggesting it may have discontinued its service. However, they haven’t provided any official statements regarding its closure or any possible reopening. Moreover, no public reports speak to whether the restaurant has been bought by new owners. It appears that the bar sadly closed its doors not long after the transformation.
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