George & Dragon in Phoenix May Appear on Upcoming Season of Bar Rescue

Rumor has it that central Phoenix's favorite English pub is undergoing a makeover. Social media has been abuzz with speculation that George & Dragon, located on Central Avenue between Camelback and Indian School Roads, is participating in the upcoming season of Spike TV's Bar Rescue. Our calls to the bar and...

By Cal Faber

January 20, 2016

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Rumor has it that Central Phoenix's favorite English pub is undergoing a makeover. Social media has been abuzz with speculation that George & Dragon, located on Central Avenue between Camelback and Indian School roads, is participating in the upcoming season of Spike TV's Bar Rescue.

Our calls to the bar and restaurant have not been returned. But film crews were seen setting up camp in the parking lot behind the pub earlier this week, and guests were turned away from entering the bar on Tuesday night. Additionally, Bar Rescue's host, Jon Taffer, was seen sitting in a black SUV filming what appeared to be a segment with one of his "expert" consultants that same night. And an employee of the restaurant posted a photo of a Bar Rescue "casting application" on her public Instagram account.

George & Dragon, owned by David Wimberly, has been a midtown Phoenix mainstay for more than 20 years. The bar is decorated with Union Jacks, local flags, pub signs, and tabletops featuring London Tube stations. Serving English classics such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and steak and kidney pie, as well as an extensive list of beer and spirits, George & Dragon has remained popular and busy throughout the years. Aside from needing a good scrubbing and some fresh paint, we're unsure exactly why Wimberly has decided his bar needs "rescuing."

Moreover, Bar Rescue doesn't have the most stellar track record when it comes to the future successes of the bars with which it has worked. Although Jon Taffer is hailed as a seasoned bar consultant, he's best known for his bullish approach to reforming wayward owners, managers, and employees. Episodes often feature a remodel of a downtrodden bar followed by a dramatic relaunch with new food and beverage menus, and often a new name as well.

We'll keep you updated when we hear more. In the meantime, keep an eye on the George & Dragon Facebook page.

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