On The Rocks - Lock & Key Speakeasy (Oxford Inn)

Photo - Royal Oak Patch

Tonight at 10pm is the series premiere of On The Rocks on the Food Network.  On The Rocks is a bar makeover show where bar expert John Green tries to turn around struggling bars.  It seems to be Food Network's attempt at the concept of Spike TV's Bar Rescue, but instead of having Jon Taffer, they are using John Green.  Or you could say it is a Restaurant Impossible for bars, but instead of Robert Irvine, it is John Green.

The Food Network decided to put On The Rocks in the exact same time slot as new episodes of Bar Rescue on Spike TV, which I don't think was very smart.  I am not sure if this was done on purpose, or it happened to just be a coincidence, but many viewers of Bar Rescue would probably be interested in On The Rocks if it was in a different time slot.

The first episode of On The Rocks is at the Oxford Inn in Royal Oak, Michigan.  Here is some background information of the Oxford Inn for this episode:

• The Oxford Inn has been around for 26 years and is the longest standing restaurant in Royal Oak.
• Back in January of this year, the Oxford Inn decided to change its name to Bobby's Nashville Bar and Grill (Link).  The owner Bob Higgins was trying to capitalize on the popularity of country music, but his customers didn't seem too happy with the change.
• In May, Bob decided to change the name of the restaurant back to the Oxford Inn (Link).  He did this due to half of his customers thinking the restaurant was under new ownership and admitted the 'country thing has really messed me up.'  There was also an issue with local officials over a dance permit.
• The owners built a bar on the back of their restaurant with hopes to get more business and increase liquor sales.  This is the area that will be made over by On The Rocks.  That area will become Lock & Key Speakeasy during the episode.  So, the Oxford Inn will remain the Oxford Inn, and the bar area behind the restaurant will be the Lock & Key Speakeasy.

As the success of makeover shows usually depends on the host, the success of On The Rocks will probably depend on John Green.  Obviously people will be comparing him to Jon Taffer and Robert Irvine.  Let me know what you thought of the show after it airs and if you like John Green.