Proving Ground Bar and Grill
Proving Ground Bar and Grill (originally The Hooch) in Dearborn Heights, Michigan has closed. It closed in May 2016 — 6 months after its Bar Rescue episode first aired. Its run exceeded 29% of the 140 rescued bars with a recorded closing date. It was sold to new owners after the rescue.
The episode
| Status | Closed (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Episode | "Vulgar Vixens" |
| Season | Season 4, Episode 38 |
| Originally aired | November 15, 2015 |
| Original name | The Hooch |
| Relaunched as | Proving Ground Bar and Grill |
| Ownership | Sold to new owners after the rescue |
| Location | Dearborn Heights, Michigan |
| Yelp | As The Hooch · As Proving Ground Bar and Grill |
| Google reviews | Read reviews on Google |
Key dates
- November 15, 2015Bar Rescue episode “Vulgar Vixens” airs — Jon Taffer's rescue of The Hooch, relaunched as Proving Ground Bar and Grill, filmed earlier.
- After the rescueSold to new owners.
- May 2016Closed.
The rescue
Jon Taffer relaunched The Hooch as Proving Ground Bar and Grill.
Proving Ground Bar and Grill closed in May 2016. The bar was sold after owner Chandra ran out of money; she blamed Bar Rescue for the closure.
What happened next
The bar kept the Proving Ground Bar and Grill name, and its reviews improved modestly without turning the business around. On Yelp, the old Hooch listing averaged 2 stars while the separate Proving Ground listing averaged 3 stars, with some visitors praising the service. The bar was sold after owner Chandra ran out of money, and Proving Ground closed in May 2016.
Quick answers
Is Proving Ground Bar and Grill still open?
Proving Ground Bar and Grill (originally The Hooch) in Dearborn Heights, Michigan has closed. It closed in May 2016 — 6 months after its Bar Rescue episode first aired. Its run exceeded 29% of the 140 rescued bars with a recorded closing date. It was sold to new owners after the rescue.
What did Jon Taffer rename The Hooch?
Jon Taffer relaunched The Hooch under a new name: Proving Ground Bar and Grill. The rescue is Bar Rescue season 4, Episode 38 (“Vulgar Vixens”), first aired November 15, 2015.
When did Proving Ground Bar and Grill close?
Proving Ground Bar and Grill closed in May 2016.
Where is Proving Ground Bar and Grill located?
Proving Ground Bar and Grill is in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Sources: Reality TV Revisited · Reality TV Updates · Wikipedia episode list. Compiled October 2026; cross-checked against local reporting and each bar's own web presence where available.