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March 3, 2022 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
Gilly’s in Dunwoody makes the cut for ‘Bar Rescue’ By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Local watering hole and Dunwoody staple since 1977, Gilly’s The Spot will be featured on an upcoming episode of the show “Bar Rescue” on Paramount Network. Gilly’s, located on Dunwoody Park, is best known for its wings and welcoming atmosphere. After securing a spot on “Bar Rescue,” the local favorite got a face lift. “Bar Rescue” features host Jon Taffer who visits bars across the country looking for a makeover. He brings with him contractors and mixologists to renovate and revitalize the businesses. Gilly’s owner Willie Chandler said he had been trying to get on the show for five years when he finally got the call. The bar had landed an interview with producers of the show years prior, Chandler said, but there wasn’t enough drama to earn them a space on the reality show. When the producers gave Chandler a second chance, he was ready. “So, the second time they came, we had a meeting and just made up a whole bunch of stuff,” Chandler said laughing. The crew at Gilly’s is like a family, he said, so any in-fighting or drama on the show was just for the cameras. It worked, and preparation for the show began. Chandler said producers asked for his input on what he would like to see changed in the bar ahead of the renovations, but the ultimate decisions were made by host Jon Taffer.
They also moved the bar televisions and installed new signage. But the renovations couldn’t cover up Gilly’s colorful history. The Wollen Hole – a fist hole in a wall made during the Falcons’ 2017 Super Bowl loss – remains intact, although it’s now surrounded in plaid. Taffer opted to change the name of the bar to “The Stadium Club” because he said the rounded front of the building looked like a stadium, Chandler said, but it’s one change that’s not sticking around. “I’m not getting rid of [45] years of history just because the building is curved, so we are going to go back to Gilly’s,” Chandler said. Taffer also left Gilly’s with a new drink menu, including a signature cocktail named for Chandler called the Willie Wild Bloody Mary. The drink uses a new Gilly’s special bloody mary mix and comes with a slider on top. Members of the “Bar Rescue” crew arrived in Dunwoody Dec. 4, Chandler said. They did some preliminary interviews that weekend before the show really began. SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA
Gilly’s owner Willie Chandler smiles beside a Willie Wild Bloody Mary. The drink was crafted by a mixologist during the bar’s revamping as part of the show “Bar Rescue.” Gilly’s episode, Chandler said, is set to premiere on March 20 and the bar will host a watch party to celebrate. Some relics remain During the 36-hour renovation from Dec. 8-10, contractors from the show
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brought in new furniture, put up wallpaper and light fixtures, wood paneling and a rock backsplash for the bar.
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See GILLY’S, Page 13