Status: CLOSED (April 2014)
Headhunters was an Austin, Texas bar that appeared on Season 3 of Bar Rescue in February 2013. Jon Taffer renamed it Metal and Lace, but the bar closed in April 2014 when their lease ended.
A Unique Venue
Headhunters wasn’t your typical struggling bar. Located at 720 Red River St in Austin’s famous entertainment district, it was a fetish-themed tiki bar and music venue. The unusual combination of tiki decor, fetish elements, and live music made it memorable – but also challenging to position in the market.
The Bar Rescue Episode
The episode, titled “Rock N Roaches,” arrived at Headhunters to find a bar with serious problems beyond its identity crisis. A roach infestation was just one of the issues Jon Taffer had to address.
Taffer’s solution was to rebrand the bar as Metal and Lace, attempting to streamline the concept while keeping some of its edgy character. The renovation addressed the immediate problems and gave the bar a cleaner identity.
After the Rescue
Despite the Bar Rescue intervention, most people continued calling the bar Headhunters. The rebranding never fully took hold with customers who knew the venue by its original name.
The bar continued operating for about a year after the episode aired, but tax receipts suggested sales remained low. The challenges facing the business ran deeper than a rebrand could fix.
The Closure
Headhunters/Metal and Lace closed in April 2014 when their lease ended. The owners reportedly looked for a new location but never reopened. The combination of low sales and an expiring lease made closure the practical choice.
The Red River District
Austin’s Red River Street remains a vibrant music and entertainment district. The location that housed Headhunters has since been occupied by other venues. The street continues to evolve, with new bars and clubs replacing those that close.
Lessons Learned
Headhunters illustrates the challenge of rescuing a venue with a highly specific concept. Tiki bars, fetish themes, and live music each appeal to niche audiences. Combining them created something unique but limited the potential customer base. Sometimes the most creative concepts aren’t the most sustainable businesses.
Last verified: January 2026
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