Inspection
May 1, 2026
Passed
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, May 1, 2026 · Original Source
Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA
Bar Volpe
170 W Broadway
Last inspected May 1, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Passed
Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
9 inspectionsInspection
Nov 20, 2025
Passed
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 590.005/5-402.11-PWater, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Backflow Prevention (P)
Inspector’s notes
Provide air gap on the prep sink in the kitchen.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Nov 20, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Oct 21, 2025
Failed (extension granted)
6 recorded violations
majorCode 590.004/4-302.13-PFFood temperature
Official wording
Temperature Measuring Devices Manual and Mechanical Warewashing (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Irreversible thermometer for the high temp dish machine not turning on.Repair
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturemajorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing
Official wording
Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Hand sink blocked on the cookline.Provide easy access to staff Remove all plumbing drains into the hand sink at the bar
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemscriticalCode 590.005/5-402.11-PWater, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Backflow Prevention (P)
Inspector’s notes
Provide air gap on the prep sink in the kitchen.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsmajorCode 590.006/6-301.11-PFHandwashing
Official wording
Handwashing Cleanser Availability (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Provide soap at the hand sink.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsmajorCode 590.006/6-301.12-PFOther
Official wording
Hand Drying Provision (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Provide paper towel at the hand sink
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingminorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing
Official wording
Handwashing Signage (C)
Inspector’s notes
Provide hand sink sign.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 21, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Oct 14, 2025
Failed
6 recorded violations
majorCode 590.004/4-302.13-PFFood temperature
Official wording
Temperature Measuring Devices Manual and Mechanical Warewashing (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Irreversible thermometer for the high temp dish machine not turning on.Repair
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturemajorCode 590.005/5-205.11-PFHandwashing
Official wording
Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Hand sink blocked on the cookline.Provide easy access to staff Remove all plumbing drains into the hand sink at the bar
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemscriticalCode 590.005/5-402.11-PWater, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Backflow Prevention (P)
Inspector’s notes
Provide air gap on the prep sink in the kitchen.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsmajorCode 590.006/6-301.11-PFHandwashing
Official wording
Handwashing Cleanser Availability (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Provide soap at the hand sink.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsmajorCode 590.006/6-301.12-PFOther
Official wording
Hand Drying Provision (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Provide paper towel at the hand sink
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingminorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing
Official wording
Handwashing Signage (C)
Inspector’s notes
Provide hand sink sign.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 14, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Dec 19, 2024
Passed
2 recorded violations
minorCode 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)
Inspector’s notes
Elevated Coliform level reported by Morrell Lab for Vanilla Ice cream. Continue to not serve product until a clean lab report is provided. At the time of inspection the equipment was not operating due to report provided.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)
Inspector’s notes
Hood sticker exp 9/24. Provide updated proof of routine maintenance.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 19, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Dec 12, 2024
Failed
2 recorded violations
minorCode 590.004/4-601.11-CCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
(B) and (C) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (C)
Inspector’s notes
Elevated Coliform level reported by Morrell Lab for Vanilla Ice cream. Continue to not serve product until a clean lab report is provided. At the time of inspection the equipment was not operating due to report provided.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode 590.006/6-501.14-CCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Cleaning Ventilation Systems Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C)
Inspector’s notes
Hood sticker exp 9/24. Provide updated proof of routine maintenance.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 12, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Sep 6, 2024
Passed
3 recorded violations
majorCode 590.004/4-601.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Reported elevated Coliform Morrell report regarding vanilla ice cream. Establishment advised to discontinue serving until a clean lab report is provided.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsmajorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests
Official wording
Controlling Pests (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Observed high fruit fly activity at both bar locations and rear of kitchen. Clean and treat all areas.
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode 590.006/6-501.18-CWater, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Cleaning of Plumbing Fixtures (C)
Inspector’s notes
Multiple handsinks observed with mold build up and food soils. Clean to remove locations at both bars and dishmachine area.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 6, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Aug 30, 2024
Failed
3 recorded violations
majorCode 590.004/4-601.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
(A) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-Contact Surfaces and Utensils (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Reported elevated Coliform Morrell report regarding vanilla ice cream. Establishment advised to discontinue serving until a clean lab report is provided.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsmajorCode 590.006/6-501.111-PFPests
Official wording
Controlling Pests (Pf)
Inspector’s notes
Observed high fruit fly activity at both bar locations and rear of kitchen. Clean and treat all areas.
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode 590.006/6-501.18-CWater, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Cleaning of Plumbing Fixtures (C)
Inspector’s notes
Multiple handsinks observed with mold build up and food soils. Clean to remove locations at both bars and dishmachine area.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Aug 30, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 3, 2024
Not required
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jan 3, 2024 · Original Source