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Eating & Drinking · Boston, MA

Ghost Light Tavern

253 Tremont St

Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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 inspections

Inspection

Jul 21, 2026

Passed

6 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-501.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No written procedures to clean up a vomit and diarrhea event could be presented during the inspection; provide.

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 problems
minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

At the bar observed a cup without a handle used to scoop ice for drinks; provide scoops with handles to prevent contamination by hands.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
criticalCode 590.004/4-501.114-PChemicals

Official wording

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization-Temperature pH Concentration and Hardness (P)

Inspector’s notes

At the low temperature warewashing machine in the basement tested 0ppm after multiple attempts and after changing the chemical sanitizer; repair or replace the warewashing machine so that it sanitzes at proper sanitizer concentration. The person in charge states they will wash what can fit in the bar chemical warewashing machine and anything else will be swapped for single-use serving plates or cups; there is no three compartment sink on site and a service call will be placed in the morning to repair the warewashing machine.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
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

The interiors of the deep fat fryer cabinets are heavily encrusted in soils and grease; clean and sanitize.

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 problems
minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Handwashing sinks in the women's restroom in the kitchen and in the warewashing room lack handwashing signage; provide.

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 problems
minorCode 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Inspector’s notes

The floor tiles in front of the deep fat fryers are broken or damaged; repair or replace.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 21, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 15, 2026

Failed

6 recorded violations

majorCode 590.002/2-501.11-PFCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

No written procedures to clean up a vomit and diarrhea event could be presented during the inspection; provide.

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 problems
minorCode 590.003/3-304.12-CEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-Use Utensils Between-Use Storage (C)

Inspector’s notes

At the bar observed a cup without a handle used to scoop ice for drinks; provide scoops with handles to prevent contamination by hands.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
criticalCode 590.004/4-501.114-PChemicals

Official wording

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization-Temperature pH Concentration and Hardness (P)

Inspector’s notes

At the low temperature warewashing machine in the basement tested 0ppm after multiple attempts and after changing the chemical sanitizer; repair or replace the warewashing machine so that it sanitzes at proper sanitizer concentration. The person in charge states they will wash what can fit in the bar chemical warewashing machine and anything else will be swapped for single-use serving plates or cups; there is no three compartment sink on site and a service call will be placed in the morning to repair the warewashing machine.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
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

The interiors of the deep fat fryer cabinets are heavily encrusted in soils and grease; clean and sanitize.

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 problems
minorCode 590.006/6-301.14-CHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing Signage (C)

Inspector’s notes

Handwashing sinks in the women's restroom in the kitchen and in the warewashing room lack handwashing signage; provide.

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 problems
minorCode 590.006/6-501.11-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Repairing-Premises Structures Attachments and Fixtures-Methods (C)

Inspector’s notes

The floor tiles in front of the deep fat fryers are broken or damaged; repair or replace.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Jul 15, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 17, 2025

Passed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s notes

Holes in wall near mop sink. Repair.

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 problems
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Grease and soils on floors under warewashing area and behind grease trap. Clean to remove.

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 problems
minorCode 590.005/5-501.115-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Maintaining Refuse Areas and Enclosures (C)

Inspector’s notes

Grease laden soils on trash storage surfaces in alleyway beside establishment and what appears to be cooking waste oil leak toward catch basin. Clean to remove. Disposed waste water into mop sink.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode 590.005/5-501.116-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Receptacles (C)

Inspector’s notes

Waste oil container with visible soils. Clean to remove.

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 problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 17, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Dec 8, 2025

Failed

4 recorded violations

minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Grease and soils on floors under warewashing area and behind grease trap. Clean to remove.

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 problems
minorCode 590.005/5-501.115-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

Maintaining Refuse Areas and Enclosures (C)

Inspector’s notes

Grease laden soils on trash storage surfaces in alleyway beside establishment and what appears to be cooking waste oil leak toward catch basin. Clean to remove. Disposed waste water into mop sink.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode 590.005/5-501.116-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Cleaning Receptacles (C)

Inspector’s notes

Waste oil container with visible soils. Clean to remove.

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 problems
minorCode 590.006/6-201.11-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors Walls and Ceilings-Cleanability (C)

Inspector’s notes

Holes in wall near mop sink. Repair.

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 problems

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Dec 8, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 2, 2025

Report filed

1 recorded violation

minorCode 590.006/6-202.15-COther

Official wording

Outer Openings Protected (C)

Inspector’s notes

Threshold at back door damaged and showing daylight. Repair as needed to rpevent pests from entering.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Sep 2, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 31, 2024

Not required

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Oct 31, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 23, 2024

Passed

7 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.004/4-501.114-PChemicals

Official wording

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization-Temperature pH Concentration and Hardness (P)

Inspector’s notes

Main floor 1st bar dish machine and upstairs 1st dish machine not sanitizing. Service as needed. Use 2nd dish machines for glassware. PIC stated machine are being replaced next week.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
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

Soda gun holders at nboth bars with soil build-up. Cl;ean to prevent contamination Soda gun holder at end of main bar and middle of upstairs bar crain into ice bins. Add drainage tubes to prevent contamination.

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 problems
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Debris and soils under both bars. Soils and spills in upstairs bar refrigerator. Food and debris under kitchen ice machine. Clean all areas to avoid attracting pests.

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 problems
minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Upstairs bar dish machines leak water during cycle. 1st floor bar 1st dump sink drain leaks. Repair as needed.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode 590.006/6-404.11-PFOther

Official wording

Segregation and Location-Distressed Merchandise (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Prepped foods dated more than 7 days- gravy 2/7 pickled peppers 11/29. Discarded by PIC. Submit recipes to lab for extended shelf life of house-made pickles.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Unlabeled chemical spray bottles at both bars. Label all chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

8-301.11 2024 Heath Permit is unpaid. Contact isdhealth@boston.gov to arrange payment

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 23, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Feb 16, 2024

Failed

7 recorded violations

criticalCode 590.004/4-501.114-PChemicals

Official wording

Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment Chemical Sanitization-Temperature pH Concentration and Hardness (P)

Inspector’s notes

Main floor 1st bar dish machine and upstairs 1st dish machine not sanitizing. Service as needed. Use 2nd dish machines for glassware. PIC stated machine are being replaced next week.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
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

Soda gun holders at nboth bars with soil build-up. Cl;ean to prevent contamination Soda gun holder at end of main bar and middle of upstairs bar crain into ice bins. Add drainage tubes to prevent contamination.

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 problems
minorCode 590.004/4-602.13-CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)

Inspector’s notes

Debris and soils under both bars. Soils and spills in upstairs bar refrigerator. Food and debris under kitchen ice machine. Clean all areas to avoid attracting pests.

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 problems
minorCode 590.005/5-205.15-CFacility maintenance

Official wording

System Maintained in Good Repair (C)

Inspector’s notes

Upstairs bar dish machines leak water during cycle. 1st floor bar 1st dump sink drain leaks. Repair as needed.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode 590.006/6-404.11-PFOther

Official wording

Segregation and Location-Distressed Merchandise (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Prepped foods dated more than 7 days- gravy 2/7 pickled peppers 11/29. Discarded by PIC. Submit recipes to lab for extended shelf life of house-made pickles.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
majorCode 590.007/7-102.11-PFOther

Official wording

Common Name-Working Containers (Pf)

Inspector’s notes

Unlabeled chemical spray bottles at both bars. Label all chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode L1Other

Official wording

No wording provided in the official record.

Inspector’s notes

8-301.11 2024 Heath Permit is unpaid. Contact isdhealth@boston.gov to arrange payment

In plain English

A plain-English explanation is being prepared. The official wording is the authoritative record.

More about inspection finding

Official record from Boston Inspectional Services Department, Feb 16, 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

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