GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

American · New York City, NY

Water Street Tavern

71 Jay Street

Last inspected Jun 3, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Violations cited

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Water Street Tavern has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Trans Fat / Initial Inspection

Jun 3, 2026

Violations cited

1 recorded violation

notedCode 16-02Food temperature

Official wording

The original nutrition fact labels or ingredient label for a cooking oil, shortening or margarine or food item sold in bulk, or acceptable manufacturer’s documentation not maintained on site.

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 temperature

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Jun 3, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 8 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 06FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

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 10FCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

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 NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

Dec 18, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 10 · Understand this area’s scale

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 04APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dec 18, 2024 · Original Source

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

Oct 4, 2024

Violations cited

Official score: 29 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

criticalCode 04CEmployee health and hygiene

Official wording

Food worker/food vendor does not use utensil or other barrier to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
criticalCode 04HFood temperature

Official wording

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

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 temperature
criticalCode 04APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
minorCode 09BFood temperature

Official wording

Thawing procedure improper.

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 temperature
minorCode 10DFacility maintenance

Official wording

Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.

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 NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Oct 4, 2024 · Original Source

Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

Feb 1, 2024

Violations cited

3 recorded violations

minorCode 20-01Other

Official wording

Allergen or intolerance notice not translated into common language when required

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode 20-08Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
minorCode 20-04Equipment and utensils

Official wording

“Choking first aid” poster not posted. “Alcohol and Pregnancy” warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted.

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

Official record from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Feb 1, 2024 · Original Source

More restaurants nearby