Cocktails • Shannon’s
Bayshore, a popular student watering hole, was one of the four local bars that
received sanitation violations from the Long Beach Department of Health in April
2005. Violations were corrected one week
later. Katie Plourd / Online Forty-Niner
Local pubs have dirty secrets
By Amber Jacobson
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
When someone orders a dirty martini from his or her favorite bar, they usually
don’t assume it could actually be dirty. Many people have heard about restaurants
that operate in unsanitary conditions or serve food that could be hazardous to
people’s health, but do they ever stop to think about the cleanliness of
the bar they drink at?
Cocktail-serving facilities also racked up similar violations in a recent investigation,
which uncovered some Long Beach bars that had violations or needed corrective
action within the past year.
Close attention was placed on popular bars and hangouts that are most common
to locals and college students, such as the Yard House and Shannon’s Bay
Shore, as well as the popular Zodiac Bar and Tracy’s sports bar and grill.
Tracy’s appeared to have the most violations. According to the records
from the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, Tracy’s
had over 16 violations in one visit alone.
Many of the violations related to cleaning and replacing deteriorated gaskets
under the counter and repairing deteriorated paint on the walls of the cooler
doors. Inspectors noted there was low water pressure and the water was unable
to get hot in the restrooms.
Other areas that needed correcting at Tracy’s were ceiling vents, which
were lined with dust and a quarter- to half-inch gap under the back entry door.
This could allow vermin to get in and lay droppings around the bar and in the
open ice container that is used for customers’ cocktails.
“
I had a friend who used to work at Tracy’s and she told me about a mice
problem once. I felt much better when she assured me that it was taken care of
immediately,” said Long Beach resident Kam Kamangar.
Fortunately for Tracy’s customers, by mid May all of the violations had
been corrected.
The Yard House is another bar that had several infractions over the past year.
According to Long Beach health records, the Yard House was visited for inspection
on three separate occasions in 2005.
Four areas needed corrective action to comply with health and safety codes. Violations
included issues with food that was served at the bar, food temperatures, equipment
maintenance and facility maintenance. On two occasions the Yard House was cited
for broken or missing tile, some of which contained growing mold. During the
same visit, the record noted that stagnant water had created foul odors.
While the Yard House was inspected July 7, the report showed a complaint from
the Long Beach Health Department regarding open dumpsters and waste water going
into nearby storm drains.
After receiving the violations, the Yard House’s official inspection report
presented proof that every violation had been fixed as of Oct. 17.
Bars like Shannon’s Bay Shore also had health issues that dealt with equipment
sanitation. In an inspection report done in April of 2005, inspectors noted they
had observed an accumulation of dirt, mold, and slime inside the bar soda gun
nozzle.
The report also shows that a verbal warning was given to Shannon’s to eliminate
fruit flies from the facility through safe, legal and effective
methods.
“
My friends and I go to Shannon’s quite often for drinks,” said Ashlee
Herman, a Cal State Long Beach”student. “It’s gross to hear
about violations, but luckily it’s taken care of when it’s brought
to the bar’s attention.”
Shannon’s was re-inspected about a week later and the records revealed
that by the end of April the violations had appeared to have been corrected.
Not all the bars needed much correcting. The Zodiac Bar only had two violations
in 2005, according to the Long Beach Health
Department records. Both violations
were for improper food and water temperatures.
Prepared drink garnishes such as olives, limes and cherries were not stored properly
or at cool enough temperatures.
Records also show the water at the bar was not hot enough to properly sanitize
the glasses washing them. By June 2005, reports showed all problems with temperatures
had been given proper attention.
While the cleanliness of bars is often overlooked, it is apparent violations
have and will indefinitely continue to exist. Patrons should pay close attention
to the health reports at their local bars and restaurants and may want to think
twice before they order that next double shot.
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