Manhattan, NY — Coffee Bar, a coffee and tea establishment at 225 Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan's Brookfield Place area, received a score of 61 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 6, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a significant departure from its previously consistent record of Grade A ratings.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 6 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment:

The location was cited under violation code 08A for not being free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation indicates that inspectors identified environmental conditions within the establishment that could attract or sustain pest activity, such as gaps in walls or flooring, improper waste storage, standing water, or accumulated debris in areas that could serve as nesting or breeding sites for pests.

While the violation is classified as non-critical rather than critical, the overall score of 61 points is notably high. Under the NYC restaurant grading system, a single non-critical violation typically carries a point value that would not alone produce a score this elevated. A score of 61 suggests that the conditions documented were assessed as extensive or present across multiple areas of the establishment during the inspection.

No critical violations involving direct food safety risks — such as improper food temperatures, cross-contamination, or lack of handwashing facilities — were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary standards that all food service establishments in New York City must maintain. Pest harborage conditions are addressed under these regulations because the presence of rodents, insects, and other pests in food preparation and service areas presents a recognized risk to public health. Pests can contaminate food, food contact surfaces, and packaging materials, potentially introducing harmful bacteria and pathogens.

The FDA Food Code similarly identifies pest management as a fundamental component of food safety operations, requiring that food establishments implement integrated pest management practices and maintain facilities in a condition that prevents pest entry and harborage.

DOHMH recorded the action as "Violations were cited in the following area(s)," indicating that the establishment was not closed or ordered to cease operations as a result of this inspection. The restaurant may continue to operate while addressing the cited conditions.

Inspection History

Coffee Bar's March 2026 score represents a sharp contrast with its prior inspection record, which had been consistently strong:

  • 2024-10-08: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • 2023-05-26: Score 9 (Grade A)
  • 2022-05-11: Score 12 (Grade A)

Across three previous inspection cycles spanning nearly four years, the establishment had never scored above 12 points, well within the Grade A range. The jump to a score of 61 is the first time Coffee Bar has received a score outside the Grade A threshold in its available inspection history.

Under NYC inspection procedures, restaurants that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, at which point the establishment has an opportunity to correct cited violations and achieve a lower score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total points accumulated during health inspections. Points are assessed for each violation identified, with more serious violations carrying higher point values:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations and reflect better compliance with health code standards. Coffee Bar's score of 61 falls well into the Grade C range.

Restaurants that score 28 or above on an initial inspection may request an adjudicatory hearing through the DOHMH Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and will be scheduled for a re-inspection.

Members of the public can review inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. Inspection scores and grades for Coffee Bar and all other city food service establishments are public record and are updated as new inspection data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Coffee Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.