Manhattan, NY — Earthbar @ Equinox, a juice and smoothie bar located inside the Equinox fitness center at 100 10th Avenue in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a February 4, 2026 inspection that resulted in a score of 33 points.
The establishment received one critical violation related to hand washing facilities, leading inspectors to close the location. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 9, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 4 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a single critical violation, but it was significant enough to trigger an immediate closure of the establishment.
The violation, cited under code 05D, identified the absence of a hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area. Inspectors further noted that the hand washing facility was not accessible, was obstructed, or was being used for non-hand washing purposes. The citation also documented a lack of hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure, along with the absence of soap or an acceptable hand-drying device.
For an establishment that specializes in juice, smoothies, and fruit salads — products that involve direct handling of fresh produce and ingredients — the inability for staff to properly wash their hands represents a fundamental food safety concern. Hand washing is widely recognized as one of the most effective measures for preventing the transmission of foodborne illness.
No non-critical violations were recorded during the inspection.
Food Safety Context
Hand washing requirements are established under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments throughout the five boroughs. The regulation requires that adequate hand washing facilities be conveniently accessible to food workers at all times during operating hours. These facilities must be equipped with hot and cold running water, soap, and acceptable hand-drying devices.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for local food safety regulations nationwide, identifies proper hand washing as a critical control point in preventing contamination. The FDA recommends that food workers wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before handling food, after touching raw proteins, after using the restroom, and after any activity that may contaminate the hands.
When DOHMH inspectors determine that violations pose an immediate risk to public health, they have the authority to close an establishment on the spot. A closure requires the establishment to address all cited violations and pass a subsequent reinspection before resuming operations.
The closure action noted that violations were cited and those requiring immediate action were addressed.
Inspection History
The February 4, 2026 closure was not the first time Earthbar @ Equinox recorded a high inspection score. DOHMH records show the following recent inspection history:
- December 16, 2025: Score 43, Grade N
A Grade N designation indicates that the restaurant received its score during an initial inspection and had not yet been assigned an official letter grade. The score of 43 recorded in December 2025 already placed the establishment well above the threshold for a Grade C, the lowest letter grade issued by DOHMH.
The February 2026 score of 33, while lower than the December result, still exceeded the 28-point threshold for a Grade C and was accompanied by a closure action due to the nature of the violation documented.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total number of violation points accumulated during an inspection. Fewer points indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a reinspection, typically within 30 days. The restaurant may post either the letter grade from their initial inspection or a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting reinspection.
Establishments that are closed by DOHMH must correct all violations and pass a reinspection before they are permitted to reopen to the public.
How to Stay Informed
Consumers can look up inspection results for any restaurant in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available.
Diners who observe potential food safety concerns at any establishment can file a complaint with DOHMH by calling 311 or submitting a report through the NYC 311 website or mobile app. All complaints are reviewed and may result in an inspection.
The inspection data referenced in this article reflects publicly available records released by DOHMH. Inspection scores represent conditions observed at the time of the inspection and may not reflect the current status of the establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Earthbar @ Equinox including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.