Manhattan, NY — Hell's Kitchen Pickleball Club, located at 660 12th Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 31 points during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 18, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade assigned under the city's restaurant grading system. The inspection identified one critical violation: the absence of a certified food protection manager on site.

What Inspectors Found

During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited the venue for a single but significant violation under code 04A: no Food Protection Certificate (FPC) was held by a manager or supervisor of food operations at the time of the inspection.

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, every food service establishment is required to have at least one supervisory staff member present during all hours of operation who holds a valid Food Protection Certificate issued by the DOHMH. This individual is responsible for ensuring that food is handled, stored, prepared, and served in accordance with applicable safety standards.

The absence of a certified food safety manager means there was no designated person on duty trained to oversee critical food safety practices, including proper temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and personal hygiene compliance among food handlers.

No non-critical violations were documented during the inspection.

Food Safety Context

The Food Protection Certificate requirement is one of the foundational elements of New York City's food safety regulatory framework. NYC Health Code Article 81.15 mandates that a certified supervisor of food operations be present at all times when food is being prepared, handled, or served. This aligns with the FDA Food Code's recommendation that at least one person in charge per establishment demonstrate knowledge of foodborne illness prevention.

The FPC is obtained by passing a DOHMH-administered exam that covers key topics including safe food temperatures, allergen awareness, pest management, and proper sanitation procedures. When no certified manager is on the premises, there is no designated individual responsible for monitoring and enforcing these protocols, which regulators consider a critical gap in food safety oversight.

While this was the only violation recorded, the critical classification reflects the importance regulators place on having trained supervisory personnel as the first line of defense against foodborne illness.

Inspection History

Hell's Kitchen Pickleball Club's prior inspection record shows fluctuation in compliance:

  • October 4, 2024: Score of 10, Grade N (grade not yet assigned, typically during initial or re-inspection cycle)
  • September 24, 2024: Score of 45

The current score of 31 represents a notable increase from the establishment's most recent score of 10, though it is an improvement over the earlier score of 45 recorded in September 2024. The September 2024 inspection at 45 points also placed the venue well into Grade C range at that time.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points accumulated during an inspection:

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

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Critical violations carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations due to their greater potential impact on public health.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection, during which they have another opportunity to reduce their score. Grade cards must be posted in a visible location near the entrance of the establishment.

Data Freshness and Public Resources

This inspection was conducted on March 18, 2026, with the data released by DOHMH on March 20, 2026. Inspection results may be subject to update if the establishment undergoes a re-inspection or adjudication hearing.

Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. The database provides current and historical inspection data, including individual violation details, scores, and grades for all inspected food service establishments in the five boroughs.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Hell's Kitchen Pickleball Club including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.