Brooklyn, NY — Keg & Lantern, an Irish pub located at 97 Nassau Avenue in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 26, 2026. The restaurant recorded a score of 26, placing it at the upper boundary of the Grade B range and two points from the Grade C threshold. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the visit. No critical violations were cited.
The single violation recorded was Code 09E: a wash hands sign was not posted near or above a hand washing sink. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and FDA Food Code guidelines, hand washing signage is required at all hand washing stations accessible to food service employees. The requirement is designed to reinforce proper hygiene practices as a foundational food safety measure.
While the violation is classified as non-critical — meaning it does not represent a direct or immediate health risk — it contributed to an overall score that sits near the top of the Grade B band.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH under NYC Health Code Article 81, assigns scores based on the number and severity of violations identified during unannounced inspections. Lower scores reflect fewer or less serious violations. The FDA Food Code, which informs the city's standards, establishes requirements around sanitation, food handling, temperature control, and facility hygiene.
A score of 26 is notable within the Grade B range. While Grade B establishments are not required to close, a score at this level indicates a meaningful accumulation of violations relative to the city's baseline expectations. Restaurants scoring near the top of any grade band are more likely to receive closer scrutiny in subsequent inspections.
Inspection History
Keg & Lantern's recent inspection record shows a pattern of increasing scores over successive visits:
- August 4, 2025: Score 20 (Grade B)
- December 21, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
- September 26, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)
The two earlier inspections in 2022 and 2023 each resulted in Grade A scores, reflecting strong compliance at that time. The August 2025 inspection produced a score of 20, already within Grade B territory. The most recent inspection marks a continued upward trend, reaching 26 — the highest score recorded for the establishment in the available history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores as follows:
- A: Score of 0–13 points
- B: Score of 14–27 points
- C: Score of 28 or more points
Establishments that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection, at which point a new score is calculated. The grade posted in the restaurant window reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle.
Consumers can review the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant, including violation details and grade history, through the DOHMH online restaurant inspection database at the NYC Open Data portal.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Keg & Lantern including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.