Manhattan, NY — Playa Bowls, located at 108 MacDougal Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on July 22, 2026. The inspection resulted in a score of 38, placing the establishment in the C grade range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on July 24, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two critical violations during the July 22 visit, both of which required immediate corrective action as a condition of any future reopening.

The first violation, cited under Code 06C, identified that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, inspectors noted that condiments were not stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, a practice that can expose food items to cross-contamination.

The second violation, cited under Code 04L, recorded evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food and non-food areas. The presence of rodents in a food service environment represents a direct threat to food safety, as rodents can introduce pathogens and contaminate food contact surfaces throughout a facility.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments operating in New York City are required to maintain conditions that prevent contamination and pest activity. The Code 04L violation — evidence of rodent activity — is among the categories that can trigger an immediate closure order by DOHMH, as it poses a risk that cannot be adequately mitigated while the establishment remains open to the public.

The FDA Food Code similarly requires that food establishments be free from pests and that all food, equipment, and utensils be protected from contamination at every stage of service. Condiment handling practices cited under Code 06C reflect standards designed to prevent the transfer of pathogens from one customer's contact to another's food or food contact surfaces.

When DOHMH issues a closure order, the establishment must address all violations requiring immediate action before a reinspection can be scheduled. Only after a reinspection confirms that conditions have been corrected may the establishment be permitted to reopen.

Inspection History

Playa Bowls has been inspected multiple times in recent years. The record below reflects scores from prior DOHMH visits:

  • July 13, 2026: Score 49 (no grade issued — re-inspection cycle)
  • May 14, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • January 14, 2025: Score 27
  • May 8, 2024: Score 17 (Grade B)
  • December 7, 2023: Score 23
  • July 7, 2022: Score 2 (Grade A)

The inspection record shows a pattern of variability. The establishment earned Grade A scores in July 2022 and May 2025, and a Grade B in May 2024. However, the two most recent inspections — scored 49 on July 13, 2026 and 38 on July 22, 2026 — both fall in the C range and the latter resulted in a closure order. The July 13 inspection, which preceded the closure, also produced a failing score, indicating conditions had not been sufficiently corrected in the interval between visits.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades to food service establishments based on inspection scores. Grades are posted publicly and must be displayed at the restaurant entrance. The scoring system works as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points (fewest violations)
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations)

Lower scores reflect fewer or less severe violations. A score of 38, as recorded in the July 22 inspection, falls well into Grade C territory. Critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, it does not receive a letter grade for that inspection cycle. A grade is assigned only after the establishment successfully passes a reinspection.

More About This Restaurant

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