Brooklyn, NY — Vivi Bubble Tea, located at 6517 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 25, 2026. The inspection resulted in a score of 31 points, placing the establishment in the C grade range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026. A subsequent inspection on April 21, 2026 recorded a score of 4, returning the location to a Grade A.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented three non-critical violations during the March inspection. No critical violations were recorded.
The first violation, Code 08A, noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation is recorded when physical conditions in or around a food service establishment may allow pest entry or shelter, including gaps in walls, improperly stored materials, or debris accumulation.
The second violation, Code 08C, cited improper pesticide use or storage. Specifically, inspectors identified an unprotected, unlocked bait station on the premises. Under New York City regulations, pesticide application in food service establishments must be carried out by a licensed pest control professional, and all pesticide materials must be properly labeled and securely stored to prevent accidental contamination of food or food-contact surfaces.
The third violation, Code 18-11, noted that a Food Protection Certificate was not available for review at the time of inspection. New York City requires that at least one certified food protection manager be present and that their certificate be accessible during operating hours.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitary standards for all food service establishments. Inspections are unannounced and scored on a point system in which higher scores indicate more or higher-severity violations.
The violations documented at this location fall under sanitation and pest management requirements that are also addressed in the FDA Food Code, which serves as a national framework for food safety in retail and food service settings. Pest harborage conditions and improper pesticide handling are areas of regulatory concern because they can introduce contamination risks into food preparation environments.
A score of 28 or above results in a Grade C under the DOHMH grading system. Restaurants have the option to request a re-inspection before a grade is posted publicly.
Inspection History
Vivi Bubble Tea has maintained a consistent compliance record over recent years. Prior inspection results are as follows:
- April 21, 2026: Score 4 (Grade A)
- February 24, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
- February 5, 2024: Score 5 (Grade A)
- May 24, 2023: Score 26
- June 7, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)
The March 2026 inspection represents an anomaly in an otherwise strong compliance history. The April 2026 re-inspection, which yielded a score of 4, indicates that the conditions identified in March were addressed before the subsequent visit.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants following inspection based on their total point score:
- A: 0 to 13 points
- B: 14 to 27 points
- C: 28 points or more
Each point corresponds to a documented violation of the health code. Critical violations, which carry higher point values, involve factors more directly linked to foodborne illness risk, such as improper food temperatures or contamination. Non-critical violations, such as those recorded in this inspection, generally relate to facility conditions and administrative requirements.
Inspection records for all New York City food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Grades search tool at nyc.gov/health. Consumers can look up any restaurant's full inspection history, including violation details and grade postings, through that portal.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Vivi Bubble Tea including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.