Manhattan, NY — A health inspection conducted at Whiskey Roxx, an American restaurant located at 239 Park Avenue South, resulted in a score of 65 and a Grade C rating after inspectors documented a critical pest violation on March 30, 2026. The data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 2, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 04M: live roaches identified in the facility's food or non-food area. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, pest activity of this nature is classified as a critical violation due to the potential for contamination of food contact surfaces, preparation areas, and stored ingredients.

Live roach activity is among the more serious pest-related violations recorded during routine inspections. The FDA Food Code identifies insects as physical and biological hazards capable of transmitting pathogens to food, equipment, and utensils. A single critical violation of this category contributed significantly to the facility's overall score of 65, which places the establishment firmly in the Grade C range.

No non-critical violations were recorded during the same inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety standards for all permitted food service establishments in the five boroughs. Under this code, operators are required to maintain their facilities free of pests, implement integrated pest management practices, and address any identified infestations promptly.

The FDA Food Code, which informs many of the standards adopted at the state and local level, requires that effective measures be taken to exclude pests from food establishment premises. Roach activity in a food service environment can indicate gaps in facility maintenance, sanitation practices, or structural integrity that allow pests to enter or persist.

A Grade C designation requires the restaurant to display a Grade C card or a "Grade Pending" card if the establishment chooses to request an administrative hearing or a re-inspection. Consumers can look up current inspection scores and grades through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database.

Inspection History

Whiskey Roxx has maintained a strong compliance record in prior inspections, making the March 2026 result a notable departure from its established history:

  • May 12, 2026: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • March 30, 2026: Score 65 (Grade C) — current inspection
  • July 13, 2023: Score 8 (Grade A)

The May 2026 re-inspection, which produced a score of 11 and a Grade A, suggests the facility moved quickly to address the conditions identified in late March. The May result post-dates the March inspection and is the most recent data available for this establishment.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system provides a standardized way for the public to assess a restaurant's compliance with health and safety standards at the time of inspection. Grades are determined by the total point score assigned during an unannounced DOHMH inspection:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — meets or exceeds food safety standards
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — some violations identified
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points — multiple or serious violations identified

Each point corresponds to a specific violation. Critical violations, which carry higher point values, address issues most directly linked to foodborne illness risk. Non-critical violations address broader sanitation and facility maintenance standards.

Restaurants that receive a score placing them in the B or C range during an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection before a final grade is issued. The grade displayed at the restaurant reflects the most recent scored inspection on record.

Members of the public can access full inspection histories, violation details, and current grades for all permitted food service establishments in New York City through the DOHMH's online portal at nyc.gov/health. Inspection records are updated as new data is released by the agency.

More About This Restaurant

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