Manhattan, NY — Wicked Willy's, a bar and American restaurant at 149 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, received a score of 29 during a health inspection conducted on March 4, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented two critical violations, including evidence of mice and cold food held at unsafe temperatures.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 4 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified two critical violations at the establishment:

Evidence of mice was documented in the restaurant's food or non-food areas. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, the presence of rodent activity in a food service establishment represents a significant food safety concern. Mice can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and Hantavirus.

Inspectors also cited the restaurant for holding cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items above 41°F. TCS foods — which include items such as dairy products, cooked vegetables, cut fruits, and prepared proteins — must be maintained at or below 41°F to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When these foods are held in the temperature danger zone, the risk of bacterial multiplication increases, potentially leading to foodborne illness.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

The two violations cited at Wicked Willy's both fall under the critical category as defined by DOHMH inspection protocols. Critical violations are those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness and carry the highest point values during scoring.

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City, requiring operators to maintain sanitary conditions, proper food storage temperatures, and effective pest management programs. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for local regulations, specifies that cold TCS foods must be held at 41°F or below at all times, except during active preparation.

Rodent activity violations require establishments to address both the immediate evidence and the underlying conditions that allow pest access, including sealing entry points, removing harborage areas, and working with licensed pest management professionals.

Inspection History

Wicked Willy's inspection record over the past three years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:

  • March 4, 2026: Score 29 (Grade C range)
  • May 22, 2025: Score 39 (Grade C range)
  • November 15, 2023: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • January 24, 2023: Score 40 (Grade C range)

The March 2026 inspection marks the third time in four inspections that the restaurant has scored 28 or above, placing it in Grade C territory. The exception was the November 2023 inspection, when the establishment scored 11 and received a Grade A.

Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a score of 28 or higher on an initial inspection are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which the grade is officially assigned. Restaurants may also request an adjudicatory hearing to contest their scores through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on violation point totals:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points — Establishment meets high standards of food safety
  • Grade B: 14–27 points — Some violations identified requiring correction
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — Significant violations documented

Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations. Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed, with critical violations related to food temperature control and pest activity carrying some of the highest point values.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database available on the NYC Open Data portal. Grade cards are required to be posted at the entrance of every food service establishment in New York City.

The next scheduled inspection for Wicked Willy's has not been publicly listed. Residents and visitors can monitor updated inspection results through the NYC Department of Health's online restaurant inspection search tool.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Wicked Willy's including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.