THE VIOLET HOUR.

Chicago Health Dept

1520 N DAMEN AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Jan 2025).

15 inspections on record since 2010 · Last inspected Jan 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JAN 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

JAN 3

2025

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED SHELVING IN COOLER WITH RUSTING WITH CHIPPED PAINT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SHELVING.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SEVERAL AREAS OF FLOORING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND DISHWASHING AREA THAT ARE NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SEAL THE FLOOR SO IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED SECTIONS OF THE WALL AND CORNERS NEAR THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND ICE MACHINE THAT ARE IN DISREPAIR AND NOT SEALED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND SEAL ALL WALL SECTIONS IN DISREPAIR. VIOLATION PREVIOUSLY NOTED IN REPORT #2609470 DATED DECEMBER 19 2024

DEC 19

2024

FAIL 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED APPROX. 25 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS BEHIND THE BAR ON THE LIQUOR STORAGE SHELVES AND FLYING AROUND THE BAR AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

AUG 7

2023

PASS · 0 violations

JUL 31

2023

FAIL 7 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED LEAK COMING FROM BOTTOM OF 2-DOOR COOLER USED TO STORE SYRUPS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Other

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO CHLORINE TEST STRIPS ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LOOSE FAUCET AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED ON COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Minor Facility Condition

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED OUTDOOR DUMPSTERS IN ALLEY OVERFLOWING WITH GARBAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTERS WITH TIGHT-FITTING LIDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED CHEST FREEZER AT THE BAR AND SEVERAL PIECES OF UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FILTERS OF HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Serious Food Temperature

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED 2 BURNT-OUT LIGHTBULBS IN THE REAR ABOVE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

OCT 11

2018

PASS 3 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-305.12 OBSERVED BEVERAGES STORED UNDERNEATH SEWER LINES IN THE BASEMENT. MUST SHIELD THE LINES OR REMOVE THE BEVERAGES FROM THIS AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12 CLEAN THE CEILING TILES IN THE BEVERAGE PREPARATION AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.11 REPLACE THE CORNER WALL MOLDING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

show all 15 inspections →

JUL 11

2018

PASS · 0 violations

JUN 26

2017

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED RIPPED GASKETS AROUND THE DOORS OF THE 2-DOOR REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR TO THE LEFT OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT ACROSS FROM THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE GASKETS TO PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AROUND THE DOORS AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE IS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY BLUE MASKING TAPE. INSTRUCRTED TO PERMANENTLY REPAIR THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE BOTTOM SHELF OF THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND THE GASKETS AROUND THE DOOR TO REMOVE LIQUID AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 4

2016

PASS 3 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

WHITE CONTAINERS FOR DRY FOOD MUST BE LABELED(KITCHEN).ALSO ANY FOOD PRODUCTS OR NON-FOOD PRODUCTS REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINER/PACKAGE MUST BE LABELED.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND ICE BIN.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

GREASE INSIDE THE FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE 10 BURNER STOVE ALSO GREASE ON FLOOR UNDER THE SAME UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. ITEMS NEEDED AND STORED ON FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT MUST BE ELEVATED 6"OFF THE FLOOR.

DEC 4

2015

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

SMALL BOTTLES MUST BE REPLACED WITH A WIDER MOUTH OPENING TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

WALLS NEAR ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST AND SPLATTER BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

LIGHT SHEILDS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 27

2014

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

CLEAN FAN GUARDS IN REACH-IN COOLERS.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN ALL FLOOR DRAINS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.

APR 24

2013

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

Exposed handsinks in bar area not protected. Instructed to install shield on sides of sink.

APR 16

2013

FAIL 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

Evidence of rodent activity found on premises. Observed rat droppings in basement storage/mechanical room-approximately 30-50 on ground around hot water tank. Also, double rear exit door and front wooden door not rodent proofed. Instructed to rodent proof doors to prevent rodent and insect entry. Serious citation issued 7-38-020.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

Ice bins in bar area not covered. Instructed to provide cover for bins. Exposed handsinks in bar area not protected. Instructed to install shield on sides of sink.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Interior ice machine bin, ventilation covers, storages shelves in prep area and cooking equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize daily.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Floor along wallbase and under equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Ceiling not maintained in basement or side hallway. Instructed to replace all missing or damaged drop ceiling panels. Walls along wallbase in side hallway, vestibule, bar area not maintained. Instructed to repair and/or replace and seal/repaint walls and ceiling.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Exposed handsink slow draining in bar area. Instructed to repair to prevent slow drain.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

Thermometer not provided in bar coolers and not conspicuous inside prep coolers. Instructed to provide thermometers inside coolers and have all thermometers conspicuous inside.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

Unnecessary articles in basement and side hallway. Instructed to remove all unused articles and detail clean areas.

MAY 3

2011

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR SHELVES OF REACH-IN COOLER

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AREA

MAY 21

2010

PASS 6 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

MUST LABEL AND DATE ALL COOKED FOODS IN WALK-IN-COOLER,BULK FOOD CONTAINERS TO IDENTIFY PRODUCTS STORED. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

GASKET AT CHEST FREEZER IS BROKEN-MUST REPAIR,PROVIDE MISSING ICE BINS BEHIND BAR ALSO SINK STOPPER MISSING SAME AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

FLOORS IN KITCHEN NOT SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE,FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

LIGHT BULBS IN WALK-IN-COOLER NOT SHIELDED

Minor Sanitation

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOMS,ABOVE HOT COOKING EQUIPMENTS NOT CLEAN. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM PREMISES.

MAY 17

2010

PASS 6 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABEL AND DATE ALL COOKED FOODS IN WALK-IN-COOLER,BULK FOOD CONTAINERS TO IDENTIFY PRODUCTS STORED.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.GASKET AT CHEST FREEZER IS BROKEN-MUST REPAIR,PROVIDE MISSING ICE BINS BEHIND BAR ALSO SINK STOPPER MISSING SAME AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.FLOORS IN KITCHEN NOT SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE,FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.LIGHT BULBS IN WALK-IN-COOLER NOT SHIELDED.

Minor Sanitation

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOMS,ABOVE HOT COOKING EQUIPMENTS NOT CLEAN.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM PREMISES.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

Report an error on this page →