THE WATERHOLE LOUNGE.

Chicago Health Dept

1400 S WESTERN AVE · PILSEN, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Dec 2025), 3 critical violations noted.

6 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Dec 2025 · 3 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

DEC 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 4

2025

PASS 6 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VOMIT/DIARRHEA KIT ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

REAR DOOR WITH A 1/4" GAP NOTED UNDERNEATH, MAKING THE DOOR NOT RODENT/INSECT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT/INSECT PROOF THE REAR DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM HAS NO LID. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS IN THE CORNER OF THE BAR AND IN THE BASEMENT WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND 3 GRILLS OUTSIDE ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL GRILLS FROM THE PREMISES, FOR GRILLING OUTSIDE IS PROHIBITED PER THE CITY OF CHICAGO CODE.

OCT 27

2016

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED A BROWNISH SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

OBSERVED MINOR LEAK ON THE FAUCET OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED TOOLS IN BASEMENT BEING STORED ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES AND MAINTAIN.

NOV 4

2015

PASS 3 violations

Minor Facility Condition

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

INSTALL LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

REPAIR VENTILATION FANS IN FRONT WASHROOMS.

Minor Pest Activity

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

REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

OCT 26

2015

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

OBSERVED OVER 50 FLYING INSECTS IN BAR, PREP, STORAGE, AND WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. MIDDLE SIDE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED, 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM CORNERS OF DOOR. SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020

Serious Other

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR BAR NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED, FAUCET DOES NOT REACH ALL THREE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL LONGER FAUCET ON BAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030

Minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE, FRYERS, COOLERS, AND FREEZERS.

Minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND BASEMENT AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

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

SEAL OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN KITCHEN. SEAL HOLE IN CEILING NEAR DUCT IN REAR ICE MACHINE AREA.

Minor Facility Condition

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

INSTALL LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

INSTALL VISIBLE BACK FLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. REPAIR VENTILATION FANS IN FRONT WASHROOMS. REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON KITCHEN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Pest Activity

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

REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

MAR 21

2014

PASS 4 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

CUTTING BOARDS STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME

Minor Sanitation

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

ALL FRYERS NEED CLEANING, FREE OF DEBRIS BUILD-UP.

Minor Sanitation

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

CEILING LEAKING IN REAR. REPAIR SAME. SEAL ALL SMALL HOLES NOTED AROUND PIPES

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

NO EXPOSED HANDSINKS NOTED IN FRONT OR REAR BAR. INSTD TO INSTALL SAME.

show all 6 inspections →

MAR 14

2014

FAIL 6 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

OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ALONG WALLBASE AND ON STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR. INSTD TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. INCOMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE, INSTD TO PROVIDE UPDATED SERVICE RECEIPT, COPY OF COMPANY BUSINESS LICENSE AND DIAGRAM OF FACILITY. SIDE EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, APPROX 1/2 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM CORNER OF DOOR. INSTD TO RODENT PROOF DOOR SO AS TO BE TIGHT FITTING. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS.

Minor Sanitation

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

CUTTING BOARDS STAINED WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SAME.

Minor Sanitation

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

ALL STORAGE SHELVES, COOKING EQUIPMENT, FRYERS, COOLERS, FREEZERS NEED CLEANING, FREE OF DEBRIS BUILD-UP.

Minor Sanitation

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

FLOOR THRU-OUT UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLBASE AND INCLUDING BASEMENT NEEDS CLEANING FREE OF DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

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

CEILING LEAKING IN REAR. REPAIR SAME. SEAL ALL SMALL HOLES NOTED AROUND PIPES.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

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

NO EXPOSED HANDSINKS NOTED IN FRONT OR REAR BAR. INSTD TO INSTALL SAME.

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 →

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