Uptown Lounge
Last inspected: Nov 25, 2025
90
Score
Across the available record, Uptown Lounge has six inspections on file, the first dated 2011. Uptown Lounge was last inspected on Nov 25, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible”, which has been cited two times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 25, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN BOTH MEN AND WOMENS RESTROOMS UPSTAIRS IN THE MAIN LOUNGE AREA.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE IN THE ICE BIN IN THE BAR UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVER OR LID FOR ICE TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINAITON.
39
90
Nov 18, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT/DIARRHEA CLEANUP KIT OR WRITTEN PROCEDURES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (COFFEE DRINKS THAT CONTAIN MILKS, HEAVY CREAMS, ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE FOR THE SANITIZER (QUAT) BEING USED FOR SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF A SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE VISIBLE AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL BAR AND COFFEE REACH-IN COOLERS IN THE BAR AREA.
36
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE IN THE ICE BIN IN THE BAR UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVER OR LID FOR ICE TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINAITON.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOP STORED IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO HANG MOPS TO ALLOW TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.
55
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN BOTH MEN AND WOMENS RESTROOMS UPSTAIRS IN THE MAIN LOUNGE AREA.
10
61
Nov 24, 2015
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 20, 2014
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MINERAL BUILD-UP INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE AND POP GUN NOZZLES BEHIND THE BAR.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE
33
95
Dec 15, 2011
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 6, 2011
License
13 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE FREEZER FACILITY FOR FROZEN PIZZA.
2
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: Adequate and convenient toilet facilities shall be provided. They should be properly designed, maintained, and accessible to employees at all times. MUST PROVIDE AN EXPOSED HAND SINK AT SIDE BAR OF EXTENDED ADDRESS PROPERLY DRAINING WITH HOT AND COLD WATER.
11
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. MUST HAVE A LICENSED PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROVIDE SERVICE AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION.
18
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. MUST PROVIDE OUTSIDE WASTE RECEPTACLE.
19
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES OR PROOF OF REGISTRATION.
21
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: All dish washing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health. MUST PROVIDE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH ATTACHED DRAIN BOARD AT SIDE BAR IN EXTENDED ADDRESS.
24
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. MUST NOT STORE KNIVES BETWEEN BAR ICE BIN AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN BOARD. MUST PROVIDE PROPER KNIVES HOLDER.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST PROVIDE LIDS FOR ALL BAR ICE BINS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. BLACKENED MOLDY CAULKING BETWEEN BAR ICE BIN AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN BOARD. MUST REPLACE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. FLOOR BEHIND MAIN FRONT BAR DIRTY WITH DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. ALL ITEMS STORED BEHIND BAR AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT MUST BE ELEVATED FROM FLOOR 6" OR ABOVE.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 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. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE EXCESSIVE RUST AND MOLD INSIDE AND ALONG SIDE OF FRONT BAR EXPOSED HAND SINK. MUST PROVIDE PROPER DRAINAGE LINES FROM BAR SODA GUN HOLDERS. MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON BASEMENT UTILITY MOP SINK OR REMOVE THREADED NOZZLE AND HOSE FROM PREMISES.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL UNITS CONTAINING FOODS.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: 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. ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES. ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
41
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Uptown Lounge last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Uptown Lounge on file is from Nov 25, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Uptown Lounge?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Uptown Lounge.
Has Uptown Lounge's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Uptown Lounge have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Uptown Lounge means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Uptown Lounge inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Uptown Lounge is inspected about once every two years on average.
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