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The Sidebar Tavern

203 Courthouse Sq, Inverness, FL 34450
Bar / Pub
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026
52
Score
High Risk

The health department has logged nine inspections at The Sidebar Tavern, the earliest from 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 24, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.

Across the inspection history, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

By comparison, the average Inverness facility scores 83, putting The Sidebar Tavern on the weaker side. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.

9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/26
50-17-3
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Ricotta cheese dated 3/2 see stop sale
02C-01-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. Ricotta cheese
01B-24-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Clear squeeze bottle at hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator stated it contained bleach.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishes in hand wash sink in kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
52
Oct 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Chicken thawing in hand wash sink in cook line area. Operator removed chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink in cook line area. Operator filled dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing in hand wash sink in cook line area. Operator moved to cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unnecessary items equipment on the premises. Gas grill outside back door of kitchen. Operator was not using grill at the time of the inspection.
33-31-5
74
Jun 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Standing water in bottom of keg coolers in bar area.
29-49-6
95
Aug 29, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Aug 28, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler by hand washing sink and microwave wave ambient air temperature 48 f Chicken 45 f cheese 48 f sourkauk 48 f cheese mozzarella 45 f discussed with operator to move items to the other cooler that was running below 43 f employee moved cheese to different cooler **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cooked chicken in sink. Employee removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. By three compartment sink. Employee fixed the dispenser **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Keys on prep table. **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen chicken In hand washing sink. **Warning**
06-01-5
64
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. meatballs (46F - Cold Holding; buttermilk (46F - Cold Holding) ambient temperature of cooler 48F. Operator moved all food items to a different cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary test strips
16-37-1
78
Nov 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed to operator **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-15: Emailed form to operator **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-15: **Time Extended**
50-09-4
86
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed to operator **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed to operator **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured. Tank in liquor storage room **Warning**
51-11-4
67
Apr 11, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Sidebar Tavern last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Sidebar Tavern on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Sidebar Tavern?

Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Sidebar Tavern.

How does The Sidebar Tavern compare to other restaurants in Inverness?

The Sidebar Tavern most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Inverness average of 83.

Has The Sidebar Tavern's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Sidebar Tavern have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at The Sidebar Tavern means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is The Sidebar Tavern inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Sidebar Tavern is inspected around three times per year on average.

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Score: 100 — Low Risk
Explore More
→ All locations in Inverness → Bar / Pub restaurants in Florida → Bar / Pub restaurants in Inverness
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