Bar Contra

138 Orchard Street, Manhattan, NY 10002

New American

Last inspected: May 27, 2025

Score

Medium Risk NYC Grade: Pending

Bar Contra appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2023. On May 27, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.

That's lower than the typical Manhattan restaurant, which scores around 77. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 27, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (frsa) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. frsa flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, phorid flies and fruit flies.

04N

After cooking or removal from hot holding, tcs food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °f to 70 °f or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °f to 41 °f or less within 4 additional hours.

02H

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.

10D

Dec 11, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 5 violations

Haccp plan not approved or approved haccp plan not maintained on premises.

06G

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.

04H

Cold tcs food item held above 41 °f; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °f; intact raw eggs held above 45 °f; or reduced oxygen packaged (rop) tcs foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

02G

Insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage or cold holding equipment provided to maintain time/temperature control for safety foods (tcs) at required temperatures

05F

Equipment used for rop not approved by the department

28-04

May 24, 2023

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

06E

Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

10F

Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

10B

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bar Contra last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Bar Contra on file is from May 27, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

How does Bar Contra compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Bar Contra most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Bar Contra's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Bar Contra have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Bar Contra means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Bar Contra inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Bar Contra is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 21 — High Risk

Good Thanks Cafe

131 Orchard Street

Score: 78 — Low Risk

Explore More

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