Blackstone Oyster Bar
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
86
Score
Going back to 2024, Blackstone Oyster Bar has five inspections in the public record. On Mar 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The latest visit found one violation, down from 13 violations the time before.
When inspectors have written things up, physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average for Providence sits at 80, putting Blackstone Oyster Bar on the better side of that line. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Re-Inspection
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention air gap not adequate
Inspector notes: The pre-flush spray hose at the dishwasher is hanging below the flood rim. A plumbing system shall be installed to prevent backflow of a liquid or gas contaminant into the water supply by providing an air gap or installing an approved backflow prevention device.
5-202.13
86
Feb 17, 2026
Re-Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Backflow prevention air gap not adequate
Inspector notes: The pre-flush spray hose at the dishwasher is hanging below the flood rim. A plumbing system shall be installed to prevent backflow of a liquid or gas contaminant into the water supply by providing an air gap or installing an approved backflow prevention device.
5-202.13
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of the crushed ice machine were observed with an accumulation of soil residue. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Ice machine was taken out of service to be cleaned and sanitized.
4-601.11(A)
Required records available; molluscan shellfish identification, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: Molluscan Shellfish tags did not have all of the required information. Dates of last use were lacking. Molluscan shellfish tags must be maintained for 90 days in chronological order and the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag must be noted on the shellfish tag.
3-402.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served. PIC stated he mailed his application yesterday.
2-102.12(A)
Employee not wearing required hair restraint
Inspector notes: Staff were observed not wearing hair restraints. Food employees must wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings, or nets that are worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment/utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
2-402.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: The kitchen cork board was not in good repair.
4-501.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: One wood cutting board was not in good repair, with cracks in it, impacting its ability to be cleaned and sanitized.
4-501.11
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: One light beneath the hood was nonfunctional during inspection. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.
6-501.11
55
Feb 2, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 10 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 18 violations
Backflow prevention air gap not adequate
Inspector notes: The pre-flush spray hose at the dishwasher sink is hanging below the flood rim. A plumbing system shall be installed to prevent backflow of a liquid or gas contaminant into the water supply by providing an air gap or installing an approved backflow prevention device.
5-202.13
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
Inspector notes: Numerous open containers of food were observed in prep units and chest freezers. Food must be protected from contamination by packaging, covered containers, or packaging.
3-302.11
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the quaternary ammonia sanitizing solution for the 3 bay sink.
4-302.14
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (can opener, knives in the clean storage container) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.
4-601.11(A)
Equipment or utensils not clean
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of the crushed ice machine were observed with an accumulation of soil residue. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Ice machine was taken out of service to be cleaned and sanitized.
4-601.11(A)
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked.
3-603.11
Person in charge not present
Inspector notes: No person in charge was present as needed at the time of inspection. Manager arrived during inspection.
2-101.11
Plumbing installed: proper backflow device
Inspector notes: Molluscan Shellfish tags did not have all of the required information. Dates of last use were lacking. Molluscan shellfish tags must be maintained for 90 days in chronological order and the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag must be noted on the shellfish tag.
3-402.12
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12(A)
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: An employee was observed eating in the kitchen food prep area. An open employees' beverage container was observed stored in a food preparation area. Employees shall not drink from open beverage containers in order to prevent contamination of their hands, the container, and exposed food.
2-401.11
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
Inspector notes: Working containers of ingredients are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food.
3-302.12
Single-service or single-use items not protected from contamination
Inspector notes: Utensils in containers in the kitchen are displayed with the food contact surface up. Utensils are to be stored so that only the handles are touched by employees.
4-904.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Small pizza pans were not in good repair, with edges bent impacting their ability to be cleaned and sanitized.
4-501.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: A wood cutting board was not in good repair, with cracks, impacting its ability to be cleaned and sanitized.
4-501.11
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the following have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris: grill area beneath the grill utensil storage bins salad prep unit The beer tap cooler has an accumulation of liquid. Chest freezers have an accumulation of frost and debris.
4-602.13
Unnecessary items or litter present on premises
Inspector notes: Unnecessary and/or non-functional equipment or items were observed in the kitchen area. Establishments shall be kept free of unnecessary and/or non-functional equipment and litter to prevent harborage conditions.
6-501.114
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: One light beneath the hood was nonfunctional during inspeciton. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.
6-501.11
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector notes: Employees' clothing or other personal belongings were observed stored in the kitchen and basement dry storage area. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employees' clothing and other possessions.
6-501.110
25
Nov 20, 2024
Re-Inspection
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: The presence of rodents is not controlled as evidenced by rodent droppings along the ledges in the basement stairwells, and a gnawed wall along the stairwell. Guardian PCS last date of service 11/19/2024. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies.
6-501.111
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
Inspector notes: A knife observed stored on an unclean surface (between prep unit lids) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location.
3-304.12
Cleaned equipment or utensils stored improperly
Inspector notes: Single service items are not being stored properly, unwrapped in the basement storage area.
4-903.11(A)
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: Two lightbulbs are missing from the light sockets beneath the hood. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.
6-501.11
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The ledges on the basement stairwells, and ceiling in the basement especially near the ice machine area have an accumulation of soil residue, cobwebs, dust, and debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
6-501.12
Unnecessary items or litter present on premises
Inspector notes: Unnecessary and/or non-functional equipment (mixer) or items were observed in the kitchen area. Establishments shall be kept free of unnecessary and/or non-functional equipment and litter to prevent harborage conditions.
6-501.114
67
Nov 6, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 10 major violations. 12 minor violations. 9 corrected on site.
View 25 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
Inspector notes: Open containers of food observed in freezers. Open containers of food observed stacked on top of one another with the top containers in the food below. Food must be protected from contamination by packaging, covered containers, or wrapping.
3-302.11
Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: An employee was observed touching ready to eat food (salad mix) with bare hands. Food employees must not touch exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, single use gloves, or dispensing equipment. Disposed.
3-301.11
Food is unsafe, adulterated, or misrepresented
Inspector notes: An open container of soup adulterated with frost observed in the chest freezer. Disposed.
3-101.11
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of the ice machine were observed with an accumulation of soil residue and biofilm. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Ice machine was taken out of service to be cleaned and sanitized.
4-601.11(A)
Food thawed using improper method
Inspector notes: ROP tuna observed with intact packaging in the walk in cooler. Disposed.
3-501.13
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: The presence of rodents is not controlled as evidenced by rodent droppings on the ledge along the basement stairs, and gnawed material. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies. Guardian PCS last date of service 10/30/2024 per PIC.
6-501.111
Cleaned equipment or utensils stored improperly
Inspector notes: Single service items are not being stored properly in their original protective package and/or are stored on a surface that is not clean in the kitchen and basement storage areas.
4-903.11(A)
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Working containers (spray bottles) used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies were not marked with the common name of the chemical.
7-102.11
Person in charge lacks food safety knowledge
Inspector notes: The Person in charge did not assure compliance with critical code requirements. Management's plan for assessing, monitoring, and controlling foodborne disease hazards is inadequate.
2-102.11
No written procedures for vomiting or diarrheal events
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The establishment does not have a written procedure for cleaning vomit and diarrhea. Spanish Responding to Vomiting and Diarrhea English Responding to Vomiting and Diarrhea
2-501.11
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Soap was not available at the hand-washing sink at the bar. Hand-washing sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap.
6-301.11
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink at the bar was lacking paper towels.
6-301.12
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Shellstock tags did not have all of the required information. Dates of last use were lacking.
3-402.12
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: A potato chopper was observed in the basement on a fiberboard wall, in an area unapproved for food preparation. The potato chopper must be removed from the basement. No food production is allowed in the basement.
3-305.14
Employee not wearing required hair restraint
Inspector notes: Staff were observed not wearing hair restraints. Food employees must wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings, or nets that are worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment/utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
2-402.11
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Knife observed stored on an unclean surface (between lids on prep unit) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location.
3-304.12
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the prep units have an accumulation of food residue, and other debris. Chest freezer has an accumulation of frost and debris. Shelves in the kitchen are covered with plastic that is shredded with pieces missing.
4-602.13
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: Water observed leaking from ceiling pipe in the basement into a container. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.
6-501.11
Unnecessary items or litter present on premises
Inspector notes: Unnecessary and/or non-functional equipment or items were observed in the kitchen, outside near the walk in cooler, and basement storage area. Establishments shall be kept free of unnecessary and/or non-functional equipment and litter to prevent harborage conditions.
6-501.114
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The area outside near the walk in cooler has an accumulation of litter, leaf litter, and debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
6-501.12
Physical facilities not in good repair
Inspector notes: Light bulbs missing in one light beneath the hood, and in the basement storage area. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.
6-501.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety at all times when time temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, handled, and/or served.
2-102.12
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Open employees' beverage containers were observed stored in a food preparation area. Employees shall not drink from open beverage containers in order to prevent contamination of their hands, the container, and exposed food.
2-401.11
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Microgreens labeled Keep Refrigerated observed held at 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Disposed.
3-501.16(A)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: An employee observed using an immersion blender in containers of food on the floor.
3-305.14
13
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Blackstone Oyster Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Blackstone Oyster Bar on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Blackstone Oyster Bar?
Across the inspection record, physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Blackstone Oyster Bar.
How does Blackstone Oyster Bar compare to other restaurants in Providence?
Blackstone Oyster Bar most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Providence average of 80.
Has Blackstone Oyster Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Blackstone Oyster Bar have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around one violation compared to about 13 previously.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Blackstone Oyster Bar means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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