Pass

The Waterhole Lounge

1400 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Restaurant ZIP 60608 Risk 2 (Medium)

Passed · as of Dec 4, 2025

The Waterhole Lounge was last inspected on December 4, 2025 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 6 violations, 2 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

December 4, 2025 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

2 critical4 general
  • CriticalManagement & training

    Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

    Inspector’s note: 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

    Official wording (code 3)

    Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

  • CriticalManagement & training

    No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

    Inspector’s note: 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

    Official wording (code 5)

    Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

  • GeneralPests

    Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

    Inspector’s note: 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.

    Official wording (code 38)

    Insects, rodents, & animals not present

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

    Inspector’s note: The trash receptacle in the women's toilet room has no lid. Instructed to provide a trash receptacle with a lid and maintain.

    Official wording (code 53)

    Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Floors in the corner of the bar and in the basement with dirt and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain floors.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: 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.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspection history

6 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed a brownish substance inside of the ice machine. Instructed to clean, sanitize and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Observed minor leak on the faucet of the 3 compartment sink located in the food prep area. Instructed to repair and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Observed tools in basement being stored on the floor. Instructed to elevate everything at least 6 inches and maintain.

  2. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Inspector’s note: Install light shields or shatterproof bulbs in prep and dishwashing areas.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Repair ventilation fans in front washrooms.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Remove all unused equipment and articles in basement to prevent pest harborage.

  3. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    8 general Show violations
    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: 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

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated

      Inspector’s note: 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

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Clean interior and exterior of ice machine, fryers, coolers, and freezers.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, storage, and basement areas.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Seal openings in walls and ceilings in kitchen. Seal hole in ceiling near duct in rear ice machine area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Inspector’s note: Install light shields or shatterproof bulbs in prep and dishwashing areas.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Install visible back flow device on ice machine. Repair ventilation fans in front washrooms. Repair leaking faucet on kitchen 3-compartment sink.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Remove all unused equipment and articles in basement to prevent pest harborage.

  4. Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    4 general Show violations
    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Cutting boards stained with deep, dark grooves. Instd to repair or replace same

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: All fryers need cleaning, free of debris build-up.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Ceiling leaking in rear. Repair same. Seal all small holes noted around pipes

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: No exposed handsinks noted in front or rear bar. Instd to install same.

  5. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    6 general Show violations
    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: 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.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Cutting boards stained with deep, dark grooves. Instd to repair or replace same.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: All storage shelves, cooking equipment, fryers, coolers, freezers need cleaning, free of debris build-up.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Floor thru-out under and behind heavy equipment along wallbase and including basement needs cleaning free of debris.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Ceiling leaking in rear. Repair same. Seal all small holes noted around pipes.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: No exposed handsinks noted in front or rear bar. Instd to install same.

More in ZIP 60608

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 11 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.