Turkey's Nest Tavern, Beloved Bedford Ave Bar, Closed for Health Violations, Plans To Reopen Wednesday

Creative Commons via Bitchcakes

Burrrrrp!

Have no fear, Williamsburg lushes. Even though the Turkey's Nest, the Bedford Avenue drinking hovel made famous by its take-out margaritas and bathtub-sized beers, has been shuttered since last Wednesday, the old-school bastion of neighborhood degenerates is, in fact, not out of business!

Last Wednesday, November 2, 2011, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene deemed the bar a "public health hazard." It's no secret that the Nest, an old-school neighborhood staple that prominently showcases its "Our House Wine is Jaegermeister" sign, both fosters a healthy fruit-fly population and never seems to have a dry surface anywhere. This, of course, isn't taken lightly by health inspectors. So after the third visit in a month found repeated "critical" violations like those incredibly friendly flies (specifically "filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies"), along with evidence of rodents, the DOH forced the Brooklyn establishment to close. (To be fair, the penultimate DOH visit was on Halloween, which was more than likely a shitshow--but then again, this is the Turkey's Nest, so.)

The DOH inspection report states:

Violations recorded in the following area (s), a Notice of Violation issued and establishment re-closed by the Department of Health at the reopening inspection conducted on 11/02/2011.

"Critical" violations are displayed in red.

Violation points: 12

Sanitary Violations
1) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
2) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
3) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.

Many a Facebook status update has since speculated that the temporary closure would become permanent. But no! "We're just closed for some spring cleaning in the fall," offered Valerie, one of the Nest's self-identified owners, reached by phone earlier this evening. The bar's apparently been inundated with concerned callers, but she promised that if all goes well, the Nest plans to reopen this Wednesday night. See you there!

[CDodero / @camilledodero]

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