Fly Bar Divisadero Fails Health Inspection Missing Sanitizer

Fly Bar Divisadero in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood failed a routine health inspection on October 29, 2025, with multiple critical violations involving sanitizer systems and handwashing facilities that could expose customers to dangerous foodborne pathogens. The most serious violation discovered during this inspection was a sanitizer bucket with no detectable sanitizer present, despite staff claims they knew to change it every four hours. Inspector Michael Mooney found the sanitizer bucket completely ineffective, creating a dangerous situation where dishes, utensils, and food contact surfaces remained contaminated with harmful bacteria throughout service.

Critical Sanitizer and Water Violations

The inspection revealed a cascade of equipment issues and handwashing violations that compromised food safety. The kitchen's handwashing sink had no soap available, violating basic sanitation requirements that protect against cross-contamination. Without soap, employees cannot properly remove bacteria and viruses from their hands after handling raw foods or touching contaminated surfaces. Adding to the water-related problems, the three-basin sink reached only 104 degrees Fahrenheit - far below the required 120 degrees needed for proper dish sanitization. The kitchen handwashing sink's hot water was completely turned off during the inspection. These temperature violations create ideal conditions for bacterial growth and prevent effective cleaning of dishes and cookware. The under-counter ware washing machine at the bar showed similar problems, producing insufficient sanitizer on its first cycle. Only after a second pass did the machine generate adequate sanitizer levels, suggesting inconsistent sanitization of glasses and bar equipment used directly with customer beverages.

Equipment and Infrastructure Deficiencies

Inspector Mooney documented additional equipment issues that hampered proper cleaning procedures. The three-basin sink lacked a spigot, making it impossible to fill the basins properly for washing dishes. This fundamental equipment failure forces staff to improvise cleaning methods that may not meet health code standards. The facility's flooring in the bar area showed significant wear, requiring future replacement to maintain sanitary conditions. Worn flooring can harbor bacteria and create cleaning challenges that affect overall hygiene standards.

Health Implications for Customers

These violations create serious health risks for patrons of the popular Haight-Ashbury establishment located at 762 Divisadero Street, near the N-Judah line. Without proper sanitization of food contact surfaces, customers face exposure to cross-contamination from raw foods, potentially leading to salmonella, E. coli, and other foodborne illnesses. The absence of soap at handwashing stations particularly concerns health experts, as unwashed hands are a primary vector for transmitting norovirus, hepatitis A, and other pathogens that cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

Restaurant Response and Next Steps

One violation was corrected on-site during the inspection, though the restaurant must address water temperature issues and handwashing station compliance before reopening. The inspector provided food safety guides and emphasized the importance of training staff to use test strips for monitoring sanitizer levels. This represents the first recorded inspection failure for Fly Bar Divisadero, as no previous inspection records were found in city databases. The restaurant must contact Inspector Michael Mooney at (415) 252-3802 for reinspection once hot water and handwashing facilities are properly repaired and operational.