A popular bar and restaurant in downtown Ocala that was closed after a failed inspection, scratched off a “closed” warning from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and failed multiple re-inspections.
Bank Street and Patio Bar was forced to close its doors on Thursday after a DBPR health inspector found 20 violations at the bar, which is located at 120 E Fort King Street.
Six of those violations were labeled as high priority.
Among the high priority violations were rodent activity, live small flying insects in multiple areas, and a toxic substance stored in the food preparation area with potential to cause cross contamination.
The facility was temporarily closed on Thursday, but on Friday, June 25, when the inspector visited the property again, the establishment had scratched off a DBPR “closed” sticker that was posted on the front gate.
The bar posted on its Facebook page that it was going through a renovation and that it would reopen on Friday.
That post has since been removed.
Upon a second visit the same day, the inspector found more than 20 live flies in multiple areas, multiple dead roaches, and live roach activity.
The facility remained closed and was inspected an additional two times.
In total, including the initial failed inspection, the restaurant has had five failed inspections in two days.
The last inspection shows two high priority violations and one basic violation remain: The presence of roaches, both living and dead, as well as live, small flying insects. Both of those issues have been recurring on all five inspections.
Bank Street Patio Bar opened the doors on its downtown Ocala location nearly two years ago in October 2019. Known for its live music and open-air atmosphere, the bar has seen a steady flow of customers since then.