Back and Forth Bar
303 Columbia St, Vancouver BC V6A 2R7 · Food Service Establishment 1
Inspection summary
Back and Forth Bar has been inspected 6 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since September 26, 2017. The most recent inspection, on February 24, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
2 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.
Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 24, 2026. For example:
The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded once on February 24, 2026. For example:
Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 6 times on October 31, 2020. For example:
Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
Permits, records and postingLower risk
Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.
Recorded 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 24, 2026. For example:
Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 20, 2023. For example:
A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
About this data
These results come from Vancouver Coastal Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
6 inspections
- Routine
4 infractions
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution concentration is too high.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
- Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
- Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
4 infractions
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Request
12 infractions
- COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
- Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
- Maximum number of patrons allows for 2m separation between patrons of different parties at all times
- 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
- Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
- Maximum of 6 patrons per table
- No events over 50 people on premises
- Licensed premises only provide liquor service between 9am and 10pm
- Patrons in licensed premises are assigned to a table and shown their seats by a staff member
- Patrons remain seated while at a licensed establishment, except to use the washroom or leave (Exception: licensed premises with manufacturing license)
- Background music is no louder than the volume of normal conversation
- Reservation contact information is kept for 30 days: First name, last name, and phone number or email of at least one member of every party
- Routine
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
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