Skip to content
Loading map…

PLAYA BOWLS

493 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, Manhattan, NY 10011 · Restaurant (Frozen Desserts)

Inspection summary

PLAYA BOWLS has been inspected 7 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since July 27, 2023. The most recent inspection, on July 13, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 7 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 25, 2025. For example: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 13, 2026. For example: No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.

  • 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 once on July 13, 2026. For example: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 13, 2026. For example: Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 13, 2026. For example: 20-06: Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted

About this data

These results come from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), 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.

7 inspections

  1. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 20-06: Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted
      • Not Critical
  2. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 04A: Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
      • Critical
    • 04P: Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packaged, or served.
      • Critical
    • 06F: Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
      • Critical
    • 10F: Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
      • Not Critical
    • 05D: No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
      • Critical
  3. Calorie Posting / Re-inspection

    1 infraction

    • 16-03: Caloric content not posted on menus, menu boards or food tags, in a food service establishment that is 1 of 15 or more outlets operating the same type of business nationally under common ownership or control, or as a franchise or doing business under the same name, for each menu item that is served in portions, the size and content of which are standardized.
  4. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    4 infractions

    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 04A: Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 10B: Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
      • Not Critical
  5. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 04P: Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packaged, or served.
      • Critical
    • 04L: Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  6. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 04N: Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  7. Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 05D: No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
      • Critical
    • 04A: Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
      • Critical

Nearby inspected facilities

  • KIM'S KIMBAP

    496 6 AVENUE, Manhattan, NY 10011

    1 inspection

  • MURRAY'S BAGELS

    500 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, Manhattan, NY 10011

    3 inspections

  • BAR SIX

    502 6 AVENUE, Manhattan, NY 10011

    3 inspections

  • CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL

    504 6 AVENUE, Manhattan, NY 10011

    3 inspections

  • OCAFE

    482 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, Manhattan, NY 10011

    7 inspections

  • PINKBERRY

    509 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, Manhattan, NY 10011

    4 inspections

  • SALAM

    104 W. 13TH ST. (UNIT ONE), Manhattan, NY 10011

    2 inspections

  • FAMOUS BAGEL BUFFET

    510 6 AVENUE, Manhattan, NY 10011

    7 inspections

Own this business? Add a badge to your website