The Back Room
1011 Hamilton St, Vancouver BC V6B 5T4 · Food Service Establishment 1
Inspection summary
The Back Room has been inspected 12 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since October 24, 2019. The most recent inspection, on February 20, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.
3 of 12 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.
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 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 12, 2025. For example:
All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
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 September 23, 2022. For example:
Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 21, 2020. For example:
The premises is free of pests.
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 These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.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 20, 2025. For example:
A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
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 3 times on July 21, 2020. For example:
Maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated on the premises has been determined
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.
12 inspections
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Mechanical glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Routine
2 infractions
- 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.
- Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
1 infraction
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
1 infraction
- A food service establishment must have written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
- Routine
2 infractions
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- 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.
- Request
11 infractions
- 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
- Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
- 2m distance between backs of seats at different tables is maintained at all times
- No events over 50 people on premises
- 2m separation maintained between patrons of different parties, except when partition in place
- Maximum of 6 patrons per table
- Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
- COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
- COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patrons that can be accommodated
- 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
1 infraction
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises has signs of rodent activity.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- 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.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises has signs of insect activity.
- Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
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