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The Halifax Beer Garden

1549 LOWER WATER, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

The Halifax Beer Garden has been inspected 4 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since August 12, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 2, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

1 of 4 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: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Chemicals and toxic substances.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 29, 2024. For example: 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on August 12, 2024. For example: 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.

  • 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 once on October 2, 2026. For example: 20(2) A washroom facility must be constructed, equipped, and designed in accordance with the Nova Scotia Building Code.

About this data

These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), 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.

4 inspections

  1. Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
      • Repair flooring in the dish pit so that surfaces are smooth, non-porous, and easily cleanable.
    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • Repair the wall in the staff washroom to prevent the entry and movement of pests.
    • 20(2) A washroom facility must be constructed, equipped, and designed in accordance with the Nova Scotia Building Code.
      • Install a self-closing device on the staff washroom door.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Clean and sanitize the following areas affected by rodent droppings: at floor/wall junctions in the staff washroom and at floor/wall junctions in the kitchen.
  2. Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Paper towel dispenser/holder required at the hand wash sink in the red bar to ensure sanitary dispensing of paper towel for drying clean hands.
  4. Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 19(1)(c) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following:  (c) that the surfaces and materials are durable, non-toxic and are easy to maintain, clean and sanitize;
      • Flooring in the bar by the glass washer observed in poor condition with holes. Repair or replace flooring so that it is smooth, non-porous and easily cleanable.
    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Hand wash sink by the back door observed with water supply removed and no handles on the faucet. Hand wash sink must be supplied with hot and cold water under pressure and handles must be functioning.
    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • Paper towel dispenser/holder required at the hand wash sink in the red bar to ensure sanitary dispensing of paper towel for drying clean hands.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Fruit flies and debris build-up observed on the wall/floor under the keg taps in the blue bar. Clean and sanitize floor to remove debris build-up.
    • 34 An operator must ensure that a food establishment is operated so that all food and food ingredients are processed, manufactured, handled, prepared, packaged, served, sold, offered for sale or distribution free of charge, dispensed, displayed and stored in a manner that prevents contamination and adulteration.
      • Ice scoop observed stored directly in beverage ice in the blue and red bars. Ice scoops must be stored in a manner to prevent contamination of beverage ice (e.g. in a clean container).
    • 47(2)(a) An operator must (a) provide adequate food safety information to enable the purchaser to handle, store, process, prepare or display the food safely; and
      • Unpasteurized cold pressed juice is being used in cocktails. If unpasteurized juice is being used for cocktails then the public must be notified of the increased health risk.

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