MANHATTAN — Boots & Saddle was closed by the city Health Department until it can rustle up some more cleanliness.
The bar, at 76 Christopher St., which has been open for roughly four decades, was shuttered Thursday night after inspectors from the Department of Health hit it with 60 health violation points, according to the agency's website.
The bar, which in 2009 the Village Voice named the city's best gay dive bar, was cited for evidence of rats, inadequate hand-washing facilities and improper use of pesticides.
Owner Robert Ziegler said he and workers cleaned the bar over the weekend in preparation for a follow-up inspection Monday afternoon, after which he hopes they'll be able to reopen.
"We're clean and we've always been clean," Ziegler said. "These are all old buildings around here, and every place around here has a mouse problem."
He estimated that the bar lost some $20,000 for being closed through the weekend.
Boots & Saddle received just 16 points in its last inspection on June 21, according to the Health Department website. The bar was cited then for evidence of mice and improper sanitation of surfaces that come in contact with food. Mice were also cited during an April 11 inspection.
Under the grading system the city introduced in July 2010, establishments with 28 or more violation points receive a "C" grade — the lowest given before closure. The Health Department immediately shutters restaurants and bars with "conditions that may be hazardous to public health," according to its website.
