CHELSEA — Longtime Irish pub Peter McManus Cafe was shut down by the Health Department this week — its second closure in less than two months.
Health inspectors found evidence of mice, unwashed food preparation surfaces, contaminated food and hot food that was allowed to get cold during a visit to the 78-year-old bar on Monday and ordered it closed, records show.
Officials also found that the 152 Seventh Ave. spot's supervisor lacked a city-mandated Food Protection Certificate. In all, the restaurant racked up 61 violation points, records show.
The restaurant was also shut down after a May 3 health inspection, when authorities hit the pub with 53 violation points for similar issues, records show.
McManus was still shut at lunchtime on Wednesday, and a worker said the bar's owners hoped to reopen by Thursday. The owners could not immediately be reached for comment.
The family-owned bar opened in 1936 and has appeared in many movies and TV shows, including "Keeping the Faith," "Seinfeld" and "Saturday Night Live."
The bar is also a favorite of "SNL" cast members and alumni for the show's afterparties.
A steady trickle of passersby were bewildered by the bar's closure Wednesday.
"That's so f---ing sad," shouted one woman after seeing the Health Department's closure sign. "This place is an institution."
