Fraunces Tavern, FiDi Bar Bombed By Puerto Rican Nationalists, Closes Amid Rat And Roach Infestation

FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY — Fraunces Tavern, the Financial District restaurant famed as the target of a fatal bombing campaign carried out by Puerto Rican nationalists, was closed this week after city health inspectors found it infested with rats, roaches and flies.

"Fraunces Tavern had a severe pest infestation (rats, roaches and flies), food out of temperature and the presence of sewage water in a food preparation area, among other violations," the city's health department said in a statement.

Crain's was first to report that the restaurant, located at 54 Pearl St., racked up a whopping 85 points in an inspection on Monday. The results were posted online by the city. Restaurants get points for public health hazards and other violations that are identified, so the higher the score, the grosser a restaurant. To get an 'A' rating, a restaurant can't get more than 13 points.

City health officials can shut down a restaurant if it has either repeated or extensive violations. A restaurant can request a re-opening inspection after concerns are addressed.

The health department inspection reveals of litany of concerns at the famous Financial District spot, which first opened in 1762. Along with "filth flies" and the rodents, the restaurant's sewage disposal system and the "personal cleanliness" of employees were concerning.

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The owner of the tavern told Crain's that the restaurant's poor score was due to Manhattan's unseasonably wet spring.

"It was bad luck," Eddie Travers told Crains, explaining that water was pooling in the basement of the centuries-old restaurant. "In the past, inspectors have visited during dry periods."

Patch was unable to immediately contact Travers for additional comment.

During its last inspection in November, the tavern earned an 'A' rating and scored just 10 points.

It's unclear when or if the tavern will reopen. A notice posted on the restaurant's website says it will be closed "until further notice due to unforeseen structural issues."

"This is an unfortunate downside to being one of New York City’s oldest and most historic buildings," the notice says.

The tavern has been back in the headlines this month amid controversy over this weekend's Puerto Rican Day Parade. In 1975, a bomb at Fraunces Tavern killed four people and injured dozens more. Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional Puertorriqueña, the Puerto Rican nationalist group more commonly known as F.A.L.N., claimed responsibility for the attack hours after it rocked lower Manhattan

This year, organizers behind the Puerto Rican Day Parade chose to honor Oscar López Rivera, one of the founders of F.A.L.N. – a choice that sparked outrage from many and moved some politicians to opt out of marching in the parade. López Rivera later declined the "National Freedom Hero" honor that parade organizers wanted to bestow on him this weekend, although he said he will still march in the parade.

Lead image courtesy of Arun De Joe.