A premium lounge and bar in downtown Ocala was temporarily closed last week after an inspector cited the establishment for multiple health code violations, including the presence of dozens of rat droppings.
18 South was temporarily closed on Friday, November 15, after the business was cited for 11 health code violations, according to an inspection filed with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
At least two of the 11 violations were considered “high-priority,” including evidence of rodent activity. During the inspection, the report notes that 15 rat droppings were found in the corner of the sports bar kitchen, 5 droppings were found along some stairs, and 10 droppings were found under some storage racks.
The report notes that all of the droppings were found in the “first floor loft” of the establishment, which is located at 18 S Magnolia Avenue, across from Ocala’s Historic Downtown Square.
According to the report, the manager had an employee clean up the droppings and pest control was put “on notice” of the issue.
The report further notes that use of a dish machine chlorine sanitizer was discontinued for not having the machine operating at “proper minimum strength.”
According to state records, the establishment was reinspected at around 8:37 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, and was permitted to reopen after no violations were noted.
18 South opened its doors in April of this year. The organization offers a premium membership and recently celebrated the opening of a new sports bar on its first floor.