Rat Seen Running Across Beer Taps at Pittsburgh Bar Prompts Health Inspection

The owner of The Urban Tap called the situation 'unacceptable' after a video showed a rat running across beer taps inside the bar.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A video showing a rat running across the beer taps at a Pittsburgh bar, The Urban Tap, has prompted a health inspection by the Allegheny County Health Department. The bar's owner addressed the incident, calling it 'unacceptable' and stating that the restaurant immediately contacted health officials and brought in additional pest control services after learning about the video. The health department's inspection report found rodent droppings in several areas of the building, including near the beer tap tower, in the basement, and under the stairs leading to the basement. The restaurant says its focus is on addressing the issue and rebuilding trust with customers.

Why it matters

The presence of a rat running across the beer taps at a bar raises significant health and safety concerns for the establishment and its customers. Rodent infestations can lead to the contamination of food and beverages, posing a risk of foodborne illnesses. This incident highlights the importance of proper sanitation and pest control measures in the food and beverage industry to maintain public trust and ensure the well-being of patrons.

The details

The video of the rat running across the beer taps at The Urban Tap was captured on Sunday and quickly spread online, drawing attention to the South Side gastropub and draft house. The bar's owner addressed the situation in a public statement, acknowledging that the incident was 'unacceptable' and that the restaurant immediately contacted the Allegheny County Health Department and brought in additional pest control services. The health department's inspection report found rodent droppings in several areas of the building, including near the beer tap tower, in the basement, and under the stairs leading to the basement. The restaurant says the nearby construction could be contributing to increased rodent activity in the area, but that does not excuse what happened.

  • The video of the rat was captured on Sunday, March 5, 2026.
  • The Allegheny County Health Department conducted an inspection of the restaurant and the building after the video surfaced.
  • A follow-up inspection by the health department is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

The Urban Tap

A Pittsburgh bar and gastropub located on East Carson Street.

Allegheny County Health Department

The local health department that conducted an inspection of The Urban Tap following the incident with the rat.

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What they’re saying

“A rat was found inside our restaurant. That is unacceptable. I am not going to minimize it, deflect it, or make excuses for it.”

— The Urban Tap Owner (Social Media)

“There is construction happening behind our building that has increased rodent activity in the area. That context matters — but it does not excuse what happened.”

— The Urban Tap Owner (Social Media)

“We will earn trust back through action — not words.”

— The Urban Tap Owner (Social Media)

What’s next

The Allegheny County Health Department has scheduled a follow-up inspection of The Urban Tap on March 16, 2026 to ensure the restaurant has addressed the issues found during the initial inspection, including the rodent droppings discovered in several areas of the building.

The takeaway

This incident at The Urban Tap highlights the importance of maintaining strict sanitation and pest control measures in the food and beverage industry. While the nearby construction may have contributed to the increased rodent activity, the bar's owner acknowledged that this does not excuse the presence of a rat on the premises. The focus now is on rebuilding customer trust through concrete actions to address the problem and prevent future occurrences, demonstrating the bar's commitment to food safety and quality.