The LES tiki bar formerly known as Painkiller apparently has addressed most of the sanitation issues that earned it 101 violation points from the city health department earlier this month. In its second inspection in 10 days on Monday, the artisan cocktail outlet on Essex Street earned only 24 points, a B on the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s graded scale.
Inspectors cited four violations, two of them critical. The June 3 inspection noted nine violations, seven of them critical.
In addition to the poor rating in the earlier inspection, the bar was also forced recently to surrender its name, Painkiller, as a result of trademark litigation. Its owners adopted the name PKNY, a long-held nickname used by its devoted fans, but the new health department records reflect the name “Tiki Bar.” Bar owners have declined comment on both the health department inspections and their legal battle with British Virgin Islands rum manufacturer Pusser’s, which has prompted bartenders and tiki geeks to rally in support of PKNY.
