NEED TO KNOW
A video shows a rat running across beer taps at a Pittsburgh bar
The Urban Tap owner called the incident “unacceptable” in a public statement
A health inspection found rodent droppings but no active infestation, according to reports
A Pittsburgh bar is responding after a video showed a rat running across its beer taps, prompting a health inspection and a public apology from the owner.
Footage captured Sunday inside The Urban Tap on East Carson Street appears to show a rodent moving across the draft beer tap system behind the bar. The clip quickly spread online, drawing attention to the South Side gastropub and draft house.
Following the incident, the bar’s owner addressed the situation in a statement shared on social media.
“A rat was found inside our restaurant. That is unacceptable,” the statement read. “I am not going to minimize it, deflect it, or make excuses for it.”
Stock photo of a rat near food
Credit: Getty
According to the company, the Allegheny County Health Department conducted an inspection of the restaurant and the building after the video surfaced.
In the statement, the owner said the restaurant immediately contacted health officials and brought in additional pest control services after learning about the incident.
“We conducted a full inspection of the building with the Allegheny Health Department, reinforcing all possible entry points, increasing monitoring, and tightening our sanitation and nightly procedures,” the statement said.
The owner also noted that nearby construction could be contributing to increased rodent activity in the area. “There is construction happening behind our building that has increased rodent activity in the area,” the statement explained. “That context matters — but it does not excuse what happened.”
According to the health department’s inspection report, cited by CBS News, inspectors did not find evidence of an active pest infestation.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
However, rodent droppings were reportedly discovered in several areas of the building, which included near the beer tap tower, in the basement and under the stairs leading to the basement. Health officials said those issues must be addressed before a follow-up inspection scheduled for March 16.
In the meantime, the restaurant says its focus is on addressing the issue and rebuilding trust with customers. “We will earn trust back through action — not words,” the statement concluded.
Read the original article on People