According to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality's public inspection database, inspectors ordered Fairweather, located at 793 J Street, closed during a routine inspection on July 31 after documenting a major vermin violation, a minor food-contact surface violation, and out-of-compliance conditions involving ventilation and lighting as well as the maintenance of floors, walls and ceilings. No numerical inspection score or letter grade was issued because the facility was ordered closed.
County records show inspectors returned later that same day for a follow-up reinspection and documented no remaining violations. Although the County's online database lists the result simply as "Complete," Fairweather confirmed to SanDiegoVille that it was subsequently authorized to resume operations.
"Yes we are open and authorized by the County to Open," co-owner Ted Lang wrote in an email to SanDiegoVille. Addressing the inspection findings, Lang added that the County's major vermin violation referred to "dead cockroaches." He declined to elaborate further, stating, "There will be no further comment at this time."
Under San Diego County's inspection system, restaurants ordered closed may reopen after inspectors verify that the conditions leading to the closure have been corrected.
The July 31 enforcement action is not the first time Fairweather has faced significant health inspection issues.
County records show the East Village rooftop bar was repeatedly ordered closed during a series of inspections in July 2024. A routine inspection on July 24 cited a major vermin violation along with deficiencies involving food-contact surfaces, nonfood-contact surfaces, warewashing facilities, equipment and utensil storage, exclusion measures, and the condition of floors, walls and ceilings.
The business remained under closure orders during additional reinspections on July 26 and July 29, both of which again documented major vermin violations. Inspectors also cited issues involving hot and cold water and pest exclusion measures before Fairweather was ultimately approved to reopen on July 30, 2024.
That closure followed another difficult inspection just weeks earlier. During a June 2024 routine inspection, Fairweather received an 83 and a "B" grade after inspectors documented a major handwashing violation, multiple minor food safety violations and several operational deficiencies involving sanitation, plumbing, equipment maintenance and permitting.
Since then, the restaurant's inspection history had shown noticeable improvement. Fairweather earned a 98 and an "A" grade during a July 30, 2024 inspection, followed by a 96 and an "A" in December 2024. During its September 2025 routine inspection, the business received a 93 and an "A," despite inspectors citing a major reheating violation, a minor handwashing-facility violation and warewashing deficiencies.
The latest closure therefore represents a setback after nearly two years of improved inspection performance. It also occurred during one of the busiest weekends of the baseball season, with the San Diego Padres hosting a packed home series against division rival San Francisco Giants just steps away at Petco Park.
County inspection reports generally do not describe the specific facts underlying a "major vermin" violation, instead identifying only the violation category. Such findings may involve evidence of rodents or insects significant enough to require immediate corrective action and, when necessary, temporary closure. In Fairweather's case, Lang told SanDiegoVille the violation involved "dead cockroaches," although the County's inspection report does not specify the number, location or other details supporting the citation.
Fairweather occupies the second-floor rooftop of the historic Simon Levi Building overlooking Petco Park and Gallagher Square. Since opening in 2014, the bar has become one of downtown San Diego's best-known pregame and postgame destinations, drawing crowds with panoramic ballpark views, tropical-inspired cocktails and an open-air patio.
The concept was originally developed by Consortium Holdings, the hospitality group behind Neighborhood, Craft & Commerce, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Polite Provisions and Born & Raised. Cocktail veteran Anthony Schmidt helped create Fairweather as a rooftop bar celebrating "drinks from sunny places," featuring classics such as daiquiris, mai tais, Zombies and piña coladas.
Downstairs, the group simultaneously opened Rare Form, a European-inspired delicatessen and schnapps bar. Together, the two concepts transformed the former Proper Gastropub space into one of East Village's most recognizable hospitality destinations.
Consortium Holdings sold Rare Form and Fairweather in 2017 to a partnership led by Mark Harp and Edward Lang, who indicated at the time that they intended to preserve both concepts.
Today, Fairweather continues to operate as a rooftop cocktail destination above its ground-floor restaurant, offering Mexican-inspired fare including tacos, burritos, burgers, ceviche and carne asada fries alongside its extensive cocktail menu and unobstructed views into Petco Park.
Fairweather is located at 793 J Street in San Diego's East Village. For more information, visit fairweatherbar.com.
Originally published on August 2, 2026.
