Sam's Bar food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Blackburn
Sam's Bar holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 28 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: 4 Higher Church Street, Blackburn, BB2 1JG
How it compares in Blackburn
That puts Sam's Bar among the 738 places in Blackburn holding top marks, 69% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 738 | 69% | ← Sam's Bar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 136 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 84 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 50 | 5% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 66 | 6% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 233 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Sam's Bar none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Sam's Bar, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedfords Cooked Meats Retailers - other | 114 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2024 |
| Bubble CiTea Distributors/Transporters | 114 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 June 2022 |
| 4WAYZ Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 145 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 December 2025 |
| Admiral Other catering premises | 149 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 July 2025 |
| Crust Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 173 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 July 2025 |
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 185 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 July 2024 |
| Caesars Pizza House Takeaway/sandwich shop | 204 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 June 2024 |
| B&M Retail Retailers - other | 209 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 April 2024 |
Questions about Sam's Bar
What is Sam's Bar's food hygiene rating?
Sam's Bar has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Blackburn Council on 28 August 2023.
Is Sam's Bar safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Sam's Bar last inspected?
Sam's Bar was last inspected on 28 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Blackburn Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Sam's Bar?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Sam's Bar compare to other places in Blackburn?
69% of the 1,076 rated food businesses in Blackburn hold the top rating of 5, and Sam's Bar is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Blackburn Council inspects Sam's Bar and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Sam's Bar and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Sam's Bar is one of 1,179 rated food businesses in Blackburn With Darwen. See every hygiene rating in Blackburn With Darwen →
Blackburn inspects and rates 1,309 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Blackburn →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.blackburn.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →