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uptowngirl
uptowngirl

Where in NYC do you go when you have to'go'

Back in the day when I used visit NYC as a tourist I always used to wonder at the lack of public restrooms/toilets in such a heavily tourist trafficked city. When I asked around people said that the main reason that NYC didnt have many public access restrooms was due to the fact that they were in the danger of being occupied by 'homeless' folk hence. Anyway over the years I have developed my own little list of public access restrooms in NYC which are relatively easy to find and use. Do feel fre

1. The Starbucks stores. The coffee chain has over 200 stores in NYC and thankfully none of them sport the sign 'Restroom for customers' only as do many restaurants and cafes in NYC.
http://www.starbuckslocations.org/new-york-starbucks-locations-starbucks-stores-starbucks-hours/new-york
2. Macy's Herald Square
I personally have used the various ladies lounges which are located on various floors through out the store. Some can be a bit 'icky' at times but others are passable.I am sure Macy's in Queens and Brooklyn do have similair facilities as well but need to double check this.
3. Bloomingdales at 59th Street
Some of the best restrooms in the city. Almost always clean though can get a bit crowded especially on the second floor which hosts the young ladies contemporary collections.

4. Barney's at Madison Avenue
For such a tony store sometimes the restrooms are not very clean but definitely usable.
5. Central Park

Thankfully NYC's iconic patch of green has several restrooms.I have tested the ones near the boathouse which were quite adequate.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=aboutpark_history_faqs_restrooms
6. Banana Republic Stores

Most BR stores in NYC are equipped with a restroom and you dont have to buy a thing to be able to use them.
http://www.insiderpages.com/store_finder/results/banana_republic/NewYork/NY
Question asked via StreetAdvisor The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of Douglas Elliman.
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19 Comments

Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
It's been a while since I was inside the Starbuck's at Astor Place, but don't you have to ask a cashier for the key (and therefore have to purchase something) ?
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
I guess this isn't as much of an issue for guys, right? I can't remember when I was last worried about where to go if I needed to.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I think most places, even your local diners, are pretty good about restoom service - even if they have an official "Policy" - they're not likely to deny a poor desperate soul some...erm...relief.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Normally, I go before I leave home. But when the time comes and I have to go, most of that time I am in a restaurant with my girlfriend. If that is the case, I go there. I rarely am out since I have a steady flow of business. So I don't have to worry about going.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@uraniumfish I have been at the Starbucks at Astor Place without asking the cashier for the key so also at Union Square, Wall Street etc :)
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Bloomingdale's in Soho. It's so big, there is no way anyone would catch on to you doing a drop-in.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
@DBlack - you aren't one of those guys who just pees on cars and sidewalks, are you? Why do guys do that?

I'm not sure about the Starbucks in Astor, but most Starbucks leave their bathrooms available for anyone to use - but who knows how much the appreciate the non-customer traffic.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
I agree with adjadeidealist that most places will be understanding, especially if you ask nicely. That would have to be one mighty brutish waiter/staff person to let you hop from one foot to the other. I'd probably favor little cafes and shops over big chains, because I'm guessing a lot of big chains have those dreaded "policies" and you never can tell when an officious staff person will start thinking he wants to enforce it.

JenMac's strategy is also good: big places where you can get lost in the crowd.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish that's disgusting ! ! I once saw a documentary which showed that the London had installed portaloos outside bars and clubs for this very reason. They are apparently coin operated and reasonably clean. I have yet to see one myself but perhaps NYC should think along the same lines though perhaps louts like the one you mentioned wouldn't care either which way.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Ugh! Good thing he's taken. One thing less for the rest of us!
@uptowngirl - Paris has free portaloos that auto-clean and lock during the cleaning period - very high-tech and not unpleasant. They also have motion sensors to make sure squatters don't stay overnight...
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish well said!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish We seem to see a lot of men peeing in the street - the other day I passed one just peeing on the sidewalk in the middle of Broadway - he had his back to me, but was facing the road. Granted there wasn't a whole lot of traffic around, but he was just acting as if they world was his toilet. And what is with that girlfriend? Have people no shame?
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps LOL! I promise! I'm not one of those guys! On my honor! LOL! My mother raised me well!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@DBlack that's a relief!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@uptowngirl Is that an intentional pun? :)
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
I was trained well by my parents. I never pee out in the open like that. I have more class and dignity. I'll wait till I get to where I am going and use the facilities.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK :):)

@hhusted that's good know, just for the record none of the men in my acquaintance would pee in the street no matter how drunk they were.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Yeah, too disgusting. Plus, I'm too private.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK, uptowngirl Hahaha-- nice.

@BroadwayBK No, people have no shame. Which gets us back to that talk of skipping that day in kindergarten. Seems like a lot of people were absent that day.
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