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Summer Guide 2015

How to Do One Better Than The Starbucks Bathroom


The Jane Hotel  

Near the High Line: The Jane Hotel has bathrooms in the lobby. If you’re feeling bold, walk a little farther south and discreetly enter Bus Stop Cafe from the Bethune Street side door, where you’ll find two single rooms�one for men, one for women.

Near Smorgasburg in Brooklyn Bridge Park: Three blocks east on Montague and Henry, Le Pain Quotidien has a large one in the back.

On Governors Island: Of the island’s 12 bathrooms, only two have flush toilets. Of the two, the one next to the Manhattan ferry is more often clean. Bonus: The window-side stalls come with sunny river views.

Near Bryant Park: Just across 42nd Street, Pret a Manger has two unwatched, single-stall bathrooms in the back behind the booths. Or walk east past the library to the Andaz on Fifth Avenue and take an elevator to the oft-empty clublike bathrooms in the basement, just outside the bar.

On Coney Island: Make the best of a bad situation at Applebee’s, where the bathrooms are adequate and the servers may force you to order a drink at the bar. Grimaldi’s on Surf Avenue has two bathrooms and also generally requires a purchase, but at least the food’s pretty great.


The Carlyle  

Near the Prospect Park Bandshell: Cut straight east across the park to reach the Boathouse, where there are enormous�and clean�bathrooms free to use. Or download the Airpnp app, which will guide you to a guest bathroom in a nearby Park Slope condo and charge you $5.

Near Central Park SummerStage: Head east to Fifth Avenue, then walk a few blocks north to have your pick of grande dame hotels: the historic Carlyle, the boutique Surrey, and the fashion-forward Mark, all with pristine spacious bathrooms in their lobbies.

Near Commodore Barry Park: Exit the park on Flushing Avenue and head roughly four blocks east to the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s BLDG 92, a museum where admission is free and there are bathrooms on every floor.

On Rockaway Beach: On the north side by the water, Wharf Bar & Grill has small but clean bathrooms on the main floor.


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