Restroom Ratings » New York

Sync Magazine Offices

Jon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

We’re all adults here right? All of regular stature – no one shorter than 5 feet among the whole bunch. Yet, we must constantly grapple with the fact that one of our urinals is for people of regular height and the other for the vertically-challenged. You could say one for the "pee" and one for the "wee". Guys, you know this dilemma. You walk in a split second after another guy and end up having to crouch delicately over the 9 inch urinal while Joe-nonchalant to your left snickers to himself. Of course, if I had my druthers, I’d gladly take this position over wily smart-ass kids marking their territory every which way because they weren’t tall enough to reach the porcelain.

This 11th floor restroom in the offices of Ziff-Davis Publications definitely had good intentions, with a bright decor and modern accessible hardware. Clearly marked signs remind you to "flush toilet tissue only". Let’s hope there’s a few more things they let you flush. Another ad hoc sign reads "SAVE WATER: PLEASE REPORT ANY WATER LEAKS…" – what may seem like a call to action for concerned stewards of the environment may actually be a ploy to save face for the lackeys in building maintenance. Here’s the real kicker, taped up to a sign forbidding men from standing up and urinating in the toilet (since when is that illegal, must be those gol-derned Democrats again) is a hand-drawn look-alike with the same iconography – except this man is puking into the toilet.

This restroom is definitely showing signs of use. Whether it be the flecks of toothpaste saliva splattered on the mirror from the overzealous hygenics or the chaotic distribution of paper towels and toilet paper on the floor. One of the toilet seat hinges is unnervingly loose making one wonder what dramatic moment spurred this damage. One urinal (you guessed it, the short one) tends to flush sloppily and there is always an assortment of reading materials (hmmm.. what to read) in the stalls – evidence of countless on-the-clock breaks throughout the day.

Museum of Modern Art

Jon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of museums – particularly modern art musems – are the incredible way they can take the ordinary, the everyday, and present it in a manner which engages you. At the famous MoMA, commercial design – among other art forms – has found it’s way to the gallery walls. Sure there’s Gauguins and Picassos, but there’s also toasters and iPods and, dare I say, Totos. The sculpted cone-egg urinals in the men’s room hang at varying heights along a start white tile wall. Most will say they have one purpose. That is – to collect and dispose of men’s urine. But upon entering this restroom, you cannot help but admire the beautiful curves of the porcelain and take note of other features such as the cylindrical stainless steel stall locks or the unique design of the faucets. Of course I also noticed the obscene amount of sink splash around the counters, perhaps an indicator of a failed design. It appears the deep circular sinks, while interesting and attractive, may be too small to contain the aggressive handwashing of the public at large.

Connolly’s – E. 54th St.

Jon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Connolly’s Irish pub and restaurant at 54th Street has a remarkably small but tidy and efficient restroom downstairs. I should’ve known what to expect judging from the width of the plank wood door (no fatties, please). Inside it was about the size of an airplane lavatory – complete with a tiny sink. The clutterfree design, however, ensured maximum use of the space and two mirrors on adjacent walls may help ease claustrophobic patrons. The trash was empty, paper supplies were stocked and everything else was in general clean and working order.

Bryant Park

Jon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This restroom is in a public park in Midtown Manhattan and anyone can use it whenever the park is open. It features fresh flowers, mosaic tile, cove lighting, marble counters, touchless fixtures, a full-length mirror, and full-time attendants. It’s nicer than the restrooms in most 5-star hotels!

Washington Square

Jon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Considering that it’s used by hundreds of homeless men every day, the men’s room in Washington Square Park is usually pretty clean and there is almost always a worker there to make sure it stays that way. The major issue with this restroom is the fact that the toilets have NO STALLS! I don’t mean no doors, I mean no stalls at all. In the back of the restroom, there’s five toilets just sitting in a row, with nothing separating them from each other, and just a wall separating them from the rest of the room. Again, it’s kept admirably clean, but having to sit on the toilet in full view of anyone who walks by is an exercise in nerves and humility. It will do in an emergency if you’re not too bashful.