The best public restooms in New York City!
Sooner or later you’ll need one. Although NY has a store on every corner, you might find it hard to find a decent restroom when you really need one! Truth is the most obvious options are usually at McDonald’s or Starbucks! But having lived here for six years now, I’ve got some experience and I’ve picked some places that have gained my trust overtime. Here I’ve selected some restrooms other than the Starbucks ones, where there’s always an endless line and no men/women distinction. Not to mention the fact that keeping those clean is not always easy. For that reason, I’d like to remind everyone to do their best to keep public restrooms as decent as possible. For more tips of NY, my instagram is @marthasachser, my snap is marthanewyork and my chanel is THIS ONE.
Bloomingdale’s
My favorite! I go there to charge my phone, kill some time, put on make up or even take a nap because yep, their lady’s room lounge is amazing! I don’t know about the one in Soho or West Side, but if you’re by Lexington with 60th Street, you should totally go there. Their department store is beautiful and also offers dining places such as Le Train Bleu, David Burke, Magnolia Bakery among others.
The Plaza Hotel
The place itself is already amazing! The Plaza Hotel is glamorous like no other and has an amazing food court, perfect for cold or rainy days. Their restrooms are obviously perfect for use. The same goes for most fancy hotels in the city. In most of them there’s a restroom at the main lobby, so it’s pretty easy to find it (you can always ask someone for directions, though).
Apple Store
Another great stop that is usually overlooked! I’ve already used the on in Soho a couple of times (to change in between a photo-shoot and another). I super recommend it!
Time Warner Center
One of my favorite places, in more than one way! I love the Columbus Circle area and the time warner center is undoubtedly a life saver! As you’d expect, their restrooms are in perfect condition and pretty accessible.
The David Rubenstein Atrium @ Lincoln Center
The Lincoln Center is nearly a parallel universe. I get there and plus there’s art everywhere! As a consequence, it wouldn’t fail to deliver a great public restroom. There’s even wifi there (if you can’t make it to the closest Apple Store).
Barnes and Nobles
I’ve spent hours sitting on the floor of bookstores and between a book and another I’ve always had a coffee break, to get some water and use the bathroom. Their restrooms are not usually in your sight so you should probably ask for informational.
Bryant Park
Too much love for this park, which happens to be one of my favorite places in the city! In the summer there is usually a long line, but let me tell you: it is worth the wait! It’s always clean and next to the New York Public Library.
Rockefeller Center
I’ve never used this one but it is said to be pretty clean. Getting there is not as easy, though. I believe so because I’ve walked past the place several times and I never noticed it. It’s in the basement and all you have to do is ask an employee and the direction problem will be solved.
Macy’s and other department stores
These are usually located in strategic places in the city, places you’ll probably be close to if you’re a tourist (Herald Square, 5th Avenue, Union Square Lexington, etc). So here’s the tip: if you can’t find a restroom, look for the department stores such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Century 21, Nordstrom, etc. At the Union Square there’s also a Best Buy with a great restroom!
Port Authority, Grand Central and Penn Station
And last but not least, despite the intense flow of people 24/7, the train stations in NYC are said to have available restrooms and in a decent condition, since there’s always too many people it’s also hard to keep it tidy.
For a complete list of the public restrooms in New York, click here!
Hotel Lobby
We know a hotel lobby is meant to be used by hotel guests only but if you can’t find another one close by, a hotel lobby is the place to go and they are usually super clean!
For more NY tips, my instagram is @marthasachser, my snap is marthanewyork and my chanel is THIS ONE.
