Spuyten Duyvil

Yes, there are bars and bathrooms in Brooklyn as well, like this one at the Spuyten Duyvil, the home of rare and obscure beers. This bathrooms, located in the back of the bar on the right comes not only with the essentials - paper towels, enough toilet paper, mirror above the sink, antibacterial hand soap - but also provides its patrons with things to entertain themselves with while doing what it is they need to do. Just outside the bathroom is a bookshelf filled with entertaining reads, so you can occupy your time as you occupy the bathroom. Also, within the room, above the toilet is a can of chalk, for doodling on the walls if you get board. And, in case doodling is not your thing, it is certainly entertaining enough just to peruse the art on the walls to see how others pass their time in there.

• Cleanliness - 2.5 flushes (but this rating was on a Sunday afternoon. I've been told it gets much worse at night)
• Aroma - 2 flushes
• Pros - all the essentials, plus the activities
• Cons - one of two bathrooms in the bar, so there tends to be a line
• Overall experience - 2.5 flushes

Toilet-locator (courtesy of Google maps)

Sputnik

If you ever find yourself in Bed-Stuy in need of a bathroom followed by a libation, look no further than Sputnik. There is one bathroom on the main floor of Sputnik located to the right of the bar. With only one bathroom, there can be a wait, but at least you are able to pull up a seat at the bar and have a drink or a conversation with the bartender while you wait. The bathroom has all of the essentials: sink, hand soap, trash can, toilet paper and paper towels. It does, however, lack a real mirror. Instead of a typical above-the-sink mirror, there are 4 small circular ones, which don't really offer you the full picture. Also, the flushing mechanism for the toilet is a bit tricky. Instead of a knob or handle, there is a chain, which when pulled, makes you feel like you are going to pull over the tank. Luckily, no such travesty befell the bathroom users the evening I was at the bar, but mark my words, it will happen one day.

• Cleanliness - 2.5 flushes
• Aroma - 2.5 flushes
• Pros - plenty of toilet paper and ample space to move around in
• Cons - a little to close to all the action to feel like you have any privacy, mirror is lacking, nowhere to hang a coat or purse (except for over the door knob)
• Overall experience - 2.5 flushes

Southpaw

On a trip to Park Slope this weekend, I came across this bathroom at Southpaw. The bathrooms are located downstairs and the first thing you will notice are four free-standing sinks in between the two restrooms. I have to admit that at first I was a bit confused by their placement and general awkwardness. Maybe they are there since there is only a single sink in each of the official restrooms, which at the time I visited, did not have any soap or paper towels. Or perhaps they are there in case all of the urinals in the men's room are occupied. Another confusing thing is determining which is the men's room and which the women's. At least when I was there, the downstairs area was not very well lit and the black placards distinguishing the two genders were not very visible. Once inside the restrooms, there are a number of small stalls enclosed by curtains (at least on the women's side). The toilets are adequate and the space per stall is not excessive. There is also good reading material located on the walls of each stall, sure to keep you entertained. A single sink is loacted along the back wall of the bathroom, with a small mirror located above it. But go to the sinks outside of the restrooms if you want to wash your hands.

• Cleanliness - 3 flushes
• Aroma - 3 flushes
• Pros - with a couch located outside of the restrooms, you can take a rest from the bands upstairs, so many sinks, so little time
• Cons - you may feel as if you are peeing out in the open, since there are no doors, anywhere
• Overall experience - 3 flushes