Planet of the Grapes

1230 5th Ave. at 104th Street

When an establishment contains multiple bathrooms, it often is handing their customers a two-edged sword. The second or even third bathroom presents a choice, and hopefully some diversity. On the other hand, with every choice comes a question. Where is the upstairs bathroom? Why is this particular bathroom less accessible to the public? What celebrities have used this facility? Why do bad things happen to good people? Now that the needy toilet-seeker has the choice, they already develop judgements on each bathroom in the establishment without even using them. El Museo del Barrio’s gallery bathroom distinguishes itself from that of the Hecksher Building’s by requiring that you pay to enter the museum. Though it’s suggested donation, the simple presence of a price tag often sends visitors to the Hecksher’s aforementioned “oner.”

All assumptions aside, the gallery bathroom is worth the price of suggested donation (see also, “So I can pay twenty-five cents?”). The walls are white-painted brick against a dark tile floor, bringing back memories of grade school. A large handicap stall with a baby changing station at least reminds you that you are an adult, possibly a parent, and not having disturbing flashbacks. When we visited, the baby station was broken in what we can only assume was a fatal “toddler gang war.” Perhaps even more disturbing than the broken station and the cold, mechanical look of the restroom is the cryptic graffiti on the wall opposite the mirrors. A picture of a woman is spray painted on, accompanied by words written backwards. If you look in the mirror you can read them properly, but we found it more appealing when it was illegible.

Rating: 5.5