Sometimes loos can tell more stories than a club
The author of this article shared his favorite eight toilets he came across, some during his travels and some he’d have liked to but he couldn’t. Not all these toilets still exist but their memories do.
1. CBGB – New York, NY (1973-2006)
The CBGB men’s room toilet is, and always will be, regarded by everyone who have used it as the standard-bearer for filthy punk rock toilets all across the world. It was supposedly the foulest, stenchiest room in all of Manhattan at the time; they didn’t even bother to place the toilet in a stall. It is merely there, waiting for all the NYC punks to ascend to the throne for the day.
Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth once told New York Magazine, “That’s the one thing that sears itself into your memory.”
The CBGB is now a damn John Varvatos store.
2. 924 GILMAN ST. – Berkeley, CA (1986-Present)
Bands like Green Day and Operation Ivy (and later Rancid) got their start at Berkeley’s legendary punk rock collective, 924 Gilman St. They are known for paying touring bands fairly at the end of the night, however they may wish to keep a small convenience fee on hand occasionally to clean the restrooms.
3. 7th STREET ENTRY – Minneapolis, MN (1980-Present)
Even though Prince‘s 1984 masterpiece Purple Rain was filmed at the famous Minneapolis rock ‘n’ roll palace First Avenue, it is also the best venue in the world to catch live music. The restrooms at First Avenue have a normal urinal and other rock club amenities.
The 250-seat 7th St. Entry is the sister club of First Avenue and is connected to it. The Entry’s one tiny restroom served as host to such headlines as extremely long queues, a continually squirted toilet seat, and an absolutely intolerable lack of sufficient ventilation from its opening in 1980 until the building was refurbished in 2010. The Twin Cities music community breathed out a frigid sigh of relief when they divided the one bathroom into two during renovations. When the renovations took place, the staff made a promotional video to boast about the upgrading of the Entry bathrooms.
4. FIRESIDE BOWL – Chicago, IL (1941-Present)
Around the turn of the century, it was a very well-liked location in Chicago for punk rock concerts in the late 1900s. Of course, dirty bathrooms are a guarantee at punk rock concerts. The Fireside, during the B.R.F. era, was known almost as much for its foul restrooms as it was for presenting some of the most legendary events in the Midwest (Before Riot Fest).
Check out the back cover of Scared of Chaka/Traitors split 7-inch to see some real photographic proof of this because it has proven tough to locate.
5. (Tie) THE MUTINY, THE SKYLARK – Chicago, IL
There are incredible urinals there. You really do appear to be falling short when it comes to significant punk rock bathrooms.
6. FOREST HILLS STADIUM – Queens, NY (2013-Present)
Yes, Forest Hills Stadium existed before to 2013. From 1968 to 1977, the U.S. Open was held in the exuberant 14,000-seat facility of the West Side Tennis Club. Over the years, it also served as a concert venue. For instance, Bob Dylan performed there in his first electric performance following Newport Folk Festival. You could be wondering how the hell this place is punk rock. The Ramones are from there, and it’s in Forest Hills! Too little for you? How about this portable restroom?
At first glance, this doesn’t appear to be very punk rock, save from memories of Riot Fest. But take a deeper look.
Over the door lock indication, can you see those two little metal screws? A 9-volt battery nearby? Everyone who knows does. That’s because the door to this truly opens when you press the battery’s contact points against the screws.
There is a tiny party light whirling up there, but you can’t see it. Once you pass through, you will be in a small, well-kept speakeasy. That might not be punk and is actually somewhat elitist, but the whole thing is punk as fuck. Additionally, the show is visible through those little portholes on the right. Because there will be free alcohol during the next Mumford and Sons concert at the stadium, don’t forget to pack a 9-volt battery. And what’s more punk than getting free alcohol from someone else?
7. LAKE STREET BAR – Brooklyn, NY (2013-Present)
Lake Street is the most Midwest-inspired pub you’ll ever encounter in Brooklyn. It was founded in 2013 by The Hold Steady drummer Bobby Drake, Spoon and The Get Up Kids bassist Rob Pope, and a few other guys. But that’s not the reason it’s the most awesome.
Hiro Tanaka is a well-liked figure in the punk rock community. He’s a Japanese photographer, road dog, and all-around great guy. Tanaka spent years touring with American bands while studying English. He took a ton of meticulous notes in notebook after notebook on everything he learned along the journey, particularly American slang. As a result, his notes are used as wallpaper in one of Lake Street’s bathrooms, which is wonderful.
8. RIOT FEST – Chicago, IL (2012-Present)
Riot has been around since 2005, but you couldn’t really experience it until the festival moved outside in 2012 due to the Congress Theater’s lack of porta potties. The plastic restrooms are now an integral element of Riot Fest culture.
