I encourage readers to make a day to visit different regions. Enjoy what they have to offer: museums, walking trails, restaurants, and, of course, breweries. Being a seasoned pro of this kind of afternoon, I have come to have my share of war stories involving public restrooms (and where to find them). It is the unfortunate ending for many a brewery visit. After sipping great beer with enjoyable company and delicious food, somewhere during the rest of the visit to the town or on the ride home it hits, the need to find a restroom. To highlight my craft brewery day trips public restroom escapade, I’ll share some of the highs and lows of craft brewery adventuring.
First off, since COVID, hotels are out. If you’re traveling in a highly-populated area, a quick dash into a Holiday Inn or Sheraton always provided quick comfort. Just walk past that front desk as if you belong there. Secondly, in more rural places, and especially during our current situation, secluded woods are always a good idea. (Just make sure it’s actually secluded.)
For this piece, I’m going to share with you some public restroom solutions, as well as a story or two of places you may want to avoid.
The Good
Plymouth, MA Public Restrooms
Plymouth, Massachusetts, has its share of craft libation establishments that are located downtown, including Second Wind and LlamaNama breweries. So are Plymouth Bay Winery and 1620 Winery, as well as Dirty Water Distillery. Couple a trip to one (or more) of these, along with a bite to eat and a tourist attraction such as the Mayflower II, and you have a perfect day out in downtown Plymouth. Luckily, Plymouth comes equipped for such an occurrence. Right in Pilgrim Memorial State Park is a public restroom. In a yellow, nondescript, wooden building is the restroom. For some, it is just a bathroom, for others, a needed destination.
The Unusual
Harpoon and Samuel Adams- Boston, MA
In college, a few friends and I embarked on a Boston brewery twofer (back when these were the only two in town). We took the T’s Orange Line to Stony Brook for the Samuel Adams tour and then back on the T to the Silver Line for Harpoon Brewery on the waterfront (in the now popular Seaport District). After a few samples in each and a quick burger and beer at Doyle’s near Sam Adams, I needed a restroom, quick.
I was in a desperate situation since a T station bathroom sounded less than desirable. Luckily, my friend Cho worked for the MBTA at the time. He had something nicknamed the “pee key.” At the subway platform at Park Street station, Cho took out the key and inserted it into a brick column. Hidden inside was a small bathroom (and astonishingly clean). It was quite honestly amazing!
The Ugly
Stone Brewery
During my last visit to San Diego a few years ago, my wife and I visited the Stone Brew Pub near Petco Park in downtown San Diego. After enjoying a nice meal and a few samples, we hit the road. Off to Ocean Beach for a walk. Of course, by now the samples hit. A busy day at the beach didn’t fare well for the state of this public restroom. By my four o’clock visit, it was quite disgusting. (This brewpub is also a recommended visit for an older crowd.)
Munich- Chinese Tower Beer Garden
After raising a liter glass of Helles beer at the Chinese Tower Beer Garden in the English Garden in Munich, Germany, I needed to find a restroom, quick! After painstakingly walking toward the subway, I saw the universal sign for a bathroom. The Universitat U-Bahn station’s restroom included a trough and had the most pungent odor that I think it will forever be ingrained in my nasal memory.
Public Restrooms, in Summary
Since COVID, a quick trip to a grocery store typically does the trick as well. Plymouth thankfully has a fine, if sterile public restroom. Others, such as the public restrooms at Pacific Beach or the Universitat U-Bahn station, I would recommend avoiding. And next time you’re at the Park Street Station in Boston, look for the hidden bathroom.
