There’s no shortage of reasons to be out and about in NYC, whether you’re wandering through one of the city’s many parks, exploring a new neighborhood, running errands, or simply spending the day on the go. But all that time out in the city can come with one very familiar problem: where, exactly, are you supposed to find a bathroom?
While cafés and restaurants can sometimes come to the rescue, finding a clean, accessible public restroom when you actually need one isn’t always so easy. Now, NYC is taking a major step toward changing that.
The city has officially begun installing 17 new public bathrooms across all five boroughs, bringing free, accessible facilities to public plazas and high-traffic areas where reliable access has long been limited. The $4 million pilot introduces modular, fully touchless restrooms that are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., complete with running-water sinks, flushing toilets, climate control, and baby-changing stations.
Here is everything you need to know about where these new restrooms are located, how the tech works, and why this initiative matters for New Yorkers.
Where to Find the 17 New Public Restrooms
- The Bronx
- Yankee Stadium
- Admiral Farragut Playground
- Mapes Park
- Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square
- Brooklyn
- Columbus Park (Downtown Brooklyn)
- Milestone Park (Bensonhurst / New Utrecht)
- Fulton Street & Truxton Street (East New York)
- Avenue C Plaza (Kensington)
- Manhattan
- Cooper Square
- Malcolm X Plaza
- Delancey Street & Suffolk Street
- Plaza Alianza Dominicana
- Queens
- Astoria Boulevard South & 31st Street
- Northern Boulevard & 31st Street
- Northern Boulevard & 54th Street
- 34th Avenue & 64th Street
- Staten Island
- North Shore Esplanade
How Entry and Access Work
To keep the units safe, clean, and free from damages while remaining open to everyone, entry requires a quick tap or scan:
- Mobile Access: Unlock the door via QR code, SMS text message, or the Throne Bathroom Network app.
- Physical Tap Cards: For residents without mobile devices or smartphones, physical tap cards are being distributed through local community partners and outreach teams.
- App Features: The Throne app also lets users check real-time cleanliness ratings, find nearby units, and verify whether a restroom is currently occupied or available.
By bringing free, clean, and safe facilities directly to public plazas, NYC is helping ensure that taking care of basic human needs while on the move is treated as a matter of simple dignity, not a daily obstacle.