Viewers Rate NYC Bars
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Comments - Good neighborhood bar. A fairly good selection of moderately priced beer. A good place to hang out for a few beers and a burger during the week or when school is out. It gets packed with Columbia students on the weekends. - D.C.
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Comments - All pretensions aside, this place is well worth the while. This gigantic bar gets high marks for its wall of seventies and eighties lunchboxes, its spacious pool-room, and its rockabilly/punk jukebox. . - M.B.

My impression is that Ace Bar tries to be everything to everyone. If MTV did specials from bars, they'd probably shoot it there. It has the jukebox, the tattooed bartenders, the pool tables, but no soul, no grit. A rock 'n 'roll cliché. – S.G.

Ace...very East Villagey place, with its accompanying quota of "look at me aren't I bohemian" posers. Decent heavy juke box. Another thing - they ALWAYS ask for ID, so take some.- D.L.
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Comments - Located in the basement of Acme Bar & Grill (hence the name), Acme Underground is a live music venue for up and coming NY bands. Its just what you would expect from a hard rocking basement place: no frills, grungy bathrooms, loud music. Crowds vary depending on who is playing. Most are either regulars, or one-timers only there to see their friends' bands. - S.M.

A great venue for good live music. Stop by if you're ever in the area. And go upstairs for some incredible Cajun-style cooking. - H.
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Comments - Over 200 beers, over 50 types of tequila, really good foo foo mexican food, great bartenders. - S.V.

This bar is off the hook. Killer CD player rocks to some of the most bizarre mixes I've ever heard. Where the hell did this place come from? One night its a mellow, quaint Mexican Adobe and the next night you have some lunatic chicks dancing on the bar kicking your drink into your lap. Real freak show. The couple of nights I was there [on vacation from life] I saw every mix of people under the sun jammin', there was Broadway folk, actors, stagehands, slew of Irish hotties, firemen, hot hot flight attendants, ....whatever, I didn't hook up. I met some chick that I thought I would hook up with but after buying her 20 drinks she broke down in tears about how much in love she was with this bartender. Can't win 'em all. Final note, the owner, some tattooed chap named Jim, is absolutely, positively, undeniably off his rocker. Nice kid. Remembered my name. I like that. - J.J.
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Comments - This is a bar & restaurant just south of Times Square with a small bar area is up front and dining area in the rear. It draws an after-work/commuter clientele of various ages. It has a TV, low playing music, a lowceiling (smoky), and cocktail tables. The beer selection is somewhat limited. The prices are reasonable ($4.50 for a bottle of Bud Light). The service is friendly and efficient. I was told it picks up an overflow when Windfall (across the street) is too crowded. The bathrooms are more than adequate. - T.K.
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Comments - This is a small bar/restaurant (more restaurant than bar) that seems to draw a mixed (all ages) clientele. The small, narrow bar area features low playing music and a high ceiling. There is no TV. The prices are somewhat expensive ($5 for a bottle of Coors Light). The bartenders are friendly and efficient. The beer selection is somewhat limited. The bathrooms are one-at-a-time. - T.K.
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Comments - Rib joint near City Hall. Wednesday night is Lobster Night. Dart bar; pool table. Good crowd; good time! - T.G.
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Comments - Located in the Regal U.N. Plaza Hotel, it's another stuffy, boring, over-priced hotel bar. The service is good. The hotel lobby bathrooms are more than adequate. - T.K.

The only reason(s) to go here are: 1) You play their beautiful grand piano for money; 2)You're meeting a diplo from the UN who is paying for it; and 3) You want to meet someone secretly. Otherwise, it's fine. Wait staff are multilingual. Duh. - N.43
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Comments - It is an old-style French bistro near Lincoln Center that is as much a bar as a restaurant. They seem to draw a pre and post concert crowd. High ceilings, a classic bar tap, no TVs (that's different). Quiet, low-key music playing. Many of the signs on the walls are in French. Outdoor tables, good service. Like the other places in the area, somewhat expensive ($5.40 for a bottle of Amstel Light). Unisex bathrooms (they're called 'les toilettes') are one-at-a-time. - T.K.
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Comments - Located off the lobby of the Benjamin Hotel, another stuffy, boring, overpriced hotel bar. The hotel lobby bathrooms are OK. - T.K.
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Comments - American Spirit replaced Tallulah in 1997, which took over for Drakes Drum in the same Yorkville locale. Except for the copper top bar, this would be your typical college bar, with pinball, foosball, pool table and velvet couches. Karaoke on Tuesday & Thursday nights featuring Sexual Chocolate. Upstairs room available for private parties. - S.M.

Saturday $10 all-you-can-drink Bud/Bud Light drafts 5pm - 11pm. Outside seating. Good jukebox, but doesn't always play all your songs. Decent bar food at decent prices -- saves you when you're drunk and hungry. Pool table. Fun place. You can dance around like a jackass, and no one cares. - S.C.

It has a pool table in back which attracts a wide assortment of locals. The jukebox also has one of the most extensive collection of music I've seen...I put in 5 bucks, picked my songs, and enjoyed my 8 dollar buckets of Rocks for the rest of the night... - D.M.

This upper east hole-in-the-wall, ranks as a top place among the locals. Cheap beer, cheap food, and a wide variety of people make this bar a great stop late night.  Don't miss karaoke on Tues. and Thurs. as the local spaz, Mikey Ack, does his rendition of Bon Jovi and Back Street Boys.  This is a must see. - J.R.

If you're looking for an evening with sleazy, foreign women who can't sing American music this is the place for you. Check out local rock-and-roll legend Mikey A. on Tuesday nights as he scans the bar for both karaoke slips and female companions. Though not a true rock star, he plays the part well, from singing Jim Morrison to rapping with the honeys on the side. Careful ladies, this guy will wine you, dine you, karaoke you, and won't call you in the morning. Home of the Upper East's Side notorious 8-footed gorp, Spirits embraces all that is holy for young city-dwellers; cheap beer, drunk bartenders and live entertainment.  - C.M.

This is the place to be to save a few bucks on a Tuesday and Thursday night.  Check out local celebs like Mikey Ack display his true skills howling Bon Jovi, and Journey renditions.  This lady killer is one to be watching.  So its worthwhile to check out American Spirit and Mikey A. - D.F.

Perhaps best described as the dive bar equivalent to "Cheers"...go a few times and everyone knows your name. American Spirits features typical bar food and a limited beer selection, but they make up for it in friendliness, $4 pints and a very relaxed atmosphere. And let's not forget karaoke nights: Tuesday and Thursday nights are hosted by Sexual Chocolate, with an afro as big as a weather balloon and a fresh Britney Spears t-shirt every week. - B.K.

Cool place. I had fun there and I met a lot of people. We danced and sang a lot of songs and I will never forget it. Peace & love. O.D.
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Comments - Cool décor, moderate price – kind of divey. - K.D.

One of those good places to kickoff and end a night of hopping. - D.C.

A biker bar on the upper east side? Yup! Park your hog out front (no loud pipes, please), and grab a beer, but don’t drink and drive. This place draws a late night crowd, but by the end of the night, the bikers are just hanging out playing pool, not drinking. Not a place to take a date, but this place can be fun at the right time. Photo booth in the rear gives you an opportunity to take home a souvenir. - S.M.

A kind of upscale dive bar that isn't a dive. Getting a drink when its crowded takes some pushing. Metal/hard rock music selections if you like that. Good, loud atmosphere. - J.S.

By far the best jukebox selection in the city.  Godsmack, Sabbath, Metallica and none of the dance crap.  Good place to bang your head have a beer and see interesting tattoos. – R.P.

The bar has an interesting crowd, friendly and loud. The beer selection is good and fairly priced. People seem to be having fun. The bathrooms are in pretty bad shape. – J.O.

Gorgeous bartender with a great attitude. She was sooooo sexy, she made my night. - T.J.

It's not what it use to be, but what is these days? The old days saw crowds till 4 am every day. Most of the original bartenders are gone, but the ownership remains the same. Turning back into a celebrity hangout, and most nights after 2 am you can find more than you share of dancing girls there after work. Overall still one of the best haunts in NYC. - C.L.

I've been here several times and always enjoyed it. The biker décor is different. The prices are reasonable and the service was so-so. The bathrooms are adequate. The clientele (every time I've been there) has been surprisingly good. I think the name Trash does not apply to the patronage. - T.K.

Trash is a great place to finish out the night. It's always packed with an interesting mix of people. The drinks are good and the bartenders are as hot as the patrons. - T.B.
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Comments - Yep, that's right, the only thing worth coming here for is the bathroom, which is very spacious. I only go there to stalk some handsome hotty that lives in the neighborhood. One more thing, be wary about what type of beer that you get in your pitcher - it is not always what you are ordering. -A.Q.Bar : 

Known to most Columbia students as simply "AmCaf," this place has the most friendly staff in Morningside Heights. From the moment you pass by Charles, the weekday bouncer, or Knowledge, the weekend bouncer, you enter a friendly, chill, laid-back restaurant-bar that many consider home. Manny bartends most nights, try his Flaming Dr. Pepper with friends. Or, just sit back on the porch and be served by the always good-looking wait staff. But don't be pissed if you get the old guy, he'll always be able to get you some more Amcafe-style fries, even though the young cute waitresses insist that the kitchen is already closed. - E.B.
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Comments - Home of the Best Pint of Guinness anywhere. An Beale Bocht has been in the Bronx for around seven years. From its humble beginnings as a cafe with only coffee, cakes and scones, (we would smuggle our own booze in), people who have been there keep coming back. Poetry readings, live Irish music and drama give this cozy cafe the best atmosphere you will find anywhere. And don't worry, The Beale now sports a full bar (They pour an unbelievably good pint of Guinness) and a smallish but very good menu. Try the Shepherds Pie or the Irish Stew, you won't be sorry. - P.P.

An Beale Bocthe is Irish America's biggest and best gay bar, too. Handsome moonlighting GAA hurlers have been known to slip in for a discreet pick up - and we're not talking about a pint of Guinness (although they do that to perfection here too). The best Irish live music venue in NYC. They should move this place downtown. The lads here are handsome and up for it. Check it out. - B.M.S.
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Comments - Nice, little out of the way place to socialize and party after hours. Good blend of trip-hop, reggae and smooth grooves. Staff was friendly and attitude-free. Lines at the bathroom tend to get long as the night progresses. - M.K.
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Comments - Although the cigar bar is crowded and lively, it's more of a restaurant than a bar. It seems to draw high rollers of all ages. The prices are expensive ($6 for a bottle of Amstel Light). It can be a challenge to get the bartenders' attention. The bathrooms are more than adequate. - T.K.

Don't even go here for a steak, maybe unless you're wasted. Plenty of bars in NYC to make you happy, no need to come here. - J.S.

It's a zoo filled will Wall Street and Wiseguy wannabee's/neverwillbee's/gotosleepalreadee's. As my Grand ma-ma used to say, a real "Shite Hole". - J.C.
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Comments - Younger cousin of the well known establishment on Park Avenue South. Low-key bat. Some after-work drinkers, but mostly people waiting to dine in the restaurant. Somewhat expensive for drinks. Good service.  The atmosphere is more like a fancy restaurant than a bar. The bathrooms are good (it's a nice restaurant) - T.K.
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Comments - I love this bar in Carroll Gardens. It has a local, down-to-earth atmosphere. You'll feel like you're at home: Pool table, darts, and a fireplace! The prices are reasonable. Bathrooms are adequate. Go there with your neighbors and good group of friends. - S.Y.

Angry Wade's is one of the greatest bars in Brooklyn. I started hanging around there some time last year and was shocked to find out that at that time, the bar had celebrated its first birthday. The way the crowd acts in that bar, it's as if it was their second home. Everything about Wade's SCREAMS of Brooklyn, of fun and friends. Check it out for yourself. Good booze, friendly bartenders, good selection in the jukebox, and a pool table! - H.
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Comments - Named for the first immigrant to be processed through Ellis Island, Annie Moore's is one of the new generation of Irish bars, replacing one of the older generation of Irish bar (McCann’s). An excellent hang-out for commuters on their way home via Grand Central, it even has a TV monitor devoted to the Metro North train schedule. If you miss your train, relax with a pint and wait for the next one.  Dining room in rear serves standard Irish bar food, downstairs room available for private parties. Good place to meet people, or to go with a friend or two. -S.M.

A spacious bar in the Grand Central area, it is very popular with commuters (it gets very crowded). Metro-North train schedules are displayed on monitors. Dining room in rear. Also a private party room. Friendly and efficient Irish bartenders. Reasonable prices. Bathrooms are adequate. - T.K.

Great place to go after work before running to the train. Very friendly staff and the food is good also. Younger crowd (late 20s, early 30s) but more fun than other bars in this area. - R.H.

Great place to grab a drink while waiting for a train. Very attentive bartenders who have obviously been around a long time. Within ten minutes I had already met two complete strangers. - D.M.

Great place for an after work drink. Mostly young crowd in 20s and 30s. A LOT of good looking women! - C.F.

Traditional Irish Food. Staff was good. When I visited from NC, they messed up running my Visa so the next round was on the house. Neat little place to hang out with friends. Not a whole lot of people around, but it was fairly early on a Saturday. - M.M.
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Comments - A mellow beer and wine bar, and one of three "room" bars in the city, AnotheRoom has a great beer selection (about 40 bottles) and the nicest bathrooms I've ever used. Will be bar of the week once I find the napkin I wrote the review on...- S.A.

This dark, TriBeCa bar/lounge seems to draw a trendy, thirtysomething crowd. It features concrete and steel tables/booths/bartop, good music, and a high ceiling. It has an extensive selection of beers and wines (I don't think they serve hard liquor). The prices are somewhat reasonable and the service is decent. The dark, unisex, bathrooms are one-at-a-time. - T.K.
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Comments - The drinks are CHEAP! and they don't skimp on the liquor. The bartenders seem to buy back after every two rounds. And they have name night, if you have the name they've chosen you drink free for the whole night. Low-key, great as a starting off point, especially since the bars in the neighborhood are so expensive. - L.O.

This is pretty spacious bar, but it has two things going against it. It's WAY over to the west side of Manhattan (along a remote stretch of Hudson) and the crowd was strictly under 25 (at least the night I was there). - J.N.
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Comments -  The service is great, and the place is very cozy. A bit empty you should check it out to keep me some company. The bathroom is themed to the whole antique atmosphere with paintings, and old decorations. When I first walked in, I was surprised I was in a bar. -ALD

The best jukebox around- I was there last Friday and the place was packed. I couldn't even find a stool at the bar! I had Guinness and Stella with friends in their cool lounge. Lots of velvet couches that make you feel like royalty. - R.K.

Some friends of mine told me about this new Williamsburg bar. After checking it out this past Friday night I was really impressed. The front room is a cool looking bar with a kickin' jukebox (great rock n roll) and to my surprise they had a back room packed with lots of hip looking people hanging out on these antique couches that were really comfy. It was all candle lit and had a really nice vibe. I'll definitely be back with a group of my friends. P.S. The mojitos were awesome. - S.B.

Who would have thought our old hangout could smell sooo nice:). Instead of salsa, the best tunes of Interpol, Clash, Cure and lots of others are creating a pretty good gig for us locals! Stella and Lager is nice and cold and the bartender was pretty cool! - M.C.
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Comments -Delicious selection of martinis, beautiful bar & lounge area with leather couches, not cheap. - A.I.
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Comments - What a great bar! Nice people and the music was awesome! - A.C.

Local Irish bar serving the Woodlawn Irish community of recent and not so recent immigrants. Family oriented bar, where everyone knows your name. - S.M.
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Comments - I loved it. - S.H.
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Comments - One of my favorites in NYC...a unique place to view up-and-coming (usually rock) bands, with no, or very little, cover charge. I've only been there about 4 times, but each time the quality of the music has been excellent, even on a Tuesday night. For a fairly small place, the sound system is excellent, and there is an upstairs lounge if you want to talk while a band is playing. Also, a fine selection of drafts.  If you are on the Lower East Side, and you like rock-n-roll, Arlene Grocery is a must-stop, even if for just a pint. - B.B.

Very small room with lots of people. Awesome bands. The bartender was a bit on the 'bitchy' side along with most of the crowd. The bathrooms were very hard to get to and the beer was very pricey with not much of a selection. - T.W.

If only to negate the other comment, this place has free, no-cover, live music every single damn night, and the drink/ beer prices are definitely NYC reasonable. A Red Stripe bottle is four bucks- that's expensive for NYC? I think not. Great stop in a great area for a night out. - F.M.
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Comments - Great ambience , good music. Killer Margaritas, best in town! - C.J.
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Comments - Small bar located somewhere in Greenwich Village. Very nice and cozy. I don't remember more than that... - F.S.

Great lounge with good finger food (yummy dumplings and spring rolls) and usually pretty good 80's music. - S.A.

Grrreat makeout bar. Perfect for a second date. Dark, couchy, good tunes, bad art, good beer, and munchies. - D.M.

Part bar, part lounge, Art Bar has an eclectic mix of clientele. Located in the West Village, it has kind of a subdued atmosphere. Not bad. - A.S.
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Comments -This is a very fun bar. Actually one of my favorites in the city. Live blues and jazz every night with NO cover. Okay, beers are not totally cheap, but not that expensive (about $5.50 a pop). The place is a dive, they never take the Christmas lights down, but if you're into good live music and no scene at all - nobody gives a shit here - you'll like it. Good for all ages and out-of towners (especially non-English speaking). - R.A.

Check this place out during the week (when the college kids aren't drunkenly dancing to songs they've never heard). Great music, good service, and best of all -- Johnny Parker plays here. - E.M.

Stumbled into this place on New Years Eve 2000 whilst on holiday from Liverpool (England) and had without doubt the best night of my life! The atmosphere was absolutely awesome, the music fantastic (check out the bass-player's leopard skin trousers!) the service excellent, plus it was full of fit birds! Can't remember the decor too well or what the toilets looked like so I've just gone for 5s. The Arthur's Special cocktail, mixed at the barmaid's discretion, is not to be missed! - P.P.
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Comments - Formerly "Pancho & Lefty's", it has a small, circular bar and tables behind the bar. It gets an older crowd, has good tunes on the jukebox (not too loud) and high ceilings. Reasonable prices. The bathrooms are adequate. - T.K.

I have been coming to New York for a few years now on business and stumbled across this bar after having a wonderful steak around the corner. Upon entering the bar, you feel this sense of friendliness. After visiting there a couple of times, I became a " regular " . The bartender introduced me to a few real regulars, and we've all become really good friends. - R.W.
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Comments - Located next to Morgan's Hotel, it is one of the "in" places to go for dinner and/or drinks (too rich for my blood). Two floors, very elitist and obnoxious attitude from staff and patrons. The bathrooms are good (it's a nice restaurant) - T.K.

Nice place - S.A.
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Comments - This place is fun, fun, fun. Why would anybody want to sing karaoke in a private room when the audience Asia Roma has makes you feel like a star when you go on stage to sing. This bar has it all, good food, good drinks (love their martini menu), good entertainment, and very affordable. -J.K.
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Comments - The Asylum is a dark bar where you will here a good blend of music. It is a great place to start the night off at. Bartenders are very friendly and will take care of you if you tip. - J.J.V.

The Asylum has good music and the entire bar turns into a dance floor after midnight, but, the bartenders make weak drinks, and the door people weren't the best. We lost our coat check ticket and had to tip the girl out $40 for her to look for our jackets. She was very rude and it wasn't even busy. Good bar for a late night place just to dance, after you've been at a better place all night. - S.W.

Cool bar, good music, but should invest in some A.C. in the summertime, fans just don't cut it. - M.T.

Well, the staff seemed courteous, the bar manager is a hotty, along with most of the guys in there. Good hip hop music and reggae. - B.F.

This place attracts a lot of negative attention. I've been here a few times and it's been progressively getting worse. Too many thugs. The people that work there were really rude. - K.A.
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Comments - The Auction House is a hip, dark downtown-style lounge, hiding out on the upper east side. Great for a nightcap to impress a date. Antique furniture and dark candle-lit rooms make you feel like you’re at a party at your grandmother's house while she’s away, instead of a New York City bar. No sign out front, to keep the walk-in traffic to a minimum.  You have to know where it is. - S.M.

This is a great secret date place. I love it. Shhh, don't tell to many people. - S.R.

Cool bar, hip crowd, great service....Go here to chill after a date....or just bring your friends and have a nightcap after being out all night. - G.S.

Great place for people 25+ - M.T.

Great place to go for a quiet drink to chill out. Referred to as the "curtains bar" amongst my friends. Fantastic atmosphere and great ending to a night.  - M.P.

Very cool place. Dimly lit, great atmosphere, comfortable "lounge type" couches and chairs. A great place to bring a date or have a night of nice conversation amongst friends. If you do not know it's there, you may pass right by, which is pretty cool as it seems to limit the stragglers. - R.G.
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Comments - Great music, fun place, great people. - R.B.

Come for the warm beer, stay for the fights. - C.B.

Good service, friendly people and great music. Bartender is superb and the food is "delish". Avalanche has just started Karaoke Thursdays with 2 lovely DJs. They play great music and those girls can sing! (They're easy to look at too, if you know what I mean). - M.L.

Friendly people, fun place, great music. (Especially on "Karoake Thursdays"). - D.M.D.
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Comments - This is a popular bar/restaurant (more restaurant htan bar) that seems to draw a good clientele of all ages. It features several TVs, a high ceiling, a jukebox, a metallic bar, and a classic-looking clock on the wall. The prices ($5 for a bottle of Amstel Light) are a little steep and the service is good. The beer selection is somewhat limited. The unisex bathrooms are one-at-a-time. - T.K.
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