The Met Bathrooms — The Lexington Line

*Interlude from Lexington Line Spring/Summer 2026 Issue, page 37

Today I really needed to pee, so I strolled my way on into The Met. On my journey, I realized how strange and crazy it is to assimilate that the city I live in is easier to access the Metropolitan Museum of Art, than a public restroom.

Granted, I did have an assignment that involved visiting The Met, but I originally planned just to get a ticket, take a picture as evidence, and head back to school. We’ve all been there. My point still stands: I can take 20 minutes between my classes to pee in The Met bathroom and head back in to take a final exam without any trouble.

It took me more time to find the bathroom and the exit once I was inside the museum, than taking the Uptown 6 train from 51st to 77th street. The lack of signs contrary to the generous amount of twisting hallways truly captures what it means to be in New York.

Regardless, I love going to The Met by myself. I love being able to speed-walk through the galleries without having to stop and read every single piece.

Because “I live in New York, I can come back any time” even though I rarely do.

Walking through The Met not to admire art, but to admire people admiring art. To hear those intellectual wannabe hushes everyone subconsciously makes when they walk in, as if it is prohibited to speak up while in a museum (This is not a public library!). To feel the cautious yet fierce vibrations of hundreds of boots from all over the world stomping through the exhibition. To smell that clean, polarized air that comes out of fine art, just so I can use the public bathroom and head out after only ten minutes.

In reality, I wish I was the girl I promised my 19-year-old self I would be when I moved to New York: the one who visits new museums monthly, has solo-dates at The Met, and does homework at the MoMA…the one who goes to jazz bars and sits in Washington Square Park listening to street performers…the one that attends every pop-up and walks the Williamsburg Bridge at four in the morning.

Living in New York, the city takes hold of you, so I will forever be the girl who uses The Met as a public bathroom.

Maybe next time I’ll take a look at “The Death of Socrates” on my way to the bathroom!

What’s your go-to public restroom in NYC? Leave a comment below.