We could go on and on about what Atlanta’s restaurants have to offer — from the myriad options of every type of cuisine imaginable tucked inside each neighborhood to how they’re all helping elevate the city’s dining scene as a whole. But let’s talk about something that’s not as often discussed: restaurant bathrooms. We rounded up a handful of local outposts taking their eye for design from the main room into the lavatory — with seriously stylish results.
The Coolest Bathrooms in Atlanta, Georgia
The Cockentrice
The water closets at this stylish charcuterie spot in Krog Street Market were inspired by a trip the restaurant’s team took to a Slow Food conference in Italy back in 2008. They toured a 1700s-era charcuterie outside of Florence that incited their use of custom-designed wallpaper showing the history of meat and food culture, along with unique details like 1930s-inspired brass finishes. Special touches include must-haves like mint toothpicks for men and bobby pins for women.
STK
This Midtown hot spot is a go-to for injecting a dose of fun into your weeknight, special occasion, or any event in between, thanks to a mouthwatering steak selection and an impressive roster of cocktails, all amid a swanky interior. Also notable: the eatery’s sleek and expansive bathroom space. Think flattering lighting, rich wood accents, square-footage for proper outfit checks, and plenty of mirrors for touch-ups — bathroom selfies optional.
Marcel
For interiors enthusiasts, especially those with a penchant for details, the bathroom of this ornate Westside steakhouse may very well stop you in your tracks. The restaurant — named for iconic French fighter Marcel Cerdan — was impeccably designed and styled by restaurateur Ford Fry’s in-house designer Elizabeth Ingram, with inspiration from 1920s France, which translates everywhere from the dining room and bar to the bathrooms. The women’s features vintage fixtures and vanity, complete with drawers full of old-school candies. For the men, a dresser topped with throwback shaving accessories (and modern-day necessities like mouthwash) marries classic with modern-day.
Ticonderoga Club
This “all bells, no whistles” spot, as the outpost itself purports, sheds pretentious frills in favor of letting its curated cocktails and foodie-centric dishes take center stage. The spot is hard to nail down, aesthetically — there is a beachy front porch and tiki-inspired happy hour drink specials, but the interior is dark and rustic, with exposed brick and wooden beams. Likewise, the bathroom sports a decidedly quirky feel: paper is kept on a fish-shaped dispenser, and the wallpaper features various creatures with anthropomorphic accessories, such as an otter holding a paper fan and a badger sipping a cocktail. The surroundings allow guests to feel comfortable kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying their experience.
BeetleCat
It’s a seafood smorgasbord-meets-West Anderson-Esque environs at BeetleCat. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night noshing, it’s quickly becoming a go-to dining destination in the city. Fun decor like buoys, brass palm trees, and painted beach scenes pepper the walls, while the furnishings are awash in warm, complementary tones that give the space a cozy feel, especially in the downstairs bar. A real-life surfboard awaits in the hallway before the bathrooms, which are likewise bathed with a seaside, sunset vibe that’ll make you question whether you’re in Inman Park or the hull of a ship.
Holeman & Finch
Just two blocks south of Peachtree Battle, this renowned gastropub became famous for its 10 o’clock burger, which was made nightly and became available in limited quantities (only 24 made at a time) at exactly 10 p.m. People regularly lined up for a taste of the juicy menu item, and a few years ago they decided to make the burger available during regular hours. Pair that with an appearance (and rave review) by legendary chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, and H&F has become one of the busiest restaurants in the city. Don’t forget to check out the bathrooms when you go in for a visit—with rich, sleek wood and fun wallpaper that features line drawings of cows, it showcases how attention to detail pairs perfectly with a menu of delicious eats and drinks.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on the Gather blog.
