The best (and worst) bathrooms at Blair

bathroom cover

Photo: A closed-off urinal in the 160s hallway bathroom represents a consistent pattern of uncleanliness.

A closed-off urinal in the 160s hallway bathroom represents a consistent pattern of uncleanliness. Photo courtesy of Madeline Elazar.

Note: The student opinions and personal observations of this article are based on the quality of the boys’ bathroom only. 

School bathrooms: whether you like it or not, everyone has to use one at some point. We all have to go, but the process for choosing the most appealing location can be difficult at times. For many Blazers, choosing which bathroom to go to isn’t even an option. With the new “in school on time” school policy, it’s almost required to attend the bathroom right next to your classroom. But, if you had the option of picking from the 6 luxurious (or not so luxurious) bathrooms, which one would you pick? Using a compilation of Instagram survey responses, student opinions, and personal experiences, here’s my guide to the best bathrooms at Blair, ranked from best to worst: 

310s hallway bathroom

At the top of the list sits one of the smallest, most secluded, and quietest bathrooms: the 310s hallway bathroom. Situated near the science epicenter of the school, the bathroom remained fairly serene on my two visits. “I rarely see more than a couple of people here,” senior Rakshay Narayanan notes. Looking inside the restroom, there still remain some issues. One of the soap dispensers is missing and there are no mirrors to check yourself out with. That being said, the toilets aren’t clogged, and there’s an aura of mutual respect among visitors. “Everyone minds their own business here,” sophomore Ayman Keri notes. The 310s hallway bathroom ranked first on an Instagram poll with over 450 responses. 

nice bathroom 310s

Photo: A pristine toilet in the 310s hallway bathroom, the nicest bathroom at Blair according to an Instagram survey.

A pristine toilet in the 310s hallway bathroom, the nicest bathroom at Blair according to an Instagram survey. Photo courtesy of Madeline Elazar.

360s hallway bathroom

In second place falls the other bathroom on the exalted third floor. Like the 310s hallway bathroom, the 360s bathroom is also quite secluded and mundane. However, senior Jacob Wright complains that this location is notorious for bad odor and poor maintenance. When I observed this location, I noticed a few partially clogged urinals and dirty sinks. Still, this spot ranked only 4 votes behind the 310s hallway and is usually not overcrowded or raucous. 

210s hallway bathroom 

In third place is the 210s hallway bathroom, located near the math department area. Relative to the other choices, students rated this location mediocre, noting that it depends on the day and time to determine whether this is a lower or higher-tier restroom. When I visited, there seemed to be a fair bit of overcrowding in the doorway. However, upon further inspection, I found that all of the toilets more or less worked and that the floor wasn’t overly damp or sticky. All in all, this doesn’t seem to be a bad bathroom, just not one I would recommend as a first choice. 

260s hallway bathroom

The 260s bathroom falls in the bottom tier of the list because it really is a hit-or-miss bathroom. It has been known to cause flooding, on one occasion even leaking water into adjacent classrooms. On the other hand, the toilets work, and the floor is somewhat clean. However, the main problem with this location is its problem with overcrowding and smoking. “It’s so busy and it literally has walls made of weed,” junior Murilo Santos says. Sophomore Hebron Henock adds that he’s seen numerous people smoking or simply loitering in this bathroom. Needless to say, this would not be a great choice, but if you have to go, you have to go. 

Main lobby bathroom 

Close to a major zone of activity and along Blair Boulevard yields a recipe for bathroom disaster. Even with security lurking, the tiny bathroom (only one toilet) is quite overcrowded and dirty. The floor is grotesque even for Blair's standards, and the constant activity makes you feel claustrophobic and paranoid. “I never feel comfortable in here,” junior Jon Kitila adds. This location ranked second on an Instagram poll for the worst bathroom that received over 480 responses.   

160s hallway bathroom

bad bathroom 160s

Photo: Atrocious toilets like this one have become common in the 160s hallway bathroom.

Atrocious toilets like this one have become common in the 160s hallway bathroom. Photo courtesy of Madeline Elazar.

We have arrived at the worst of them all: the 160s hallway bathroom. As a student who has had many of my classes near this bathroom, I can attest, along with the 51% of Instagram poll participants, that this is the worst bathroom experience at Blair. To start, the room always smells disgustingly pungent, either of weed or of some other grotesque substance. There is always at least one toilet that has been covered for maintenance, and the sinks and urinals are often blockaded with gum, food, or paper towels. If you had to choose, this is the bathroom I would recommend that you avoid at all costs. 

So whether you find sanctuary in the 310s or you’ve seen unspeakable horrors in the 160s, one thing’s for sure: Blair’s bathrooms are as unpredictable as the school itself. Whether you follow this list or not, I hope you choose wisely on your next visit and keep your expectations low.