Beyond the typical public toilets you might find down a dingy, dark street, there's also a world of artistic, quirky, and sometimes outright outrageous loos all around the city. There are bathrooms all over the city, including those with an opulent design that rival the grandeur of palaces, as well as innovative thrones that challenge the boundaries of conventional loos. London's coolest toilets are more than just a necessity; they are a destination in their own right. Here are our top picks for the coolest places to do your business in London – this one goes out to Thomas Crapper, the supposed inventor of the flushing toilet.
A pink neon "toilettes" sign
The coolest toilets in London
Sleek and sexy
The Mandrake's toilets are just as elegant as the hotel itself, which happens to be one of London's most stylish boltholes. It's moody, sultry and oozes five-star vibes. This sexy, sophisticated washroom is kitted out in a minimalist design, complete with deep sinks and gold accents.
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20-21 Newman Street, Fitzrovia
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The Mandrake
020-314 677 70 - Read more on Thatsup
A disco dump, anyone?
If you wanna do a number two with Boney M as your background music, look no further. You didn't think Jacuzzi would forget about its toilets when it came to decorating this outrageously over-the-top restaurant, did you? This former bank vault turned toilet is kitted out with endless mirrors and glittering disco balls. The cubicles also allow you to look out while you're doing your business, but thankfully, nobody can see inside the other way around. Talk about a fun but anxiety-inducing no. 2.
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94 Kensington High St, Kensington
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Jacuzzi
020-457 843 70 - Read more on Thatsup
A '70s dream
The loos in Bobby Fitzpatrick are a vintage dream, with pastel green tiles, baby pink toilets, and an old-school hand dryer. There's a shelf for extra loo rolls, potted plants, and '70s reading material for those who like to flick while they do their business.
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273 W End Lane, Hampstead
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Bobby Fitzpatrick
020-743 319 89 - Read more on Thatsup
Insta-ready loos
The Ned is an architectural gem located in the former Midland Bank building in The City, in a Grade I-listed building dating back to the early 20th century. The Ned's toilets are just as impressive as every other part of the hotel. You'll find a black-and-white chequered floor and pink tiled walls lined with sinks that have exposed plumbing and mirrors with their own lights. There's even a plush velvet centrepiece chair.
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27 Poultry, The City/City of London
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The Ned London
020-382 820 00 - Read more on Thatsup
An explosion of pink
Designed by Martin Brudnizki, a Swedish interior architect and product designer, Brasserie of Light at Selfridges captured the attention of design lovers and Instagrammers in 2018, quickly becoming a social media sensation. The restaurant's focal point is a stunning, crystal-adorned statue of Pegasus by Damien Hirst, but the toilet, decked out entirely in sleek pink marble, is equally worthy of an Instagram snapshot.
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400 Oxford St, Mayfair
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Brasserie of Light
020-394 096 00 - Read more on Thatsup
A sci-fi dream
If toilets were celebrities, the Sketch toilets would be the Kardashians – Kylie Jenner even has a selfie in there on her Instagram (and so do Bella Hadid, Serena Williams, Sophie Turner... you get the gist). These iconic egg-shaped loos are constantly plastered all over the grid, and it's not hard to see why. The rainbow-lit ceiling makes it feel like you've stepped straight into a sci-fi movie. Celebs love them, and so do we.
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9 Conduit St, Westminster
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Sketch (The East Bar & Pods)
020-765 945 00 - Read more on Thatsup
A mirrored heaven (or hell?)
You know that feeling you get when you've been sitting down drinking, and you stand up and suddenly feel very drunk? Well, that's the feeling you'll get when you walk into the toilets at Nopi. Designed by Alex Meitlis, these are some of the most Instagrammed toilets in London, probably because it's basically just one big mirror, and who can resist a selfie when you've got 360 degrees of reflection?
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21 Warwick St, Soho
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Nopi
020-749 495 84 - Read more on Thatsup
A toilet or the Amazon rainforest?
Annabel's might have the most Instagrammable toilets in London (yes, we know we've said this for every single loo so far, but we really mean it this time). These bog rooms are located on the third floor of the lavish private members' hangout in Mayfair, so you'll probably never get to see them. But our description will suffice: picture four million mosaic tiles covering the walls, floors, and ceilings, decorated in patterns inspired by the most incredible rainforests and jungles in the world. The most impressive part? The 500 kg crocodile sink made from one big chunk of green onyx.
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46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair
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Annabel's
020-391 540 46 - Read more on Thatsup
A hedonistic no.2
It's no surprise Tonight Josephine's toilets are just as striking as the rest of the bar. This iconic spot is named after the hedonistic first Empress of the French, Josephine, and is clad head-to-toe in pink; it's Legally Blonde's dream. Think empowering neon signs, sparkly pink walls and a mirrored ceiling. But that's just the bar. The toilets are often referred to as Lohan's loos, as each toilet door features a mugshot of noughties queen Lindsay Lohan, which makes for a pretty iconic Instagram post.
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39A Hoxton Square, Shoreditch 111 Waterloo Rd, South Bank/SouthwarkTonight Josephine Shoreditch
39A Hoxton Square, ShoreditchTonight Josephine Waterloo
111 Waterloo Rd, South Bank/Southwark -
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tonightjosephine.co.uk/venue/shoreditchTonight Josephine Waterloo
tonightjosephine.co.uk/bars/waterlooTonight Josephine Shoreditch
020-819 188 35Tonight Josephine Waterloo
020-792 849 18 -
Tonight Josephine Shoreditch Tonight Josephine Waterloo
The loo with a view
Aqua Shard might be one of London's most iconic dining destinations, but it's also home to some of London's most iconic toilets. The loos at Aqua Shard are known for their stunning London vistas, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the cityscape, providing a remarkable backdrop while you, er, do your bizness.
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The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, Southwark
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Aqua Shard
020-301 112 56 - Read more on Thatsup
A former public loo turned disco loo
Known for its lively atmosphere and creative cocktails, this bar is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. It features a unique and eclectic interior design, including its pretty jazzy toilets. The restaurant actually used to be a public toilet but is now a striking subterranean cocktail bar and, well, the bathrooms, expect glittery signs, floral wallpaper, disco balls, and hits to boogie to.
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20 Bedford St, Covent Garden
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Blame Gloria Covent Garden
020-819 176 65 - Read more on Thatsup
Another loo with a dizzying view
Bōkan 37 is one of the restaurants that could give The Shard a run for its money when it comes to loos with a view. This lovely rooftop bar boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in the toilets, offering epic city skyline views. Best to avoid this one if you're not a fan of heights.
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40 Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets
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Bōkan 37
020-353 005 50 - Read more on Thatsup
Under the Virgin Mary's eye
Carlotta is the latest restaurant from Big Mamma, and, as you probably expected, their toilet is something to get excited about. Aside from the 'Gender Fluid' handwash, there are mirrored walls, sleek black cubicles with black toilet seats, and a big Virgin Mary statue in the middle of the sinks. How's that for a loo?
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77-78 Marylebone High St, Marylebone
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Two on the loo
You'd expect the toilets in NQ64 to be just as outrageous as the bar itself, which is clad in neon and filled with retro arcade games. The bathrooms are decorated with neon graffiti, but the most surprising part is that two toilets sit side by side with one another directly opposite an arcade bubble shooting game. Ideal for those who prefer to pee with a friend (no judgement here).
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256, 260 Old Street, Shoreditch 53 Berwick Street, SohoNQ64 Shoreditch
256, 260 Old Street, ShoreditchNQ64 Soho
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nq64.co.uk/shoreditch-4NQ64 Soho
nq64.co.uk/sohoNQ64 Soho
020-459 932 68 -
NQ64 Shoreditch NQ64 Soho
A marble dream
Sea Containers on the South Bank not only has extra pillowy quilted loo roll but also boasts a full-length mirror so you can do a quick fit check in between sipping champagne on their stunning rooftop bar. This black-and-gold-embellished bathroom is mostly marble, so it's as sleek as it gets. Plus, the fancy gold taps and luxurious Lore handwash round off the experience nicely.
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20 Upper Ground, South Bank/Southwark
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Sea Containers London
020-374 710 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Press the big red button
Here's another disco toilet to add to your must-visit London loos because you can never have too many. Boom Battle Bar on Oxford Street has a big red button which turns the bathroom into your very own personal disco upon pressing, turning the bog-standard (ahem), white-tiled toilet into a boogie wonderland.
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Ground Floor 70, Basement and, 88 Oxford Street, Fitzrovia
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Boom Battle Bar Oxford Street
020-728 604 04 - Read more on Thatsup
Grade II-listed marble urinals
The Princess Louise is a testament to the Victorian era's penchant for opulence in their cherished pubs, evidenced by its Grade II-listing, which even extends to features like its marble urinals. Have some drinks in the grandiose establishment, then venture into the toilets for one of the poshest pees of your life.
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208 High Holborn, Covent Garden
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Princess Louise
020-740 588 16 - Read more on Thatsup
Titillating toilets
The Hunter S in Dalston is an independent pub that seems like a cross between a stylish contemporary bar and a hunters' lodge – until you have to go to the loos, that is. Don't be surprised if toilet breaks last a bit longer than average here, as the walls of both the men's and women's loos are covered with photos of scantily (or not at all) dressed lads and ladies.
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194 Southgate Rd
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The Hunter S
020-724 971 91 - Read more on Thatsup