Public toilets in Bratislava


Public toilets or public "WC" in Bratislava are managed by the local government, which pays for the water. Bratislava is known for having a very limited number of public restrooms and their appearance has changed little since the fall of communism. Unlike restrooms in modern shopping malls, gas stations, restaurants, pubs, etc., traditional public toilets are still operated by a washroom attendant. As a rule of thumb, public toilets in Bratislava are paid.
As of 2011, urinating or defecating in public in Slovakia is punishable by a fine of €33. The mistrust of public toilets, including at night when they are lit, is such that many prefer the toilets in fast food restaurants. Many restaurants and pubs lock their toilets and issue keys only upon demand by their customers. In spite of queues reminiscent of the days of socialism, there are no plans to build additional public restrooms in Bratislava. The tourist industry is not happy with the situation and according to Bratislava city guides and representatives of the travel agencies the lack of public toilets in the city is one of the hurdles in tourism development in the city.

History

Under communism, the tradition of public toilets formed, which influences the city to this day. Public toilets were separated by sex, entrances being guarded by notoriously ill-tempered restroom ladies. The client would disclose whether he needed to urinate or defecate, and he would be charged accordingly, the latter costing more. Finally, the client was issued his limited share of toilet paper, sometimes with an embarrassing negotiation regarding the need for more.
The following public toilets were cancelled in the past in Bratislava: Suché mýto, Hurbanovo Námestie and metal toilets on Vajanského Nábrežie. In 2011, the Borough of Old Town decided to close half of its public toilets, claiming to use the money saved in this way for maintaining green areas and cleaning. Referring to a survey done during the week of 22 February to 27 February 2011, Tomáš Halán, spokesperson of the Old Town borough, stated that there was a case in the survey in which "one visitor cost 22 euro".

Partial list of public toilets in Bratislava

The following is a partial list of public toilets in Bratislava.
ImageLocationOpen?OwnershipNotes
Šafárikovo Námestie OpenThe borough of Old TownAccording to some sources it was supposed to stop operating on 1 April 2011. Open daily 8:00 - 19:00 hours
Námestie Eugena Suchoňa / Palackého Street, in front of RedutaOpenThe borough of Old TownThe most visited public toilets in Old Town, reconstructed in 2014, entry fee is 50 cents. Open daily 8:00 - 19:00 hours
Kapucínska Street / Staromestská Street ClosedThe borough of Old TownAccording to the media closed since 1 April 2011
Kamenné Námestie / Námestie SNP ClosedThe borough of Old TownSlovak media refer to these public restrooms as being on Námestie SNP. Closed for years because of groundwater leakage
Kollárovo Námestie ClosedThe borough of Old TownOpening hours used to be 8:00 - 19:00, closed since 1 April 2011
29. Augusta Street ClosedThe borough of Old TownOpening hours used to be 8:00 - 19:00, closed since 1 April 2011

Americké Námestie 		ClosedThe borough of Old TownOpening hours used to be 8:00 - 19:00, closed since 1 March 2011

Medic Garden 		OpenThe borough of Old TownPartially reconstructed in 2007, later vandalised. Open daily 8:00 - 19:00 hours
Uršulínska Street, building of the Bratislava City Magistrate OpenBratislava city MagistrateBuilt in 2008, allows access for the handicapped. The building is on Primate's Square. Open daily 9:00 - 21:00 hours.
Pedestrian underpass Trnavské mýtoClosedBratislava city MagistratePartially devastated
Pedestrian underpass Hodžovo námestie OpenBratislava city MagistrateReconstructed in 2008, accessible to the handicapped with effort. Open Mon-Fri 8:00 - 18:00, Sat 8:00 - 12:00 hours
Nová Tržnica building on Trnavské mýto OpenThe borough of New Town4 public toilets, open Mon-Fri 6:00 - 18:00 Sat 06:00 - 14:00
Karloveská Street ClosedThe borough of Karlova VesDevastated, closed for some 15 years
Bus station underneath Nový Most OpenOpen daily 06:00 - 23:00 hours
Near River Park I at the Danube riverbankOpenOpen daily 10:00 - 18:00 hours in the winter and 10:00 - 20:00 in the summer, entry fee is 50 cents

Public toilets in mass transport systems in Bratislava