While the situation has improved in recent years, public toilets in the center of Kyiv are still hard to come by – especially for beer-drinking street strollers.
While the situation has improved in recent years, public toilets in the center of Kyiv are still hard to come by – especially for beer-drinking street strollers.
Recently, sturdy green public toilets have sprung up on Khreshchatyk Street, near metro stops and at other heavily traveled pedestrian destinations – such as Mykhailovsky Square and near the Golden Gates.
They are welcome additions to the two previous standbys – the public WC near the McDonald’s at Khreshchatyk metro station and the one at Shevchenko Park.
Two familiar stops are gone – the Central Department Store, now closed for reconstruction, and the River Station in Podil, also under reconstruction.
The usual charge for a pit stop is Hr 2. Kyiv authorities have also promised to put up portable toilets across the city for fans to use.
If you’ve got money, you’ve got no problems – just stop at restaurants, coffee shops and cafes more frequently.
But if you don’t, here are some tips:
There are usually toilets near metro stops; ask the street traders where they are located.
Walk into a business center like you own the place. There’s usually a toilet near the lobby or at the end of the corridor.
Walk into a restaurant, also like you own the place. Sure it’s embarrassing to use their WC and walk out, but they’ll forget who you are anyway.
I haven’t been stopped yet, but it helps to be reasonably sober and well-dressed.
In case of emergency you may be tempted to find a park or alley. But try not to do it, even if the locals do – it’s illegal.
Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner can be reached at [email protected]
