by Shane Henson — December 4, 2013—In recognition that customers appreciate clean and nicely designed restrooms just as much as great customer service, Cintas recently held its seriously fun 2013 America’s Best Restroom Contest and was pleased to announce Minneapolis’s Varsity Theater as this year’s winner. Portland’s Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade’s restroom was selected as the No. 2 place “to go.” Public Glass Bathrooms on the Square in Sulphur Springs, Texas, took third place.
The online public selected the Varsity Theater’s restroom over a strong field of finalists in the 12th annual contest, says Cintas. In addition to hosting both local and national music acts, Varsity Theater is a popular location for wedding receptions, private galas, and dream dates, coupled with dinner at their associated restaurant, Loring Pasta Bar. But what made the Varsity Theater the 2013 King of Thrones? It starts with the unique décor, says Cintas. The restroom, decorated with ornate, gilded mirrors, sassy text plates, and bricks laid “as if by a drunken mason on a bender,” invites guests into an Alice In Wonderland-like grotto to relieve themselves and re-live childhood fairy tales.
One part old-fashioned powder room and one part lounge, this restroom allows concert-goers to take a break in an area from which one can still view and hear the stage. Bartenders even serve drinks over the back counter into the restroom area, offering a VIP experience to every guest. The sinks were designed with shower-head faucets with a foot pedal operation, à la grade school restrooms. The lounge and hand-washing area is coed, reportedly creating quite a social atmosphere. Also, the women’s side of the restroom features four times as many stalls as the men’s side.
“The team at Varsity Theater understands the value of a well-maintained and memorable restroom,” said Cintas Senior Marketing Manager John Engel. “What they have is more than a creative concept. It’s an effective business tool that keeps people coming back.”
The 2013 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, a hotel, an ice cream parlor, an art museum and a classic arcade. Businesses were judged on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements.
The 2013 Top Nominees were:
- First Place: Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
- Second Place: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, Portland, OR
- Third Place: Public Glass Bathrooms on the Square, Sulphur Springs, TX
- Alex Madonna Gold Rush Steak House, San Luis Obispo, CA
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
- Sloan’s Ice Cream, West Palm Beach, FL
- Tampa International Airport, Tampa, FL
- Viracocha, San Francisco, CA
- Waldorf Astoria, New York, NY
- Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ
