10.26.2014
Skye Battles
Gardens
Gardens Bar is the ideal place to unwind after a day of nine to five. There is an old, off-white hallway leading to the restrooms with only one lonely ceiling light too soothe weary eyes. The men’s restroom is the first door on the right. The matte black door is eight feet tall and three feet wide. A shining, gold M centered at eye level. The door opens effortlessly with the push of a drunken hand. The room is dim but noticeably brighter than the hallway. A triangular, frosted glass lampshade conceals the bulb from view. Kindly kept red velvet wallpaper lines the room; imprints of careless man’s handprints are the only flaw. The fragrance of a wealthy man’s cologne paints the room. A shiny, black marble floor spreads under the trendy sink countertop.
The countertop is comprised of a slab of white marble, a stark contrast to the black floor. The sink basin is unbearably white; reflecting the glow from tungsten bulbs above above. Heavy, golden sink nozzles match various subtleties throughout the bathroom. They’ve been worn down by years of fearless men turning them on and off. To the left of the sink, there is the powdery residue of a hurried man’s cocaine. Egyptian cotton hand towels with the Gardens logo sewn onto them are stacked to the right in a neat, little pile. There are soft white candles precisely placed across the entire countertop. Above the countertop is a massive mirror. It reflects open black stalls; toilet bowls of vanilla ice cream.
The urinals are discreetly hidden from the restroom entrance. They are spaced widely apart, each with its very own urinal mint. It is clear that The Gardens Bar takes pride in the cleanliness of their urinals. High above the urinals there is a frosted glass window. Slightly open. The frigid, December breeze fills the room with ill intentions. There is a wall next to the last urinal on the left. A condom dispenser decoratively fills one side, while the other has a pretentious black and white, art photograph of the New York City skyline.