photo by Konstantin Sergeyev/nymag.com

NYMAG.com- In case you haven’t heard: As palatial as Grecian bathhouses, Bar 89’s unisex stalls have glass doors that are transparent until you lock them, an action that magically renders them opaque. But cool as they are, the potties can’t entirely explain this place’s popularity. The chocolate martinis are delicious, and the bar snacks irresistible enough. But we suspect that the real secret of Bar 89’s success has something to do with—dare we say?—democracy. Call it SoHo lite: The stark, glass-and-aluminum loft aesthetic feels chic enough, but it’s familiar (you’ve seen it in dozens of movies) and accessible to anyone able and willing to pay $10 to $15 for a drink. Or maybe it really is just the bathrooms.

— Nicole Davis