Gotta Go? Don’t Pee Outside

Well, the birds are chirping and the sun is finally poking through the dark wintery clouds, ushering in warmth and a feeling of rebirth. This new weather can only mean one thing — it’s officially spring time in Chicago. With sunny skies and warm breeze, the only reasonable action to make as students right now is to day drink.

Whether it’s putting shooters into 7-Eleven slushies or using Hydro Flasks as actual flasks, there are a plethora of great ways to enjoy day drinking. However, day drinking poses one major problem — where to go when you need to go. 

Considering my mom refers to my drinking habits as “a growing concern,” I know a thing or two about day drinking — and optimizing public spaces when there isn’t an obvious bathroom option. 

Peeing in the streets is gross, as is peeing outside on someone’s property. While peeing in the streets is illegal, the lake is free game. Once the water temperature gets warmer, I highly recommend using the lake. 

But when I’m walking around downtown trying to forget about how our freedom of speech is being chipped away at and drinking my coffee with a little bourbon, I occasionally find myself surrounded by buildings — with no lake in sight. 

Fortunately, in the heart of Chicago, Loyola built seven multi-storied buildings with an abundance of restrooms for students to use at their leisure. 

It might be illegal and frowned upon to use an alley in broad daylight, but it’s not illegal to walk confidently into Corboy Law Center and use its first floor restroom. Were buildings like Corboy built solely to be used as restrooms? Maybe. 

I’ve spoken with a fair share of students who have never been to the Water Tower Campus, and it’s a shame. There’s no greater feeling than leaving a bar downtown and knowing I don’t need to keep nature at bay while on the Red Line. I can just walk a few blocks to Corboy and relieve myself of my burdens. 

With a multitude of drinking-related days coming up, like National Cocktail Day March 24 and National Beer Day April 7, we, as Chicagoans, should be preparing to map out our pit stops for while we’re out celebrating. I hope this article can be used as a tool for those looking to improve their day drinking habits. 

For example, Chicago’s Union Station has a fantastic bathroom, and anyone can use it.

While in Union Station, I encourage people to sit and enjoy the ambiance. Bring a book and a water bottle full of bourbon and slowly get buzzed as travelers buzz by. 

For me, bringing a book is crucial because instead of being passed out next to a bottle — which may draw some unwanted attention — I’ll instead pass out while holding a copy of “Walden.” People most likely won’t assume I’m a drunk. They’ll just assume I’m a rustic individual who was a little sleepy while reading about living simply.

Another place rich in Chicago history with plenty of restrooms is the Art Institute of Chicago. There’s no better way to spend a rainy afternoon than getting a little wine drunk and finding yourself lost in George Seraut’s massive “La Grande Jatte,” or meandering through the many halls of paintings, photos and ceramics. 

Henry David Thoreau encourages us to live deliberately, and I believe this can only be achieved by going off campus — something we’re obligated to do as students not just of Loyola, but of life. I’ve talked to too many students who haven’t explored Chicago, and it’s a tad disappointing.

As my undergraduate career comes to an end, I’d encourage students, legally able to drink, to take full advantage of being in Chicago. I challenge students to suck the marrow out of life and live it to the fullest. 

Drink in the morning, explore museums, get familiar with the city and — most importantly — don’t pee in the streets.