Finding a bathroom on State Street on the weekend can be a challenge, but that task may be made more difficult by the out-of-order bathroom at Pasquale’s Pizza.

The city of Binghamton mayor’s office is investigating the restaurant Pasquale’s Pizza, located at 98 State Street, after years of patron complaints of out-of-order bathrooms.

According to a current worker, the bathroom is padlocked, broken and not even accessible to the pizzeria’s employees.

‘The bathroom has been out of order since I began working there,’ said a Pasquale’s employee who asked to remain anonymous so as not to jeopardize his employment. ‘However, we have a nice arrangement with the JT’s bouncers involving a pizza-bathroom barter system.’

According to Section 403.6 of the New York State plumbing code, establishments serving food must have a working lavatory for patrons.

‘We have zero motivation to fix it,’ the employee said. ‘Imagine how that thing would look at the end of a busy night. Most of the people who ask to use it want to vomit in it.’

The restaurant’s owner, Andrew Urso, could not be reached for comment. Pasquale’s operating hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday, 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Although Pasquale’s Pizza has a bathroom sign at the back of the restaurant, it remains locked throughout the weekend as students pile into the place, which at times proves disastrous, as in the case of Eugenio Campos, a senior double-majoring in political science and history.

Campos had just gotten his pizza one weekend in September when the lack of restrooms caused him to lose his appetite.

‘Someone asked if there was a bathroom. It’s been out of order since I was a freshman,’ Campos said. Pasquale’s was previously called Big Daddy’s, but the business changed hands during the fall 2009 semester. ‘He then went to the back to open the [bathroom] door.’

According to Campos, when the man was unable to open the locked door, he proceeded to urinate in the rear garbage can with his back turned to the patrons of Pasquale’s.

‘Indeed, the owner [Urso] stated to the city that the restaurant has a working bathroom,’ said Andrew Block, deputy to Mayor Ryan.

‘Upon investigation, however, the city has learned that the restaurant’s owner regularly keeps the washroom locked because those who go there so often damage it, whether intentionally or not.’

Block noted that Urso must still comply with the NYS Plumbing Code to have working restrooms at the restaurant.

Block suggested that a solution to the locked toilet is for the restaurant to require patrons to request a key to enter the facilities, ensuring that only customers use them.

This may not be possible if the restaurant does not fix the bathroom to a condition in which it is usable.

‘We will monitor this situation to ensure its resolution,’ Block said. He said Monday night that he expects to meet with Urso on Tuesday.

Urso also owns other popular locations in Downtown Binghamton, including The Rathskeller Pub on State Street and Sake-Tumi, a seafood restaurant on Court Street.

‘ Meghan Perri contributed to this report.