Isotope Comics Toilet Museum
The Verdict
"The toilet seat art is in the back of an indie comic shop on Fell Street in Hayes Valley. Free to see while you browse comics. Quick stop, five minutes for the art, longer if you like comics."
What you need to know
What Makes It Worth It
The concept is ridiculous. The execution is genuine. Working comic artists, some well-known in the industry, have painted, drawn, and decorated standard toilet seats with original artwork. The results range from detailed illustrations to absurdist humor to surprisingly beautiful pieces.
It is a comic book store first, toilet art gallery second. If you are into comics, the shop itself is worth a visit for its selection and knowledgeable staff. The toilet seats are the bonus, a quirky, free, only-in-San-Francisco touch that you will not find in any other comic shop.
Plan for a five-minute browse of the toilet art and longer if you are actually shopping for comics. It is a quick, weird stop.
Skip this if bathroom humor is not your thing, literally.
Visiting
Address: 326 Fell Street, Hayes Valley
Hours: Check current store hours. Typically noon to 7:00 PM, closed Mondays.
Cost: Free to view. Comics and merchandise for sale.
Best time to go: Weekday afternoons when the shop is quiet.
What to know: It is a small shop. The toilet seats are on the walls among the comics. Just look up.
Getting There
Transit: Muni 21-Hayes to Fell and Gough. BART or Muni Metro to Civic Center, then a 10-minute walk west.
Parking: Metered street parking on Fell and surrounding Hayes Valley blocks.
Walking: Right in Hayes Valley, steps from Patricia’s Green, Smitten Ice Cream, and the boutique shopping along Hayes Street.