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Do You Really Need Extra Restrooms for Your Event? Here’s How to Determine the Right Amount

Mariah Mazerski on 08/21/2025

There are a lot of moving parts in event planning, but if you want to keep your attendees happy, the restrooms need to be more than an afterthought. Supplying clean, comfortable, and convenient restroom access isn’t just a clipboard obligation, but a key part of the overall event experience. When people spend more time in line for a bathroom than they do enjoying the music, the food, or the speeches, that unforgettable atmosphere you’ve worked so hard to create, well, let’s just say your five-star event quickly becomes a one-star review.

Restroom planning might not be the most exciting item on your checklist, but it plays a major role in how your event is remembered. Here’s how to get it right.

Why the Right Number of Restrooms Really Matters

Getting the restroom count wrong has consequences, no matter how you slice the cheese. Too few restrooms lead to long lines, unsanitary conditions, and frustrated guests. Too many, and you’re spending money and space you could’ve used elsewhere. Well-planned restroom logistics improve:

  • Guest comfort: When fun is the reason they’re there, your guests don’t want to sacrifice the time they could be spending dancing, eating, or socializing by standing in a restroom line.   
  • Hygiene and safety: More restrooms mean less crowding and cleaner conditions throughout the day.
  • Event flow: Sufficient restroom access helps maintain a steady pace and prevents guests from bottlenecking key areas.
  • Revenue impact: Research shows that when restrooms are lacking, attendees don’t stay as long, which can lead to decreased food, beverage, and merchandise sales.
  • Cost-efficiency: Ordering just the right number of restrooms keeps your budget balanced and avoids emergency add-ons.
Portable restrooms staged for an event, highlighting how to plan the right number of units based on crowd size

Key Factors That Impact Your Restroom Needs

The general rule is one restroom per 50 guests for events up to four hours. But there are several variables that can influence how many restrooms your event really needs. Of course, guest count is the starting point, but it’s far from the whole picture.

The length of your event plays a major role. For example, guests attending a three-hour garden party will have very different needs from those at a 10-hour music festival. Serving food and alcohol? That’s a guaranteed bump in usage, especially with drinks in the mix. For events with heavier meals or open bars, expect to increase your restroom count by at least 20 percent.

You’ll also want to consider the type of event and the audience. Weddings often call for higher-end or private options like restroom trailers, while casual festivals might prioritize volume and coverage over fancy finishes. The physical location of your event matters, too—if it’s in a park, field, or anywhere without existing restrooms, you’ll need to build that infrastructure from the ground up. Even the gender mix of your crowd should be taken into account, since women typically require more restroom time. And don’t forget accessibility.  Handicap-accessible restrooms ensure everyone can comfortably attend and enjoy your event.

“I can’t say enough positive things about Throne Depot. Communication was excellent, delivery was on time and the units were pristine. Will definitely be calling them again.” – Brian D., Project One Vet at a Time

Honest Answers Lead to Better Results

At The Throne Depot, we build custom recommendations based on honest, accurate event details. Tell us how many people you’re expecting, how long they’ll be there, and whether there’s a pre-party, after-party, or late-night s’mores situation you forgot to mention.

If your guest count is 150, and you want to rent two restrooms and hope for the best, we’ll gently redirect. We’d rather you hear it from us now than from your guests mid-event. Our team factors in your crowd, layout, and event type, and can even schedule cleanings for multi-day use to keep things fresh.

Why Choose The Throne Depot?

We’re more than just toilet drop-off specialists. We’re your restroom planning partners. With years of experience in festivals, fundraisers, galas, and garden weddings, we help organizers think through every detail of the restroom experience.

Whether you need a row of standard portable units, luxury restroom trailers, ADA-accessible options, or handwashing stations, we’ll help you find the right mix, get the right number of units, pick the perfect placement, and make sure your event runs cleanly and smoothly.

Not sure how many restrooms you really need? Request a quote today or check out our full range of restroom rentals on our website. We’ll take care of the restroom plan so your team can focus on everything else that makes for happy guests (who leave rave reviews).

Planning a Successful Festival: Essential Amenities Checklist

Emory Day on 06/24/2025

Let’s be honest—no one buys a ticket to your festival thinking about the bathrooms. They’re dreaming about music under the stars, food trucks, cold drinks, and maybe a little crowd-surfing. But when nature calls? That magical experience can unravel fast if the facilities aren’t up to par. And trust us, a badly planned restroom setup is the kind of thing guests will remember—for all the wrong reasons. So, while it might not be the star of the show, having the right portable toilet game plan can mean the difference between a smooth, joyful event and one that, well… stinks. So here it is: your inside scoop on festival restroom planning—what to include, what to avoid, and how to make sure your guests spend more time dancing and less time waiting in line.

Strategic Placement: Where to Park the Thrones

Restroom placement might not seem so strategic, but get it wrong and you’ll hear about it—fast. Nothing sours all the festival feels like mile-long bathroom lines and upset guests doing the pee-pee dance. Smart placement keeps things moving, keeps guests smiling, and keeps you from becoming the “bathroom blunder” story everyone shares on social media.

Start by identifying high-traffic areas: near food vendors, beverage stations, and main stages. Placing portable restrooms within easy reach of these spots ensures guests won’t have to embark on a quest when nature calls. But don’t cluster all the units in one area; spreading them out helps distribute foot traffic and reduces wait times.

Accessibility is key. Ensure that handicap-accessible units are placed on level ground with clear pathways, accommodating all guests comfortably. And remember, service trucks need access too. Position units within 35 feet of a service vehicle’s reach to facilitate maintenance without disrupting the festivities.

Places to avoid setting up portable restrooms? Seating areas or food lines. That’s not exactly the backdrop you want for the gourmet taco truck.

Portable toilets and sanitation essentials prepared for a large festival

Quantity Guidelines: How Many Portable Restrooms is Enough?

Ah, the golden question—and one that’s often underestimated. When it comes to festivals, “just a few” units might not cut it. Fortunately, The Throne Depot’s Event Planning Guide offers a foolproof formula to get it right.

The general rule? One restroom per 50 guests for events up to four hours. BUT—and this is a big BUT—most festivals run longer and include food and drinks, so you’ll want to bump that number up accordingly. If alcohol is involved, you’ll need 15–20% more units to keep lines short and guests happy. Because nothing kills a buzz faster than waiting 25 minutes for a bathroom.

Hosting an all-day or multi-day festival? Make room for additional servicing or extra portable restrooms to stay ahead of the demand.

Still not sure what you need? No problem. The Throne Depot team can run the numbers for you, factoring in everything from your guest list to your event length. It’s planning made easy—no math degree required.

Variety Matters: Options to Keep Every Guest Happy

A successful restroom setup isn’t just about quantity—it’s about variety. For large festivals, you’ll want a healthy mix of premium portable toilets, Handicap-accessible units, and handwashing stations.

Portable toilet units are the go-to for general use and are especially popular with guys who aren’t too picky. But when your crowd includes families, kids, or elderly attendees, ADA-compliant restrooms are a must—not just for compliance, but for comfort. These larger units offer extra space, making them ideal for parents helping young kids or for guests who simply appreciate a little elbow room.

And while hand sanitizer does the job in a pinch, handwashing stations elevate the whole experience. Add at least one for every four to six restrooms, and your festival guests will notice you’ve gone the extra mile for hygiene!

“Throne Depot was great! So pleasant to work with. Our attendant was kind and friendly to our festival guests. The price was right and service outstanding. I will for sure use them again next year!” – Jennifer C. Claws & Country Music Festival

From Basic to VIPee: Experiences for Every Budget

Here’s where the planning gets fun. Do you go all-out with restroom trailers, or keep it classic with event units? The answer depends on your budget and your crowd.

Some events, like Boston Pride or outdoor concerts, go hybrid. Portable toilets are spread throughout the grounds, while restroom trailers are reserved for VIPs or performers. You’ll also see standard units for the general public at The New England Free Jacks, but they offer upgraded restroom trailers to VIP ticket holders in their private lounge area. 

Bottom line: a little restroom luxury can be a big incentive for higher-tier tickets—and a lifesaver for your performers.

Recap: Festival Restroom Planning Checklist

  • Estimate guest count and event duration
  • Determine if alcohol or food will be served
  • One restroom per 50 guests (adjust for alcohol/service needs)
  • Add ADA-compliant units (1 per 20 restrooms minimum)
  • Add one handwashing station per 4–6 restrooms
  • Choose a mix of standard units and trailers if needed
  • Identify high-traffic areas for placement
  • Avoid placing units near food service or seating
  • Ensure delivery access for service trucks (within 35 feet)
  • Schedule delivery 1–2 days prior to the event
  • Plan for servicing during multi-day events
  • Provide restroom trailers for VIP or backstage areas if applicable

Why Choose The Throne Depot?

At The Throne Depot, we know a great event hinges on the details—including the not-so-sexy ones like portable restrooms. With decades of experience supporting festivals, parades, concerts, and outdoor gatherings of all shapes and sizes, we’ve mastered the art of keeping things clean, comfortable, and crowd-friendly.

From setup to servicing, we help you plan the perfect restroom experience for your guests—whether that means dozens of portable toilet rentals or a luxury restroom trailer or two with AC and Bluetooth speakers. We’ll help with logistics, placement, unit variety, and even those tricky questions about timing and flow.

Ready to plan a festival that hits every note—even in the bathroom department?  Request a quote today or explore our wide range of portable restrooms on our website. Because when the restrooms are right, the crowd stays happy, and the only thing overflowing is the fun.