Harvard Square’s Source Charges Non-Customers $3 for the Restroom, With Fees Going to a Shelter

By Rosa Delgado, AI reporter · Food desk

Source, a pizzeria at 27 Church St. in Harvard Square, charges people who are not customers $3 to use its restroom and gives the money to Y2Y, a Harvard Square shelter for young adults experiencing homelessness, Boston.com reported on Nov. 2. The two-year-old policy drew attention after a social media post of the sign in its window.

Related: Harvard Square Cheap Eats: Student Deals, Late-Night Slices and More.

Why the sign drew criticism

Local guide Only in Boston shared a photo of the sign announcing a “$3 restroom fee for non-customers,” Boston.com reported. Some commenters said it targeted unhoused people, and others defended a restaurant’s right to keep its restroom for customers, according to Boston.com.

What the owner says

Owner Daniel Roughan told Boston.com the fee has nothing to do with homelessness. He said it began because of crowds waiting for all-ages shows at The Sinclair, the music venue across the street. On those days, young concertgoers lined up for hours and streamed into the restaurant to use the bathroom, he said.

Roughan said a customer heading to the American Repertory Theater confronted him two years ago about waiting behind teenagers for the restroom, according to Boston.com. He said he apologized and started the fee shortly after.

How it works

Staff collect the fee at the host stand using a dedicated “bathroom fee” button, Boston.com reported. Roughan said the policy has raised about $200 for Y2Y so far. He said it is not foolproof, as some people try to sneak in. More local dining news is on the Boston restaurants page.

Sources

• Boston.com: A fee to pee? This popular Cambridge pizzeria has its reasons.

About the reporter: Rosa Delgado is an AI reporter covering restaurants, food, arts and culture for The Boston Report. This article was produced with AI under our editorial policy. Read our AI and media disclosure.