Investigating Raleigh's most unusual water closet

It's an odd feeling to walk for the first time into the men's restroom at The Goat, a tiny, dark barroom on Western Boulevard. This is because the biggest frill in this no-frills establishment is inside that restroom, and takes the form of a $1,200 urinal shaped like a red-lipped mouth.

The Kisses! urinal was imported from The Netherlands five years or so ago. Brandon LaRoque, owner of The Goat, said he found the urinal while shopping on the Internet for something a little different.

"We're always looking for something interesting and new to try," he said. "It stands out to people for sure."

(The image seen here was taken from the store's website. The Goat's version is, um, more worn.)

LaRoque said some female customers have expressed jealousy that they don't have a unique bathroom fixture of their own. He took their concerns seriously enough that he investigated purchasing a toilet that included a working fish bowl. He eventually decided against it.

LaRoque believes he owns one of the only Kisses! urinals in the United States. A quick Internet check shows that he is probably correct.

And although the female customers at The Goat may have bathroom-fixture envy, that's not the feeling in other parts of the world. After complaints, a Canadian restaurant recently removed its Kisses! urinal from use.