CHICAGO BATH HOUSE

★★★★★ 4.4 (979 reviews) RECOVERY COLD PLUNGE CONTRAST THERAPY INFRARED SAUNA

📍 1914 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

Chicago Bath House is a traditional Russian-style bathhouse operating since 1906, offering sauna, platza (birch/oak broom massage), body scrubs, an... Walk-ins welcome.

From $50

per session

modalities

4.4★

979 reviews

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Vibe

luxuryboutiquecommunity

Services

ServiceDurationPrice

Body Scrub20 min$60

Cold Pool$50

Contrast Therapy (Cold Pool/Hot Room Immersion)$50

Hot Room (Banya/Schvitz)$50

Signature Russian/Turkish Platza30 min$85

Soap Scrub15 min$50

Traditional Platza15 min$50

Based on 980 Google reviews

Location

About This Studio

Chicago Bath House is a traditional Russian-style bathhouse operating since 1906, offering sauna, platza (birch/oak broom massage), body scrubs, and cold plunge as core recovery services. Walk-in admission is available ($50/day for adults) with no reservation required for sauna use, though spa treatments are advisable by appointment. The studio distinguishes itself as the oldest and only traditional bathhouse remaining in Chicago, combining authentic banya culture with a full restaurant, bar, and lounge.

Best For

first-timersdrop-in-friendlymulti-modalityluxury

What Sets Them Apart

Oldest and only traditional bathhouse remaining in Chicago; one of only a handful in the United States
Authentic Russian banya culture with tiered cedar benches, gas-heated brick ovens, and traditional birch/oak broom platza services
Full-service venue combining recovery with restaurant, bar, and lounge in single location
Walk-in admission available at any time (no appointment required for sauna); open daily for extended hours

Service Details

Hot Room (Banya/Schvitz)

$50

Traditional banya with brick or granite ovens heated by gas jets to extreme temperatures, creating dry heat. Three-level tiered cedar benches allow bathers to choose different temperature zones. Cold water taps are located under benches for self-dousing. Included with $50 day admission.

Cold Pool

$50

Cold water pool available outside the hot room for immersion when overwhelmed by heat. Included with $50 day admission.

Traditional Platza

15 min · $50

Traditional service with birch, oak, or eucalyptus broom bundles soaked in warm water, then re-soaked in hot water to soften. Therapist performs scrubbing with the broom to provide organic aromatherapy. 15-20 minute session. $50 service fee plus $50 admission required.

Soap Scrub

15 min · $50

Platza therapist uses seaweed broom with hot soap water for massage from head to toe. 15-20 minute session. $50 service fee plus $50 admission required.

Body Scrub

20 min · $60

Traditional Russian service where platza therapist uses special exfoliating gloves to scrub in circular movements to remove dead skin. 20-25 minute session. $60 service fee plus $50 admission required.

Signature Russian/Turkish Platza

30 min · $85

Complete platza experience combining exfoliation with soap scrub finished with short relaxing body massage. 30-35 minute session. $85 service fee plus $50 admission required.

Contrast Therapy (Cold Pool/Hot Room Immersion)

$50

Alternating between the hot room (extreme heat via banya) and cold pool immersion. Bathers may dump buckets of cold water while in hot room or step outside to use the cold pool. Included with $50 day admission.

What Reviewers Say

Chicago Bath House is praised for its authentic European banya atmosphere, food, and sauna amenities, but suffers from highly inconsistent staff professionalism and service quality. The hidden $45 admission fee and mediocre massage/facial services disappoint some customers, while others report excellent experiences and fair pricing.

Based on 980 Google reviews

Cleanliness & Hygiene

clean facilities'everything looked clean and cozy'

−

cleanliness concerns

Staff

friendly staff'friendly staff'

−

rude/gruff staff

Facility

unique European/Soviet vibe

good food and bar

−

locker room small and crowded

−

sauna excessively hot

Value

$45 admission fee surprises customers

very fair pricing

expensive massage services ($225)

Standout Staff

Bartender — mentioned positively in 2 reviews

Most Mentioned

saunafriendlyrudemassagefacialfeecoldfoodstaffdisappointing

Facility & Amenities

✓Towels Provided

✓Robes Provided

Privacy & Setup

Cold PlungeShared Pool

NotePrivate rooms available for spa treatments; coed facility with shared banya and cold pool

Equipment Details

cold plunge

Type: shared_pool
Count: 1

sauna

Capacity: Three-level tiered cedar benches
Count: 2

Your First Visit

👕
What to Wear: Swimsuit required for coed facility (studio sells based on availability); robes, slippers, towels provided
📖
Orientation: First-timer orientation available
⚠️
Note: Studio recommends consulting doctor before using sauna/cold pool due to medical considerations

🚶

Walk-ins accepted

📅

Open weekends

🌅

Early morning hours

🌙

Late evening hours

📋

No charge for cancellations or rescheduling made 24 hours prior to spa treatment. 50% of service cost charged for cancellations after 24-hour cutoff or for no-shows. Valid credit card required to hold reservation.

Hours

Monday	10 AM–11 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–11 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–11 PM
Thursday	10 AM–11 PM
Friday	10 AM–12 AM
Saturday	7 AM–12 AM
Sunday	7 AM–11 PM

The Team

Platza Therapist

Recovery Combos

Signature Russian/Turkish Platza

30 min · $85

Platza, Body Scrub

Traditional hot and cold contrast cycling using banya hot rooms and cold pool. Bathers alternate between time on cedar benches in extreme heat and cold water immersion.

Data last verified: 2026-03-16

Own this studio? Email jess.park@sweatlocal.net to update your listing

CHICAGO BATH HOUSE

Vibe

Services

Location

Cleanliness & Hygiene

Staff

Facility

Value

Standout Staff

Most Mentioned

Privacy & Setup

Equipment Details

Hours

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