Saunas and Bathhouses in Chicago
King Spa & Sauna
Korean Spa
Largest Korean spa in the US with 9 healing sauna rooms, 34,000 sq ft, 24/7 access.
AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago
Modern Bathhouse
Luxury 90-minute thermal bath experience with 6 hot/cold baths, steam rooms, and floatarium.
Sky Spa Sauna
Russian Banya
Premier Russian European spa with 5 different saunas, Himalayan salt caves, 16,000 sq ft facility.
Eastend
Modern Wellness Club
5,000 sq ft modern wellness club with 40-person Finnish sauna, 4 cold plunges, infrared, and light therapy.
Perspire Sauna Studio
Infrared Sauna Studio
Modern infrared sauna studio offering full-spectrum IR sauna and red light therapy sessions.
SweatHouz Old Town
Infrared Sauna & Cold Plunge
Modern infrared sauna and cold plunge facility with private exclusive suites for individual or small group sessions.
Ethos
Gym Sauna, Recovery Center
Modern recovery-focused gym with 15-person sauna and 3 cold plunges for contrast therapy.
Midtown Athletic Club
Gym Sauna
Established 1970, world's largest indoor tennis facility with spacious sauna and steam rooms.
FFC Gold Coast
Gym Sauna
Upscale fitness club with indoor pool, saunas, steam rooms, and full recovery amenities.
Steamworks Chicago
Bathhouse, Gym
Modern 24/7 bathhouse with gym, sauna, steam room, private cabins, and food service.
Lost Language Sauna
Outdoor Sauna
NEW 2025: Trendy outdoor sauna with wood-fired and electric options, cold plunges, and social atmosphere.
Four Seasons Chicago Spa
Hotel Spa
Luxury 5-star hotel spa above the Magnificent Mile with sauna, steam room, 50-ft indoor pool.
Urban Oasis North Avenue
Modern Bathhouse
Established 1992: Premier massage spa with private locker rooms, sauna, and steam showers.
Chuan Spa at The Langham
Hotel Spa, Modern Bathhouse
Luxury 5-star hotel spa with herbal sauna, Himalayan salt sauna, and premium wellness treatments.
CHICAGO BATH HOUSE
Infrared Sauna, Russian Banya, Hotel Spa
Working modernized bathhouse that doubles as a restaurant & bar serving up Russian fare & vodka.
About the Sauna Scene in Chicago
Chicago's sauna culture is anchored by its strong Eastern European roots: Russian and Ukrainian banyas have been operating in the city for decades, with platza oak-leaf treatments and cold plunges as the centerpiece. The scene also includes Korean spas serving the large Midwest Korean community and a growing cluster of modern social bathhouses.
Winters here make sauna a genuine health ritual, not just a wellness trend. Expect traditional venues to lean rugged and communal, while newer bathhouses emphasize design, ice baths, and contrast therapy. Day passes typically range from $40 to $85.
What to Bring
A Koriboshi Sauna Hat
A sauna hat protects your hair and helps regulate head temperature during longer sessions — a staple in Russian and Finnish sauna traditions. Koriboshi makes a double-layered Japanese cotton sauna hat designed for real bathhouse use.
Shop KoriboshiFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a sauna session cost in Chicago?
Chicago sauna and bathhouse day passes generally fall between $40 and $85. Traditional Russian banyas and Korean spas offer all-day access on the lower end, while newer concept bathhouses with contrast circuits charge $60–$85 per session.
What's the best banya in Chicago?
Chicago has several long-running Russian and Ukrainian banyas that offer the full traditional experience — wood-fired steam rooms, cold plunges, platza treatments, and hearty food service. These are usually family-run and located in the neighborhoods with historic Eastern European communities.
Are there Korean spas in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago and its north suburbs have several Korean-style jjimjilbangs with multiple themed rooms, scrub treatments, and large communal bathing areas. These are typically open 24 hours and offer overnight stays.
What should I wear to a Chicago bathhouse?
Russian banyas and Korean spas typically have single-gender nude bathing areas plus coed common rooms that require provided shorts and a t-shirt. Modern mixed-gender bathhouses require a swimsuit throughout. Bring flip-flops for the wet areas.
What should I bring to a sauna in Chicago?
Bring a swimsuit, flip-flops, a water bottle, and a sauna hat to regulate head temperature during traditional banya sessions where ambient temperatures can exceed 200°F. Most venues provide towels; some banyas expect you to bring your own.