Why New York City Is Leading the Bathhouse Revival Movement in the U.S.
New York City has become the steamy epicenter of America’s bathhouse revival and if you're curious about where modern wellness, ancient rituals, and bold design collide, there's no better place to look.
The bath house revival is not what you might think. The emphasis isn’t necessarily on the sweat. It’s about connection and, for many, a nervous system reset. In a culture addicted to productivity, bathhouses are quietly becoming the spaces where people unplug, unwind, and be present.
At Howl at the Moon Sauna Co., we’re all about reconnecting people with the raw power of heat, cold, and nature. But in the concrete jungle where human connection is often replaced by swipe culture, NYC’s bathhouse boom is doing something radical: it’s creating gathering spaces for real rest, ritual, and connection.
Let’s explore why New York is leading the charge and where to go if you want to soak in the movement firsthand.
Are Bathhouses The Soulful Antidote to City Burnout?
New York is known for its hustle. But even in an overstressed, always connected culture, the tides are shifting. We’re seeing a cultural craving for slowness, for pause, for sweat. In a post-pandemic world where touch, presence, and health have taken center stage, bathhouses have resurfaced not just as wellness hubs but as communal spaces of connection, clarity, and care.
This isn’t just a local trend. According to Fast Company, bathhouses are “picking up steam” all across the country. But in NYC, where cultures overlap and neighborhoods carry global stories, the bathhouse scene is especially electric.
The Social Side of Sweating
If you’re like us, when we head to the sauna we’re not just going to detox. We’re going to connect. Bathhouses today are part social hub, part wellness sanctuary. They’re becoming the new third space for creatives, athletes, healers, and everyday people who want to feel more grounded in their bodies.
As Thrillist puts it, “New York’s hottest club is a bathhouse.” It’s not about some exclusive velvet-rope nightclub. It’s about having a space where you can slow down, find connection, and indulge in a social practice that is actually good for your body and mind. It doesn’t matter what you wear, who you know, or what your job title is. In the heat, we’re all just human.
And NYC bathhouses are embracing this truth. Elhani’s wellness speakeasy challenges social norms by offering a radically transformative environment and social nightlife alternative. While Othership, is proof that you can cry in the sauna and leave lighter than air. And, CityWell shows us that even a small courtyard can hold big medicine.
A Global Bathing Culture Under One Skyline
The thing about NYC is that it holds multitudes. You can sit in a Finnish sauna one minute and dip into a Korean mineral soak the next. This cultural mash is both fun and deeply healing. It's a chance to honor historic practices, embrace less familiar traditions, and build a broader bathing vocabulary.
The thing about New York City is that it holds multitudes. The city stands as a testament to the world’s diverse bathing traditions, all converging beneath its iconic skyline. From the historic Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village, established in 1892, to modern wellness centers like World Spa in Brooklyn, the city offers a mosaic of global hydrotherapy experiences.
From traditional platza treatments, where oak leaves are used in a therapeutic massage, a practice rooted in Eastern Europe to a variety of global bathing traditions including Russian banyas, Finnish saunas, and Japanese onsen tubs- these establishments not only offer relaxation but also serve as cultural hubs, preserving and celebrating the communal aspects of bathing that have been integral to societies worldwide.
In a city as diverse as New York, these bathhouses provide a unique opportunity to engage with global traditions, all within a single urban landscape. Curious about the deeper currents behind this movement? We love the Culture of Bathing Substack that explores global sauna and bathhouse history, architecture, and trends.
Our Picks: NYC Bathhouses That Are Changing the Way We Sweat + Connect
We haven’t made the pilgrimage to all of these spots just yet, but they’re high on our must-soak list. These are the bathhouses we’ve been eyeing for their vibe, design, cultural roots, or buzz in the wellness world. Whether it’s old-school charm or a sleek, sensory experience, each one feels like a place where the magic of heat, community, and slow living is alive and well.
Bathhouse – With two locations in the city, Bathhouse features thermal pools, saunas, a steam room, and marble hammams. Bathhouse is the “anti-spa” spa experience.
CityWell Brooklyn - A modern and nature-filled setting in the heart of Brooklyn, CityWell offers massage therapy, hydrotherapy, beautiful rain showers, an aromatherapy filled steam room, outdoor soaking tub and cedar sauna and cold plunge.
World Spa in Brooklyn – Opened in 2022, World Spa is the first of its kind to offer a variety of global, authentic, experiences by preserving ancient practices and uniting various culturally authentic thermal bathing practices.
Othership - A sanctuary for social self-care, Othership features a transformational experience through multiple saunas and ice baths, as well as guided breathwork, meditation, and performance sessions.
Russian & Turkish Baths - A wildly popular and historic no-frills bathhouse offering steam rooms, saunas, cold plunges, and massages, plus a restaurant.
Elhani - New York’s first wellness speakeasy challenging the norms of social wellness merging the atmosphere & ambiance of a speakeasy with the revitalizing elements of a wellness space.
Brooklyn Bathhouse - A Black-owned bathhouse in Flatbush, Brooklyn Bathhouse is creating space for diverse bodies, stories, and traditions to feel safe, seen, and well.
Sojo Spa Club - Just over the Hudson River in Edgewater, NJ, SoJo Spa Club is a Korean bath house inspired spa and boutique hotel that brings together global spa traditions and cultures under one roof.
AIRE Ancient Baths - Inspired by the traditional Roman, Greek and Ottoman ancient experiences, AIRE Ancient Baths are designed to guide you through a journey of sensations- thermal baths at different temperatures (hot, cold, warm and ice), steam rooms, jets bath and Flotarium (Salt Bath).
Why This Matters (Even If You Don’t Live in NYC)
We get it. Not everyone can hop on the L train for a steam and schvitz. But the NYC bathhouse scene is setting the tone for a national shift toward communal wellness.
Here at Howl at the Moon Sauna Co., we bring that same sense of soul and ceremony to your backyard, driveway, or favorite forest trail. We believe that everyone deserves access to thermal therapy, whether you're in Brooklyn or the backwoods of Michigan.
Because at the end of the day, sauna isn’t just about sweating. It’s about slowing down, breathing deep, and coming home to yourself.
Ready to Join the Revival?
Whether you're inspired to explore the NYC bathing scene or to bring the bathhouse vibes home with a mobile sauna rental, the bathhouse movement is here and it’s only getting hotter.
Follow us on Instagram for a peek into sauna culture, real-life stories, and behind-the-scenes magic.
Wherever you land on the map, this bathhouse revival is about choosing presence over pace. Intentional slowness. It's providing space for the quiet conversation between body and breath. Whether you’re soaking in silence, plunging with strangers, or sipping tea between rounds, one thing’s for certain- in a world that keeps speeding up, a bathhouse experience may be just what the doctor ordered.
