So I was playing tennis with some friends on Saturday. It was around 3pm, and we were dead tired and sweaty. So we decided to head on out to Chicago Sweatlodge. I have never been to a Turkish bath before, but I'm used to this type of styled saunas from back home. You enter the place, and they immediately give you a set of towels and a key to your locker. Go on in get changed, take a nice shower and then just chill-lax in their Turkish wet spa (douse yourself with cold water when it gets too hot), dump yourself in the ice-cold pool and then savor the Russian dry spa. After all of that, relax in their little cafe area for some drinks, food and a game of chess. We spent around an hour and a half there, but I could easily have spent more time there if I had a massage. I had a lot of fun and will definitely be back again. read more

I had never been to a sweatlodge before and went on a recommendation from my boss who has been going to them for years. Everyhting he said about the place was right on. The staff is very friendly and did a very good job of explaining the process to a first timer like myself. Don't forget to tip on your way out.....they deserve it for sure. read more

Great place to relax! Good food ! Friendly stuff! Been going to this place for about 8 years now! Would recommend to everyone

Booked a pair of massages for 9pm last night. Make the 25 min drive from the west loop to find out that there was a mix up and no masseuses are there. Instead of just fessing up at the door so I can go home immediately and salvage my evening, they instead wait 20 min to inform me of the error so that I have enough time to change and get settled in for my massage. Thanks for wasting even more of my time. read more

Awesome place to sweat and relax! Truly authentic feel with all the necessities- wet sauna, dry sauna, cold bath. They provide you with everything you need and there are plenty of comfortable leather chairs to relax on between cycles. The food is INCREDIBLE! I will definitely repeat on my next trip to Chicago. read more

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I have no other banya to compare this to, but I love it here The fried chicken is amazing, if it was just a restaurant I would definitely go there just for the food, alone...that fried chicken is no joke The saunas are great, the atmosphere is very relaxed, I'm not looked at any differently bc I'm not Russian or Ukranian and I appreciate feeling welcomed. Be sure to get a hat to protect your head, I forget the native term (Stopka?) but they help for a bald man like myself. Go and enjoy, I usually stay for a good 6 hours or so and come out like a new man every time I can't wait to go back! Btw, they have a bunch of pictures of banya from different cultures, along with explanations of the use in each culture. I recommend checking it out. I'm not sure how many people pay attention to this, but I found it very interesting. If something's worth doing, its worth doing right read more

Clean and inviting facility. Definabl a great spot the spend the day to relax.facility is cleaned throughout the day and it really shows. overall a great place to forget about the outside world. Food is outstanding too. And they have a plethora of Russia tall boy beers. read more

Wow what a nice place. Almost on par with some of the German saunas I've been to. Admission is $30 and includes 2 towels slippers a headcloth and a wrap. People were friendly all over.. Russians, others. I might have spotted 3 cast members of Chicago Fire. The food was excellent and cheap. Quality is outstanding. I had the Brost which came with a small skewer of beef a large round of bread and most than enough soup for a meal. I also had a large mug of carrot/celery/cucumber juice for $5. What a deal! Also got an hour massage from Gunther who was friendly and very good. I got my money's worth. I spent 4 hours there (for the $30) between the dry and wet sauanas shower by the plunge pool the bar and and the zero gravity chairs. The chairs put me to sleep. Make sure you wet the headcloth and put it on your head in the dry sauna. Some seasoned visitors wear s special wool hat. I came out feeling like a new man ! read more

Most relaxing place in Chicago! Most attentive staff, best food, cleanest/hottest saunas, and a very relaxing lounge. I had the chicken soup - fresh pieces of chicken, big carrots, celery, potatoes and a tasty broth- which always comes with their freshly toasted loaf of delicious bread- try that or their seafood soup. Whether it's to relax by myself with a massage, or go with the friends to have dinner, a schvitz, and some drinks- this is my favorite spot. An oasis in portage park! read more

I was in many sauna places all over USA. This place Sweat Lodge I'm highly recommending to visit for many reasons Clean place, very organized, very hot bania, cold lodge, zero gravity relaxing chairs, cold beer with many options to choose, hard liqueur available. I really enjoyed my time there. Thank you! read more

Probably my favorite place in Chicago. Everything you see in reviews is true--especially about the food. My only complaint is that you have to pay full entry in order to dine at the restaurant. Otherwise, I'd come here two or three times a week just for lunch. As it is, I think I average one visit per week. Feels great after a few hours at the gym, or if you have a hangover from a long night partying. read more

Really awesome place. Small, but with great hot/dry and wet saunas and for real cold pool. Had a really good deep tissue massage as well. No frills, all deep tissue, all good. Really the kicker is the little Russian (mostly) restaurant in the front. Schvitzing followed by a shot of vodka. It's a good way to winter in Chicago. read more

Great place to relax and have a quiet time, food is also very good and the staff is friendly.

Great place to spend with friends after long day or a good workout. Really good food. Great service and always friendly atmosphere! Just need to try this place at least once and will always keep coming back! read more

Visiting Chicago every year the spa of my choice is "Kings" (Korean spa) I've decided to visit sweat lodge this year. Dirty towels with brown stains grossed me out.... Went in... And half an hour later we were out. Never going there again read more

One of the best place. Best sauna in Chicago. Great spot. Hot sauna, cold bath, booze, food. What else do you need! read more

One of the best saunas in the Midwest, these guys take it very seriously. It's ideal for bringing your buddies, doing a few rounds of Turkish, Russian and then cold plunge while you build and appetite and get ready for a great meal. Get dumplings, a soup and a salad. You will thank me. read more

What a great place. Clean and well appointed. I have been going to bath houses for decades and after many years of being disappointed with the choices in Chicago I really am glad they are a traditional Eastern European/ Russian bath house. The small restaurant inside has amazing chicken soup. My only complaint is that the change room/ sitting area is cramped. Changing is difficult. They could have switched up the layout to accommodate all that is intended for this room. Satya, WLP3 read more

I had a great experience at Sweatlodge. Definitely a guy's only place to visit. Young kids with dads, teenagers, college guys and grandfathers enjoying each others company was just a neat experience. I had a great massage and you will definitely sweat in the saunas. I will return! Great Eastern European home made food and a nice selection of beers made this place even more special. Excellent staff and they work hard to keep the place clean. Definitely worth a visit men. read more

One of the coolest things I've ever done in Chicago, but brace yourself. You sit in a wet sauna until you can't stand it, then dunk yourself in 42 degree water. Then repeat the process in a dry sauna. I was skeptical, but it makes you feel amazing. I did not go in for having my back whipped with oak leaves though. The food and beer are an awesome aspect of this too, though I didn't try the food. The beer will give you a quick buzz after the sauna! If I lived in Chicago, I could see myself coming here often. read more

I was there about two months ago to get a massage. The Front desk guy seemed to be very friendly and told me that if I booked a massage that there is no entrance fee, of which I replied great I'll be back again. I booked a massage today and it was excellent and when I went to check out the very same front desk guy from last time seemed annoyed was very short and curt when I asked him a question about the time limits on the scrubs, 20 minutes 30 etc. He replied by saying "I don't know what they cost the price is on the door". So, I repeated my question again and he replied, "I don't know". I find it interesting that last time I was there he told me he had worked for the Chicago Sweatlodge for more than 5 years. He then charged me a $17.50 entree fee on top of the massage of $120 and when I brought it up, he said it may have been a promotion last time. That very well could have of been, however, he never mentioned anything about a promotion, he simply told that there's no entry fee when purchasing a massage. Very strange that he didn't know how to answer my question, weird. read more

Excellent place for sauna and food. I came with my friends for the first time and we had a great time. Highly recommended.

Best place to go for relaxation session! Massage, wet Turkish and dry Russian saunas! Love it! Also they serve food and drinks.

I been coming here since I was 13 years now I'm 23 years old this place is by far the best sweat lodge in the city best service best food very hot sauna rooms great food and massages.. good place to relax and enjoy time with friends and family.. and muscle reliever for athletes definitely a place to check out read more

I had a great experience here. Very relaxing and great food and beverages. The staff was friendly

A couple of the older men who are customers were really rude to the new guys. Said we can't get a rub down cause we were new.

This is a hidden jewel in chicago. True Russian ambiance and extremely helpful staff, and cute guys! Definitely a must do in chicago!

Been to this place way too many times and every singe time the food and service is amazing! The facility has gotten even better since they upgraded so definitely worth coming here every couple of months if not more. read more

Such a wonderful staff, excellent food, and a nice wet sauna and dry sauna. The only downside is that the space is a bit cramped, but this is a great place if you're having a gentlemen's night out. read more

I don't believe in God, nor do I believe in fate HOWEVER... I'm a carpenter and had a 17 hour shift on Friday. On Saturday I had to get my car serviced at a dealership and was told it would take about two hours. With nothing to do I walked around looking for a restaurant or... Something. I was already exhausted and was stumbling around like a zombie when I came across a red brick building with a sign that read Chicago sweat lodge. A bathhouse? Hmm... Ok well, let's check this out. Hopefully it's not something out of Cruising. Turns out it's a legit, old world sweat lodge. Wet sauna, dry sauna, cold dip pool, zero gravity chairs, massage.. Even an excellent little restaurant with a huge selection of foreign beers. I walked, no glided out three hours later in a delirious fog of utter relaxation. That 17 hour shift that had me feeling like an old man that just fell down a flight of stairs? Gone! I felt like a new person. Like I had a new body. And now I have to rethink my position on the existence of God and His guiding hand of fate. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. Go there, now! read more

I really thought that this place was the tops. I usually go to my YMCA if I want a sauna and a massage but decided to try this place instead. The only downside is the $25 entry fee, but they give you sandals if you need them, a linen wrap, two regular towels, and a special wrap towel with a Velcro waistband closure for when you're walking around. I didn't even have a massage scheduled ahead of time and they still fit it in. It was the best massage that I've ever had, and I've had a lot of them. (Guy's name was Misha.) I cycled through the wet sauna, cold plunge pool, and dry sauna about three times over the course of an hour. There is a lounge area if you get too hot and there is a cafe that serves beer, vodka, and good food. They just keep a tab running for you based on your locker key number. Everyone was very friendly and talkative, very social place for lots of Russian and Eastern European guys, but everyone was welcome including me (British/Northern European) and a few Latino guys that I chatted with as well. As everyone else has mentioned, this is not a gay bathhouse at all. There is even a sign on the door that says no leering is allowed or you will be kicked out. So, no worries if you're a homophobe, this place is about as straight as the day is long. Just for the record, you can be completely naked but about 90% of the men have a towel on at all times. No one really cares. When you finally leave, there are great showers and then you simply go home. It's very relaxing. Just a word about the massage, it's not the kind where there is Native American pan-flute music playing and they leave the room while you undress. You walk into a room where there are three tables and you drop your towel in front of the masseur and get on the table. He puts a towel over your glutes and your front when you flip but they don't particularly care if it stays in place. However, it was the best, deepest pressure massage ever. He kept asking, "Pain?". No. No pain. It felt awesome. He could even tell my left sciatica nerve was completely messed up even thought I hadn't told him and he relaxed my lower back and out so well, I didn't even have to take the normal Valium I do to keep my back from being in constant spasm. I can't believe he kept up such constant, relaxing pressure for 60 minutes. Expensive, a bit. But I will be back. Disregard the poor reviewers. They obviously have xenophobia or poor body-image issues. read more

After my first visit, I would not recommend this place at all. I should have known better when you are first greeted with a warning sign upon entering the building that reads, "No sex." Keep in mind that everyone inside the bathhouse are all men! I'm a guy and more than once I was extremely creeped out by men trying to hit on me. One guy would follow me around and persistently ask me random questions about myself. As I was showering, one guy leaned over into my stall and was watching me. He gave me a wink and quite possibly the creepiest smile I will ever see in my life. I had to yell at him to look the other way in order for him to stop. On my way out, the guy behind the desk tried to over charge another customer even though the customer pointed at the correct price for the service advertised on their wall. The guy behind the desk responded by saying, "sorry that's the old price." If you enjoy grown homosexual men sexually harassing you and having the business potentially overcharging you, then this is your place! read more

It's a modern take on a classic old world men's sauna. Great experience with nice staff, clean facilities and tasty food. Plan on staying for a few hours because you will want to stay in this oasis. Try many of their services they offer as well. I have had massages many times and it's always a great way to finish up my time at the Sweatlodge read more

I've been here 4 times and can honestly say it's always been a great time. A wonderful way to spend a day with good friends, relaxing, eating awesome food, drinking interesting foreign beers and vodka, meeting new people. On my first visit I wasn't sure I'd feel welcome there among so many regulars, but those fears melted away very quickly and I started planning my next visit. Great staff, friendly crowd, unique experience. Try it with a friend! read more

This place is awesome. I was very curious after reading reviews here and also visiting their website. I needed a break from a project on a Tuesday afternoon so I headed over there. This establishment is clean, classy and authentic. $25 to get in may seem a little steep, but after you spend a few hours sweating and plunging in the 34 degree pool, you'll see that it's worth it. Also I got a detoxifying scrub for $15 plus tip. I plan on going to this place regularly and hopefully convincing some friends to go with me. I didn't eat anything, but the menu looks really nice. Also, I spoke to one of the owners/managing partners after I was done and they are really nice guys. TAKE THE PLUNGE! read more

They know how this works. Very clean and relaxed. Did a couple of the wet sauna (dry was closed for routine repairs), cold plunge circuits and left feeling like a new man read more

After reading all the raving reviews here, I went there on a cold sunday afternoon thinking of relaxing. I kid you not, the experience is nothing but relaxing. I thought its a grown up place, but there were few guys who brought their 3-4 kids whose ages were anywhere from 5-10, and it sounded like there were 15 of them. The grownups who brought them were no better either. I understand that you make conversation and chit chat in the saunas, but these guys were a clique and seem to be friends with the masseuse there and were yelling at top of their lungs in spanish. It just sucks for everyone else when one group takes over the entire place. Again how do you relax if your lounge is in front of the showers and pool? Kings spa's relaxing lounge is better. read more

I don't wanna see this place get too crowded so I won't say anything about them. But to be fair, if you wanna know what I think, 5 stars and I will definitely be back. read more

There may be no greater place on Earth than The Chicago Sweatlodge. For over a decade I have been a patron of this old world Turkish bath house. Chicago Sweatlodge, or "The Man Spa" has been my refuge for getting my mind, body and soul back to a zen level. Everything one needs to recharge is here from the wet and dry saunas, the chilly cold pool, the best of the best masseuses and a full service kitchen. Chicago Sweatlodge not only provides a relaxing environment but a clean and sanitary one as well. This is the "Cheers" for those who wish to sweat, not drink their worries away. The staff has been and remains the best in the Chicagoland area inviting and taking care of generations of sauna goers. At the Chicago Sweatlodge, it's always a good day to get some sauna. read more

This is an update from the previous post. Bill from Sweat Lodge called me and apologized for not addressing the issue. He also offered to reimburse me for the unordered food (I respectfully declined). He seemed sincere in his apologies, and since we are all humans and are prone to making mistakes I believe that ultimately that was the case in my situation. read more