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

The best place in Chicago for a schvitz and a rubdown!! Bill is the best, get the 90 minute massage. Great steam room as well and dry sauna. Can be really crowded early Sunday mornings so be advised. Some parking in back or easy neighborhood parking. Excellent food, I'm crazy about the kielbasa & pierogi combo plate. I like the ethnic diversity too and everyone is polite and friendly, staff and patrons. Wish I could afford to gone every week, but well worth the price as an indulgence for your birthday. They supply towels and shower-shoes so jut bring your wallet and credit card, leave your worries behind and relax!!! read more

Good Banya,good Turkish Bath ,amazing cold plunge pool, decent Slavic food inc.great chicken soup. Don't ,however, schedule massage with Gunther- he doesn't keep his scheduled appointments. read more

It is great place to relax and drink The massage guy is very friendly and professional With a nice touch too I will go. There always Thank you guys They are all friendly read more

Good experience! Diverse clients! Manliness! Came here on a Saturday a little before noon. Welcomed and given a quick tour by the desk guy. This is a no frills place but also a place where worries can be cast aside and male bonding can begin. Good food and excellent drink options. I experienced no creepers or anyone inappropriately interested in my friend and I, other than normal conversation. Most everyone was covered unless plunging and then they were only exposed for a few seconds. Get over it. Not the best place for quiet, calm, relaxation but a great old world experience and I felt great after a few circuits in saunas and plunge. read more

This is the perfect place to relax. Nothing like hanging out naked with the guys. Food, drink and sweating. You feel absolutely reborn.

I've been going to this place for few years now. It has an incredible atmosphere, friendly staff and customers as well. However, I'd like to correct myself a bit and add that I've never been treated here as a customer. It feels more like a home where all worries can be washed out, brain recharged after a rough week and stomach pleased with a delicious food :))) Highly recommend. read more

Overall this is a great place to take care of yourself at. The dry sauna peaks at 210, and averages at 200. In the past I've had some issues with the sauna not being at 210-220 but it appears the problem is fixed. The average temp at one of my gym membership ranges at 180-200 so it's crucial that they keep the temp up for their saunas to make their experience more unique. What really makes the experience good is the cold pool which is set at 35 degrees celcius that you can jump right in after a good sweat. Showers are very clean, the food is good, staff is friendly, and the massage therapists are also very good for athletes like myself. If you are looking for a sweedish massage, then this is not the place to go for a massage. They will adress the injuries, and make you feel better when you leave. I've had issues with my shoulders, back, and elbow and have never felt any better then when I get a hot & cold sauna & cold pool combined with a sports massage. read more

Great place to relax and detox. The food is pretty good. I just wish the lockers were larger and also I wish they had a hot tub. Overall great place. read more

While not large compared to baths in Eastern Europe or Turkey, Chicago Sweatlodge has the authentic esssentials -wet steam room, dry sauna, cold bath with a waterfall, outdoor patio garden to cool off in, a reclining TV lounge, and a great Russian cafe/bar where you can relax in just your wrap. While this is men only, the mix of people there is all ages and ethnic groups with a variety of language spoken. Chicago Sweatlodge also offer traditional services such as scrubs and massages at very reasonable prices. If you have Groupon, take advantage of the bath plus massage special. read more

I've gotta say I love this place! No nonsense, no seediness. Clientele is there for health and relaxation. I generally start in the dry heat sauna and alternate with some chilly dips into the cold pool. Finishing up in the 180 degree recliners is the best! My only complaint which in some ways can not be helped in this environment is that the chairs can have a musty smell from shirtless dudes laying in them. Thought I'd mention it to be thorough. Great experience overall. read more

I was there once and I had a bad experience, I walked in and they gave me a my locker key and told me I could order food if I wanted and I would pay for everything when I leave based on what's charged to my key number.While I was there a group of young polish guys also arrived,they didn't seem to friendly.I went into the restaurant while they where sitting there and I order an Iced tea(I don't drink alcohol) the asked for my key number I told him #6 he asked to see it I showed him.Later after they left I was sitting in the chair watch tv when the man in the the restaurant was cleaning the floor he asked me "you seem tired" I said exhausted ,then he said "your going home to have a beer?" I said ":no I don't drink"Ihat line of question puzzled me,At the time of checked out I saw my charges there were charges of 2 german beers, apparently when I told the man my number for the iced tea they overheard me and got 2 beer on my number AMAZINGLY THE ATTENDANT ASKED TO SEE MY NUMBER WHEN I TOLD HIM BUT WHEN THOSE YOUNG POLISH GUYS ASKED FOR THOSE 2 BEERS ON MY NUMBER THEY WERNT ASKED TO PRODUCE THE KEY,by me being a Black guy I really felt out of place there and the fact that 2 beers where charged to my key didn't help things any read more

This place is so great, no comparison any other in Chicago...staff is very friendly, communicative, helpful and guide you to make your stay more pleasent. I recomend André as the best masseur and entertainer out of the group of eight. It may be quite of elevated in price but reall worth it at the end. One of my friends told me about it but I didn't get in until I check the reviews and call in for more info. No membership required like other clubs. I give them 5 stars, been there twice and planning to come back at least twice a month. Thanks for your service and willing to get André each time as my masseur. read more

This is just an update to note some changes from my last review: STAFF: One of the best reasons to support the Chicago Sweatlodge is that Alex K (front desk), Serge (front desk), Jose (kitchen), Hugo (kitchen), Johnny (kitchen) and Gunther (massage therapist) are great guys. They've all been working at CSL a good long minute and have been very consistent in their welcoming attitude toward the patrons. FOOD AND BEVERAGES: Although my favorite CSL signature item remains the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, the elimination of the steak stick as an option for the borscht (beet and carrot soup) was disappointing. It added a lot of flavor to a dish that I'd otherwise only order to feel good about choosing to laze about all day long under the pretense of "taking care of myself." So, CSL management, please bring back the borscht with steak stick, or at least add a fresh-squeezed fruit juice option to compensate for the loss of your uniquely delicious borscht. SAUNAS: Great heat is always promised at least for part of each day in the wet and dry saunas, though for me, it's most optimal when patrons bring garlic and eucalyptus for the furnace. As usual, summer repairs leave the wood looking gorgeous, even though the staff must struggle to ensure the patrons won't abuse it. (Read: Patrons should be advised never to climb down from the top rung of the wet sauna simultaneously. On one occasion, two patrons did this in the right section of the wet sauna and, as the middle right bench collapsed, they flew into me.) I am subtracting one star partially because I've generally given CSL's Wicker Park competitor, Red Square Spa, 4/5 star reviews despite the fact that over the years, it has provided a superior experience to Chicago Sweatlodge in two respects: The quality of the menu (gelato, lamb chops, Ginger Beer, Shirley Temples) and the demonstrated appreciation of the manager, Anton, for patrons' diversity. So if you've only found it to be relaxing, I would recommend continuing to support Chicago Sweatlodge because the front desk (both of the Alex's and Serge), kitchen (Hugo, Johnny and Jose) and massage therapist Gunther work hard to optimize the experience of CSL for all patrons rather than focusing only on the ones who the manager thinks will look the best on the various TV shows that have filmed segments at CSL. That brings me to the main reason why I'm updating this review: I've had some recent experiences with Chicago Sweatlodge that left me questioning whether it's still fulfilling its mission of promoting relaxation, a mission that would seem to justify my choice to patronize it for nearly 7 years and spend in excess of $10,000 there. Unfortunately, I have to report that Chicago Sweatlodge is no longer a great place for me to relax, and I've probably been in denial about that for a while. The reason why it's not relaxing is that despite the best efforts of the guys whose work I've praised in this review, the owner and the manager (at the owner's insistence) are obsessively concerned that CSL will eventually become a place where men go to have sex with one another. The fear of sex in Russian/Turkish baths isn't unreasonable, as businesses have historically closed or been suspended over it, but there are much healthier and more commercially sound ways to channel that fear than the owner and manager do. They spend a great deal of time trying to see what patrons are doing on their phones, trying to hear what they're talking about with one another, trying to observe how they interact with the massage therapists, and even confronting them about their perception that they have "looked" at another patron or patrons. I have heard about several related conflicts, and on one occasion of management's paranoia at a time when I had been completely minding my own business in a room by myself, I've been drawn into such a conflict. The accusation was that one of the other patrons believed I came to "cruise for sex" - which is mind-boggling considering that (weekly on average) I have arrived at and left CSL alone for nearly seven years and often have to be enticed just into sharing a table with anyone else there. In the wake of the immediate conflict, the owner shared with me over the phone, by text and in voicemails some of his views on political, racial and sexual identity that don't make sense to disclose at length or in such vitriolic language with a patron, especially one who has been giving his business as much money as I have. Yet, in conclusion, he expressed that it would be a "failure" for me to stop patronizing CSL. Although I would certainly miss the place for its virtues I've cited in this review, I know that relaxation isn't possible there with the current management strategy. Perhaps it will be different for me in the future, and obviously it is different now for other patrons. read more

I love this place. From the young man who checks you-in, to the bartenders, the masseurs, and the clientele...it's extremely friendly and welcoming. I love the rain showers; they feel wonderful after a day at work and/or when the weather is miserable. From there I visit the wet sauna. Afterwards I get a massage. My last time there I had Gunther, who was thorough and really worked on my head, neck and shoulders. The restaurant has beer from all over the world and serves food - mostly of an eastern European theme. High-def TVs are everywhere, allowing you to watch all kinds of sports in the restaurant, in the locker/lounge room...and even from the showers. Everything about Chicago Sweatlodge is "escape" and "relaxation." Oh, and it's kept immaculately clean and updated. It's a very diverse crowd: most of the men there are eastern European; however, all are friendly and engage in conversation. I only wish they'd add whirlpools! read more

Had a good and relaxing time here. No need to repeat what the previous reviewers have said, but this place is definitely worth the visit. The pelmeni were pretty good. The one (minor) thing I wish this place had was some sort of jacuzzi or pool to sit in to cool off. read more

One of the most relaxing and beneficial experiences I've had. The sweat lodge is all about the polarity of the hot from cold. Something about the transition from extreme heat to extreme cold calms my mind and body. Leaving me feeling relaxed and pain free for days. Add in the zero gravity chairs and it's an awesome experience. Don't fear the cold pool, but it commands respect. Do not overdo it as it can have strange effects on your body. I did the cold plunge 10 times on my last visit after enjoying the heat for 10 to 15 minutes. I had a few muscles twitching for the next 24 hours. No big deal and it still healed many of the nagging injuries I deal with regularly so no big deal. Go and enjoy!!!! read more

This place is a great sweat lodge and I try to go about once a month. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, the place is quite clean, and the massages are excellent. I will continue to go here. read more

Best place to chill on Sunday with group of friends, family. Good food, you can play chess, cards, domino and they also have tablets. TV's on every wall, good place to relax. Never had massage there, seems pricy, I'm not big fan of guys touching me. read more

I was looking forward for a great massage and relaxing saturday afternoon, it was a disappointment an hour worst massage I ever Had in my life so far,not sure if therapist is licensed.Will never come back again.NOT RECOMMENDED.ZERO STAR. read more

first time visit last Friday. read yelp reviews before visit, all were helpfully. first thing u see when entering is the restaurant, then the locker room with the sauna, cold water pool and steam room on the side. massage rooms are at the back. patrons were mostly Russians and Hispanics. everyone seemed older, 40's and up with a few kids, 8-12 yo. a few guys, early 20' did show up a little later. the steam and sauna rooms were huge, specially the steam. the cold water plunge pool was on the small side. they do not have any other type of spa tubs. when not using the steam or sauna, only other place hang out at (aside from the restaurant) were on the rows of leather chairs running down the center of the locker room. showers are near with doors for privacy. the massages are semi private, 3 in a room, separated by partition walls. it reminded me of a horse stall! lol. the massage was the best I've had. the therapist was Yuri. ask for him if ur going. the guy knows what he's doing. the staff is helpful. great place to relax, just wished there was more room! will be back. read more

It's $5 more than Division Street Baths, but the fact that there's a (seeringly, scaldingly hot) dry sauna here makes it more than worth the money. While the authentic decrepitude of the old place has its charms, give me Chicago Sweatlodge's huge lounge and pristine facilities. read more

Small but clean. Try the hour massage with Bill. You will forget whatever problems you had. Bill is the best masseur I have ever encountered. A deal at $65/hr ($15/$20 tip recommended) read more

The best Sauna in all of Chicago. I must go here about three times a week. This is much cleaner then any other sauna in Chicago. It's located on Cornelia and Cicero. The Turkish and Rushian Suanas get up to 200 degrees. The bar and food is excelent and provides something that most Suana's don't. By far worth the money and hardley ever a wait. read more

I've been using the Chicago Sweatlodge on and off for 3 years. I can't say enough about my experience and the great staff. I usually get to a point every few months that I need a 60 or 90 minute massage. I've had a total of three different massage therapist there and they have all been wonderful at relaxing me and getting rid of knots throughout my shoulders and back. The dry and wet saunas are great but for me I truly enjoy the wet sauna a little more and have had an exfoliating session where a technician repeatedly hits you with a bundle of leaves. Sounds strange but feels great. Your skin feels amazing too. I did read a reviewers comments about kids. I was there once and an Eastern European gentleman was there with his two sons. The kids were a little louder than the adults but nothing bad. I also felt it was a nice family time for him and his sons since this is a traditional excursion for them and not exactly an American custom. We have to remember the great melting pot that we live in is full of borrowed experiences from other cultures around our globe. I may bring my brother and nephews next time after seeing their family time at the lodge. read more