The Schvitz Health Club

Went to The Schvitz in Detroit with four of my buddies and myself, and I can confidently say this place is not a sauna… it’s a Detroit rite of passage. If you’ve never been, just imagine paying money to willingly enter a building where you get boiled alive, frozen to death, and then fed like royalty afterward. Absolute masterpiece. For me and one friend it was our first time, while the other guys were Schvitz veterans, which meant they were acting like this was completely normal while me and my buddy were silently questioning every life decision that led us to standing in a locker room surrounded by naked strangers. Because yes — we went on men’s night, which means full nudity is allowed. And let me tell you… within 30 seconds you realize modesty is dead, shame is a social construct, and Detroit does not care. The environment is actually super welcoming though. Everyone there — staff and guests — was ridiculously friendly, like we were all part of some ancient sweaty brotherhood. You walk in nervous and five minutes later you’re having polite small talk with a completely nude man about hydration and life goals. It’s weirdly wholesome. The setup is perfect. Sauna and ice bath downstairs, then upstairs you’ve got the kitchen, eating area, and cigar room… which feels like the natural progression after you’ve just been cooked at 200 degrees and then flash-frozen like a Costco chicken nugget. The sauna is intense in the best way — like sitting inside a dragon’s mouth. Then you hit the ice bath and your ancestors start speaking to you. I swear I dipped in and briefly saw the face of God. Now the food… I was NOT ready. I expected some sad “health club snack” situation. Nope. I got a burger cooked to perfection and fries so good I almost cried. Like how are you gonna traumatize my nervous system downstairs and then serve me one of the best burgers of my life upstairs?? That’s emotional manipulation and I respect it. Also, for how busy this place gets, it’s surprisingly clean and well maintained. The only downside is the locker room is tight — trying to change in there with multiple dudes around you is basically like playing Twister, except nobody’s wearing clothes and everyone’s pretending this is totally fine. And just when I thought I’d seen everything… on our third round in the sauna, we walked in and there was a man casually wielding birch branches, whipping his buddy who was laying face-down on the bench like he was marinating a steak or performing some ancient Slavic exorcism. Was it weird? Yes. Was it hilarious? Also yes. Did we immediately pretend we didn’t see it and carry on sweating? Absolutely. Overall: The Schvitz is legendary. You will sweat. You will freeze. You will laugh. You will question reality. You will eat an elite burger. And you will leave feeling like you just survived an ancient Nordic ritual. 10/10. Would get boiled and reborn again.

They have two parking lots for guests. We were a bit taken aback but got into the community groove. Love the branches for adding an old world olfactory experience as well as using them to stimulate the blood flow. Lots of room in the rooms. A bit on the dark dank side for my liking but everyone was having a wonderful experience. They offer towels, robes and shoes. I didn’t try any food but every one else seems to be enjoying it. Place could use some love but I know they are in the process of updating they place. I would return on single gender days. Interesting place filled with nostalgia

It was our first time going to, “The Schvitz” and we will 100 percent be back. Everyone was so welcoming from the moment we walked in. The work they did and detail into the atmosphere is soo good. We had a great time and the kitchen staff is phenomenal! My boyfriend had their alpine burger and I had the Monte Carlo steak. 10/10 recommend not only was everything delicious but the value is unreal. We can’t wait to go back!! Thank you for a wonderful birthday experience ✨🙏💯🥂

Cool expérience, but I couldn’t see going often. The food was by far the most enjoyable. The plunge was nice after the sauna. The steam room didn’t even have any steam though it just felt like a hotter sauna room. Kinda small, but cozy.

the kitchen at the schvitz is soooooo out of sight. i’ve eaten here twice. first time was the bodega breakfast sandwich on a toasted croissant. savory, buttery flaky, and delish! they offered parmesan truffle fries on special and when i tell you they were the best fries ive ever had please hear me loud and clear- THE BEST. (would love if they were a staple on the menu…) tonight i had lamb chops with the soup of the day and regular fries. they were cooked perfectly and super meaty! lamb chops can be hit or miss at upscale chop houses and these were some of the best i’ve ever had. they were so juicy and tender and seasoned to perfection. can’t recommend the kitchen at the schvitz enough!

Great! Well worth the 1hr drive for the great vibes from staff and other patrons, as well as very hot temps in saunas. Highly recommend checking out for anyone looking for a therapeutic experience at a low price 😁

Booked a Saturday night for a bachelorette party and everyone loved it. Relaxing, different, and fun. Wish we could have booked extra amenities for that timeframe but we all had a great time regardless. Heather was awesome. Love her! Can’t wait to go back!

Had the best day of my life here last week. Bring a robe, flip flops, and stuff for a shower. Dry sauna, steam room, and cold plunge. I went during the women’s only time and it was lovely. Everyone was nice and relaxed. Food is available too. If you want a massage, get there early to book.

Relaxing couple of hours to spend with friends Overview: 1. Hot Dry Sauna (hot) 2. Wet Sauna (even hotter) 3. Cold pool (53-4 degrees) There is no hot tub. Place feels historical and went during coed hours. It was fun slowing down and talking with strangers. People there were cool. There is a restaurant and they have free water. Helpful due to all the sweating and the cold pool (due to pressure natriuresis for those who know renal physiology). Call a plumber....The lower level seemed like it could use some attention. In the main room with the pool, water was not draining into the floor drains and creating puddles. Further, it seems like the place could use a nice scrubbing. There is a restaurant in the first floor and the staff is very friend to new comers explaining where the locations are within the building.

Hubby and I have been meaning to come to schvitz for years, and we finally made it. It is delightfully eclectic, with a friendly vibe. The steam room and the sauna will have you getting your schvitz on, and the plunge pool will cool you down in between. If you're hungry after a couple of rounds of sweating then plunging, the full service kitchen offers a delicious burger, a yummy quesadilla, or a variety of other great treats.

The Schvitz came to me highly recommended, and I totally get why others do love this place. However, it just wasn't totally for me. I think I thought it would be more of like a wellness spa vibe and it wasn't quite that. (That's probably on me!) The positives: - I greatly enjoyed the Platza experience with Lilly! Would give this specific experience 5 stars. It was interesting, unique, and I really felt taken care of by Lilly through it. It was definitely borderline uncomfortable at times with the heat, the hot leaves, and the deep bodywork, but in a good way. Then the guided float in the cold plunge pool and sensation after the whole thing was great. - In general it was a nice sensation going from hot rooms (steam and sauna) to the cold plunge pool. Rejuvenating! - Some cute details and decor in the upstairs area The negatives (for me): - It felt pretty dark and dirty in the downstairs pool area. The walls and floors were visibly dirty and there were clumps of hair floating in the pool. - For two people, it was over $200 in all for a couple hours rotating through the hot rooms and cold pool and add on platza. I think the platza was totally worth the price, but it feels like the entrance fee of $40 was a little steep for the base experience. If you do do multiple add ons, the price adds up quickly. - Hours are a little confusing, and many add on options weren't available when we went. Booking add on services isn't super straightforward (I booked through Instagram DMs). - Dining area didn't look that comfortable or nice, so we ended up not opting to eat there. There aren't many food options close by in that area. Overall, I'm not sure I would specifically come here again for myself, but would definitely be willing to try again if a group wanted to go or for an event. I would easily pay for and recommend the platza experience. Just altogether feels a little pricey for what it is and for the environment.

It was soooooo nice! My girlfriends and I went on a Tuesday night for women only and it was such a relaxing experience. They serve food and drinks there as well. The vibe is super interesting. They have a wet sauna, a dry sauna, and a cold plunge pool. I thought I needed a hot pool but my body felt amazing going from the hot saunas into the cold pool and vice versa. I can't wait to go again!

Totally unique experience, beloved by Detroiters for good reason. Book your massage ahead of time via the providers Instagram - otherwise it's first come first serve. Loved the women only time slot. Sauna, steam, plunge, rest, repeat, plan to spend at least 3 hours to turn yourself into a noodle.

Historic gem nestled in a neighborhood of detroit, If you appreciate history, give this spot a chance

Love the Schvitz Health Club and it's slightly "shady," but mostly just cool and historical past that this building has come from! Nowadays, it's totally legit and such an incredible option that people have in Detroit for a lowkey "spa," and I am completely obsessed with it! The entry fee is $40 (or free if you booked a stay at The Convent the way my friend and I did). $40 will typically get you minimum 4 hours here, depending on when you come. My friend and I did the Sunday ladies only time frame from 12-4, so it was timeboxed to 4 hours. The space isn't the biggest and there'll be a slight traffic jam if you show up right at noon to get checked in, but it's great! You then make your way to the changing rooms to put away all your stuff and then are free to roam around the facility! The ground level/upstairs where you come in from has the locker rooms, bathrooms, kitchen/dining area, and plenty of other seating area and pockets for vendors to set up in. The downstairs (where no phones, glass, etc. are allowed) is where the showers, plunge pool (water is around ~50 degrees), dry sauna, and wet sauna/steam room/banya are, along with a ton of lounge chairs and tables to relax around as well. My friend and I took advantage of this entire space and all the services offered for sure and absolutely loved our experience from start to end! We booked a lot of the "add on" services, which I would recommend you doing at MINIMUM a day before you are planning to go to the Schvitz. We booked everything (mostly through DM-ing all the vendors that were going to be there) the night before and some, but not all, still had availability and it was quite the ordeal trying to book times for both my friend and I during similar times so we could be doing most everything together! We ended up booking facials, tarot card readings, and the platzas. I would recommend ALL because they were all so lovely, but the one I recommend the most is the platza. This is such a unique experience and basically one you can't find anywhere else certainly in the area and is perfectly suited to the Schvitz. Lily, who does your platza, is such a lovely and wonderful person too and I felt so taken care of during this experience that definitely puts you out of your comfort zone! I would also recommend that if you're going to do a facial, to schedule that towards the end of your time frame here because we did ours more at the beginning and I'm worried that all the goodness they put on my face just quickly washed away given how I ended up going to the saunas and pools a ton afterwards. The tarot card reading was FANTASTIC! I've never gotten one done before, but it's scary how accurate the reading has been in the coming months since she gave me the reading! You don't have to book any of these to have a wonderful time at the Schvitz though! I really loved just being downstairs and alternating between the dry sauna, getting as hot and toasty as possible, then literally plunging into the (freezing) cold pool (from the deep end - do NOT try to walk in from the steps because you will not be able to do it given how cold it is), swimming out of the pool, then going into the steam room to get hot again, plunging into the pool again, and repeating the whole cycle! My body felt wonderful doing this several times and it was an absolutely lovely time! They had a chef in the kitchen whipping up some delicious vegan food for purchase as well that was the perfect amount of lighter fare so you're not feeling too full doing all your spa things either! Also, during the ladies-only or men-only time frames, bathing suits are optional. For our Sunday ladies-only, I would say that it was a good 50/50 split of those wearing bathing suits and those opting not to. This environment felt very safe to do however you please and everyone truly felt like they were in a peak comfort state while at the Schvitz, which was just absolutely lovely to see! I think for me personally, I will prefer to only ever come here during the ladies-only blocks, of which there are many throughout the week! Overall, I LOVED it here and can't wait to come back with my friends over and over! I think this is one of the best ways to use $40 (+ $ for any additional services you get) in the Detroit/SE Michigan/perhaps all of Michigan area!!

$40 entry fee, $5 bath robe rental. I loved my experience here. I went during co-Ed hours and met some pro polar plunge/ice bath users who pushed me to go for 3 minutes. The locker rooms may need a little update - the carpet was ripping in areas/I wanted more of a clean feel. The lotion smelled great however, and their bath products left my hair soft and curly, Ended up getting food and a drink afterwards. The food is very reasonably priced and delicious. We added vodka to our lavender mint drinks - not sure how much I tasted in it.

What a phenomenal place this is! Unique. Spiritual. A safe place for all. And wow, is the food ever good!

I go back to the mid 1970s with the Schvitz with my last visit around 1990. I sort of forgot about the Schvitz and then moved out west. I was happy to see if was still open when I searched 'steam rooms' for a visit to Detroit as most gyms seem to have closed steam rooms or do not have one. In the old days, rgulars would thrash each other gently in the steam room with a bundle of soaked oak(?) leaves in traditional steam room fashion. (This supposedly was good for increasing blood circulation.) The neighborhood is better/safer than circa 1980 as the area is largely vacant. There is no longer a cash bar as in the past, but you can bring your own drinks. There is an outdoor patio for lounging. I thought I might be disappointed not having been to the Schvitz in decades but it is still good. Not a high end spa but a place with historic feel; pool has 1930 marking. Not a pick up place as some may think of bath houses.

Wow! What a great experience. I was hesitant in going but so glad I did. There was absolutely no smell of mildew as I had read prior. Everything looked clean and there was a cleaning crew right when they were getting ready to close. Definitely bring flip flops, robe, and a gallon of water to take with you. We went for two hours but it would had been nice to go for three. We didn't get to experience the lounge or restaurant.

I love spas and saunas and so much was looking forward to my visit at the Schvitz. The decor is great, and I love the history of the location. The banya-style steam room is excellent and one of the best I've been to. Staff was very friendly and so were others who attended. I went during a women's-only day. The downside and the reason I reluctantly have to post a 3 star review is issues of cleanliness. The basement smelled of mildew. There was mildew and mold in the grout in many places downstairs. I understand with the old tile and historic setting it's a lot to keep clean... but this was bad. The shower area was particularly dirty with dark lines of soap scum on the tiles. There were dead leaves, dirt, and other debris on the floor, and I saw a clump of hair floating in the pool. It's not great to go to a bathhouse and come out feeling like you need to take a shower back at home. Staff did inform me it was a requirement to shower before using the facilities and rooms, but I noticed some of the other attendees did not adhere to that (and it was evident at times by the smell). The bath products provided smelled great, though. I would definitely give it another chance given how nice everyone was and how great the sauna and banya is. Perhaps this was a one-off experience as other reviews have said it was clean, and it is very popular-- lots of people also attended while I was there.

As frequent spa attendee and someone who works at a spa , I thought Schvitz was mid at best but it's probably just personal preference. I came for womens brunch as a solo visitor and I was very excited for the clothing optional experience. Although not a problem, I did notice that most guests opted out of going in the buff. I was very surprised to be the only one. When I entered the service area, I absolutely loved the vintage aesthetic of this place and I really appreciated the amazing customer service from the front desk women. I quickly signed up for a reiki session since I noticed most slots were filled for nearly all services about 30 minutes after the start of the session. So as I waited for my appointment I visited the wet area in the basement and the mildew smell hit me like a bat to the face. This really threw me off and instantly made me want to leave but I stayed because nothing outwardly appeared to be dirty it just looked a bit...untidy. Most ladies seemed to be having a great time but I noticed most people didn't rinse off before using the facilities nor were they instructed to do so. I'm definitely not a clean freak but this made me squirm especially since this is the spa etiquette I'm accustomed ro So I headed upstairs to lounge around until my reiki appointment started to get some fresh air. The session was great but I would have preferred a change of sheets or no sheets between clients. I typically pay about $30 for 8 saunas and a wet area back in the Chicagoland area so I definitely thought the $40 for 2 mid saunas and a regular pool was a bit steep.

Normally this is not the kind of place I would try because I'm a bit claustrophobic but it was an activity for a bachelorette trip. It's $40 to enter with no time limit so you could spend all day there and definitely get your moneys worth. They provide free towels and you can rent a robe for $5 or just bring your own. We went during a co-ed day so bathing suits required but on all female or all male days I believe you can go nude. There is separate locker rooms but a shared bathroom. When you walk in it gives dark speakeasy vibes. The historic touches and decorations are cute. You go down to the basement and there is a cold plunge pool, small sauna and large steam room. I couldn't stay in the rooms long but the short cycles I did were great to sweat out the hangover. I wasn't brave enough for the cold plunge so would take a cold shower in between so that I could control the temp. Shampoo, condition, body wash and lotion they provided smelled so good and made me feel so clean after. They also have food, alcohol and edibles upstairs. My main complaint about this health club was the cleanliness. The whole place smelled badly of mildew and incense to try to cover it up. Not sure how much they clean but the floors and benches seemed likely they barely got cleaned. They could also use more seating in the basement and more hooks to hang towels.

The hot steam room followed by a cold plunge is perfection. Just updating bc my old review commented on the cold water. Did not know it was intentional haha :) Have gone to The Schvitz twice since then, and can honestly say it gets better every time. Amazing for some R&R!

I've been eyeing The Schvitz for a few years now and didn't feel courageous enough to venture out, until a friend of mine suggested a Sunday outing. So, three of us got together for a self care day during the ladies hours and I am happy to report it was pretty awesome. The space is eclectic, quirky, vintage and most importantly comfortable. The first floor has several stations with massages, tarot readings, scalp massage, cupping, etc (these book out, so you might wanna check out Schvitz insta to prebook directly with the vendors). The basement has a very chilly pool, sauna and a steam room. It's not fancy, it has character, Detroit grit is seeping through the walls. The vibe was super friendly. Will be back!

This place is da bomb! Don't let the boarded up windows trick you. No vampires here. Old school feel with great folks from burbs attending here. They allow booze so bring vodka and some tonic as your enjoy the heat!

What an amazing experience! The Schvitz is one of best kept secrets. I've actually been wanting to come here for quite some time. My friend has been here a few times and insisted that I attend a Co-Ed night. There are various times and days specific to men, women, and co-ed patrons. First of all, I think the allure of the Schvitz's history piques one's interest. Walking in the door, you feel transported back in time. The women working the front check-in are amazing and so very helpful. They have locker rooms designated for men and women. You can rent a robe or bring one in and don't forget a lock and your flip flops. You'll want to pack a swimming-suit or not, depending on the session you attend. Bathing suits are optional for gender specific times. They do give you two towels at checkin. The space is so very cool and they have stations set up for massages, facials. Acupuncture, and tarot card readings. They also have a kitchen that offers unique pop ups. You're able to bring in your own drink if you prefer. I was excited when my friend surprised me with a bottle of the bubbly which I love! The basement is where the fun is at. There is a Himalayan Sauna and Steam room, to top off the experience, an immersion pool that's at ground temps...it's so amazingly cold! I know that sounds crazy to say, but when you come out of the hot rooms which are detoxifying your body, a cold plunge is exactly what you need. I loved every minute of this experience. I feel like a brand new person and the cupping massage was fantastic, too. I even had a tarot card reading and I'm excited to announce, the cards are in my favor for an amazing 2022...out with the old and in with the new. A new me in the works that's for sure! :) i learned that the club can be privately rented out for 3 hours. I think It might be fun to do a little something like this for my birthday with some great friends. The time flew by...We were here for 4 hours and I could have stayed even longer! Make sure you drink a lot of water afterwards...trust me your body will thank you!

Interesting first bathhouse experience. $40 got me a small and large towel and access to a wet and dry sauna as well as a ground temperature pool (freezing in winter). After popping in and out of hot-cold a few rounds over a few hours, I rinsed off in the open community coed showers refreshed. I can see the appeal, but would not be a regular.

Update from 5 to 1: Staff started off amazing. Front staff made an outright disrespectful assumption about my colleagues and I. We show up once a month, treat everyone with respect. Yeah, we do not look like your typical guests (elderly, white males) and we've dealt with the typical racist commentary from these guys but we never let that affect our mood. Not until the front staff singled us out about something that turned out to be completely false. Unfortunate, as the place, owner and kitchen staff are great.

Love this place and the people, and the health benefits of very hot/very cold combination here, especially since you don't need to wear smelly shorts. One small suggestion: add one hour on Sunday mornings in order for those men attending religious services to attend them and then still have a couple hours to schvitz.

Sweat it out at the Schvitz. She has a new lease on life. The Schvitz has cleaned up its seedy reputation with it's renovations. Come and cleanse your body of toxins in the steam room, exfoliate, open your pores, get limber and sleep like a baby later. It's kind of like taking a bath with your friends. For $25 you get a locker and three towels. Robes and oak leaf bouquets can be rented and a bar of ivory soap is an additional $1 if you want to do a plaetza.

Been coming to this place for a year now with a group of friends. Very disappointed in my most recent visit. The staff was rude and claimed that we don't tip when we order food, when we've always paid as a group and always left a generous tip. This false accusation has ruined the charm of this place for me

This place is amazing! The ladies brunch on Sundays from 12-4 is the most positive, kind and inclusive group of women I've ever met. During my four and a hour for visit ($30 entrance: towels, locker and key, showers, sauna, cold pool) I participated in all the usual amenities but also partook in the special events: manicure, pedicure, hair treatment/scalp massage (if purchased with facial add $7), facials ($15), tarot cards ($10 for ten minutes). I throughly enjoyed every moment. It's BYOB (they have a fridge to keep things cold), but they have plastic cups and ice water galore (plus a restaurant where I enjoyed freshly made French toast, eggs and sausage $12). Pour yourself a Mimosa and enjoy! The outside of the building looks nothing like the opulence of the first floor. Check out the photos!

Was here last night and what a hidden . The decor is def old school but very welcoming. For $40 this is a deal to sit around for 3-4 hours in a good sauna (wet or dry). The pool is ice cold and will take a few attempts before full immersion. Everyone was really nice. The kitchen is low key but chef seems to know his stuff and has good options. I they mentioned themed nights. After the sauna they have a few nice lounge areas with a TV to chill in. Will def be back!

So I've never Yelped before now, or felt the need. Then I met the Schvitz. This place is so brilliantly rich in history that the beauty of it's energy is palpable. Magic happens here. The building is founded in intrigue and the staff is angelic. This place was a cradle for me in depths of winter. Would highly recommend.

Place is Amazing! Old school Bath House since 1930 .... First you need to do the Turkish style steam, and after that the cold pool plunge .. also available dry " salt " heat room .... After awesome steam, you must experience the restaurant , food is Delicious! and BYOB drinks .. Then sit back enjoy the old ambience, and socialize with your new friends and or old friends .. check out Detroit SCHVITS. Com

I finally made it to the Schvitz for ladies brunch this past Sunday, and by the time 4 PM rolled around, I didn't want to leave! I think the intrigue of this place is the mystery. What exactly is it? What should I expect? What do I bring? My friends and I had tons of questions because the website and Instagram page don't give too many details. We asked the necessary questions prior to getting there, but got a lot of clarity just from showing up. Here are some helpful details: Bring a robe, bathing suit (not required when it's women only, so you only need it if you don't feel comfortable being nude - which most women are at least topless), and flip flops. You receive a key to a locker at check in to lock up any personal items, including your phone so you can just enjoy the day disconnected. Yes, it is BYOB but make sure to drink a lot of water if you're spending a lot of time in the saunas. You can bring your own food in, and they also have a kitchen where you can purchase brunch (omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, etc.). The spa staff accepts cash and venmo. If you want a spa service, you sign up after you check in. When we were there, massages, facials, waxing, and hair masks were offered, but if you follow their Instagram page, they post which services will be offered that day. For the massages/facials, you pay a dollar per minute and can choose how much time you want, but try to be aware of others who also would like a service so you don't book an hour and take up all the space for everyone else. Basically, from the second you check in and pay the $30, it's a free for all. Don't want to wear clothes, be naked. Just want to sit in a sauna for a couple hours and dip out, do it. Go in the sauna and then read a book on one of the couches upstairs, sounds wonderful. There are some rules posted around the building, such as shower before going in the sauna, but other than that you're good to enjoy yourself at your leisure. I went with three girlfriends, and all of us loved it. Most of us did at least one spa service, which we all enjoyed and were happy with. We ordered food from the kitchen, and it came out quickly and was enjoyed by all. We also brought in champagne for mimosas, and may or may not have finished off almost three bottles. We were able to get a bucket to fill with ice to keep it cool and left it out on the tables while we were enjoying all the other amenities. I also had my tarot cards read, and two days later, something she predicted happened! I do think the cost ($30) was a bit steep for the length of the reading, however it was definitely accurate on some accounts. The vibe of the place is so great. I am not sure that I would like it as much if I went during a co-ed time just because the environment around a bunch of women was so nice. At one point we were chatting in the dry sauna about zodiac signs, and I thought, there's no way this happens when men are around. However, I'm open to coming back more often as it sounds like some of the co-ed events are fun as well, or at least to go at night and then just slip into bed for a very restful sleep.

Really, truly wanted to love this place. Here is some background for context: I have been frequently Russian banya for over 15 years, I grew up around Eastern European sauna culture and I am spoiled by a lot of very authentic Russian and Turkish baths on the east coast. I can appreciate what the owners are trying to do here in terms of cultivating a culture/business in an otherwise bleak neighborhood. I do appreciate how they have restored this beautiful and historic building. But the actual quality of the services and banya leave a lot to be desired. There are only two functioning "hot" rooms, the small dry room which never gets particularly hot. There is another larger Russian room, which is pretty spacious and has *some* good heat to it, but does not compare to other Russian saunas I've been in before. To be fair, a lot of the patrons seem to be total banya newbies who cluster and chat very loudly on the bottom two benches. I sat on the top bench, and although it was hot it was not the level of intensity I look for when I pay for a full banya day. I would say it is as hot as a typical gym sauna. There were platzas being conducted by a very stern young woman who seemed very concerned with "the good energy" in the space but also constantly mispronounced platza, which I found off-putting. The platzas being conducted seemed to be more like some weird massage/scrub/reiki mashup, not the brutal birch branch beatings that are usually offered at a banya. I have no issue with people selling custom body treatments, but this is not what I would call an authentic platza experience. The cold pool is very cold, but dirty. I found two bandaids floating in it the day I went. There is a sparse, uncomfortable seating, and the temperature in the actual building is pretty chilly. Lots of drafts and wet floors, so definitely bring your own robe and flip flops. The space seems to do most of it's business with weird pop-ups/add-ons and freelance practitioners who offer their businesses in little stations scattered throughout the building. You can get mini-facials/tarot readings/fancy cocktails/reflexology/energy healings galore, depending what day you show up on. The atmosphere is sort of like a day spa free for all, folks bringing in their own alcohol and eating overpriced dumplings or sushi(depending what pop up chef has rented the kitchen that day). Not sure if they offer any traditional Russian/Jewish food, but I was really craving some cheap and simple fare and quiet relaxation. But this space seems to be catered to the basic suburban upper middle class crowd. Like a kind of place to party in an alternative setting, there is no vibe of actual restoration or relaxation here. Another issue: most banyas have one designated "men only" day and one "women only" day. The hours here are so erratically split, could be women only from noon to 5 and then men only from 5pm to close, then flipped the next day. It makes scheduling with mixed gender groups really challenging. Also since the hours are so strict, the check in and check out is very regimented. There is no attitude of "come in, relax, leave whenever" as you would have in a typical banya. It's more like, "get in, spend all your money, get out."

you're gonna sweat out of pores you didn't know you had. that dipping pool is the best. It's at ground temperature, so in the middle of winter it's even colder and even better. dip early and often so you don't overheat, and drink tons of water. Co-ed nights are pleasant and everyone is chill except for some sweatbros who ignore when people tell them it's hot enough and add a bucket to the rocks anyway. Vibe-killer. The new ceiling in the banya makes it hotter than before and those waves of heat are intense, which makes this issue a little more of a problem. I haven't used any of the spa services yet, but most nights they have at least one or two offerings for reasonable prices.

Great concept and cool space with a few tweaks needed. Had a nice day there with friends. There's an unusual system where you sign up for massage or other spa services after you arrive (no info on their website about available spa services or prices) and all time slots were filled within the first ten minutes of opening so if you get there later you're out of luck if you want a massage. They said something about being able to sign up in advance on Instagram but we didn't know about that. We enjoyed the 30 minute massages we had. The showers had only cold water. I very highly recommend bringing your own food as many people did. My friend and I, however, each ordered a sushi roll from the sushi pop up, and it took an hour and 15 minutes to get our food, a drag in the middle of a relaxation focused visit. To make matters worse, several other groups who ordered after us got their food before us. The wait to get food was so long that several patrons were cautioning other patrons that they had already been waiting an hour. Bring your own robe and flip flops to avoid needing to pay to rent them. They let us use robes for free since it was our first visit. Another patron told us they were out of robes by the time she got there.

Awesome place! Went on a Sunday for ladies brunch, it's byob. Bring a robe and flip flops. The sauna was hot and the plunge pool was cold, going btwn the two was oddly relaxing. I got a massage, you just sign up on the sheet when you get there. They have different food and drink pop ups all the time so you can get different stuff every time you go.

The best. Relaxing and unique. Feels like you are stepping into a different world. New owners have done a good job of keeping most of the original charm while also making the space more welcoming to women, non-swingers, and people of all types.

Since it changed ownership and has gone through extensive renovations, I've been lucky the experience the bathhouse a few times. Don't be discouraged by the outside of the building which is windowless and looks abandoned. The cars around it will give hint you've arrived to the right place. I prefer this incognito facade personally as if it had a sign or advertisement it would be more conspicuous and any old joe shmo could find it. The charm of this experience is in the "secluded" location and I think many people appreciate this fact. There is a lovely parking attendant too who will stay vigilant watching your car as you steam.. MAKE SURE TO TIP HIM, as his service deserves compensation. Now, I've been to the Tuesday night ladies only night 6-10pm and ladies only brunch 12-4pm as well as coed night on Sunday 6-10pm. Cost is around $30 bucks for a pass but bring extra money too. They have an extensive menu for your hunger needs with a dining room and kitchen to your right when you walk in. Extra money too for add in's including (for men and ladies) platzas (traditional Jewish exfoliating process of laying on a mat in the hot stream and getting "beaten" with soapy hot oak leaves that remind you of up north smells or autumn) There is a huge steam room, a brand new sauna and cold plunge pool. On male only nights I think they may have massages by the minute too and a barber to get a nice shave. Ladies only days they have various add in's depending on who can come share their services. Such as, massage by the min, hair masks, manicures, tarot readings and etc. Tuesday (ladies only night) at 7pm there is a wonderful all level yoga class! And Sunday night for coed it's at 7pm as well. $15 bucks I believe for that class. During the warmer months there is a spacious patio too and room with a table and chairs to relax in adjacent to patio. I never came to the Schvitz years back when it was basically a "anything goes" enclave and questionable activities went on... but I'm happy this hasn't continued into the new era of the Schvitz. People deserve to relax and detox in an environment that they feel safe in and I give highest marks and praise to the new owner(s) and staff at this transformative Detroit Gem!

Amazing. Has a really unique community and a gorgeous interior. Excited to come back. The owners are wonderful and the cold pool is cold! Food is also delicious. Glad this place is getting back in shape. Wish it were open everyday though.

It's still open! That's a relief. I hadn't been here in 10 years. I'm 45 now and, well the neighborhood and building haven't changed. It's still like a very old school fraternity with a side of mafia-wannabes. Lots of white, older naked men getting their steam on while at the same time proudly making anti-gay jokes and eschewing Trump conservatism. It's $25 a person and men-only on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-11pm. You don't need to bring a towel or a lock as those are provided. You may want to bring some sandals because the wet area can be slippery.

This place is so cool! It's like stepping back into the past! The decor is absolutely stunning and so old world. The staff is super down to earth and super cool, I really liked everyone. My first time coming here. And they make you feel so welcome and explain what's going on for the day. The saunas are great, they have so many services and food. I'm definitely coming back as telling everyone I know about this place. I felt so refreshed and alive once I left. Definitely a go to place once a month at the least! Thanks everyone xxoo

I was a little skeptical about going to a bath house, however, I was pleasantly surprised at the Schvitz. They do still have more remodeling to do but the staff was great and the sauna was excellent. They also do promotional stuff sometimes where they will offer something like drinks and pedicures at a discounted price. I would highly recommend these guys. You should note that their building doesn't have any sign... and the door is a little hard to open. That was a little sketchy feeling. Once inside, though it was great.

A non-descript grey building that you would pass a 1,000 times and never look twice holds a vessel to a part of Detroit's past. The Schvitz was built in 1930 and was a popular hangout of The Purple Gang, the notorious Prohibition Era bootlegger's that is a part of Detroit's bloody history. The Schvitz (the Yiddish word for steam) isn't pretty, but is a Detroit Landmark that must be experienced to be believed. Today, this Eastern European style bathhouse, doesn't cater to mobsters just men looking for some good heat. Once inside you pay a $25 fee and are given a lock and a key for the locker's upstairs. First tip: Bring a robe and some flip-flops. Once you get to the lockers, strip down, slip on the robe and flip flops and grab two towels on the way down the stairs. You have to shower first before you enter the sauna and the shower stalls share a room the cool dip pool set some where in the 50s. Second tip: Once you take the robe off to shower you are naked until you go back upstairs, this is a true European style bathhouse. Nothing lewd or inappropriate, but if you are uncomfortable being in the buff, this is not your place. The sauna is old school wood benches and on most days you will get some serious heat. Third tip: The higher you go the hotter it gets, if this is your first time, start off low and if you are feeling OK slowly work your way up. The thing that make this place so unique is the experience known as the plaetza, a massage one person gives another using a bouquet of oak leaves that have been soaked in a bucket of warm water, after being covered in soap, softening them and causing them to give off a tea-like odor as the recipient is rubbed from head to toe with it. This is the warmest one feels and the only way to cool down is to go dive into the cool dip pool, which if your heart can take it will be the most invigorating thing you will do in your life, assuming you make it to the steps on the other side of the pool before your legs stop working. Fourth tip: Bring your own booze and enjoy a few drinks between sessions. If you do it right you can spend four to five very relaxing hours in and out of the good heat. They do serve food, the place is beat to hell, but it fits and it works. Fifth and final tip: Saturday is swinger's night and is couples only. I don't really have anything to add to this tip. To Recap: The Good: The heat and the unique Eastern European/Russian style bath house is one of its kind in the area. The Bad: In a less developed part of town, a little worn down. It is what I imagine the clubhouse of the He Man Woman Hater's Club from our Gang would build as adults. The Band This Establishment Most Resembles: ABBA, you listen to it, you just don't tell anyone.

Update. Day hours are the bomb. Food is finally hitting it right here. Go to the Schvitz and feel like noodle. In a good way.

This is the perfect way to spend your day. Winter' s cold is here. The heat of the banya sauna will sooth your soul and warm your bones. The staff was helpful and friendly. I will be back.

To say the least this place is a unique experience but a must do bucket list kind of thing, . ... I have been told by multiple people that weekends is couples only and for the adventurous at heart . The people I did talk to about it have said it was fun and everyone was very respectful and would go again , I did not go so I cannot comment . The other poster was correct it is a little dated I wouldn't say grimey but I believe it lends to its very old school charm. Picture the 1940's in a bad part of Europe/Russia, the copper railings by the pool are so old they have a green patina wich i think gives it stature I have also been told the place has been raided a time or two for having a few working girls stopping up after the local adult bar closes. I say take it with a grain of salt it adds to history, Now the pros/ experience, When a friend suggested this at first I was hesitant hearing some of the history but said sure what the heck life isn't a test drive lets do it, He reassured me it is completely different on the weekdays which he was totally right , Arriving the place looks like a abandoned warehouse, you enter through a steel door which you are then locked in a cinder block vestibule that makes you think you are going to an after hours or are in 5' x 5' a prison cell , a small sliding pephole then slid open and to my surprise charming older lady popped her head out and said. ... "oh hi hunny come on in". she had to be in her 80's easy lol, the second door is buzzed inn I is like you walked into a different world . You are smacked in the face with solid Mahogney inlaid panels covering the walls and stain glass windows There are multiple articles hanging commenting on the prohibition past as the purple gang hideout. The lady states "you get a day pass and pay when you leave" you "defiantly wont have pockets accessible lol, and gives you a locker key. The room is large, with a bank of sinks and lockers to your front for shaving ), robing and derobing . This all in the open so if you are shy sorry ....but if you played any sports growing up this is a non issue. To your right is a dining room with a lot of people in togas sitting eating dinner, towards the back are some private room with massage tables and again I do not know if they are happy endings or not lol but hey to each his own. I was a little skeptical so I passed, Downstairs was a Olympic size swimming pool and a built in a hot tub, looking at the still water in the hot tub all I could think of was the remnant weekend DNA sooo I passed . I'm sure it was clean just a mental thing it did not look dirty. It seemed the place probably only had one 25 watt light bulb lit . So ambiance or the DTE bill must be high lol, That said the sauna experience was out of this world !! there were maybe 5 other guys some in there 70's some 40's and the conversations alone were great i.e.. Missing Detroit history ( hey you remember when Tommy the mook with the big 4 ( a Detroit thing) went and roughed up that kid breaking into all those cars back in the day ,...etc: After about 20 minutes they said have you ever had a platza. ( im sure I am butchering this spelling) this was one of the most unique things I have ever experienced. They put you in the top hottest teak seating deck, you lay down and proceed to basically get the living Crap beat out of you... lol with this knot of 150 hot soapy oak leaves that are hand woven together. The place has this amazing aroma of a cross of a good cup of tea and up north , they then request you flip over and do the same all over your back and legs, when its over they tell you to walk out to the Olympic size pool and hurry and jump in , NOTE OF CAUTION I never understood my whole life when people said the fell into a frozen lake that they lock up and can not swim. Well I GET IT NOW it felt like 1000's of pins and needles shot thought my whole body and I was lucky to float out of the deep end .. It took apx. 15/20 min before I felt I had full dexterity again Afterwards we went up stairs to sit for a early dinner , the waiter came out and said today's menu is fresh cut asparagus and 1" new your strip and this 1" AFTER COOKING! !! Fyi , not before . I will say one of the best steaks I have had in a long time and I like my steak. I have done the Ruth chriss and Shullas thing etc; Looking around I was surprised To see some of the faces here i.e.; business owners / prosecutors / political figures/ judges, This is a hidden gem. The history , stories and im sure deals made here still today are paying homage to the past and the movers and shakers of the time.it was a amazing experience over all , I think all said and done I left there paying in the ball park of $65/$75 bucks and that included ,day pass, great steak dinner, plataza (oak leaf beating) lol, and tip , It was what I would think a true men's club in the 20's/ 30's was like and a true glimpse into Detroit past Try it !!

The new owners did renovate the sauna rooms very nicely (and of cause these are the most important areas and the reason for coming there) and if you get there with your eyes closed you'll have a great time. There is still a LOT to renovate in this building and I do hope the owners will actually follow through with that - must update the restrooms, must renovate the ladies changing room (and please, please fill up/close that mikveh and make a nice comfortable changing room instead with at least a place to dry your hair - I think women going there are not those who feel the need to purify themselves after their period and before laying with the husband again (this is what orthodox Jews use it for, you know. And BTW, I'm Jewish myself, not orthodox though and I'd much better prefer an updated changing room to this "historical artifact"). Need more sitting in the area by the saunas and not the metal chairs - these are cold and bad to sit on in general. Wooden benches would be great. The door at the downstairs restroom would be great! :) Some reviewers are mentioning Russian dishes in the cafe - I didn't see any on the menu. It was usual "american fair".. Even the green tea was a bag of low quality tea dust. They could do much better there too! (but my understanding is that you can bring your own food). I do still give them 3 starts because the sauna rooms are actually good with very good heat and there is a big cold pool as well. These are nice. But they must continue with the renovation so that this place will really live up to its potential. Never the less, seems the place is very popular especially with the young and hip crowd - it was full both times I went.

I was a early young man introduced to this place by patty h many many good sex fun at this club gave me the idea to run my own which I did for years carl owned the place back then very clean good food good times of yesterdays gone by woody