Red Square Spa (Russian Bath House and Bar) - Walk Through Video

1914 W. Division St., 60622 They have a wet sauna, dry sauna, steam room, hot tub, cold plunge pool, relaxation areas, various massages, full bar and restaurant, tanning. Originally opened back when the Cubs were a perennial powerhouse (1906), Division Street Russian and Turkish Baths became a hotspot visited by the likes of Al Capone and Rev. Jesse Jackson before shuttering a couple of years ago. But fear not, it's now relaunched as Red Square, allowing you to combine your vodka with amenities like the above co-ed sauna An all-day pass gets you admission to the spa, a robe, sandals, and a microchip-embedded wristband so you won’t lose your locker key even when you’re buck naked. In Russia, wristband wears you They have Swedish, deep tissue, and warm stone massages for both loners and couples If the heat's your thing, either go back to Miami or hit this a jacuzzi tub, then get hotter with wet and dry saunas that reach up to 180 degrees The dining room is designed like a 19th-century Ukrainian train complete with curtained televisions playing video of the countryside A spoonful of Hackleback caviar, and... more vodka The scallops are served with cauliflower puree, caviar and, more vodka! (Not pictured, but they'll bring it if you ask. https://www.thrillist.com/drink/chicago/wicker-park/60622/red-square In 2013, the bathhouse reopened under new owners, who did a complete rehab of the facility, perhaps to align it with the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood. The old granite-brick oven still bakes in the sauna, but the mosaic tile floors, cedar walls, and lavish spa treatments—think facials and aromatherapy body scrubs—make this a far cry from Capone’s shadowy haunt. Despite its modern updates, Red Square is nonetheless a traditional Turkish bathhouse, something that might conjure intimidating images of naked men collectively bathing. (Or mobsters brokering deals behind a mysterious veil of steam, which was perhaps accurate at one time). I myself was intimidated when as a kid my uncle first dragged me through the fogged sauna doors. But years later, when I returned on my own, I was able to appreciate the sensation of being swallowed by steam and spit out as a revitalized person. I've since been back many times, but as I learned during that first visit as an adult, even if you enjoy what it does to your body, the heat of the Turkish (or “wet”) sauna can do funny things to your brain. Here's what happened to me, best I can recall through the haze. Tips for First-Timers What’s Included For $35, you get a full day’s access to the wet and dry saunas, whirlpool hot tubs, cold-plunge pools, and relaxation areas; spa treatments are extra. Red Square provides sandals, towels, a robe, and a sheet. The Whole Nudity Thing Yes, flesh is on full display, but the atmosphere is nonsexual and nonthreatening. Still, there are ways to maneuver around this. For instance, you can keep the sheet around your waist while in the sauna or even wear a swimsuit. But for my money, it’s best to leave your inhibitions in your locker with your clothes. This video is only of the men's section and not the women's. Ease Your Way In After I stow my things in a locker, I usually begin with a rinse in the private shower, take a quick soak in the hot tub, and spend a few minutes in the steam room to acclimate my body to the heat. Then I move on to the Turkish sauna. Take a Break Between saunas and soaks, I like to don the robe, kick back on a lounge chair, and zone out or read. I’d recommend something light, but there are also flat-screen TVs to keep you occupied. I’m not a massage guy, but upstairs, therapists offer massages (from $80/hour) if that's your thing. Margarita says that the ideal time for a massage is after the sauna—your muscles will be pliable from the heat and primed to be molded. No Jacket Required Dining in your robe is encouraged at the upstairs restaurant, which serves fresh watermelon salads and Russian entrees. I’d recommend drinking plenty of water, but don’t pass up the Moscow Mule cocktail. The cold vodka is a nice capper that gives me the nudge I need to reenter the real world. https://www.groupon.com/articles/turkish-bath-chicago-guide-to-red-square