These NYC Spas Are All About Group Wellness, With Sauna Parties and Communal Sound Baths

"A spa might not be the first place you'd go when hoping to meet people. And yet, New Yorkers are doing just that. Communal bathhouses are not uncommon in the city-the Russian & Turkish Baths, in the East Village, is nearly 135 years old. But in the past few years, wellness spaces that expressly encourage group experiences and conversation have opened their doors."

""When people breathe together, cold plunge together, and move through discomfort together, something shifts," says Amanda Laine, cofounder of Othership, a spa that first opened in Toronto in 2022 and now has locations in the Flatiron and Williamsburg neighborhoods of New York. Othership hosts " sauna parties," which include breath work, live music, and dancing, for up to 90 people."

"A similar concept is at the heart of Bathhouse Flatiron, which hosts Aufguss ceremonies-for these German rituals, a "sauna master" rhythmically waves a towel to circulate heat and essential oils, all to an electronic playlist. The modern space, with six pools, three saunas, a steam room, and café, attracts a scene, especially on a Friday night. Meanwhile, at Sage + Sound, on the Upper East Side, the focus is on meditation and sound baths; there are also workshops on tarot, Reiki, astrology, and other spiritual practices. "New York is intense and overstimulating," says cofounder Lacey Tisch. "People crave somewhere to recharge, slow down, and connect with others outside of work or home.""

New York has a long history of communal bathhouses, including the nearly 135-year-old Russian & Turkish Baths, and a recent surge of modern wellness spaces emphasizing group experiences. Othership hosts large "sauna parties" with breath work, live music, and dancing for up to 90 people. Bathhouse Flatiron offers Aufguss ceremonies with a "sauna master," multiple pools, saunas, and a steam room that attract weekend crowds. Sage + Sound centers on meditation, sound baths, and spiritual workshops. Intimate venues like elahni provide guided contrast bathing and nonalcoholic tonics. The Well reopened this fall after a 2024 flood.

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