Social Saunas
Winter in Seattle often feels dark and damp, but that doesn’t mean we’re hibernating all season. While the Finns—known for braving long, harsh winters—top the charts as the world’s happiest nation, their secret lies partly in a unique tradition: the sauna. With 3 million saunas serving a population of 5 million, their rich sauna tradition is so strong that it has been featured on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Saunas offer more than just warmth; they promise moments of social connection while communing with nature. The Puget Sound’s new social saunas echo this tradition, offering an alternative gathering place for outdoor lovers to unwind and embrace winter.
Sauna Benefits for Body and Soul
In Finland and other parts of Europe, social saunas are a common retreat after work, where colleagues transition seamlessly from boardroom discussions to enjoying a sauna together amid a winter wonderland. Meanwhile, in the US, social wellness experiences are gaining traction. With a decline in alcohol consumption among young adults and a rise in loneliness, there’s a growing shift toward spaces that offer connection and relaxation. Inspired by traditions like the Finnish sauna, these social wellness hubs are flourishing, offering Americans new ways to gather and enhance their well-being.
“Sauna exposure activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting mental balance through the release of hormones like serotonin,” says Dr. Susanna Søberg, a Danish researcher. Regular sauna use can reduce inflammation, encourage muscular relaxation, and improve cardiovascular health.
Seattle’s only clothing-optional urban oasis, Sacred Rain Healing Center (Ballard, 1100 NW 50th St), echoes Søberg’s research. According to Sacred Rain’s founder, John Hanron, the transition or circuit between hot and cold—a hot sauna followed by a cold-water plunge, for example—does wonders. “Contrast bathing has many health benefits, including improving stress levels, decreasing inflammation, and reducing cortisol levels,” says Hanron.
Puget Sound Sweats Redefine Happy Hour
“Sauna and natural cold plunge can provide an endorphin-rich experience that makes us feel alive,” says David Jones of Von Sauna (Kirkland, 1200 Carillon Point). While the health benefits often bring many visitors to Von “the real benefits are the connection with others and with nature in a time of year that can be dull and depressing,” Jones notes.
After experiencing a traditional Norwegian floating sauna in 2020, Jones knew he wanted to bring that experience to the Seattle area. “It was two hours of bliss and the perfect way to meet people in a fun and invigorating atmosphere.”
Perched literally on Lake Washington, Von Sauna is one of the few floating public saunas in the US. That location brings real benefits, says Jones. “The east side of Lake Washington is full of life. You can see otters, beavers, bald eagles, salmon, osprey, and an epic sunset.”
The mobile Bywater Sauna (West Seattle, Alki Beach; Ballard, Golden Gardens and Old Stove Brewery) had its genesis in the very kind of connection so many of these saunas seek to promote.
“Four years ago, I started cold dipping in Lake Washington and discovered the vibrant atmosphere of the Seattle Bouldering Project’s sauna,” says Bywater founder Nate Garberich. “It became my go-to spot for connection on lonely winter nights.”
Inspired by the PNW Mobile Spa and Von Sauna waterside locations, Nate created Bywater Sauna to bring a similar experience to Seattle beaches. The benefits of connecting are built in, says Garberich. “Our sauna sessions are like a party—a group of people shows up, some knowing each other, some not knowing each other, and our goal is to make it easy for people to have a good time together.” Luckily, he says, “sweating in a sauna naturally relaxes you, making it easier to open up.”
Newer on the scene this year is Soak & Sage (Renton, 1135 Lake Washington Blvd N), a social wellness spa located at the south end of Lake Washington. “People in the area are tired of only having bars and restaurants as an option for a social night out or afternoon with friends,” says Soak & Sage founder Leslie Goeres. “We created a place where people can gather in the spirit of wellness, have an amazing time with their friends, and leave feeling refreshed and energized.”
Soak & Sage has a Finnish herbal sauna, hot soak, indoor cold plunge (with outdoor plunges in the works), and a traditional temescal (sweat lodge). Plus, they host guided events for an immersive experience.
Rejuvenating Escapes
Whether you’re sweating while floating atop Lake Washington, along the Sound at Alki, or swapping the bar scene for a cold plunge, social saunas offer a rejuvenating escape from the gray months while also fostering comfort and community. Dive into Seattle’s local sauna culture this winter and experience the warmth and connection it brings.