Chicago Sweatlodge

Description
It takes a staunchly middle-class neighborhood like Portage Park to pull off the Chicago Sweatlodge, a Russian bathhouse. If this combination wet/dry sauna were closer to downtown, it would be called a men’s spa, charge twice as much, and include back waxing and other services vital to the urban metrosexual. That’s not to say this beefy man’s hangout is short on amenities. The $25 entry fee includes towels (bring your own flip-flops) and use of the dry-cedar and wet-stone saunas. The latter was created by Russian craftsmen using more than six tons of Belgian granite—this baby can crank out some heat. Massages are also available (starting at $35 for 30 minutes), and are the perfect finishing touch. It’s men-only except Tuesdays, when it’s ladies day.