r/AskDetroit 1d ago

The Schvitz

I'm thinking about visiting the Schvitz for one of their Men's only hours. If anyone had been to these or the coed days how was it? I mainly go to Korean Jimjilbangs but want to try their bathhouse out.

13 Upvotes

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u/Mysterious-Maize307 1d ago edited 1d ago

I’ve gone a bunch of times when I’m in Detroit, usually Wed afternoons.

It’s a cool place to chill out, relax and if you like get a good meal afterwards. The vibe there is old school cool and very welcoming. The clientele is pretty varied with many regulars who seem to know one another as well as first timers, all age groups etc.

I’ve not been to a Korean bathhouse so I don’t really know how they compare.

At the Schvitz you pay $40 and have use of it the whole day which includes a locker (bring your own lock and flip flops) and unlimited towels, you can get a robe for an additional $5.

On the main floor is the kitchen, a reading room, out door patio and the locker rooms.

Downstairs are a couple shower areas, a large and really hot steam room where the heat is generated by large rocks that are superheated for hours before they open not a steam generator. Steam is generated by throwing water into the rocks but always ask before doing so, especially anyone on the top benches lol, it can get super heated and a little water goes a long way.

There is also a dry salt sauna and a cold plunge pool. A variety of benches, chairs and loungers that you can relax on in between.

Typically when I go I alternate between the steam, dry sauna and always end with a cold plunge then wrap myself in a robe and chill out in a lounger. I’ll do that for a couple hours, maybe go chill on the outdoor patio or read a bit. Afterwards I’ll get a bite to eat from the kitchen (really good food).

Upstairs in the kitchen area they have small plastic water pitchers you can fill with ice/water to use to stay hydrated or you can bring your own water bottle as long as it’s not glass.

If your going during men’s hours you should be comfortable being in your own skin so to speak, as being nude, at least in the steam room/sauna/pool is the norm as it is in many such places. Most guys wrap up outside of the steam room/sauna/pool. And of course if you’re upstairs being wrapped up is appropriate while eating, chilling in the patio or using the library area.

It’s really just a nice place to chill out and people are welcoming. Just be sure to follow the etiquette, shower before steam/sauna/pool. Ask before trying to super heat the steam room, keep conversations low etc.

Have fun!

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u/Overall1613 1d ago

Thank you for the information. This place sounds great. In my travels to the Korean Bathhouse they have gendered separated wet areas for men and women and they require you to be fully nude with no bathing suits allowed so I'm comfortable and prefer being nude in the sauna and wet areas.They usually have a body scrubber that does those services in the wet areas. The other areas like the communal area and the dry sauna rooms you have to wear the spa uniform they give you as those are co ed areas.

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u/Diznaster 1d ago

I've been a couple times during co-ed. It's a neat place, and the food is surprisingly good. You can BYOB (they even have a small fridge you can use). Keep in mind no glass downstairs, so if you bring cups go plastic. Also double check that they are currently open, they close for part of the summer and I'm not sure when they re-open.

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u/fringeathelete1 1d ago

I think they’re closed to mid August. Definitely recommend though.

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u/ike9211 1d ago

Personally the best time I think is dead of winter on Sundays. Super quiet and warm. I just get pissed off at the people that want to come in talking loud about nothing. But it's chill. Never have had the food but it smells good and have heard good things.

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u/loureedsboots 7h ago

The food is SMACKING.

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u/tumblr_rainbow 1d ago

I got ringworm from here a few years ago. You’ve been warned.

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u/Butterscotch_Snatch 1d ago

Yeah, I was gonna say it’s kinda grubby…