Social wellness club BathHouse CLT opening soon in South End
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The spa area has two pools — a smaller cold plunge on the left and a thermal soak (essentially a hot tub) on the right. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Bathhouse CLT is a new luxury contrast therapy club opening soon in South End.
Why it matters: Part bathhouse, sauna and social club, the locally owned spot in the former Charlotte Saw & Knife Co. building, adds a homegrown option to Charlotte's boom of hot and cold therapy studios.
The vibe: The 4,000-square-foot, high-end facility blends several European sauna traditions.
- Expect the aesthetic and social aspect of a Roman bathhouse, paired with traditional Finnish saunas and the intense heat found in Eastern European "banyas" (Russian steam baths).
Features include:
- A 195–200°F sauna.
- ~45°F cold plunge.
- Thermal soak (hot tub).
- Eucalyptus steam room.
- An indoor and outdoor lounge.
What to expect: Sessions are appointment-only and $60 for two hours.
- A reservation includes towels, slides and locker access.
- Time slots are capped at 30 guests, though the space can hold over 100.
- Tea and electrolyte water are complementary, and kombucha from Concord's Borinquen Kombucha is available for purchase.
How it works: To maximize the health benefits, co-owner Viktor Poznyur recommends a 15-minute sauna, a rinse, a five-minute plunge, another rinse, then a soak in the hot tub, and repeat.
- Or, "go at your own pace," he says. Linger in the thermal soak or relax in the lounge.
The big picture: Contrast therapy is known for its potential health benefits — from muscle recovery and mental clarity to boosted metabolism and circulation.
- Add the social element, and Poznyur says studies show it can help ease symptoms of depression.
What they're saying: "People are stressed and anxious. This is a space where you can reset, whether you want to spark up a conversation or sit in a corner with a book," Poznyur tells Axios.
- BathHouse is co-owned by Poznyur and business partner Danny Russo. Their wives played a key role in designing and developing the space, he says.
Backstory: The club's opening has been years in the making.
- Poznyur, originally from Ukraine, moved to Charlotte from Portland, Oregon, in 2021, where he and his wife were regulars at the wellness social spa Knot Springs.
- A couple of years later, he left his construction career to focus full-time on bringing that wellness-meets-social vibe to Charlotte, when the city had few options for hot-cold therapy.
Context: Many of the city's popular studios, like Asheville-based Sauna House and locally owned Plunge House didn't open until last year.
What's next: Construction is wrapping up on the outdoor lounge.
- The studio hasn't nailed down an exact opening date just yet — inspections are still in progress — but Poznyur says the goal is to open sometime in August.
- As far as future plans for more BathHouses, Poznyur says they're eyeing a potential Charleston expansion.
Stop by: BathHouse CLT is at 420 W. Palmer St., near The Club fitness studio.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the studio is no longer opening on Aug. 8. It will now open at a later date, pending the completion of inspections, according to its owner.