While in New York a couple weeks ago, I decided to go check out a new (and when I say new, I mean really old) bathhouse in New York’s East Village. That’s right, the East Village: only a few short blocks from where the famous Cock used to be and a couple blocks down from the Phoenix.
It was a unique place where I got treated pretty roughly, but with a certain tenderness. They beat me with oak leaves and rubbed me all over with a crusty white substance. Get your mind out of the gutter. It was salt from the Dead Sea!
The place I’m talking about is called the Russian and Turkish Baths, and has been operating in the same location since 1892. Just as their website says, “It’s a stress-free zone designed to let you chill-out and get some peace of mind.” With an in-house Russian restaurant and specialty services like Swedish/Russian massage and Black Mud Treatment, it’s a lovely way to kill a few hours or an entire day, depending on how much time you have. So make sure to stop by if you like the idea of a New York bathhouse experience without all the semen.
Hi there. I was reading your blog, following the link from Gawker. I love it, and will be reading yours daily now, along with Cityrag, fourfour, etc…etc…
So whatever, anyways, this post caught my eye. I went to the Russian and Turkish Baths on Valentines Day, for a party. I wrote about it here.
Just thought you might get a kick out of it. It’s less of a review, and more of a “this is who I met, and I had a lot of fun” kinda post.
xoxo
Mal.