Sauna & Chill at Downtown Banya

Last week I visited Downtown Banya. 

I've walked by the place on Colby about 5 million times but never have gone in to check it out. 

Here's what I found.

Hot and cool pools. There are saunas at Banya for men and women, separated by gender. 

It's part sauna, part restaurant, part massage parlor. There's a billiard room, too. Overall it's a bit of a health club, a place to pass leisure time. 

The health benefits are part of it. Sauna visits (more accurately, sweating induced by these visits) are said to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and boost immunity. 

The sauna is heated by steam from coals.

Sweating in the sauna is often followed up by a plunge into a chilled pool. This is supposed to be very good for purging the body of toxins. 

The place also offers delicious Russian cuisine, including beer, kvass, trout, piroshki, herring with onions, pickles, and sweet blintzes. There are TVs in the lounge area if you want to chill.

Trout at Downtown Banya with kombucha and pickles.

Sweating is said to be good for the winter blues.

What do you think? Check it out sometime to see for yourself. 

DOWNTOWN BANYA

2814 Colby Avenue
(425) 252-2691

M-Th: 4-11 PM
F-Sat: 12-11 PM
Sun: 2-10 PM

Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett.

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