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The Ultimate Guide To NYC's Russian & Turkish Baths: What To Expect On Boris & David's Weeks

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Step into a New York City institution unlike any other. The Russian & Turkish Baths, often referred to as the Tenth Street Baths, is not just a spa; it is a living piece of Manhattan history, a sanctuary of heat and cold that has been a vital part of the East Village landscape since 1892. As of December 2025, the experience remains a powerful, traditional, and often intense form of communal wellness, drawing a diverse crowd from all walks of life seeking the legendary *schvitz*.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the facility, its unique treatments, the critical differences between the alternating ownership shifts (known as "Boris Weeks" and "David's Shift"), and how you can get the most out of your visit to this iconic Lower East Side gem. Prepare to sweat, shock your system, and emerge feeling completely renewed.

The Steamy Legacy of the Tenth Street Baths

The history of the Russian & Turkish Baths is as rich and complex as the steam in its hottest room. Established in 1892, the bathhouse was originally a crucial civic amenity, opening its doors at a time when running water was a luxury few immigrant homes possessed. It quickly became a social and cultural hub—a place where the community could clean, gossip, and escape the pressures of city life.

Today, this tradition continues. The bathhouse is situated in a renovated tenement building in the East Village neighborhood, a location that still feels authentic and slightly "grungier" than modern, sterile spas. Its survival for over a century is a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional heat therapy, making it one of New York's most cherished institutions.

A Look at the Facilities: Five Rooms of Heat and Cold

The facility is designed for a complete thermal cycle, a process that relies on moving between intense heat and shocking cold. The Russian & Turkish Baths features five distinct saunas and steam rooms, a cold plunge pool, and a roof deck for cooling off.

The different heat rooms offer varied experiences, each targeting a different level of detox and relaxation:

  • The Russian Room (The Schvitz): This is the heart of the bathhouse and the hottest room. It features a stone-heated sauna designed to reach extreme temperatures, where the traditional *platza* treatment is administered.
  • The Turkish Steam Room: Offering a less intense but more humid experience, this room is characterized by tiled walls and wooden benches, providing a deep, moist heat for respiratory relief.
  • The Old American Shvitz: An entity that speaks to the bathhouse's history, this is another high-heat environment, often used to prepare the body for the most rigorous treatments.
  • Eucalyptus Steam Room: Infused with essential oils, this room combines heat with aromatherapy, aiding in clearing sinuses and promoting relaxation.
  • Infrared Sauna: A modern addition to the century-old facility, the infrared sauna uses light to create heat that penetrates the body more deeply at a lower ambient temperature.

The cycle is incomplete without the shock of the cold plunge pool and the cold room, which are essential for constricting blood vessels, boosting circulation, and creating that renowned "euphoric effect."

The Legendary Platza Treatment: A Daring Detox

No visit to the Russian & Turkish Baths is complete without considering the world-renowned *platza* treatment. This is not a gentle spa massage; it is an authentic, centuries-old Russian tradition that is as intense as it is invigorating.

The treatment involves a specialist continuously applying a bushel of oak leaves, called a venik, which has been soaked in warm, fragrant oil or water. This is performed in the hottest sauna, where the specialist gently but firmly "swats" or massages your body with the venik. The process drives heat deeper into the muscles while releasing beneficial oils from the leaves.

The *platza* is the only treatment at the bathhouse that is administered publicly, adding to the communal atmosphere. Immediately following the intense heat and venik massage, the specialist guides you to the ice water or cold plunge for a full-body dunk. This extreme contrast is the key to the treatment's purported health benefits, leaving patrons feeling an incredible sense of renewal.

Other Treatments and Services

Beyond the *platza*, the bathhouse offers a full menu of treatments administered by licensed massage therapists and estheticians. These include:

  • Massages: Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Sports Massage (available in 30, 45, and 60-minute sessions).
  • Mud Treatments: Full-body applications for skin purification.
  • Salt Treatments: Exfoliating scrubs to remove dead skin cells.

After your thermal cycle and treatments, you can relax on the roof deck or enjoy fresh juices and authentic Russian cuisine at the in-house café and restaurant.

Boris Weeks vs. David's Shift: Understanding the Unique Ownership Split

One of the most fascinating and unique aspects of the Russian & Turkish Baths is its alternating ownership structure. The bathhouse is famously run by two different men—a legacy dating back to the purchase by Dmitry Shapiro's father and Tuberman. They alternate weeks, which results in a distinct atmosphere and slightly different offerings depending on who is in charge.

Patrons often refer to these periods as "Boris Weeks" and "David's Shift." This alternating schedule is important to know, as the vibe, the intensity of the heat, and even the specific deals can change:

  • David's Shift: Admission passes are sometimes advertised at a lower rate, such as "as low as $27" during specific sale periods for David's Shift. This suggests a potentially more deal-focused and perhaps slightly more modern approach to operations.
  • Boris Weeks: Admission cards are explicitly marketed as valid during "Boris Weeks" in New York, suggesting a more traditional, perhaps more rigorous, experience that some long-time patrons prefer.

The fact that the two owners run the place differently is a key part of the bathhouse's charm and its status as a true New York experience. It is recommended to check the official website or call ahead if you are looking for a specific atmosphere or a particular admission deal.

Practical Information and Admission

While the single-day admission price fluctuates, the bathhouse encourages repeat visits through multi-admission packages. For example, a 5-admission pass for one person is priced around $250, bringing the per-visit cost down significantly. For the most current pricing in late 2025, always check the official source.

The Russian & Turkish Baths is a truly communal bathhouse, a place for group wellness that has stood the test of time. Whether you are seeking the intense detox of the *platza*, the social gossip of the *schvitz*, or simply a deep tissue massage and a cold plunge, this historic East Village institution offers a life-changing experience that is both a physical cleanse and a cultural immersion.

russian turkish baths nyc
russian turkish baths nyc

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