Archimedes Banya

ugh, I really did not want to make this review because I loved this place the last time I went. but something has to be said… for the cost of $67 per person, you’d think cleanliness wouldn’t be an afterthought. The women’s changing room had ants trailing ALL over it. the jacuzzis had a disturbing clump of hair, and a weird slimy film at the edges. When I kindly informed the staff of these issues, they just said "oh" and charged me. didn’t even ask where or say sorry. In this economy, I cannot afford to spend my money where businesses don’t even respect it. The price of the spa makes no sense with the lack of cleanliness, and the service was just a slap in the face. I really don’t even like to make negative reviews for small businesses but this is just unacceptable.

excellent place! its not exactly luxurious, but it has everything you need for a pretty reasonable price!! variety of sauna, banya, pools, aromatherapy was AMAZING (definitely need to try!), venik plaza is awesome, the rooftop view is great to chill at even in winter (pic attached)! and the cafe has a variety of cuisines to offer! (my fav was borscht!) definitely will be back!

We visited Archimedes Banya on January 21, 2026. It’s a fully equipped Russian-style bath complex with ice-cold plunge pools, a Finnish sauna, a steam room, a warm pool, and a jacuzzi. They also offer massages. Even though it was a weekday, the place was busy. Most men and women were completely naked — very authentic banya culture. After several hot–cold cycles, we stopped by the café for borsch with black bread and a cheburek — both were excellent. They also have some art on the walls; I wish they would add a reproduction of Boris Kustodiev’s 1926 painting "Russian Venus" to match the atmosphere. One thing I really appreciated was their attention to safety. Staff watched carefully for anyone who looked overheated. One of the workers even helped me walk and rest after my first session in the hot room. He mentioned that this is the hottest banya in the U.S. Overall, a great experience — highly recommended.

48th sauna review: this is a great banya. High temps, high humidity. Wood fired, constantly heating, with timed humidity releases. Many different bench heights for all levels. Well sized fitting a decent number of people in. Smooth throughout. The Finnish sauna is pretty terrible by comparison. No bucket/ladle, bench height too low, and no ventilation. I got gently told off for spending too long in the cold plunge. Think perhaps the team could do with a cold pool to spend more time in for those who want to stay longer. This is a banya, it was the star of the show and gets a full 5 stars for it.

I went there on my birthday because they offer a free pass, but booked a Venik Platza as a treat. Highly recommended: amazing experience, very authentic, saying as a russian person. The place itself is rather small and doesn't have so many different saunas or pools, so the normal entry seems rather overpriced to me (75 dollars normally, 55 in the happy hours). It also has a cafe with eastern european food and drinks and a terrace with a bit of a sad view.

great experience my first weekend at the Banya. akin to many European venues it aspires to be like and takes inspiration from, i have no complaints spending Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving there. staff and patrons were kind to a SoCal boy such as myself. locker rooms can get crowded. if you’re not used to the automatic tips SF imposes and hang out at the bar a little too much, the bill at the end can be a surprise. literally the only things i can think of. tips to newcomers i think would be helpful - 1) if your robe, slippers, or towel(s) go missing, which is definitely plausible the busier it gets, they don’t mind giving you extra. seems daunting to ask, they really don’t mind. 2) they’ve an elevator AND stairs for going up to the rooftop terrace and going back down to the Banya. this can be a little disorienting your first time (easiest way to get to the stairs is from the main floor past the showers and Finnish sauna, next to the water cooler and cold plunge. easiest way to get to the elevator is your immediate left out of the locker rooms towards the main entrance you walk in). that’s about it. had a lovely time and plan to go back Christmas weekend! can’t believe i’ve been in California 10 years and j learned ab this place this summer. many happy returns, as they say!

I have been here many times and have always appreciated the facilities, relaxing experience, and respectful energy. I went again recently and it was a nightmare! There were way too many people in this place here on a Friday night! This isn't supposed to feel like a club. One of the hot tubs was closed so everyone was squishing together into the only open one when there is a sign that clearly says "5 people max" but really there would be like 10 people in there and water spilling out of the sides from being too full and creating a hazardous wet floor! The steam room was so packed that it seemed dangerous since there was literally 0 room for anyone and the steam was too hot since the temperature kept getting messed up from people opening the door too often. The regular saunas had lines and people awkwardly standing around because of the limited space. People were VERY loud and would yell to each other across the facility or just be like laughing/screaming in the pool. Someone took my sandals that they assign you so I had to wear my street sandals in there. There was a guy trying to get into the hot tubs with his street clothes on and one of the employees had to stop him. Also, I don't want to soak in people's endocrine distributing laundry detergent, just soak naked! Nobody cares what you look like! Please get over your fears of being naked and leave your swim suits at home!! With this many people allowed in at the same time, even the overall cleanliness of the place could have used a solid refresh. Like the pool water was very murky, maybe due to the oak leaves that are used in the banya that people don't wash off before entering. Overall, I think the problem is 50/50. 50% this place should limit how many people are allowed in, especially if they have facilities that are not even open, and 50% people that are just ignorant and stupid that ruin the experience for everyone else by not following the rules. I ended up getting a cold from this place from being around too many people in a small, wet, environment. I still love and appreciate this place and hope they do well and keep providing a safe, clean, communal environment for everyone to enjoy.