Pull to refresh
Logo
Sauna and cold plunge business cleared to open in Salt Lake City

Sauna and cold plunge business cleared to open in Salt Lake City

Built World Salt Lake City, UT local

Sauna Public receives county health department food establishment license for its 1952 E 2700 S location

Today: Sauna Public license appears on county list

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

A new sauna and cold plunge business has been cleared to operate in Salt Lake City. Sauna Public LLC's food establishment license appeared on the Salt Lake County Health Department's public list on September 5, 2026, covering its location at 1952 E 2700 S in the Sugar House area.

The license is required because the business sells beverages alongside its bathhouse services. Sauna Public offers a traditional Finnish sauna, a large cold plunge pool, and infrared sauna, part of the contrast therapy trend that has grown in the wellness industry over the past decade.

Why it matters

Salt Lake City's east side gains a new sauna and cold plunge option, part of the wellness industry's shift toward contrast therapy.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

1
Sauna Public locations in Salt Lake City
The business is licensed for a single location at 1952 E 2700 S.
$25
Day pass entry price
Includes a one-hour yoga class followed by a bathhouse session, per the business website.
190-200°F
Sauna temperature range
Traditional Finnish sauna maintained at 190-200°F, per the business's listings.
43-50°F
Cold plunge temperature range
Large cold plunge kept at 43-50°F, per the business's listings.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

Play

Exploring all sides of a story is often best achieved with Play.

Most of these play right now — no account needed. Sign up to save scores, keep a streak, and unlock Debate and Predict. Log in Sign Up
Predict 3 ways this could play out. Back the one you believe — contrarian picks score more when a scenario has a resolution date. Log in to play

Organizations Involved

Timeline

1 event Latest: Today
  1. Sauna Public license appears on county list

    Today Licensing

    Sauna Public LLC's food establishment license appears on the Salt Lake County Health Department's public list, clearing the business to operate at 1952 E 2700 S.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

Late 19th-20th century

Finnish sauna in America (late 19th-20th century)

Finnish immigrants brought the sauna tradition to the United States, particularly in the Upper Midwest. Public bathhouses were common in American cities in the early 20th century, serving both hygiene and social functions.

Then

Saunas became a staple of Finnish-American communities and public bathhouses served urban populations.

Now

Public bathhouses declined by mid-century, but sauna culture persisted in fitness clubs and private homes.

Why this matters now

Sauna Public's traditional Finnish sauna draws on this long history, reviving the public bathhouse model with modern wellness amenities.

2010s-2020s

Wim Hof method and cold exposure trend (2010s-2020s)

Dutch athlete Wim Hof popularized cold exposure through his method combining breathing techniques and cold baths. His documentaries and endorsements brought ice baths and cold plunges into mainstream wellness.

Then

Cold plunge tubs appeared in gyms, spas, and homes across the US.

Now

Contrast therapy (alternating heat and cold) became a standard offering in upscale wellness facilities.

Why this matters now

Sauna Public's large cold plunge is a direct product of this trend, pairing heat and cold in a single facility.

2010s

Boutique fitness boom (2010s)

Specialized fitness studios like SoulCycle, Barry's, and Orangetheory grew rapidly, offering premium, focused workout experiences. These businesses charged higher prices for specialized services and built loyal communities.

Then

Boutique fitness became a major segment of the wellness industry.

Now

The model expanded beyond fitness to include recovery services like saunas, cold plunges, and compression therapy.

Why this matters now

Sauna Public follows this boutique model, offering a specialized sauna and cold plunge experience with memberships and punch passes.

Sources

(5)