What It’s Like at a Sober Sauna Rave, According to Attendees

New York's hottest club is a literal sauna. Welcome to the sober sauna rave — a curious social wellness space fans describe as vibrant, welcoming, and joyful . . . if also a little damp. Here, attendees bounce from a traditional sauna to a full-on dance party (sans alcohol, of course). One moment they're sweating out toxins, and the next they're covered in face gems, dancing to a live saxophonist. Is it a bit of an unconventional venue? Sure. But participants swear you'll love it.

It might be easy to judge from the outside looking in, but sober sauna raves are indeed fulfilling a growing demand for more meaningful connection. According to Eventbrite, sober-curious gatherings increased by a whopping 92 percent between 2023 and 2024. Event organizers like Daybreaker have done their part by throwing full-on raves in popular spas, inviting people to party alongside cold plunges and saunas. But what's a sober sauna rave really like behind the scenes?

With so much of it still a mystery from the outside, however, the internet remains divided on sober sauna raves. Some call them dystopian, while others say they can see the appeal. To get to the bottom of what these raves are actually like (and whether you should attend one yourself), we spoke to people who have actually been.

What Does a Sober Sauna Rave Look Like?

Few among us would know what to expect from a sober sauna rave — but that didn't stop Avantika Krishna from trying one for herself. It was 9 p.m. by the time she got in line, pausing to hug the founder of Othership before entering the spa. For the first 30 minutes, the sober sauna attendees mingled and sipped on nonalcoholic beverages, gathering their bearings before shuffling off to the locker rooms.

“People had all kinds of outfits on,” Krishna remembers. “The point was to be creative, bring different festival clothes, whatever you're comfortable with getting — obviously — wet.” After donning their outfits, attendees walked out into what Krishna describes as a kind of amphitheater, clarifying that the dance floor was not actually within the sauna. In actuality, the rave took place in the “rest and recharge” room outside the sauna.

Participants could then rotate between the larger rave space, the sauna, the cold plunges, and the Othership pop-ups.

“As the vibe picked up, it turned basically into just the dance party. There were all kinds of drummers and it was completely crowded, like a full-on rave,” Krishna says. “It's not fully heated. It's just . . . I guess I would say, ‘damp.'”

While the rave technically wasn't held inside a sauna, Krishna says organizers did lead attendees through two-minute meditations in the sauna every hour. “I think at the beginning of the event, people were focusing more on the sauna and the ice baths,” she says. But as the night went on, the rave truly took over. At one point, they even had a live saxophonist perform, which Krishna calls a “core memory.”

Katie Griffin has attended similar events from the same event company, Daybreaker — only hers haven't involved a sauna . . . yet. “While I haven't made it to the newer sober sauna dance parties, I've experienced their signature morning gatherings,” Griffin tells Popsugar. “Typically they start with breathwork or yoga and build into a high-energy sober dance party. There's always a live DJ, musicians, and performers.”

This is even more impressive when you consider that — for these early-bird dance parties — doors open around 6 a.m. and the events wrap around 9 a.m. “The crowd shows up in sequins, bright colors, or cozy athleisure,” Griffin says. “It's vibrant, welcoming, and full of joy.”

What Do People Get Out of Sober Sauna Raves?

“I'm coming up on 11 years of sobriety this July, so events like this hold deep meaning for me,” Griffin explains. “For a while, I chased sober activities as hard as I once chased a high, so discovering Daybreaker felt like both a relief and a revelation.”

“Discovering Daybreaker felt like both a relief and a revelation.”

These spaces can be powerful, but you don't necessarily have to be on a sobriety journey. “I liked how people were just there to connect,” Krishna says. She describes a segment at the end of the three-hour rave where attendees were encouraged to make eye contact with a friend (or new acquaintance) for a prolonged period of time. “It made me tear up,” she says. “It just feels very spiritual in a sense.”

Griffin agrees that this emphasis on connection and community is a big part of what makes these events so special. “I've left each event feeling more connected to myself and others than I ever did in a bar or party setting,” she says. “I wholeheartedly recommend it. Not just for those in recovery, but for anyone looking to experience joy, movement, and connection without substances.”

How to Prepare

If you're interested in attending a sober sauna rave, there are some logistics to keep in mind. For starters, arrive early. “Lines can start forming even before sunrise,” Griffin warns. “Wear whatever makes you feel joyful, and don't be afraid to go solo. People are genuinely open and friendly.” Krishna agrees that going solo is “totally doable” and suggests getting in the right headspace beforehand, saying these gatherings work best if you go in with an open mind.

Beyond those notes, just remember that an hours-long dance party is no small feat. Both sources say it gets sweaty fast, so prepare accordingly. “Hydrate well and be ready to sweat,” Griffin says. “It's both a workout and a dance party.”

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.