Why saunas are becoming the UK's new dating hotspot
With more than 900 public saunas now open across the UK, sauna operators say they are increasingly hosting first dates and even singles events.
Sauna culture has expanded rapidly across the UK, with over 900 public saunas now operating at beaches, lakes and rural sites. As their popularity has grown, several operators say they are seeing more first dates take place at their venues, and some are exploring dedicated events for singles.
Adam Merrell, co-founder of Suvi Sauna in Easton, Bristol, and next to Clevedon Marine Lake, said his company is still developing the concept of speed dating or singles nights, though he believes it has potential. He noted one drawback: conversations can easily be overheard when a sauna is full.
Lexy Recurt, who opened Black Swan Sauna near Bradford upon Avon in Wiltshire last year, said saunas appeal to people looking for something different from a typical dinner date — a chance to unplug from phones, be in nature, and see how a personality comes through in a more relaxed setting. She recalled hosting a private first date over the summer and said she has since heard of couples getting engaged after meeting in a sauna.
Costas Hadjipateras, founder of Bristol Community Sauna in St Anne's, Bristol, said first dates are common at his venue, and he knows single friends who have met people there and exchanged contact details afterwards if they hit it off. He compared the sauna to a pub — a relaxed, low-lit "third space" — and said sharing an activity like sweating or a cold plunge together helps lower inhibitions.
Neema Abbassi, co-founder of Fire and Ice in Westbury-on-Trym and Almondsbury, confirmed his venues have hosted a number of first dates, some of which led to relationships. He said the warm, enclosed atmosphere makes it easier to have deeper conversations, and that more people are choosing saunas over pubs on Friday and Saturday nights, viewing them as a more organic way to connect in the era of online dating.
