After countless hours spent in saunas across Chicago and the world, five friends united around a vision: to create a place that captures the pro-social, community driven spirit they love - inspired from the places they've been, infused with everything they dreamed of, and built for absolutely everyone.

Central Standard Time (CST) is a new social sauna in Chicago!

A new kind of place for you to hang out.

We're raising money to cover the cost of opening a thermal third-space that is more inclusive than any of its kind.
CST is operated by an organization called Hot Universe.
We want CST to be the first of many hot/cold hangouts.
The more help we can get today, the quicker the future can arrive.
And if you want a say in what we build, please fill out our survey !

We are founded on three tenets

BE WELL TOGETHER WITHOUT PRETENSE
BE OLD AND NEW ALL AT ONCE
TAKE IT EASY AND ACT NATURAL

But what does that all mean?

We're keeping the sauna traditions we love and updating the rest. Our dry saunas, cold plunges, and lounge take inspiration from Germanic and East Asian social traditions with the modernity of co-ed, gender-neutral spaces. It's 2025 and we're acting like it, and that means enjoying ancient rituals together.

We welcome people of all identities, ages, and levels of sauna-experience.
Do you have a friend who wishes they could go to King Spa, but can't because it's too gendered?
Are you a man who loves Chicago Sweatlodge and wishes so badly that the homegirls could tag along?
CST is for you.

In the interest of balance, we will regularly block out exclusive times for specific communities.
Elders: Enjoy your blissful golden years with sweaty golden peers.
X on your driver's license gender marker? Kick back in a room full of people with the same.
Need a hangover cure the morning after the Puerto Rican Parade? Let's get it organized.

CST is different because there are no "treatments" and there is no "schedule."
Bring a friend and stay as long as you want! Use as many towels as you need.
Imagine your favorite neighborhood bar, but with a sauna, cold plunge, and lounge instead of booze.
If you're new to saunas, we'll show you the ropes. If you're a seasoned sweat-er, have at it!

To top it all off, CST will be the most affordable option for frequent-sauna goers of any establishment in Chicago.
The benefits of sauna (and cold plunge) (and hanging out with old and new friends) compound as you do it regularly.
To address that, regulars pay less each time they come back.
And our membership price will be an even better deal for real sauna-heads.

Where will my donation go?

The money raised in this fundraiser will primarily be used as collateral for an SBA loan.

The money we get from the loan will cover architect fees, extensive renovations to our space, labor and materials for the custom sauna, sanitary cold-plunges, and a long shopping list of things like towels and sound systems to make you as comfortable as possible.

Wanna talk? Email everyone@hotuniverse.is or follow @CSTSauna on Instagram

By the way... what's with the name?

The name is a nod to two of our founders' Caribbean heritage and the idea of "Island Time."
We believe the Midwest has its own kind of time that's worthy of celebration. You don't need to travel to relax.

Let's share an experience that has the same contrasts as the environment we live in. (Very hot and very cold.) Thank you!

Central Standard Time Fundraising

Help us open Chicago's chillest and most inclusive sauna!

Team Members