Bathhouse Williamsburg

Bathhouse Williamsburg is a subterranean wellness destination launched in 2019 by co-founders Travis Talmadge and Jason Goodman, built within a repurposed 1930s soda factory in Brooklyn. Conceived as an urban recovery oasis, the venue combines sauna rituals, thermal pools, hammams, steam rooms, treatment suites, a sensory-deprivation tank, and an on-site restaurant—designed to cater to fitness-minded, socially engaged patrons. Architecturally, the space preserves industrial heritage like vaulted brick ceilings and a towering smokestack, while integrating modern design elements by Verona Carpenter Architects for a 6,500 sq ft experience grounded in communal bathing traditions

Mold, Vermin, and Systemic Filth
Our reporting confirms multiple accounts from former employees, notably from the New York Post, detailing mold outbreaks in the steam rooms, hammams, and around hot tubs and faucets. One scrub technician recalled pervasive stench—“spray fragrance every 10 seconds”—to mask the rot. Reports included sightings of worms sliding out from drains and roaches crawling up walls . The consistency of these descriptions across independent sources suggests an infrastructure failure, not isolated neglect.

Viral Claims of Infections
Patrons are reporting urinary tract infections within 48 hours of visiting, with multiple Reddit threads and Curbed corroborating these incidents. One user wrote, “I went to Williamsburg bathhouse last Sunday and got a terrible UTI within 48 hours… I’ve never had a UTI before” . Another described UTI symptoms progressing to kidney infection with hospitalization . Additional accounts cite staph, ringworm, and parasitic infections . Though Bathhouse claims chlorine, UV filters, and pH monitoring render the pools safe, the documented pattern of illnesses is far too extensive to dismiss as coincidence.

Health Code Complaints—Ignored or Sanitized?
Since 2022, at least seventeen 311 complaints were filed regarding mold and indoor air quality at the Williamsburg location, yet official statements indicate no substantiated violations—all based on inspections likely conducted immediately after Bathhouse cleaned for the visit . Meanwhile, Curbed confirms six of those complaints were very recent, with the health department now pursuing a mold investigation. This smacks of superficial compliance rather than full accountability.

Management’s Spin and Legal Counteroffensive
Rather than transparently investigating, Bathhouse executives have gone on the offensive. They have sued a former employee for defamation, demanding $100,000, and have dispatched cease-and-desist letters to patrons alleging infections—sometimes referencing their sexual history—as justification. Their lawyer even implied UTIs could result from sex, not spa conditions. This legal aggression appears designed to intimidate whistleblowers and dissuade further scrutiny.

Their PR strategy asserts clean pools via real-time chlorine and pH monitoring, nightly deep cleans, and UV filtration. Exterminators reportedly visit eight times a month, and the New York Post reports they passed a DOH inspection after complaints. Still, the persistence of complaints and firsthand accounts from employees suggests the inspections may coincide with temporary fixes, not sustainable hygiene.

Evidence of Censorship Tactics
Our research reveals a disturbing pattern:

• Former staff allege they were pressured to remain silent following the NY Post expose.
• Reddit posts documenting illness or mold-related experiences have disappeared or been removed—raising concerns about moderation or external influence.
• Legal threats and defamation suits empty critical voices and deter others from speaking out.
• Instead of addressing cleanliness concerns, Bathhouse deploys puff-piece endorsements and claims of spotless DOH records.

In effect, they’re erecting a wall of legal and PR noise to drown out credible complaints.

Why This Matters to Investors and Regulators
The magnitude of these issues presents grave risks:

• Investor risk: disease outbreaks could lead to expensive lawsuits or medical claims; a serious illness could tank consumer confidence overnight.
• Regulatory risk: if ongoing mold or contamination is confirmed, DOH could impose fines, suspend operations, or revoke licenses—especially if violations follow surprise inspections.
• Reputational risk: in a wellness-driven culture, allegations of grime, worms, and infections pose existential threats—especially when they go viral across Reddit, TikTok, and local media.
• Operational risk: management’s legal aggression reflects a leadership style prioritizing image control over actual remediation—suggesting systemic flaws rather than PR lapses.

Recommendations for Immediate Action

We urge:

• Regulators: initiate unannounced late-night inspections, test air, water, and surfaces post-operational hours, and review HVAC and plumbing maintenance logs.
• Investors: demand independent third-party hygiene and environmental assessments; review all hospitalizations and customer health reports; seek clarity on lawsuits—past, present, and planned.
• Potential customers: scrutinize online reviews, consider alternatives, and insist on documented proof of consistent cleaning and safety protocols.

Conclusion
Our investigation reveals a deliberate pattern: evidence of unsanitary conditions and possible health hazards, met with legal suppression instead of meaningful reform. Bathhouse Williamsburg seems more focused on smothering dissent than ensuring safety. Investors and regulators must pierce this legal smokescreen before another wave of illness or regulatory shutdown erodes what remains of public trust.