The centuries-old spa tradition of bathing in beer arrives in Montreal

Bains Ninkasi opened its doors on December 20, 2025 in the Quartier des Spectacles to bring a wellness concept to Montreal that has thrived in Prague and Budapest for centuries: soak in an oak tub infused with hops, malt, and aromatic herbs while sipping craft beer from a personal tap within arm's reach.

The tradition is real, rooted in medieval Central European folk medicine that treated beer's ingredients as legitimate therapies for the skin and nervous system.

Founder Estéban Dravet discovered the concept during a trip to Budapest and spent years figuring out how to bring it home. Dravet's the entrepreneur behind Pente à Neige, the ski hill revival project that has reintroduced alpine sports to the island. Bains Ninkasi pivots his focus from snow to steam, though the mission is similar: create experiences that feel distinctly local while drawing on traditions from elsewhere.