Portal is redefining what wellness looks – and feels – like in Minneapolis. Co-owners and brothers John and Will Drescher call it a “curated social contrast therapy experience,” but most visitors simply describe it as transformative. At its heart, Portal blends ancient Scandinavian wisdom with modern neighborhood culture, offering a place to chill, sweat, and connect.
Portal began as a pop-up behind a Boulder brewery in 2024. What was supposed to be a three-month experiment grew into a year-long success story, eventually inspiring the team to create a permanent home in Denver and expand nationally. Now, the Dreschers – Midwestern natives – have brought their vision back to Minnesota, where sauna culture is already deeply woven into the region’s identity.
What Portal Does
Portal revolves around contrast therapy: the intentional alternation between heat and cold. The heat comes from dry, Scandinavian-style saunas that honor the centuries-old Finnish tradition of gathering, unwinding, and restoring together. The cold comes from invigorating cold-water immersion in carefully maintained plunge pools.
Members and guests are encouraged to cycle between the two: 10–15 minutes in the sauna, followed by a few bracing minutes in the cold plunge, repeated at a pace that feels right for the individual. While some regulars spend 20 minutes sweating and five minutes cooling, first-timers are encouraged to start slow and follow their body’s lead.
Why It Works
The benefits of contrast therapy are now backed by a steady stream of scientific attention, but the Dreschers emphasize that none of it is new. “All Finnish people and Minnesotans know this already,” Will says with a smile. “It’s ancient wisdom.”
Heat exposure from the sauna prompts the release of heat-shock proteins, supporting recovery, better sleep, and stress relief. Regular sauna use is associated with reduced all-cause mortality – something John notes with clear enthusiasm. Cold immersion, on the other hand, delivers what he calls a “dopaminergic spike,” revitalizing cells and elevating mood. Many Portal guests describe emerging from the cold plunge clear-headed, energized, and unexpectedly joyful.
Together, the hot-cold cycle helps build physical resilience and emotional balance. But for Portal, wellness isn’t just internal – it’s interpersonal.
The Social Side of Sauna
“The sauna is the great equalizer,” Will explains. This philosophy is core to Portal’s identity. While contrast therapy has become trendy in wellness circles, the Dreschers are adamant about preserving its roots as a communal experience. Strangers strike up conversations. Friends book group sessions. People drop their daily armor and connect more easily than they might in a gym or studio.
Portal sees this social dimension as its differentiator. “We want to make taking care of yourself part of the neighborhood lifestyle,” John says. “Strong communities come from strong connections.”
What’s Next
Portal Minneapolis is only the beginning. The company is currently awarding franchises, with a mission to spread resilience, well-being, and social connection far beyond the Midwest.
Whether you're a seasoned sauna devotee or a curious first-timer, Portal offers a welcoming place to settle in, heat up, dive cold, and find yourself refreshed – in body, mind, and community.
3120 Excelsior Blvd. | 612-280-3997 | portalthermaculture.com/minneapolis