As a city known for its cultural offerings, Melbourne’s music-focused social scene is already on point. But for those who want a side of wellness with their community and connection, something exciting is coming.
Wellness Social Club – Melbourne’s full-service wellness space – is turning up the temperature (literally) with Ascension: The Ultimate Sober Sauna Rave. The first-of-its-kind event combines hot and cold therapy, ecstatic dance and high-energy soundscapes – and it's on a mission to inspire euphoria without the next-day regrets and seedy hangover.
So what’s the inspiration? As 'soft clubbing' sweeps the globe, sections of the city’s social scene are shifting from shots to sound baths. For many Melburnians, kombucha has become the new vodka soda, and younger generations are seeking connection and community minus the comedown. Melbourne’s newest nightlife series, Ascension, is riding that wave – inviting dance music fans to swap sweaty clubs for steamy saunas, and find their buzz in breathwork and cold plunges (without sacrificing the soundtrack).
“We’re getting ahead of the trend so you can be the first to own it,” says a spokesperson for Wellness Social Club. “Athletes, parents and creatives are all lining up for this new experience. Why not be part of the movement?”
The event will start with a guided sauna experience and sound bath, followed by cold plunges to get the endorphins pumping, with kombuchas and zero per cent beer flowing as the alc-free alternatives for your post-plunge drink. Soundtracked by DJ Julie Jones – the Italian-Eritrean artist known for her earthy blend of afro house, tribal techno and world-inspired beats – you’ll still get your music hit, just without the unhealthy elements of clubbing. Joining DJ Julie Jones on the line-up are Awarewolves, whose immersive sound journeys weave didgeridoo, hoop drum and Native American flute into a magical, rousing heartbeat.
The first Ascension will take over Wellness Social Club on Friday, November 28, with tickets starting at $65. You can learn more and book over here.
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