Mens Spa / Chicago Spas / The Spa at Halo

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First impression: Walking into The Spa at Halo [For Men], I felt an odd sense of “been here, done that.” All the “guy-spa” prerequisites are there: Stylish, black leather barber stations with hanging, full-size mirrors. A waiting area with “Wedding Crashers” playing on a huge, flat-screen television. Gourmet soda pop available at the front desk.

Where The Spa at Halo [For Men] differed was in the attitude. Owner Bob Patrizi insisted on a laid-back vibe, but this Gold Coast spa, part of a chain Patrizi started with a pair of salons, operates with a swagger. Just look at the treatment names: “The Pimp.” “The Backscratch”  “The Milehigh.” But Patrizi said the names were all in fun. “It’s not too uptight,” he said. “We’re just comfortable.”

With this in mind, I stopped by for the spa’s “Crackberry” treatment, a pay-by-the-minute chair massage designed to unknot my hands, gnarled to the point of soreness thanks to my new BlackBerry.

Zoning In: A massage therapist, Amber, led me to a large treatment room. A waterfall took up most of a far wall, creating a serene gurgle to go with the low-volume indie rock. Amber guided me into a chair, which looked to me like one of those exercise machines that’s advertised on late-night TV. Resting my head, face first, on the chair’s circular cushion, Amber stood behind me and issued a warning: if she got too forceful, let her know.

Having never experienced a hand massage, I settled on 30 minutes, thinking that would be enough time for a treatment. Apparently that was more than enough, as Amber informed me that the massage would also include my back, shoulders, neck and arms.

Now, I’m a big guy who likes a strong massage. But during this rubdown, Amber manhandled me. In a good way, mind you. For 30 minutes, she worked her elbows and palms deep into my back. Her strong hands pressed into my neck and my shoulders, working me over like bread dough until she moved down to my forearms and hands.

When she finished, my arms and neck felt loose. The soreness in my hands was gone. Also, I couldn’t move for a few seconds, I was so relaxed.

Buzzkill: The indie rock music was a little distracting. Apparently, the spa’s stereo system was set to Patrizi’s iPod. Next time, I’d just go with “Echoes of Nature.”

The Crackberry at The Spa at Halo [For Men]

21 W. Elm St.; 312-642-4256

Mens Spa / Chicago Spas / The Spa at Halo

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