Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 23, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001281774
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus (Q1,Q2,Q3,FY)	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,210,377
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 69.6