"Some people believe clubs represent excess and debauchery, but I believe there's another side to it. There's dance and celebration, but also being socially responsible," says Mike Zuckerman, sustainability director at the popular Temple in San Francisco.
I consulted the ever-vigilant website Treehugger.com and found recommendations for the five greenest clubs in the world. These are Greenhouse and Temple, and the Butterfly Social Club in Chicago, Club Surya in London (run by a man named Dr. Earth), and Club WATT in Rotterdam, which has a dance floor with LED lights partially powered by the movements of dancers. Greenhouse and Temple were intriguing, so off I went in search of bicoastal greenery.
My first stop was Greenhouse, on the edge of SoHo. It's a 500-capacity, two-story complex with bamboo walls (bamboo is highly renewable), eco-designed air conditioning, and 5,000 crystals hanging from the ceiling through which colorful LED lights are passed as if this were a U2 concert. Drinks are served in recycled glass (no plastic cups). It's all very progressive, right down to the waterless urinals. And patrons are loving it.
"It's a chance for America to be in the forefront again," says John Viola, a New York University student lounging on a couch downstairs with friends.
"I think it's a great idea. Why not?" says Natalie Ciullo, a radiology technician sipping a drink on the first floor. "My hair salon is also going green, and I'd like to see some hospitals do more, because there's so much plastic in hospitals."
As for Greenhouse, a visitor quickly realizes that another kind of green is also in play here . . . as in greenbacks. It's an upscale place where if you want to reserve a table (it seats six), you have to promise to jointly spend $1,000. You can still make reservations as an individual, but it's risky if you show up without advance notice. There's no cover charge, but you have to look chic or "bring a lot of ladies," says Mullineaux.
Celebrities hang out here, including Leonardo DiCaprio, P. Diddy, Tatiana Ali, and Colin Farrell. "We have a lot of people who aren't affected by the economy," says Mathias Van Leyden, general manager.
