Welcome to the new green, Big Apple style.  The Greenhouse is a bi-level 6,000-square-foot space in SoHo that has achieved LEED certification, the official stamp of approval from the US Green Building Council.  That means that everything from building materials and garbage disposal, energy and water usage, has to be regulated and reduced.  With walls made of sustainable bamboo instead of wood and LED light-bulbs that use just one-thirtieth of the energy of regular incandescent bulbs, the space cost 40 percent more to build than a traditional club.  They even have Brad Pitt’s fair-trade soap in its low-impact bathrooms!

However, clubbers are still able to down beer and liquor shipped from all over the globe.  Plastic straws and cocktail napkins will also still accompany every mixed drink.  While the bottle-service menu will highlight $375 bottles of 360 Vodka, made in a green distillery and shipped in reusable bottles, it will also offer a $70,000 Perrier Jouet Fleur de Champagne, custom-made in France.  The owner, Jon B. says he was very conscious of not diminishing the service experience by denying his customers their favourite alcohols or a napkin to wipe their mouths.  The goal is to let people party in a sustainable way, without them necessarily knowing or caring about green issues.  An eco friendly experience without personal sacrifice.

Here are the nightclub’s green highlights:

• Walls are made of quick-growing bamboo, a far more sustainable resource than traditional wood lumber.
• Waterless urinals and low-flow toilets make for a big reduction in water use, at least 15,000 gallons saved annually.
• Uniforms are sustainably made in Africa by Edun, a clothing company owned by eco-warrior Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson.
• Electricity for the thumping sound system and the rest of the club is said to be 100 percent wind-power generated.
• The featured spirit is 360 Vodka, which comes in a reusable, recycled bottle.
• Greenhouse hopes to host weekly events with the hundreds of environmental nonprofits based around town.

Eight varieties of colourful, real leaves cover the walls, lending a natural woodland feel to the club.
Greenhouse‘s efforts are commendable, and set a new standard for eco-partying that we hope will catch on.    An eco friendly night club scene is just what the green movement needed.