Focus on Nightlife

The idea of an ecologically-friendly nightclub is coming to fruition in London. Dubbed the “most ecological dance venue on the planet”, Surya has started multiple initiatives to keep their venue and patrons environmentally aware, while creating a self-sufficient club. Here are a few of the things owner Andrew Charalambous has implemented to keep his club green:

• Customers who can prove they arrived by foot, bicycle, or public transportation are granted free cover (as opposed to paying a £10 cover).
• They will be asked to sign a pledge promising to help curb climate change upon entry.
• Surya sells organic spirits in polycarbon cups.
• Charalambous has started plans to start a recycled water system.
• The dancefloor is being designed to generate energy from customer movement.
• Plans to erect a wind turbine on the roof are on their way.

While this is just one example of a “green” nightclub, a few others have started pushing an environmental message to help clean up the world and, just as importantly, drive customers through their doors. For example, Greenhouse in New York collects rainwater, is built from Earth-friendly materials, and uses lighting that will last for 20 years. Hollywood’s first eco-friendly club, Ecco Ultra Lounge, offers free valet for hybrid cars, has power supplied by the LA Department of Water & Power’s Green Power resources and provides superior organic cuisines and liquors.

Of course, there are costs associated with ‘going green’, and every club owner has to look at the financial impact on the business. Luckily, “green” is increasingly becoming a lifestyle issue for clubbers and, within reason, they are often willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly solutions. Building legitimate eco-friendly characteristics into the marketing plan can be a useful point of differentiation and can drive new business through the doors. Done right, going green can be an investment, not just a cost — while also making a real difference on the environment.

Any club owners interested in environmental tips for their own clubs should visit these sites:

club4climate.com

greenhouseusa.com

eccohollywood.com

Venue: Foxtail

Location: 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Hollywood’s Foxtail opened earlier this year under the direction of Sam Nazarian and Brent Bolthouse, two of the West Coast’s most well-known nightlife personalities. SBE Entertainment’s newest spot has been called “a supper club for the next generation” by the LA Times.

The owners opted to split the venue into two distinct spaces. On the main floor, Foxtail operates a dining section that serves traditional European Bistro meals well into the night. For the clubbers, a darker upstairs serves as a lounge with a 1920’s vibe.