Spotlight on: Ecco

(Credit: Jim Pease)

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The Cahuenga Corridor might not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking about environmental responsibility—though it may soon be, thanks to the new Ecco Ultra Lounge. Housed in the old Tokio space, the bar mixes eco-chic and Hollywood nightlife under one roof. That's right: Ecco is Hollywood gone green.

Banish any preconceived notions of foliage and flannel-the most surprising part of Ecco's planet-saving premise is that the club is far more Starship Enterprise than earthy-crunchy.

Ecco's futuristic look is the vision of Beau Robb, a designer who's worked on such SBE clubs as Area. Remember Tokio's "Lost in Translation" vibe? Former frequenters will find the club completely revamped as a large, sleek room centered on a sunken dance floor. Add mod lounge areas with black sofas and environmentally sound compressed-glass tables, as well as high-efficiency LED lighting that pulses to the beat of the music, and you might end up feeling like you're in outer space.

The dimly lit chrome-and-jet-black interior certainly doesn't scream green, but Ecco is packed with subtle Mother Earth-approved elements. The club is one of the country's first venues to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, and it was partially constructed from eco-friendly elements including reclaimed wood, high-quality insulation and cement fortified with recycled waste material.

Ecco also walks the walk with features like bathrooms equipped with Dyson Airblades (the most entertaining way to dry one's hands) and a VOC-free interior paint job. Valet parking is free for hybrid cars rolling up before 10 p.m., and the club purchases carbon offsets through a Canadian organization called LivClean. Even the wallpaper is organic. Now if they could just figure out how to harness the energy expended on the dance floor...

Eat: Ecco's extensive menu includes such treats as dolphin-safe yellowfin tuna croquettes, tempura tofu with udon noodles and pork belly. It's no surprise that all Ecco's fare is certified organic. It's also no shock that the waitresses are scantily clad and ridiculously gorgeous.

Drink: The drink menu springs eternal with specialty cocktails, including the granddaddy of green beverages, the Absinthe-Minded, which is certain to make revelers see green. The bar is also stocked with certified organic gin, tequila and eco-friendly vodka.

Looking for Ecco? Address and phone number here»

Katie Bain is a contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.

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